 If there’s one thing I absolutely LOVE, it’s sharing my opinions. Things I like, things I hate, things I think you should try. This weekly blog post is a summary of the things I found this week that I wanted to share with you. Hopefully at least one item on the list makes your world a little better! We made it through the week! I hope your weekend is amazing! Controlling AnxietyMaking big moves in life can come with a full heap of anxiety. Especially if you're trying new things like gives speeches, networking, going back to school ... the list goes on. I really like how this video breaks down our responses to anxiety and how we can start to be in control of it. Flamin' Hot Mountain Dew Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/ Yeah, so, this left me going "huh?" But it was still interesting enough to mention. Read more about this interesting new flavor on cNet or just go straight to the store to see if it's available in your area. Who's willing to try it? Who's willing to actually buy merchandise around this new Dew flavor??? This brought up a question I've never thought of before ... do I actually want to DRINK all of the flavors I like? I love Funyuns, but I'd never drink the flavor ... but if it was a hearty soup? Sign me up. Be Better at Small Talk I'll admit, I'm not great at small talk. My personality goes straight into weird topics and TMI topics. Ask me about the weather and I'll tell you about the time when I was 17 and I had to run to the basement during a tornado. I was topples, wearing only underwear because it was super hot in my bedroom (old farm house) and ended up awkwardly standing next to my sister's boyfriend who was still there late at night. And I now go to bed FULLY dressed each night with a huge fear of being naked in public. Anyway, so I'll read this article from CNBC.com a few times myself because guys, I need it. How to Deal with Toxic PeopleWalking around with the weight of toxic people on your shoulders? One conversation can ruin your day. Use these tips to help!
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 If you're frustrated with your website or just wondering what you can do to make it work harder for you, then start here! You're not alone in learning what works and what doesn't. These mistakes are common and I'm almost always recommending these changes to clients. You're in good company as you keep hustling to improve your marketing platforms and starting with your website is vital! Call to ActionWe're humans. You have to tell us what to do. Every.Single.Time. A call to action (CTA) is a statement or blurb that tells your audience how to take advantage of all the benefits you've been touting about your business. Or if they're already on your website and reading about the benefits, it can serve as a reminder to buy what you're selling before they leave your site. You wouldn't believe how many sales are lost just because a business owner didn't have a call to action (think of it like a mini 5 word sales pitch) in front of their website visitor. For example ... what if I'm 3-pages deep into your site and love what I'm reading? That would be a great time to have a call to action in front of me. It would remind me to buy what I'm reading about and take advantage of those benefits myself. Go through your website and look at it from an outsider's point of view. Can your visitors quickly buy what you're selling wherever they are on your website? Read more about call to actions here. Landing PagesWe're humans. We want instant gratification and instant confirmation. So good grief - create some landing pages already! Have you seen someone promote something on social media and you click, so excited to learn more, only to land on their home page or a webpage chock-full of tons of STUFF that you have to sort through to find what you're looking for? I see it all the time. This is true wherever you're promoting your products and services (social media, email, podcast, etc.). When you talk about a topic or benefit statement and include a link, the user wants to see that exact statement or topic at the very top of the webpage they visit. They want to know they landed in the correct place, they want the benefit statement reinforced, and they don't want to scroll or search for it. Here's a great layout for landing pages you can use today. BlogWe're humans. We want more of everything as often as we can get it. Blogs are an excellent way to:
If you don't have a blog yet, then I recommend you start one! You don't have to post everyday. Start with once a month. Then move to twice a month. Then keep adding more as you can. They don't need to be long and don't need a ton of professional photos. Just start with what you have for now. Here are topic ideas to help you get started:
About MeWe're humans. We're constantly looking for connection, especially before we spend money. This tip is very important for small-to-medium sized businesses and those who provide "services" ... your "About Me" page is going to be read, guaranteed. What's on yours? Do you have one? You should have an "About Me" page with at least a professional bio. It would be great to add personal touches as well (only give as much personal info as you want. You need to feel safe, too!). You could add a paragraph about why you started your business. Some other personal touches could be: hobbies, projects you're working on, vacations you've taken, how many kids/grandkids you have, etc. Pick one of these items to tackle each week until you've successfully overhauled your website. Need help? Contact us today! We'll conduct an audit and help you prioritize your to-do list.
Friday Faves: Crime Scene Clean Up, Getting paid on Pinterest, Sales Page Design, Elevator Pitch7/30/2021  If there’s one thing I absolutely LOVE, it’s sharing my opinions. Things I like, things I hate, things I think you should try. This weekly blog post is a summary of the things I found this week that I wanted to share with you. Hopefully at least one item on the list makes your world a little better! We made it through the week! I hope your weekend is amazing! TikTok Crime Scene Cleanup Not for the faint of heart, that's for sure! With videos like "Rat House of Horrors" we can see how @crimescenecleaning on TikTok has 4.2 million followers. It's morbid and gross and I'll admit, entirely entertaining! Watch the interview on Vice and find out why people are so obsessed. Pinterest is Helping Creators Get Paid Pinterest is helping creators turn clicks into cash! Learn more from TechCrunch. Sales Page Design That Works The Hoth has created a wonderful visual that breaks down the perfect sales page that will help you convert leads and boost site traffic. Click on the image above to see the full visual. A Well-Versed Elevator Pitch What would you say if you only had 2 minutes to introduce yourself and explain why you're amazing??? Coming up blank? That's totally normal! Use these tips to make sure you're ready next time.
 Social HandlesYour social handle is your username on social media. You want these to match as closely as possible. Ideally they will match your business name, but if it's taken by someone else then find something as close as possible and make sure they all match. Profile & Cover PhotosVisit each of your social accounts and look them with the fresh eyes of a stranger. Is everything on-brand? Do your colors, fonts, and photos have a similar look and feel? If you're using a headshot, is it professional? Does your cover photo have a call to action or a benefit statement? Does it help tell your story? Make updates accordingly! Call to ActionIf someone goes to your social profile, will they quickly find a way to contact you? This could be a link to your website, to a scheduling platform for your calendar, or your phone number. Don't make your audience work hard to contact you! Benefit StatementWhy would someone want your products and services? Quickly state the benefit of doing business with you. This is a bit harder because you usually have to stay within a certain character limit, but it's totally worth the work and edits! This will set you apart from your competition. EmojisEmojis are great for visual story telling! Look through emojipedia.org to find the best ones for your business and include them in your social bio. They are attention grabbing and will help tell your story! #HashtagsHashtags are like keywords for your bio, plus they also stand out visually which is great for those just scanning your bio. FREE DOWNLOADDownload the PDF so you can start checking these updates off your list! 
 If there’s one thing I absolutely LOVE, it’s sharing my opinions. Things I like, things I hate, things I think you should try. This weekly blog post is a summary of the things I found this week that I wanted to share with you. Hopefully at least one item on the list makes your world a little better! We made it through the week! I hope your weekend is amazing! 1. People Love Emojis Use them on social media AND in email subject lines. Inc.com explains why if you want to learn more about the power of emojis. "The vast majority of emoji users (90%) believe the modern-day hieroglyphs make it easier for them to express themselves. Eighty-nine percent of respondents said emojis simplify communicating across language barriers. And 67% said they think people who use emojis are friendlier, funnier and cooler than those who don't." - read more from CNN.com 2. Oreo Helping Parents Hide Their Sweets Well, this is genius marketing. For a limited time, Oreo is disguising their cookie packages as something else so parents can hide their sweets in plain view without little munchkins begging for them nonstop in a whiny voice. Nice for parents. GREAT for the other brands which are now prominently displayed in households! 3. Customers Want Convenience ... Every Time The pandemic has changed - and is continuing to change - the way people shop. If you're not taking these factors into the account then you will be left behind. Guaranteed. "People count on convenience more than ever. Global searches for “along my route” (+1,000%) and “curbside pickup” (+3,000%) both soared year over year. Convenience became a key differentiator for retailers who were able to quickly pivot. This is likely to create a new post-pandemic shopping norm." 4. You Need More Plants Plants reduce stress levels, boost your productivity, improve indoor air quality, and more. Learn more about their benefits from Healthline.com, then go support a local nursery or garden center to grab your own. If you're a plant lover, and your sense of humor is warped, you might find "Planty Hoes" on Instagram kinda funny. 5. Find Yourself in a Gossip Group? Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and realized it took an ugly turn toward a mean bad-mouthing session? Gossiping can be hard to avoid - especially with certain people - but for your own sanity, you should totally try to avoid it. Use these tips from YogaJournal.com. Also, check out these tips for being less negative in general (your mental, emotion, and physical health will thank you).
 When setting goals for acquiring customers digitally (from the Internet and mobile device), it's usually easier if you work backwards. Define Your ObjectiveFirst, decide what you want your audience to do. What's going to make your business successful? At the end of the day, what’s going to bring in money? Do they need to buy a specific service or product? Feel free to print off this blog post and fill those answers in here:  List Action StepsNext, focus on how you’re going to help your customers take those steps. Will they need to visit your website and fill out a form? Order online? Do they need to call into your office/store? Would you prefer they stop in during shopping hours? Fill in your answers here:  Put it TogetherYour business goals are under the first exercise. Your business goals are going to help you increase revenue. Next, attach a quantifiable goal to them. You want to make x number of sales or you want to increase your sales by x% this year. Then finally, break it down further. How many sales do you need to make each month to meet your goal? Your implementation goals will come from the second exercise. This is your "to-do list" to make sure your target audience and customers can easily buy your products and services. The less steps they need to take the better. Take a good long look at your communication strategy and your website to make sure the experience is tailored around your customer and not around you. Get the Full WorkbookThis exercise is from my TOTALLY FREE workbook to help you get started in digital marketing. Download your own copy today!
Friday Faves – Google searches, Canva templates, Music for your soul, Patio drinks, Free workbook7/7/2021 
If there’s one thing I absolutely LOVE, it’s sharing my opinions. Things I like, things I hate, things I think you should try. This weekly blog post is a summary of the things I found this week that I wanted to share with you. Hopefully at least one item on the list makes your world a little better! We made it through the week! I hope your weekend is amazing!
1. Everything is a GO According to Google
Google Ads & Insights Briefing: America is opening up after the pandemic and everyone is ready to start living again! Searches for outdoor entertainment, wedding planning, concerts and more have spiked. How does this affect your business? Read their report.
2. Instagram Story Templates That Can Be Used Everywhere
Canva.com has a ton of story templates. One of the things I absolutely love about these is that you can download them to your phone and use them on Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter Stories, LinkedIn Stories, and Facebook Stories. Take a look and see how you can repurpose them for your business. View story templates.
3. Feel Better with Music
So I heard that Weightless by Marconi Union is good for your body and mind. According to an article from Inc.com, the music is a “collaboration with sound therapists. Its carefully arranged harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines help slow a listener's heart rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.” I gave it a try and fell in love. Try it for yourself via YouTube or Spotify.
4. Summer Patio Drink
I work outside on my patio a lot right now, trying to soak in as much summer as I can. Now, I don’t drink while working … unless it’s after 4pm. So after 4pm, I totally recommend these White Wine Ginger Beer Sangrias!
5. Free Digital Marketing Workbook
Incase you haven’t heard me tell you a million times yet, I wrote a free digital marketing workbook. It’s designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs get up and running and bring in sales as quickly as possible. Download it today.
 What if I told you I used digital marketing to help businesses recover from the financial hits they took during the pandemic … and then just walked away? Would you wonder how you can take advantage of the same services? Maybe even wonder why I didn’t tell you how to contact me so we could get started? That’s why a call to action is so important. A call to action (CTA) is a statement or blurb that tells your audience how to take advantage of all the benefits you've been touting about your business. It’s kind of like the final instructions they need to get their hands on what you're selling. In the example above, after telling you I've helped businesses recover from the pandemic I'd follow it with something like "Start your ads next week! Contact me at www.digitalrush.com/contact for a free 30 minute consultation." What Action Should Your Customers Take?Your CTA is the desired action you want them to take and moves your customers through your sales funnel. A call to action directly impacts your goals. For example, those goals could be …
How to Write a Call to ActionYour call to action MUST include action words (verbs) and sound SUPER EASY. No one wants to work hard to give you money. A few ideas to help start your call to action include …
Add more details to finish those final instructions. For example …
Hard Push vs. Soft Push Adding a “push” to your call to action means you’re adding a sense of urgency. Us humans like to put things off … especially when it comes to spending money. Your job is to sell your products/services, make sure your audience can’t live without it, and then tell them how to get it. Adding a sense of urgency ensures you’ll have more people taking advantage of your products and services. A hard push is when you give a specific deadline. For example ...
A soft push is when you give your call to action a sense of urgency, but it’s not tied to specific date. For example ...
Where to Put Calls to ActionThose newer to marketing are going to feel uncomfortable about this at first … but your call to action should be EVERYWHERE. On social media, in emails, in ads, on business cards, on brochures, EVERYWHERE. You might feel like you're over-doing it, but you're not. If you don't tell people what to do and how to do it, then they won't. One of the fastest ways to increase sales is to add a call to action everywhere! Free WorkbookWondering what your next steps should be? Download our digital plan starter guide! This guide was created for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Simply fill out the workbook as you read along, and you’ll have a digital marketing plan in minutes to help you get going. Even if your website isn’t great and you have little-to-no budget, you’ll have a plan to help you bring in leads and increase revenue. Download your own workbook today!
 Story time ... 12 years ago, I remember a client telling me “Well my nephew just graduated college and he’s playing on Facebook all the time, so I think we’re just going to use him. He said he’d do it for free.” I asked if his degree was in marketing. The answer was no. I refrained from rolling my eyes, knowing they would be back. And they were. With a hot mess on their hands. The lesson for today is … cheap social media isn’t cheap. It will end up costing more as you clean up the mess and get aligned with a proven strategy. Undoing the damage is very costly and it takes time to rebuild your brand and meet your goals. I’ve never met a client who didn’t feel like they were spending too much on social media at first. They get on Facebook and Instagram every evening and at lunch to play around – how hard can it be to actually post??? So, let’s start there. It’s VERY EASY to click/tap the “post” button … it’s everything that leads up to it that’s the hard part. Here’s what you get with an experienced social media manager … Understanding Your Audience Did you know that most of the time, even your own employees don’t understand your audience? I’m talking about TRULY understanding what moves your audience and makes them take action on social media. Yes, you might have tactics inside your store or business, but those tactics don’t always work on social media. Did you know that most of the time, even Facebook is totally off base when they give advice? It’s true! For 7 years now, I’ve ignored their “best practices” when it comes to how to post the “best” images on Facebook. Because I knew it didn’t work. Now they’ve finally decided that their best practices weren’t working and are going to stop penalizing boosted posts and ads that don’t follow their best practices. Understanding your audience means taking the time to review analytics, set up tests, monitor engagement, and keep an eye on goal completion. Experienced social media managers collect this information over time, watch the similarities and differences between industries and audiences, and tailor their strategies accordingly. Understanding How to Balance Branding and Your Bottom-line Inexperienced social media managers (or your nephew who just graduated from college) will push for page likes and post likes/comments/shares. Their strategy seems sound in that they’re focusing on your brand and “voice” on social media, but usually they’re only monitoring key metrics from the social platform insights. You don’t want to ignore these goals and metrics, but you’re going to be in trouble if they’re the ONLY goals/metrics you focus on. At the end of the day, which would you rather have?
(Take your time deciding.) An experienced social media manager is going to balance the two. They can help you with branding and storytelling but will also direct your messaging toward your goals of sales and lead conversions. You can build your brand AND get sales at the same time. Understanding Your Budget If you followed all of the “best practices” out there, you’d spend a year’s worth of your budget in 1 month. You can’t do everything, so you need an experienced social media manager to help direct you to the platforms and strategies that will help you make the most for your money. Hint: sometimes the recommendations can feel really boring after you've been reading about the latest new thing, If your social media manager is telling you not to jump yet, you need to trust them. Which brings me to my next point … Knowing What’s a Fad and When to Jump In I’ve got my eye on all new social platforms coming up and often times recommend that my clients grab their social handle to make sure they have it ready when the time comes. However, I don’t use my client’s budget dollars to create a content strategy and new content around a brand-new platform just because the “cool kids” are doing it. I only make a move when it’s profitable for my client – and that timing is different for each client. I have meetings all the time with potential clients where they talk about someone coming in and shouting about how they need to be on [fill in the blank] platform because “everyone’s doing it.” They jump on the bandwagon and proceed to lose money. An experienced social media manager will put an end to that real quick! Knowing When to Pivot This is the best thing about social media and digital marketing. You can quickly make changes. Experienced social media managers see “the writing on the wall” much faster than most others. We know what tweaks to make to boost engagement and site traffic and we know when to scrap an idea all together. Those new to digital marketing, will stumble and cause delays when it’s time to pivot. An experienced manager will already have a new strategy in place before you even know there’s an issue. Start with Experience, Finish with Success I’ve worked in the world of digital marketing before it was called digital marketing. In 2001, I started with email campaigns and kept moving to newer and newer online/digital media platforms. Now we work with email, website sites, landing pages, social media, Google ads, and more. When you work with That Digital Rush, we start with a strategy and then create a content calendar and social media posting calendar. We create a guide tailored to your business and industry to meet your goals via digital marketing. We send monthly results via email on the 1st of the month and if you have ads running, we will send you results weekly or monthly (your choice).
We are experienced and yes, you do have to pay for that experience. But that’s why you’re going to see results. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more. 
Ever had a day at work that was so bad you’re ready to just walk out? We all have. How we handle it is what will either make us or break us … but is also very difficult when you feel like work has already broken you.
Unfortunately, there are no ways to avoid bad days at work. The only thing we can do is come up with coping mechanisms that are healthy and keep us moving forward. Use these tips below to help you get through the day. Whether you only have 5 minutes to pull yourself together or you’re lucky enough to take an hour break – these ideas will help you find relief fast. In 5 minutes Geez, 5 minutes doesn’t sound like enough time, does it! But that’s the way it is sometimes! You only get 5 minutes (sometimes while hiding in the bathroom) before your next meeting or confrontation. Try these ideas … 1.Try the 4-7-8 exercise
Read about more breath exercises here. 2. Do Light Stretching
3. Repeat an affirmation Use the notes app on your phone to keep a list of affirmations for fast access. Here are few affirmations you could try.
In 15 minutes 15 minutes is enough time for a quick reprieve and hopefully enough time to calm you down so you don’t walk out! Try these ideas if you have enough time … 1. Go for a walk Burn the adrenaline out of your system with a quick, brisk walk around the office or house, if you work from home. 2. Call someone to vent Who can you vent to? Give them a heads up that you just need to vent. Let them know upfront if you’re looking for solutions or if you just need to say the f-bomb a few times to get it out of your system. Make sure you call someone who doesn’t internalize negative energy, so you don’t accidently ruin their day, too. 3. Listen to music Break out the earbuds or sit in your car for a bit. Try these Spotify playlists if you need some upbeat music: 4. Watch a funny video Need a laugh? Start here and then create a YouTube playlist of your faves …
5. Play a game on your phone PC Magazine has a list of games you can try. Maybe there will be some new ones you haven’t tried before. 6. Write a list of the good things in your life Remember you are more than your job! Are you a parent, friend, partner, involved in a hobby? Those are all good things! Make a list and write one positive thing about each of those things. In 30 minutes There are plenty of things you can do in 30 minutes. Start by being grateful for the break and then try one or more of these ideas … 1. Workout The Fitness Marshall is amazing. Try his workout and you’ll end up with a smile on your face …
2. Yoga
If you can’t leave your desk then try desk yoga.
If you can leave your desk, then try yoga outside.
3. Meditation
Try the Meditation Minis Podcast. They are around 7-10 minutes long and offer immediate relief. If you’re still muttering f-bombs under your breath then go all out and listen to “F*ck That: An Honest Meditation”
4. Get in nature
If there’s a park nearby then go for a quick walk and focus on all of the natural beauty around you. If you’re not near a park then try to get close to gardens or water features so you can connect to nature. 5.Grab some tea. Smile big when you order. Psychologists say that smiling is an easy way to start feeling more positive. Green tea has amazing benefits for your mental health, so order a large size! In 60 minutes Whether it’s a lunch break or you get to sneak out for a bit, take this time to really focus on self-care. Try these ideas … 1. Workout If you have a gym membership, then get in there and get sweaty. Burn off that aggression! 2. Make a to-do list, then get away from your desk for a while To-do lists will help you feel more in control of your situation. Make a list so you know what you’re doing first as soon as you get back. Then LEAVE and get a break mental break knowing that everything is ready for when you get back. 3. Walk and listen to a positive podcast You have enough time to get into a good podcast. So find one that will help you either destress or learn how to better handle the situations around you. Try one of these: 4. Grab tea and sit outside if you can Like we said earlier, green tea baby! Get it in your system! 5. Search job openings If you’re ready to walk out anyway, why not look up some new opportunities. Just knowing you have options you can apply for can have you walking back into work with your head higher. You’re not stuck! You’re simply learning quickly in an environment that’s not suited for you and you’ll move on when you’re ready. At the End of the Day 1. Cry According to healthline.com, “Crying for long periods of time releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, otherwise known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals can help ease both physical and emotional pain.” So do it if you need to. 2. Reward yourself with a tasty treat. We’re not saying to smash a whole chocolate cake – that will come with too much regret and shame. We’re saying to make a smoothie or enjoy a Hershey kiss. 3. Lose yourself in a hobby You need to have SOMETHING, ANYTHING outside of work that makes you happy. If you have a hobby then lose yourself in it after work. If you don’t have a hobby then try one of these ideas…
4. Workout with a friend Grab your bestie and choose something fun and active. Want to try something new? How about …
5. Tidy your bedroom to create a relaxing space Use these tips to give your bedroom a makeover. Set yourself up for success by creating a relaxing oasis inside your home. Hopefully these ideas help! Learning how to stay positive and take care of your own mental health is a big learning curve as an adult. It’s in your best interest to keep looking for ideas that are most effective for you. Comment below if you have a relaxation idea we could try! |
AuthorFirst, I'm the mother of three crazy, sassy, sarcastic, hilarious children. Second, I work in the world of social media, email, digital marketing. Third, I'll probably try to tell you what to do. 
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