by threshold | Oct 13, 2023 | Digital Marketing, General, Marketing, Tech/Web, Thought Leadership
Alfred Perez – digital marketing manager.
press start.
Ever thought of pairing your marketing efforts with video games? You just might after reading this.
Video games have seen a significant upward trajectory for the past few years. Much of the growth was due to the increase in player base, the mobile gaming boom, e-sports, and streaming platforms like Twitch. The number of eyes going towards video games has continued to capture the attention of brands trying to effectively get in front of their audience. Video games have slowly, but surely found ways to promote ads through their medium.
Here are a few examples of how to advertise in video games:
in-game billboards and posters.
Modern video games include billboards, posters, and signs in virtual worlds. Brands can pay for ad space on these in-game assets. These advertisements can be static images or even videos, making them highly visible to players. Planning truly needs to be at the forefront of this marketing strategy because video games are a worldwide medium so the brand should be worldwide as well for this to really be effective.
product placement.
Brands can negotiate product placement deals with game developers to have their products or logos featured within the game’s environment. This can include items, vehicles, or clothing that prominently display the brand. Pretty cool, right?
sponsored game content.
Brands can sponsor specific in-game content, such as events, challenges, or game modes. Time to pick your favorite level!
sponsored streams.
Brands can negotiate terms with popular streamers about promoting their product or service through the streamer’s channel to reach their specific audience. This can include logos throughout the stream, in-channel ad breaks or an ad read from the streamer like a podcaster would.
branded virtual items.
In some games, players can purchase or earn virtual items like clothing, accessories, or skins for characters or objects. Brands can create branded virtual items for players to use in the game, increasing brand visibility. It’s swag time.
playable ads.
Some mobile games offer playable ads where players can engage with a mini-version of the advertised game within the ad itself. If players enjoy the mini-game, they may be more likely to download and play the full game.
interactive advertisements.
Interactive ads can appear on loading screens, pause menus, or as part of the game’s storyline. These ads may require players to engage with them in some way, such as clicking, swiping, or solving puzzles.
video ads.
Short video advertisements can be shown to players as they progress through a game or during natural breaks in gameplay. These ads can be skippable or non-skippable, and they often reward players with in-game currency or other benefits for watching. An example of this would be Amazon’s video game streaming service Twitch which is comparable to how Google’s YouTube video ads work.
native advertising.
Some games incorporate advertising seamlessly into the game’s narrative or environment, making it feel like a natural part of the gameplay. This can include characters using real-world products or references to real-world events. Ready to explore your game-writing abilities?
advergames.
Advergames are video games created specifically for marketing purposes. These games often feature branded characters, themes, or products and can be used to engage and entertain potential customers.
live events and tournaments.
Brands can sponsor or host live in-game events or tournaments, where players compete for prizes or recognition. These events can be streamed on platforms like Twitch, expanding the reach of the brand.
the end game.
It’s essential for brands to choose the right games, streamers and/or advertising methods that align with their target audience and marketing objectives. You don’t want your marketing to feel forced or out of place. Additionally, respecting the gaming experience and ensuring that ads enhance rather than disrupt gameplay is crucial for the success of in-game advertising.
Now plug in that X-box and get going!
before you go.
For more tips and information about marketing your everything, take a look at the rest of our blogs, right here on our website!
You can also subscribe to our email newsletter (it’s got some great stuff), and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn!
about the author.
Alfred is the Digital Marketing Manager at Threshold, which means he’s basically a wizard when it comes to all things digital. When Alfred’s not monitoring and activating digital services for our clients to deliver the best possible results, you can probably find him playing video games, visiting local Austin breweries, and playing rec sports with his friends.
He also loves to cook, but isn’t a fan of doing the dishes that accompany cooking a meal – but really, who can blame him?
by threshold | Sep 24, 2023 | Digital Marketing, General, Marketing, Tech/Web
Ava Page
If you want to boost your website conversions, engage your audience, and drive more actions, don’t go anywhere – this one’s for you. We’re exploring the importance of CTAs (call-to-action), sharing best practices, and providing actionable tips on how to create catchy and effective content for your brand.
understanding the power of CTAs.
CTAs play a crucial role in guiding your audience towards the desired action. Whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or visiting a landing page, a well-crafted CTA can make all the difference.
At Threshold, we believe that CTAs are the unsung heroes of digital marketing, capturing attention and persuading visitors to take the next step.
crafting captivating CTAs.
Creating an optimized CTA is both an art and a science. Here are some key tips to help you craft CTAs that grab attention and drive real results (they’re kind of our thing):
clear and actionable text.
Keep your CTA copy concise, compelling, and action-oriented. Use strong verbs that create a sense of urgency and motivate users to click. Examples include “Let’s Get Started,” “Start Exploring Now,” or “Claim Your Free Trial.” The more specific your content, the better!
visually appealing.
Design your CTAs in a way that makes them visually appealing and easy to spot. Consider using contrasting colors, eye-catching graphics, or animations to draw attention to your call-to-action buttons.
strategic placement.
Position your CTAs strategically on your website to ensure maximum visibility. High-converting locations include above the fold, at the end of blog posts, and on landing pages. Don’t be afraid to test different placements to find what works best for your audience.
a personalized experience.
Tailor your CTAs to match the interests and preferences of your target audience. Use dynamic content to show different CTAs based on user behavior, demographics, or past interactions. This personal touch can significantly increase engagement and conversions.
a/b testing.
To maximize the performance of your CTAs, never underestimate the power of continuous testing and optimization. A/B testing allows you to compare different variations of your CTAs to determine which ones yield the best results. Test different colors, copy, sizes, and placements to find the winning combination for your specific audience.
tracking & analytics.
To measure the effectiveness of your CTAs, it’s crucial to track their performance using analytics tools. Monitor click-through rates, conversion rates, and other relevant metrics to gauge the impact of your CTAs. This data provides insights into what works and what needs improvement, enabling you to refine your CTAs for better results over time.
leveraging CTA optimization services from Threshold.
At Threshold, we specialize in delivering measurable results. Our team of experts combines creative design, data-driven strategies, and industry best practices to create captivating and effective CTAs that drive conversions.
Partnering with us means benefiting from our cutting-edge technologies, and the assurance of high-quality marketing experience.
to sum it up.
Optimized CTAs are a game-changer in the world of digital marketing. Implementing the strategies and best practices discussed in this article will not only capture attention but also improve your website’s conversion rates. Unleash your creativity, and let your CTAs do the talking!
Oh, and don’t forget – at Threshold, we’re here to help you conquer the impossible (and save yourself the headache) and achieve outstanding results through our extensive expertise in CTA optimization.
Get in touch with us today and take your conversions to new heights!
before you go.
For more tips and information about marketing your everything, take a look at the rest of our blogs, right here on our website!
You can also subscribe to our email newsletter (it’s got some great stuff), and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn!
about the author.
Ava is the Content Marketing Specialist at Threshold.
In her role, she is responsible for the content creation and management of all Threshold and PromoShak social channels, blog content, and SEO maintenance, and aids in digital marketing strategies both internal and client-facing.
When she’s not busy creating content, you can usually find her picking out new plants, island-hopping, watching Duke basketball, or spending time with her fur babies.
by threshold | Sep 14, 2023 | Digital Marketing, General, Marketing, Tech/Web, Thought Leadership
Michael Pratt
How do you stand out in a sea of competition? By guiding your audience through a killer experience.
Effective UI/UX design is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of successful digital marketing endeavors. And within the real estate industry, where visual appeal and user engagement are paramount, crafting immersive digital experiences is crucial.
We’re sharing the secret sauce to engaging your audience below, so don’t click away just yet!
first impressions. they’re kind of a big deal.
UI, the visual layout and aesthetics, and UX, the overall user experience, profoundly impact initial impressions.
In real estate marketing, where potential residents will turn away if properties aren’t presented in the best light, a well-designed and intuitive website fosters trust and encourages visitors to go down a rabbit hole of site exploring.
make every visitor a navigator pro.
In real estate marketing, streamlined navigation is, well, kind of essential. Intuitive UI/UX design ensures potential buyers can effortlessly browse listings, view property details, and access contact information.
A seamless navigation experience enhances user satisfaction and encourages conversion. Cha-ching!
tap into those emotions.
Effective UI/UX evokes emotional connections. High-quality imagery, immersive virtual tours, and engaging property descriptions amplify the emotional resonance of a property. What does this do? Lots.
Emotional engagement strengthens branding and increases the likelihood of prospective buyers reaching out.
not local? not a problem.
Navigating a real estate website should mirror the ease of visiting a property in person. Effective UI/UX ensures intuitive property categorization, filtering, and detailed property information presentation.
So even if your prospects aren’t local to the property location, this seamless exploration process enhances their satisfaction and encourages extended engagement.
get people inquiring about you.
UI/UX design influences users’ interaction with contact forms, chatbots, and other communication channels. Streamlined interfaces facilitate inquiries and foster trust, ultimately translating into increased lead generation.
to wrap it all up.
The potency of UI/UX design in real estate marketing cannot be underestimated. As online interactions increasingly shape buyers’ decisions, a strategic focus on immersive, user-centric experiences is paramount.
Don’t be discouraged! Threshold is an expert in this domain, employing innovative UI/UX strategies that truly transform real estate marketing.
By cultivating emotional engagement, streamlining interactions, and delivering personalized experiences, we underscore the potential of UI/UX to redefine success in the dynamic landscape of real estate marketing.
by threshold | Aug 9, 2023 | Digital Marketing, Tech/Web, Thought Leadership
Anooj Francis
A robust online presence is crucial for businesses to succeed in today’s fast-paced digital world. As a trusted web development agency, we understand the importance of choosing the right hosting provider for your WordPress website. Among the many options available, WP Engine stands out as a game-changer. Here we will delve into the exceptional benefits of hosting your WordPress website with WP Engine and how it can elevate your online success.
unmatched performance.
When it comes to website performance, speed is paramount. WP Engine boasts an unparalleled infrastructure, utilizing cutting-edge technology to optimize page loading times. Their servers are purpose-built for WordPress, ensuring lightning-fast loading speeds for your website. This translates into better user experiences, higher search engine rankings, and increased customer engagement.
enhanced security measures.
Security is a top concern for any website owner, and WP Engine takes this responsibility seriously. With robust security features and proactive monitoring, they provide a fortress-like environment for your website. WP Engine automatically updates WordPress and its plugins, guards against malware, and conducts regular backups, ensuring your data is always safe and secure.
hassle-free WordPress updates.
Keeping your WordPress core and plugins up-to-date is vital for maintaining a secure website. WP Engine handles all updates for you, saving you time and effort. They thoroughly test updates before implementing them, minimizing the risk of compatibility issues and potential website downtime.
scalability for growth.
As your business expands, so will your website’s needs. WP Engine offers seamless scalability, effortlessly accommodating increased traffic and resource demands. Whether it’s a surge in visitors or the addition of new features, WP Engine ensures your website performs optimally, no matter the scale.
top-notch customer support.
Nothing is more frustrating than encountering technical issues with your website and waiting endlessly for support. WP Engine sets itself apart with its exceptional customer support team, which is available 24/7. Their WordPress experts are ready to assist you at any time, swiftly resolving your concerns, so you can focus on what matters most – your business.
global reach with CDN integration.
WP Engine leverages Cloudflare’s powerful CDN, ensuring your website’s content is distributed across a vast network of servers worldwide. This results in faster page load times and improved user experiences for visitors from around the globe while reducing requests to the WP Engine origin server.
staging environment for testing.
WP Engine provides a staging environment, allowing you to test changes and updates to your website before making them live. This invaluable feature ensures that any modifications are thoroughly reviewed and optimized, reducing the risk of potential errors impacting your live site.
managed backups for peace of mind.
Accidents happen, but you can rest easy with WP Engine’s managed backups. They automatically create backups of your website, allowing you to restore it to a previous state with just a few clicks. This feature is a lifeline in case of data loss, ensuring your valuable content remains intact.
to conclude.
Partnering with WP Engine for hosting your WordPress website can be a game-changing decision for your online business. The unmatched performance, enhanced security measures, seamless scalability, and exceptional customer support ensure that your website operates at its full potential.
We highly recommend WP Engine at Threshold for its reliability, advanced features, and commitment to empowering businesses. Please get in touch with us if you wish to explore the possibilities with WP Engine or discuss any other aspect of your website. We are here to help you maximize online success and take your business to new heights.
For more tips and information about marketing your everything, take a look at the rest of our blogs, right here on our website!
You can also subscribe to our email newsletter (it’s got some great stuff), and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn!
by threshold | Jul 10, 2023 | Digital Marketing, Marketing, Tech/Web, Thought Leadership
Abby Barnes
AI: ever heard of it?
As the digital marketing landscape continues to rapidly evolve, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a critical tool for marketers. At Threshold, we’ve witnessed how AI is reshaping customer interactions and enabling marketers to make more informed marketing decisions.
To fully unlock the potential of AI and create personalized customer experiences, it’s crucial to understand its fundamentals, select the right AI technologies, and measure its impact. We’ve created a guide to equip you with the knowledge you need to really harness AI’s capabilities, enhance your marketing campaigns, and drive your team toward success.
Let’s get started, shall we?
what is AI?
AI simply refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks that traditionally require a human. In digital marketing, AI plays a critical role in helping businesses automate and optimize their marketing efforts to create more personalized experiences for their customers. Cool, right?
One use of AI in digital marketing is through the use of machine learning algorithms. These algorithms can process and analyze large datasets, including customer behavior and preferences. AI can help identify patterns and predict future behavior, allowing marketers to develop more strategic and personalized marketing campaigns.
But it doesn’t stop there. Another application of AI is through the use of chatbots on your websites. Many property management companies have already started adopting these bots as they can serve as valuable virtual assistants, capable of delivering instant support.
what are the benefits of AI in Digital Marketing?
We’re so glad you asked.
enhanced efficiency
AI helps with automating tedious tasks like data collection, analysis, and segmentation, freeing up valuable time for marketers to focus on strategic initiatives.
personalized experiences
Leveraging AI tools allow marketers to gain insights into customer needs and preferences, providing tailored campaigns that resonate with your target audience.
real-time optimization
AI-powered analytics provide real-time insights into customer behavior, enabling marketers to optimize campaigns quickly. By leveraging AI’s ability to analyze vast datasets, businesses can make data-driven decisions that enhance marketing strategies and deliver better results.
automation and scalability
AI automates various marketing tasks, including customer service, data analysis, and social media and email scheduling. This automation allows businesses to scale their marketing efforts efficiently as their customer base expands.
identifying the right AI technologies
Choosing the right AI technologies that align with your specific needs is crucial for successful implementation in marketing. A wide range of AI-driven tools, from customer service bots to data analysis platforms, are available. Like any technology, AI in marketing carries inherent risks that should be addressed. Privacy concerns may arise when collecting and analyzing customer data using AI-driven tools.
That’s some serious business.
It is crucial to ensure that data is collected and used securely and in compliance with regulations. Additionally, being aware of the potential for bias in AI algorithms and taking steps to ensure accuracy and fairness are paramount.
integrating AI into your marketing strategy
Once the appropriate AI technologies have been identified, integrating them into your marketing strategy is key. As digital marketers, we’re already using AI-driven initiatives in Google Ads campaigns. Responsive Search and Display Ads are the perfect example!
By providing multiple headlines, descriptions, and creative assets, Google’s AI will generate ad combinations and learn over time which combinations drive better results.
AI-driven tools enhance efficiency and campaign effectiveness, but it is crucial to track and evaluate results. By measuring campaign performance, you can identify areas where AI has the most significant impact and make informed adjustments. Plus, (last point, promise), considering factors such as cost and return on investment helps ensure you make informed decisions about implementing AI technologies.
to sum it up
The potential of AI in marketing is vast, and understanding how to harness its power is vital for marketers. This comprehensive guide gives you a quick overview of the fundamentals of AI in marketing, along with how you can see success in implementation.
By embracing the benefits and mitigating the risks associated with AI, you can unlock your marketing team’s potential and drive better results.
Tired of spending precious hours trying to decipher AI, ad trends, and where to put your spending? We don’t blame you. Luckily, we have a solve. At Threshold, we are well-versed in AI technology and can guide you through this transformative journey.
Contact us today to explore the revolutionary possibilities AI offers for your marketing initiatives.
before you go
For more tips and information about marketing, take a look at the rest of our blogs, right here on our website! You can also subscribe to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
by threshold | Dec 29, 2022 | Digital Marketing, General, Marketing, Tech/Web
Ava Page
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What is SEO?
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of utilizing optimized content in order to improve your ranking on search engines and increase traffic to your website. The best ways to ensure this practice is completed at maximum success are to create high-quality content, ensure quick load time for your website, and create a user-friendly website across all platforms.
Why should I focus on SEO?
The bottom line is that SEO is what will make your website visible, and will in turn ensure long-term equity for your business or brand. Higher visibility will result in higher organic traffic for your site, all without spending a dime on advertising.
Improving your SEO rankings is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to drive traffic to your site. 65% of users who search on Google say they will choose organic results over ads, proving that securing a solid SEO campaign can be more effective than paid ads in this arena.
What SEO content should be included on my website?
At Threshold, we happen to know a thing or two about SEO. In fact, it’s pretty much our specialty. So much so, that we’re offering some insight on the top ways to ensure SEO success for your business or brand and how we provide for our clients on custom websites, social media management, and other digital marketing services.
Alt-text
First things first, it’s worth noting that 22.6% of Google searches come from image searches, hence the importance of your website images’ SEO.
Alt-text – sometimes referred to as alt tags or alt attributes – is an included written description of an image within the website. This helps in giving your site and its images a higher search engine ranking, as it enhances the accessibility of your site.
Meta descriptions
Meta descriptions allow you to provide a snippet or summary of your website and all its pages to be shown in the SERP (search engine results page).
A good meta description will entice viewers to click on your page in search engines, increasing your CTR (click-through rate), organic traffic, and lead generation.
Without effective meta descriptions, search engines will rank your website lower, and those potential viewers who do make it down to your listing will turn away from site descriptions that don’t interest them.
Page titles
We’ve all heard not to judge a book by its cover, but in most cases, it’s inevitable.
Page titles on a website are no different! When creating your page titles, you must be sure to let your clients know what they’re searching for, while also drawing their interest.
As far as page titles go for SEO, it’s a pretty similar idea. Search engines are never going to prioritize a website without clear page titles to indicate where they are sending their users.
Keywords
Keywords are where things can get tricky in SEO, and why we recommend you leave it to the professionals – like us!
However, for the sake of giving you a better understanding of why we do what we do when choosing keywords, we’ll let you in on some tricks of the trade.
Keywords are what most often will attract users to your website in search engines. Think about what clients will be plugging into their search engines when looking for a business such as your own – these are the starting points for choosing your keywords.
Another tricky part of keywords is knowing how many to include per page, per site. Include too little, and search engines won’t recognize your site. Include too many, and search engines will avoid promoting your sites due to spam triggers.
Lucky for you, keyword research and implementation are a huge part of our premium SEO services when creating our custom websites.
Linking
Whether it’s to provide examples, deeper dives into the information you’re promoting, or simply linking to other locations within your own website, this is a step you’ll want to pay attention to. Both internal and external links let search engines know that your information is relatable, and oftentimes, verified.
Mobile-friendly
Creating a website that is user-friendly across all devices is something that will contribute largely to your SEO rankings, and it’s because of one simple fact: nearly 60% of online users access the web using a mobile device.
Gone are the days of simply using laptops and desktops to access the internet, and mobile-friendly websites are here to stay. Google and other search engines are simply not going to prioritize a website that isn’t designed with the majority of online users in mind.
This is why creating a mobile-friendly website isn’t something that can be pushed to the back burner to be resolved later – it’s something to look at now, or else your SEO rankings will suffer exponentially as a result.
Before you go
Don’t forget, we’re experts when it comes to crafting high ranking SEO friendly custom websites, and we are here to help! Reach out to a CSM or any of our team members to get started on taking your website’s SEO to the next level, and see an increase in traffic, and watch the leads roll in.
For more tips and information about digital and real estate marketing, take a look at the rest of our blogs, right here on our website! You can also subscribe to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
