Rebranding your Business in 2023

“People change” is a phrase that gets used a lot in the world of work, whereas when it comes to business changes, there is a whole tranche of phrases that are used for the many different types of evolution and update that companies can go through, sometimes for the best and sometimes for the worst… Either way, they must be carefully managed and supported throughout to ensure success.

If you and your business are looking for a rebrand then we hope to point you in the right direction with a bit of info. We can’t guarantee things will always work out, but we can give you some hints that will point you in the right direction for success and future growth!

Why Should I Consider A Rebrand?

Rebrands can be a useful point for a business reset, refresh or change in direction. They can be a healthy way for a business to start from scratch, whilst still remaining relevant to their wider audience and also employees.

It’s also important to understand that markets change along with how customers respond and engage with them. Considering a rebrand can offer some valuable internal reflection for any business as competition changes and customer trends develop.

Putting your customers first and their needs is vital for any business to survive.

Take LEGO for example. By 2003 their business was becoming to look a tad outdated, with their core fanbase and audience losing interest.

Their rebrand changed all of this. By understanding their audience they were able to save themselves by bringing out new products and services. Whilst eliminating the ones initially holding them back.

From the years of 2003-2013 their revenue increased by over 500%.

The numbers don’t lie – if done correctly a rebrand can really elevate a businesses performance and authority.

What Should I Consider For My Rebrand?

Rebranding can be seen as a scary thing for any business. Don’t forget though that your foundations have already been built, meaning the really hard work is usually done and dusted. 

As already touched upon, it is important to understand your customers’ wants and needs. 

Like Lego, maybe your products and/or services are outdated or are not that relevant anymore?

Be aware of the business climate you are in. This along with your customer base is ever changing. Marketing channels may change and also the way they are presented.

For example AirBNB have experienced 5 rebrands since 2007. However it is important to understand how much the world has changed in 15 years. 

We’ve seen smartphones and social media drastically develop in this time frame. In 2007, few would have thought Facebook and its platform for businesses would be a major contributor to the international economy.

Maybe your product is there and you have dedicated customers. But what if you are looking for that next step to really break through? 

Collaborating with other like-minded businesses can really elevate your businesses efforts.  To grow your business it is fundamental you attract new customers. 

Well established businesses going through rebrands must also consider the retention of their previously acquired audience, otherwise their new look won’t get the results it may deserve. 

Email marketing can play a huge role in communicating with your customer base on the new look. People enjoy being kept in the loop, it’s human nature – and key to ensure everyone is well informed about any changes in your business.

If you and your business feel like a fresh start is on the horizon then please feel free to contact us. As an agency we thrive from pushing businesses to new heights through a mixture of creativity and strategy, bringing a wealth of experience to our clients to support them in driving success.

Is it wise to let AI write your marketing content?

AI, or ‘Artificial Intelligence’ is becoming a hot topic amongst the world of marketing. With the rise of ChatGPT from OpenAI, it is becoming increasingly popular for AI to be implemented into the content creation process for agencies and businesses. 

It’s now common practice for companies to include “Written by a human” or “Written by AI” on their web pages and content. Have you ever wondered about the benefits and drawbacks of AI in a business environment? 

AI is also being implemented into wider industries such as healthcare, web development and sports, and presents a lot of opportunities for business and organisations take advantage of. 

In this blog we touch on what AI actually is in marketing, and how you could go about implementing AI into your marketing plan for 2023. 


What exactly is AI?

The official definition of Artificial Intelligence is :

intelligence-perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information demonstrated by machines, as opposed to intelligence displayed by non-human animals and humans.”

In layman’s terms this means that human intelligence and learning can be placed into machines/robots. This learning is then built upon and acted out for us to benefit from.

We then use the output results for our own gain or expand on them ourselves. The cycle then continues until a satisfactory outcome is achieved. 

In the world of AI, currently there are 4 different categories, they are: 

  • Reactive machines
  • Limited memory
  • Theory of mind
  • Self aware AI

How is AI being used in marketing?

AI is being used in marketing and has kicked up a storm on social media sites like LinkedIn and streaming sites such as YouTube. Content creators on these platforms are showing users how to make use of AI, specifically ChatGPT.

If you are a smaller agency or a single-person organisation and you want to get work completed in a quicker, more cost-effective time frame, then AI could be for you.

By simply inputting a general description of the sort of content you are needing, ChatGPT goes ahead and responds back with their idea of what you are after.

We will show you some examples of what people have used in the past.

1.

This 1st example above is showing an introduction of an article that talks about what ChatGPT is used for.

Despite being written by a robot, the end result has a human-like tone and features little to no grammatical errors.

2.

Our second example as seen above is showcasing ChatGPT and its ability to write computer code. 

What’s impressive with this example is the inclusion specific industry jargon entered into the request, which has then been understood by ChatGPT.

The response is also well thought out and structured, giving the user reasoning behind their conclusion, rather than just giving the answer. 

If you were to have any worries about ChatGPT and its value, we feel these 2 examples above can ease them. 

What are the general arguments for AI in marketing?

It’s best to weigh the pros and cons of a new strategy or approach before fully implementing it. It can be a costly mistake if you do not consider drawbacks which can cause problems further down the line.

Here are some of the pros and cons to consider when using AI for content creation and marketing efforts in 2023:

Benefits of AI in Marketing

  • It can be highly effective at completing Repetitive tasks. If someone has lots of repetitive work to complete, they can sometimes lose interest which can cause unnecessary mistakes. AI will never get bored or tired, and can easily complete large amounts of repetitive tasks with ease.

  • Can be used 24/7 at any time of day, no matter the timezone. This works perfectly when you have an overseas client, or want to run tasks while the office is closed so they are ready for the next day.

  • Decisions can be made quicly when using AI. Often when you are in a meeting and have come to a decision, there needs to be others adding their thoughts to reach a conclusion. AI on the other hand can present an answer in a more timely manner. 

Drawbacks of AI in Marketing

  • For article writing you may need to go through and cite/reference points. 

  • Certain parts of the English language are not utilised properly through AI. Makes it easy if implemented often for human’s to notice the machine at work. 

  • It can at times give out generally formal responses. If you are using AI for something like a social media campaign, it can be tough for AI to ensure posts come off as fairly informal and laidback, whilst still addressing points/intent in a coherent manner. 

  • The more popular AI becomes, the more risk there is of business, websites and customers noticing its patterns and styles, which could put them off. Sometimes people simply prefer the human touch when it comes to content and marketing. 

  • There can be a risk of repetitiveness and duplicate continent, if many people are using it to cover the same topics.

So, should you implement AI into your strategy? 

If this is the first time you have heard of Artificial Intelligence in a business setting, then we recommend researching thoroughly on the benefits it can bring, particularly for the purpose you’re looking to use it for.

It has become a hot talking point on the web, with many organisations already benefiting massively from it, carrying out trials and tests to see how it could perform for them.

As a digital marketing agency, we believe in fully exploring all new technology that can benefit what we deliver for our clients and how we can deliver it. We will be putting AI through its paces to see what it can offer, and how it can benefit the services we provide. To keep up to date about how we are considering implementing AI into our marketing strategies, follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn, where we’ll be posting our progress.

If you are looking to elevate your business’s online presence, why not book a quick chat with one of our marketing experts today?

Taking That Next Step As A Digital Marketing Agency

Turning a new page in the Digital world

The digital sphere is endlessly changing for those involved. It can be rigorous trying to keep up, but understanding the need for change is important. 

Change brings different connotations forward for many people, both positive and negative. 

The word “simul” means for multiple things to exist at the same time. That is why we operate by embracing change, letting the new take over the old whilst still treasuring the old!

“Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

John F. Kennedy

So what’s changed?

Our Location

We have relocated!

Moving to the bustling centre of Wakefield has allowed us to really develop our business and the individuals we bring into the business (both internally and externally). 

Since moving to Wakefield we have given the Simul space a makeover. Our office looks fresh off the shelf, with updated interiors for us and our employees. 

Wakefield is rich in culture, indulging ourselves in this culture has created a great dynamic that we use momentum from going into the future.  

Getting the location for our agency right allows our employees a great work life balance, whilst allowing them to be in familiar territory!

Wakefield as an area is close to Simul and our legacy. We are proud members of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce, a place for businesses to excel within this area of Yorkshire. 

Despite being an advocate for working from home we feel having an office space is essential still for businesses. Employees can come together and work alongside one another in a safe, familiar environment. 

Check the photos below to see more!

Whilst upgrading our physical spaces our online presence has been boosted immensely also!

Our site has a completely new look to it, offering more user experience and allows us to set the benchmark in terms of presentation of us as an agency and communication with our (potential) clients!

Our Workforce 

Employees are one of the vital organs for a business, that is why we have given ourselves a strong backbone for our future endeavours. 

As a fresh, young agency scouting some of the best talent the West Yorkshire area has to offer gives us a chance to prosper going forward. 

We have also acquired an apprentice, via Baltic Apprenticeships. They specialise in tech apprenticeships for young people in the North of England. 

Our new talent Tom has made a great impact so far at Simul, coming forward with some great ideas for both us and our clients. 

Be sure to check out our video produced in collaboration with the University College Leeds, in Leeds City Centre here

Hopefully you embrace change as much as us. Adapting to change is crucial and shouldn’t be ignored. 

To get in contact, email us at: hello@simuldigital.co.uk, call us at 01924 364 700, or visit our website for more information.

Why is content strategy important for a website?

Create a clear content writing strategy for better results

What is content writing?

Content writing is derived from the marketing concept of producing valuable, consistent and relevant material that will engage a targeted audience, leading to web traffic, users and in term, profitable customers. Content is visible through a wide range of platforms and channels, including blog posts, product pages, category pages, social media campaigns or even paid adverts. Overall, the content on your side is an intelligent strategy to enhance customer relationships and experiences through storytelling and informative content to build value for their products.

How do keywords improve the quality of your content?

Keywords are an essential aspect of content writing and digital marketing as a whole as they determine what the consumer is searching for and make your product or service relevant to that particular search. In relation to SEO, relevant keywords and phrases used within a specific section of the website, ensure searchers can access your site  as the search engine will base its results upon content that includes the related terms.

Remember that keyword research is key!

How to research keywords

There are various keyword tools to help you measure the relevance, search volume, competitiveness and cost per click rate for each word or phrase, such as SEM Rush, Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs and Answer the Public etc,. Another useful tip is to also consider the use of conversational phrases as voice recognition technology has now become an everyday essential when it comes to search.

The next step is to collate your keywords into one list and narrow it down to which would be related to your audience demographics, interests or location.

Here are some recommended ways to start enhancing your current content:

  • Blogging – Plan regular posts that include specific keywords within the context to engage with targeted customer searches and interests. Divide the content into H1, H2 and H3 tags to allow search engines to read the content, which will, in turn, improve your SERP ranking
  • Improve product or service pages – make sure that you create unique content for each product, service and category page, including titles, headlines, summaries and descriptions
  • User-Generated Content (UGC) – this specific type of content is beneficial in building a wider community and brand loyalty through customer reviews, testimonials and recommendations
  • Purpose Driven Storytelling – display your company’s culture by allowing customers to connect with your brand on a more personal level through thought-provoking campaigns, as well as about us pages.
  • Personalisation – email marketing content provides the opportunity to continue engaging with your audience even when they are offline
  • Influencer Marketing – brand ambassadors, mentions, product reviews, sponsored content or affiliate links are all effective content strategies to help drive traffic and conversions. Influencer marketing has also been reported to deliver 11 times higher ROI rates than the traditional forms of marketing

Contact us if you would like to know more!

Should I hire a digital marketing agency?

Enhance your business with the ultimate guide to building brand awareness

If you’ve ever heard someone refer to searching the internet as ‘Googling’, regardless of what search engine they’re actually using, or ask for a ‘Coke’, when they want a cola, then you’ve come across a business with strong brand awareness.

Building brand awareness is harder than ever, with the online bid for attention becoming more crowded and more competitive.
However, this guide will provide you with the tips and guidance needed to stand out from the rest, and build your brand awareness to its biggest potential.Maybe, you’ll even end up as the new ‘Coke’ or ‘Google’…

Brand Guidelines

First things first, it is important to layout your brand guidelines. This means you have to put rules in place as to how you want your brand to be represented to the target audience. This helps you display a consistent and concise brand image, even when multiple people within a company are managing the social media accounts and website assets.

The types of things to include in these guidelines are logo designs, colour schemes, graphic elements, fonts and type of language and tone of voice to utilise. This will allow your brand image to be consistent across all your marketing platforms and social media pages.

Importance of Social Media Branding

It is important that you understand why social media branding is essential. Social media is currently one of the biggest platforms to reach audiences.

When it comes to social media branding, a keyword to remember is consistency. You must make sure that, across all social media platforms, your branding is consistent. This allows your audience to start to associate certain things within your marketing efforts to your brand, such as colours and logos. It also means that people can see that your social media pages are associated and part of the same brand. This can help to create strong statements.

It is also vital that you are posting consistently and frequently to your social media pages, as a strong social media presence creates a sense of trust and relatability to a brand from an audience. It also means that your posts are more likely to be favoured by the social media algorithms, creating a larger audience and developing your brand awareness.

Guest Posting

One of the first strategies we’re going to look at is guest posting. Creating a blog (much like this one) is one of the best ways to increase brand awareness, and create a return audience who want to read each blog post that is published. But first, you need an audience to target.

How? That’s where guest posting comes in. If you can find a publication in your industry, figure out what their guidelines are for creating a blog post, or get in contact with them and pitch them your idea.

This will allow you access to a whole new audience who may have never found your blog otherwise. Not only this, but audiences will also see your blog as receiving an almost kind of ‘seal-of-approval’ from the publisher, who clearly consider your blog valuable enough to post.

Just ensure that the topic of your blog post is unique, and also that you’ve included your brand when it comes to credit for the post, and you’ve created an opportunity for increased viewership on your blog and increased brand awareness.

Shareable Content

Another strategy is to create shareable content for your social media. What does ‘shareable content’ entail?

This can be a number of things. As an example, it could be an infographic. This type of content is much more engaging than an article and is a better fit for the social media landscape.

This is especially helpful for algorithms like Facebook’s that value likes and shares from friends and family over posts from brands. Creating the type of content that people want to share with friends and family is key to getting your posts seen and favoured by the social media algorithm.

Referral Systems

To help grow brand awareness, another thing you should do is set up a ‘refer-a-friend’ system. Referral systems work, without a doubt. They have been around for as long as you or I can remember, and that is because 83% more likely to purchase a product when it is recommended by a loved one.

With this in mind, it is a great idea to encourage people to recommend your services to their network. This could be through a reward system for both parties (the person recommending and the friend receiving the recommendation).

No matter which way you decide to tackle this idea, getting your brand into peoples’ networks and spreading through recommendations is a vital step to building brand awareness, and this is a great way to do exactly that.

Creative Marketing Campaigns

So many marketing campaigns over the years have become a part of pop culture. From the Budweiser ‘Wazzup’ campaign to the Skittles ‘Taste The Rainbow, Feel The Rainbow’ advert, these creative marketing campaigns have created so much more brand awareness for their respective companies.

Obviously, ‘creative marketing campaign’ is a broad and subjective term, but it can be unspeakably beneficial to building brand awareness. But how do you go about understanding creative marketing campaigns?

Firstly, look at the most successful brands in your industry and see what they’re doing for their marketing campaigns. Take notes, take inspiration and brainstorm ideas. Ask your target audience, figure out what they like and what they want to see. Once you have this information, begin to formulate some outlines for what you want to put out as a marketing campaign.

Business Branding Ideas

Although we have given plenty of ways to increase brand awareness in this blog, you may still be looking for branding ideas. This is where we will help you figure out how you want to present your brand to the world.

Firstly, it is useful to choose an archetype. This isn’t to say ‘be generic’, but rather figure out a basic concept or idea that you can sum up your branding with. For example, a company like Apple presents itself as ‘the innovator’. No matter how you want to present your brand, figure out an initial idea to mould your branding around.

Another thing to do is to find a logo you can use to represent your brand. People respond to images a lot more than text, so attaching your logo to each post allows your audience to start associating an image with your brand, which will in turn raise your brand awareness.

And when trying to figure out which way to tackle your branding or what ideas you want to implement, it is always a good idea to ask your target audience. Utilise surveys, analyze competitors’ analytics if they’re available to you – figure out what it is your target audience wants to see from you and incorporate it. This can help inspire you and guide your branding in a direction that is going to be beneficial to growth.

Digital Marketing Agency

Finally, something important to note is that it always helps to have a digital marketing agency to help you create an effective marketing campaign. Ultimately, if you’re inexperienced, unconfident, or uncertain, it helps to have a team of experienced professionals help you out.

They can help you to build your brand awareness through a number of ways, including the ones that are included in this article, plus many more. Hiring a digital marketing agency is a worthwhile investment to ensure that your marketing campaign is both effective and to a professional standard.

If you are interested in hiring a digital marketing agency, Simul Digital is here to offer our services and aid with website development, creative design, search engine optimisation and lots more…

To get in contact, email us at: hello@simuldigital.co.uk, call us at 01924 450 888, or visit our website for more information.