Use these tools for creative connections with your target audience

Greetings Creatives!

Thanks again for joining me in this third iteration on the series highlighting social media in your community, importance of developing strategies and honing in your creative side.

In every one of us there’s an inherent need to be accepted by our peers, neighbors, friends, family, and in the case of many of you, your target audience. This acceptance especially becomes a necessity when we’re talking about the bottom line. How are you creatively connecting with your target audience on social when views and engagement matters to driving sales?

That’s a tricky question for many and isn’t all that hard to answer if you take the time to learn creative ways to craft your message. Enter your issue—you don’t have time to figure it out for yourself. Welcome! Glad you’re here!

“Creative marketing is essential in 2017’s fast paced social media reach and engagement age where the rules of marketing from the last century don’t apply anymore.”

For the most part anyway, we’re still here to connect, but now we have to be creative. There are a ton of free tools you can use to enhance your creativity. I know you’ve got it, we’re all creative in our own right, but here’s a list of just a few I’m always recommending folks take a look at because they really strip away the technical aspect of creative marketing and place it in your hands to knock it out for yourself.

• Wix.com (simple, intuitive content management system and web host)
• Weebly.com (similar to Wix.com in that it’s a simple, intuitive content management system and web host, but it also has education and non-profit pricing if your organization falls into that tax bracket)
• Canva.com (quick, easy way to creatively marketing your business through engaging graphics on social media or print—the free option is great, but they also have a business model that lets you setup custom logo and color palettes for continuity across posts)
• Adobe Spark (similar to Canva, but lacks the paid business model)

Here’s just a few to get you started on your path to a more creative and engaging content marketing strategy. Happy engaging!

Stay creative!Ben

You need a marketing strategy that wins brand advocates

Greetings Creatives!

Today’s communications mediums span a myriad of tools, applications, and devices our audience members use to keep in touch. As marketers and small business leaders we need to develop strategies that connect us with those potential brand advocates who’ll do the marketing for us.

In this way we’re personally connecting with them on those applications they’re already communicating with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.

The juggernaut? Facebook. If your brand, whether it be for business or personal, must have a Facebook if you hope to have a voice in the crowded space that is the internet. An emerging tool gaining traction is Instagram, which just happens to be owned by Facebook. With Instagram, you can connect with your audience members in a truly personal form of communication and it’s all thanks to the medium’s focus on visual content.

Just like we talked about in the last post, your brand’s visual content is the key strategyfor making the connection. Amy Schmittauer (@Schmittastic) in her “Vlog Like a Boss” book says, “The key is to focus on what makes you great and keep doing the work.” So if you’re a baker, and you love what you do, keep on baking and share that passion with the world. If you’re a butcher, you love what you do, share some insight into your work and your passion for your career. If you’re a handyman, and, again, you got it, you’re passionate about your craft, then share with others that passion and they’ll come to you for advice because they can visually see just how connected you are to the craft and them.

Amy continues with, “If your audience feels closer to you by being part of your journey, that’s a win for you no matter what you teach or sell.”

She hits the nail right on the nose encouraging all of us to reach out and really connect with our audiences. That’s a winning strategy that builds a community of trust around the content you’re sharing.

Finally, use your website or blog as the hub for everything you’re doing. Link back to this site and make it your central repository for all your efforts online, whether that be on social media or elsewhere, you want this website to ooze with your personality and shine through the crowded space of your subject matter expertise.

Stay creative!Ben

How to connect with your millennial audience, customers

Greetings creatives!

Scrolling through your feed on your favorite social media platform, what catches your eye? What causes you to stop scrolling and really pay attention to the content you’re consuming? Visually appealing content. It’s the lifeblood of every marketer’s marketing campaign plan.

How do different forms of visual content rack and stack for most social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter? Video first and always followed by photos, graphics and links with visual components. It’s all about those algorithms. A recent(ish) news article released by Facebook itself explained how your newsfeed’s algorithms determine what graces your feed and which posts it avoids altogether. Video remains the king of content.

So many of us considered among the millennial generation may be cord-cutters, but that doesn’t mean we’ve completely dropped the need for video content. We may not be receiving our content from originally-aired television, but we are accessing it on social platforms. Today’s digital marketing leaders could go on and on explaining the importance of visual content in a marketing campaign and it’s warranted. Most social network profile feeds populate based on our interests, past likes, comments and other forms of engagement. What does this mean for you? Be visual.

Small business owners and non-profit leaders need to understand the best way to connect with your audience and potential customer base is where they’re at. Meet with them on the device they carry around in their pocket daily. We’re on it on work breaks, during work, in the bathroom (yes, I know you, you’re on Facebook while sitting down in the stall—I don’t blame you, we’ve all been there), at the dinner table and sadly the list gets too long that I’m worried for society as a whole, but that’s not the point of this post. We’re here to talk about how you should be connecting with your audience.

Visual content comes in the form of videos, photos, and graphics. All which are very easily accomplished by anyone wishing to connect with their target audience with nothing more than the camera you carry in your pocket every day, just like your audience.

This is the reality, in order to connect with today’s networked audience, we have to jump into that same space. Evaluate your audience, figure out where they spend most of their time, whether it’s on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube, etc., and produce the content they’re looking for. Poll the people who come into your shop. They’re your community. But that’s a topic for another post.

Be visually appealing and you can do that with your smartphone. Stay tuned for a post on the applications I like to use on my iPhone. Simple, effective, engaging—free marketing that doesn’t impact your bottom line.

Stay creative!Ben

PMEL prolongs equipment effectiveness

by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

are quickly approaching more than 60 years old and still flying with systems requiring calibration equipment no longer manufactured making our mission very important."Just as people perform regular maintenance on their own car or truck, PMEL does this with their standards and calibration equipment to prolong equipment's useful life effectively saving the Air Force millions of dollars. Loe said they maintain equipment by means of a science called metrology.Metrology is the science of measurement and required to ensure Air Force systems are accurate and can reliably perform their designated missions. Every system in the Air Force inventory requires some type of accurate and reliable measurement to be made."PMEL is absolutely vital as properly calibrated tools are essential for us to complete our mission correctly," said Airman 1st Class Marcel Acebo, a 92nd MXS crew chief and San Luis, Calif., native. "Without PMEL, there's the grim potential for damage to not only the aircraft, but anyone working on and flying them as well."Prior to the 1950s, the Air Force had no formal, centralized calibration program. However, during this period of rapidly expanding technology, operational and testing accident rates increased dramatically and contractor conformance deteriorated. So in 1958, a project dubbed, "Test Shop," was established directing that test equipment repair and calibration activities be established at Air Force bases worldwide eventually becoming what is now PMEL."What we do is very important for getting those tankers in the air," Bidler said. "They can't do what they do without us."

Expeditionary fire muster showcases firefighter’s might

by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs[gallery type="rectangular" ids="2364,2362,2363,2365,2366,2367,2368"]10/1/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Service members deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here participated in a “Fire Muster” Sept. 28 hosted by the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department.

 More than 80 service members in 20 teams pitted their might in a firefighting flavored challenge wrestling everything from hoses and tires to water buckets and fire trucks. “It was a good turnout,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Moore, a 379th ECES firefighter deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and a Pana, Ill., native. “Most people don’t realize how much our equipment weighs and what we do on a day-to-day basis. This event really showed them what it takes to be a firefighter out here.” Taking home the trophy, “We Got Worms,” won the event overall. Teams consisted of four members and had to have at least one female on their team. “It was a great opportunity to experience what it means to be a deployed firefighter and I had a blast competing,” said Capt. Jordan Tribble, the 379th AEW wing section commander deployed from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and a Midwest City, Okla., native. “It was challenging, but in the end my team was fortunate enough to take home the crown -- a big thank you to the firefighters and ECES for putting on the event.”

Expeditionary wing remembers America’s POW/MIAs

U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton

Airmen arming deployed defenders

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

8/29/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The basic goal of a security forces specialist is to protect U.S. Air Force people, property and resources. While defenders have hand-to-hand combat training, their effectiveness is only enhanced by the weapons they carry and without the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron armory here, these weapons would not be a part of their tool kits."The purpose of the armory is to hold all of the defender's weapons and supplies they need to perform their duties on a day-to-day basis," said Airman 1st Class Jillian Ward, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron staff armorer. "My duty at the armory is to arm up all the defenders."Much like services Airmen account for all the food served on base, armory Airmen account for all the weapons, ammunition and any extra supplies and equipment defenders may need to keep the base safe and secure. When they first come on shift, Ward said they conduct changeover tasks with the last shift making sure they know exactly what has been issued and what is now being placed in their care."We have to take accountability of all the equipment in the armory, such as weapons, ammo, night vision goggles, etc.," said Ward, who is deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and hails from Sunbury, Ohio. "We have to keep track of everything issued and turned in on equipment trackers."These equipment trackers, she said, are then scanned into their computers and organized into folders for reference later."Once everything is accounted for, we setup all the windows so we can do issue and turn in in a timely fashion," Ward said explaining the quicker they get issue the weapons, the quicker they can get on post and relieve that post's last shift."I like it, it's a good job to have," Ward continued. "It's good to know we are helping them out and supporting the flight by giving them what they need to go out there and do their job."Ward's coworker, Senior Airman Jamela Nuriddin, said she also enjoys being a part of such an important mission."I am part of the wing's vital protection mission," Nuriddin said, who is deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and a Raleigh, N.C., native. "If we weren't here, everything in the security forces mission realistically wouldn't run. Airmen need weapons to fight, radios to talk and night vision devices to be able to see during nighttime conditions."Everyone sees the defenders on post protecting the base, but it's the armorers who enable that mission."We're the behind the scenes step to the mission," continued Nuriddin. "We make sure everything is ready for when the flights need to go out, accomplish the mission and defend the base."

Women’s Equality Day celebrated at Grand Slam Wing

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

message," said Flores, a 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and an Azusa, Calif., native. "The colonel spoke on the topic of women's equality, but with an extra emphasis on our advancement in the military."In 2013 alone, women in the military have seen many strides, especially in combat and leadership roles.Earlier this year, the defense department announced the inclusion of women in 237,000 combat positions historically off-limits to women by 2016. Additionally, on Aug. 1, President Barack Obama announced his nomination for Deborah Lee James to succeed the Honorable Michael B. Donley as Secretary of the Air Force, a position never before filled by a woman."On this Women's Equality Day, we honor those who fought tirelessly for a woman's right to vote," said Valerie B. Jarrett, a Senior Advisor to the President in her www.whitehouse.gov blog post for the day. "But we know there is much more work to do. Let us keep marching forward together."A member of the planning committee for the 379th AEW's celebration, 1st Lt. Nicole Tripputi, said this remembrance is very important because not only was it a turning point for women's rights, but also reminds all service members the importance of everyone's contributions to the mission."It paved the way for women's rights," said Tripputi, the 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron commodities flight commander deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and a Lincoln, Calif., native. "The observance of Women's Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women's continuing efforts toward full equality."

Mobility Airmen making a difference down range

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs8/23/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In nearly 70 years, airlift operations have come a long way since the early days of the Military Airlift Transport Service and mobility pioneer, Lt. Gen. William Tunner, but one thing has remained the same -- Mobility Airmen are dedicated to answering the call whether at home or deployed to the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron here."Our Airmen know they aren't simply building and moving cargo, sometimes they are ensuring supplies like the blood used in transfusions to save sons or daughters, fathers and mothers, gets downrange to where it's needed most," said Lt. Col. Andrew Purath, the 8th EAMS commander. "They are readying the very basics of our current conflict that will signal to our enemies they can go no further."Keeping with tradition, these mobility Airmen are following in Tunner's footsteps. The general invented many of the air mobility systems, standards and maintenance processes used today. While the technologies aren't quite the same, mobility Airmen continue paving the way for those who will come after them, just as Tunner did. Likewise, Purath said he refers to the general regularly as the original "Ocho.""His work marked the beginning of the air mobility system," the colonel said. "And the Mighty Ocho is the continuation and fulfillment of many of Tunner's aspirations."But in the end, as Tunner said and Purath echoes, it's all about their "amazing Airmen" who support a variety of missions and units in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility."We're not flying supplies to just the big, established bases; we also fly to the really forward deployed guys at FOBs way out in the middle of nowhere," said Tech. Sgt. David Young, the 8th EAMS Air Mobility Control Center flight chief deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. "The supplies we provide them are their lifeline."On average, 8th EAMS handles more than 7,000 tons of cargo, 6,600 passengers with 250 tons of baggage and more than 725 aircraft each month making them the busiest mobility hub in the AOR."Coordination is our game," said Staff Sgt. John Hubicsak, an 8th EAMS air terminal operations center information controller deployed from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "We have the most diverse mission sets transit through here every day."From personnel and heavy cargo transports to air drops and combat cargo sorties, the 8th EAMS in some fashion supports every Operation Enduring Freedom mission across the AOR."We're extremely vital; without air transportation, who knows how long it would take to convoy all this cargo to these remote locations," said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Jweinat, an 8th EAMS ramp services technician deployed from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. "We can have it [the cargo] there in a moment's notice and we're responsible for making sure it gets on the plane."Whether it's hazardous cargo, blood shipments, ammo and explosives, the 8th EAMS ensures life-sustaining materials make it to their destinations on-time. And while combat cargo is an important aspect their mission here, processing passengers is equally critical.Passengers process through the 8th EAMS passenger services section at the Air Mobility Command passenger terminal here. The passenger terminal averages more than 85,000 passengers with 3,200 tons of accompanying baggage and nearly 1,000 distinguished visitors annually."What we do is vital as far as getting passengers in and out of the country," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Deckert, the 8th EAMS passenger services supervisor deployed from Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, N.C. "We are one of the largest hubs for personnel transiting in and out of U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. When we do our job right, people get to where they need to go, whether that is downrange or home to family and friends."However, as with every Air Force mission, jets would not fly without the hard-working maintainers who ensure these airframes last for many generations to come. One of the largest career fields in the Air Force, maintenance include crew chiefs and engine mechanics to the consolidated tool kit and parts suppliers. Together, Ocho maintainers keep nearly $1.5 billion of strategic airlifters flying while sustaining a 90 percent departure reliability rate.The 8th EAMS' heritage as Airmen, maintainers, porters and controllers is an unbroken chain binding those who have come before and stirs the unit to build on what they've achieved, said Purath."With great tenacity and skill our Airmen are ensuring there are many more tomorrows to come for their brothers and sisters in arms even further downrange," Purath continued. "They know what they do matters; they know it's much bigger than themselves."The Mighty Ocho is AMC's first expeditionary air mobility squadron and according to their commander, they couldn't be happier to be here providing support to all service members in this AOR."We're humbled to be a mission partner with the Grand Slam Wing," the colonel said. "That's nearly 330 Airmen who in unison will always tell you, 'You need it, we move it!'"[Editor's note: This article is part eight of an eight part series highlighting the unique missions accomplished by the Airmen of 8th EAMS.]

Maggie Rose ‘shakes it up’ at Grand Slam Wing

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

was basically in my backyard growing up, so I have a huge appreciation for the sacrifices you all make," she said. "We're just super thankful for everything you do to keep us safe."