With only one month left in 2016 many of us have thoughts and aspirations for what 2017 will bring. As we reflect on past resolutions, both solved and unsolved, we consider what could be improved upon, or accomplished in the New Year ahead, personally and professionally. Business owners, in particular, should take the opportunity to map out resolutions for their company/brand. Here’s a resolution that may be on your list: hiring a marketing agency.

There are numerous advantages to outsourcing marketing to an agency including creative expertise and the financial benefits. Here, we’ve outlined five benefits of hiring a marketing agency and why it deserves a place at the top of your New Year’s resolutions list.

Expertly speaking

With years of experience working with a variety of clients, some agencies (like Suite 203), have a rich understanding of marketing solutions and branding strategies, all of which will be available at your disposal. From tried and true programs to innovative, disruptive ideas that will get you noticed, a reputable agency will help you to develop and reach your goals with thoughtful, advice based on solid experience.

It makes $ense

The bottom line in most business decisions lies within the cost-benefit analysis. Expanding your in-house marketing communications team means the addition of salaries, systems and space (when is desk-space not at a premium!). Hiring an agency allows you to pay one source and save on salaries, overhead, and benefits. Plus, you get to take advantage of costly marketing tools that are shared amongst a firm’s clients.

Time is on your side

While a truly great campaign always looks effortless, the reality is it takes time. The experience an agency holds allows for them to accomplish a variety of projects quickly, with little management and direction. By leaving this area to the experts you will save a lot of time and energy, all of which can be put to better use in your day-to-day tasks and in focusing on overall business growth.

An outside perspective

In any role, it is important to keep an open mind and think outside the box, however, sometimes this is easier said than done. The ideas and methods a company uses in pursuing their marketing strategies often become second nature to employees, leading to a fogged vision of how their company may appear to the outside world. With an agency, you can balance your brand identity with an outsider’s perspective, with the added bonus of competitor knowledge to develop a plan that is targeted and in line with the brand vision.

So you may not get to the gym as often as you’d like, and that desire to learn a foreign language might only last a few months, but if you can accomplish one resolution in 2017, it should be hiring a marketing agency. Get in touch to learn more about how Suite 203 can add value to your marketing and communication efforts and make that resolution a reality.

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1.   Humanize/Familiarize your Brand

Videos are a great way to give your customers a behind-the-scenes look at your business. Hearing a person’s voice and seeing them live brings a whole new level of familiarity to an audience. Whether, using Instagram Stories, Snapchat or Facebook Live, showing the steps of a regular day at the office, the way a product is designed and built, or live video snippets at an event, the customer gets a true sense of the people behind your brand and the passion and dedication that goes into your work. By providing an unfiltered real time look at your company, videos also help to humanize your brand and highlight its authenticity.

2. Gain Followers

Using tools such as Instagram Stories, gives you exclusive content for the relevant channel. You can let followers on your other social networks know that you will be sharing a contest, an early product reveal, or special announcement exclusively on your Instagram account. Since your story will only be visible for 24 hours, your customers will be more inclined to follow and check out your account to ensure they don’t miss any special updates.

3. Real-time Conversations with your Customers and Clientele

Ever wish you could respond to your customers’ inquiries in real time? Or get consumer feedback before a product hits the shelves, with video tools your wish has been granted! With Facebook Live, your video remains on your page indefinitely, however, the filming process allows you to broadcast live to your customers and receive their comments and inquiries instantaneously, thus creating an excellent platform for Q&A’s, demonstrations and in the overall building of relationships with your customers.

Instagram Stories only stay live for 24 hours, but also allow for viewers to send direct messages from within the video. This too helps in developing that real-time, direct response, personal rapport with your customers.

Snapchat has also changed the course of customer service by introducing a new way to interact face-to-face with your customers and provide them the help they need. By using Snapchat your customers can directly show you what problems they’re having and within a matter of minutes, they will receive your video response detailing what solutions need to be applied.

4. Embrace Short-Lived Content

At a special event, tradeshow, or even a particularly eventful day at the office it can be tempting to share every moment with your audience/customers. Unfortunately, if we always gave in to these temptations, we’d be left with over saturated accounts and frustrated followers with a flood of content hitting their news feeds. This is where short-term video tools become an ideal alternative for sharing timely news and images. You can share snaps and updates throughout the day and followers can watch, rewind, and pause within the allotted 24 hours. Your posts will also gain maximum exposure on tools like Instagram Stories, where videos remain at the top of followers’ news feeds, requiring minimal scrolling.  And, in an added bonus, your page will also benefit and retain a visually pleasing aesthetic, by not displaying an overload of photos from one specific day or event.

Have more questions? Don’t know where to start with your business’ social media strategy? Suite 203 can help. Contact us to start boosting your presence in this increasingly social world.

The post Lights, Camera, Action… Bringing Video into your Social Media Strategy appeared first on Suite 203.

Photo by @harleyplays

1. Gibeau Orange Julep

Every true Montrealer has been to this place to grab a late-night snack (poutine) and that infamous green cup of secret recipe orange juice. Open 24 hours all year round, the giant orange ball and colourful flags blowing in the wind have become a must-shoot photo for adding a touch of orange to your feed.

Photo by @Montreall

Photo by @foodguymtl

2. Mount-Royal Observatory (The Lookout)

Whether passing by on a mountain run or swarming to this hotspot with tourists alike, the renowned lookout point never gets old. The best place to get a view of downtown Montreal and beyond; with this beautiful skyline shot, no selfies are required.

Photo by @camille_dg

Photo by @missferreira

3. La Diperie

Not an official landmark, this turquoise brick wall has been all over Instagram for quite some time now. You can’t call yourself an ice cream lover without stopping by La Diperie and devouring a dipped icy treat. Whether you choose nuts, pretzels or candy as the final layer, you know it will be one photo-worthy cone.

Photo by @sarahcout

Photo by @tashadeane

Photo by @eatdrinkbcarrie

4. Le Palais des Congrès

The gorgeous multi-coloured windows of this well-known building are synonymous with Montreal. No matter the weather, you’re sure to find a rainbow in the heart of the city to sprinkle some colour into your day and on to your feed.

Photo by @benmulroney

Photo by @hey.maca

5. Bota Bota

Paradise on earth: a floating spa on the edge of the city. The contrast between modern design and sheer relaxation is one of the many reasons why people love taking pictures here. Between the pools, the waterfalls and the hammocks, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect shot (or two or three).

Photo by @chloedumont

Photo by @jennabel91

Photo by @aniklacasse

6. Farine Five Roses

An iconic Montreal landmark, this flour factory has a sign that can be seen from the Lachine Canal. While it may look industrial from a distance, when paired with the perfect sunset, this shot epitomizes our city.

Photo by @saradiamondmusic

Photo by @montreal_gallery

7. Mandy’s

Mandy’s proves that salads need not be boring. Quickly becoming one of Montreal’s top healthy lunch destinations, Mandy’s draws in locals as well as tourists with their colourful mixes of fresh ingredients and iconic salad bowls. Whether you decide to enjoy one of their bestselling salads (or soups or smoothies) or create your own custom mix, you’re sure to have a delicious meal and a stunning Instagram photo.

Photo by @mademoisellejules

Photo by @samanthacutler

Photo by @tanyakupelian

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