AI Assimilation: Resistance is futile…or is it?

AI Assimilation: Resistance is futile…or is it?

AI Assimilation: Resistance is futile…or is it?

Mike McBride

The Cowbell Agency

Okay…maybe not resistance but definitely prudence. AI tools like ChatGPT are game-changing because of its ability to generate human-like text and process natural language. While it offers a myriad of benefits that businesses can leverage to create content, companies should not blindly jump into this evolving technology before understanding its limitations and pitfalls.
It is true that using AI-generated content, companies can potentially save time by cutting corners on the content creation processes. But exactly how much time is then invested in proofing, researching and cross-referencing the content to validate what has been extracted from random sources across the web and reimagined by artificial intelligence? And what are the legal and ethical lines being crossed here?These and other AI downsides and challenges need to be considered before allowing yourself to be assimilated. One important consideration with using AI is maintaining your brand voice. It’s important to tailor and customize the AI-generated content for your audience, as it relates to your brand. This way customers still get to experience that personal customized touch, and businesses can still enjoy time-saving content creation. 

The following section was created with the help of ChatGpt…but can you tell if the claims are valid or simply pulled from misinformation that is generated daily on the truth-challenged World Wide Web.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses constantly seek innovative ways to stay ahead of the competition and engage their audience effectively.
Let’s consider 3 major benefits of using such technology. 
  1. Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity – Creating compelling content requires considerable time and effort. With ChatGPT, businesses can streamline content creation processes, reducing the time spent brainstorming ideas, researching topics, and crafting copy. The AI-generated content can act as a valuable starting point for writers and marketers, enabling them to focus on refining and customizing the output to suit specific brand requirements. This improved efficiency translates into cost savings and higher productivity for businesses.
  2. Quick Idea Generation – Staying creative and continuously generating fresh content ideas is a challenge for any marketing team. ChatGPT becomes a powerful ally in brainstorming sessions, providing an endless source of ideas and concepts. Marketers or business owners looking for ideas can prompt the AI with specific topics or questions to receive unique perspectives and novel angles, sparking inspiration for their content strategies.
  3. Consistent Brand Voice – Maintaining a consistent brand voice across various communication channels is crucial for brand identity and recognition. ChatGPT can be trained to match a company’s specific tone, style, and language preferences. This ensures that the AI-generated content aligns seamlessly with the brand’s image, delivering a consistent experience to the audience, whether it’s a social media post, email newsletter, or website content. 
Without a doubt, AI platforms like ChatGpt unlock their creative potential, enhance efficiency, and engage their audience on a deeper level through which companies can streamline content creation processes, personalize interactions, and maintain a consistent brand voice across various channels. 
Impressive? While these are some major upsides to utilizing this technology, let’s explore some of the downfalls and challenges that need to be considered. 
  1. Lack of Contextual Understanding: ChatGPT processes text based on patterns in the data it was trained on, without a deep understanding of context. This can lead to responses that appear coherent but are factually incorrect or nonsensical in certain situations. Meaning the technology can skim the surface, but cannot go deep in the details which ultimately helps the reader relate specifically to the offering or content.
  2. Bias and Fairness Issues: Language models like ChatGPT can inadvertently perpetuate biases or discriminatory language present in the data used, potentially reinforcing harmful stereotypes and viewpoints.
  3. Inappropriate Content Generation: There is a risk that ChatGPT might generate content that is inappropriate, offensive, or harmful, especially when given certain prompts or when interacting with users who attempt to exploit the model’s weaknesses.
  4. Ethical & Legal Concerns: Users may not be aware that they are interacting with AI, leading to potential deception and manipulation.
Addressing these downsides requires ongoing research, responsible use, and continuous improvements in the technology. As AI technology advances, finding ways to strike a balance between utility and potential risks will remain an important challenge for businesses and society as a whole.
 
The power of AI is exciting but still in its infancy. So is the eminent regulation and laws that will govern its use. But today, being able to balance AI assistance with human expertise and personal, customized context is essential to maintain authentic brand voice and content.
Are you fully utilizing the Power of Online Reviews?

Are you fully utilizing the Power of Online Reviews?

Are you fully utilizing the Power of Online Reviews?

Shelley Gulley

The Cowbell Agency

When you think about the last time you needed to make a purchase – how did you go about researching your options? I’ll bet you probably consulting online reviews BEFORE making your decision. Did you know Online reviews are the 1st place consumers look when they begin their consumer journey?  In fact, 72% of customers won’t take action until they read reviews (1). That’s powerful. 

Gone are the days when consumers relied solely on recommendations from friends and family to inform their buying decisions. While personal referrals still hold sway, consumers have a world of information at their fingertips, and they’re no longer simply relying on catchy advertisements or persuasive sales pitches to guide their purchasing choices. Instead, they’re turning to a more reliable source: online reviews. 

Since the pandemic, the importance of online reviews for businesses has skyrocketed even more, reshaping the way companies engage with their customers and ultimately influencing their success.  Today, online reviews offer a glimpse into real-life experiences, shedding light on both the positives and negatives of a product or service. This transparency helps consumers’ confidence in making informed decisions.

Who do you trust? 

Trust is a cornerstone of any successful business-customer relationship. Reviews are the new “Digital Word-of-Mouth”, and the biggest deciding factor when consumers are choosing products or services. Companies, in a sense,  have lost control of their brands with the freedom of the internet and social media. Customers are NOW in control. Customer perception IS your Brand. 

In the digital age, trust takes on a new form: Online Reputation. Reviews, ratings, and testimonials serve as a litmus test for the authenticity and reliability of a business. 

Businesses that want to succeed in our digital age of Review Reputation Management will stay focused on consistently delivering quality and prioritize positive customer experiences, which will in turn be rewarded with higher review scores, higher quantity of reviews, and therefore. increased sales.

SEO and Visibility

The impact of online reviews transcends the realm of consumer decision-making. Search engines, recognizing the value of user-generated content, factor reviews into their algorithms. Positive reviews can significantly enhance a business’s search engine ranking, leading to increased visibility and organic traffic. This interplay between reviews and search engine optimization (SEO) highlights the symbiotic relationship between customer feedback and online presence.

Building a Feedback Loop

Businesses that actively engage with their customers’ reviews demonstrate a commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. Responding to reviews, whether they’re positive or negative, fosters a sense of community and customer loyalty. It also provides a platform for businesses to address concerns, offer solutions, and showcase their dedication to enhancing the customer experience. By utilizing reviews as a feedback loop, businesses can adapt and evolve to meet their customers’ evolving needs.

Improving your Online Reputation with Cowbell’s Reputation & Review “Boss” Management Platform

A great example of the power of Reputation & Review Management came in March 2023, when one of our clients was looking for a way to improve their search engine performance (SEO). Google’s new algorithm places much more importance on total reviews, frequency of reviews, and review scores than ever before.  

While they were receiving some Google reviews, the quantity was very low compared to the volume of client interactions they have on a daily basis. They were MISSING OUT! Connecting their Customer Relationship Management system to our Reputation Boss Platform allowed for time-saving automation for review requests through email and SMS messaging which dramatically increased their volume and rating experience.  

Instead of receiving an average of 40 reviews monthly as of March, they were projected to hit 286 reviews monthly by August 2023 while sustaining a 4.9 Rating. 

That’s a 615% increase in just 5 months! 

All this increased review activity is just one of the pieces of the SEO puzzle that helped them go from 24 keywords in the top 10 results for Google search to 240 just 6 months later. That is a 10 fold increase. 

We are able to offer our clients a proprietary portal that allows you to solicit your customers for reviews, and automate a process that promotes the positive reviews over the lower reviews. In other words, you develop a proactive, disciplined approach as opposed to sitting back and letting it just…well…happen. 

Get more reviews – This allows you to instill a proactive and disciplined approach to improving your online reputation

Manage your brand reputation – Control critical review sites and search engines including Google, Bing, Yelp, and Facebook.

Monitor and track your customer feedback – The dashboard provides analytics and trend metrics on review scores

Increase your online reputation review score – Encourages more 5- and 4-star reviews online which raises your average and moves lesser scores further down the page.

Navigating the Landscape

In the dynamic world of 2023, businesses must navigate the online review landscape strategically. Monitoring various review platforms, encouraging satisfied customers to leave reviews, and promptly addressing negative feedback are crucial components of this strategy. Businesses should also prioritize delivering consistent quality and exceptional customer service, as these are the bedrock of positive reviews.

As consumers continue to consult online reviews before making purchasing decisions in 2023, the importance of these reviews for businesses cannot be overstated. The digital age has ushered in an era of informed consumers who rely on the collective wisdom of their peers to guide their choices. 

Embracing the power of online reviews, businesses can build trust, strengthen their online presence, and forge lasting relationships with their customers. In this landscape, reviews are not just feedback; they’re the currency of credibility and the key to unlocking business success.

If you are ready to take charge of your Business’s online reputation and reviews, Contact us today.  Learn more about Cowbell’s reputation management

Reference:  (1) The 2022 State of Online Reviews Birdeye.

CIP – Custom Industrial Products

CIP – Custom Industrial Products

CIP – Custom Industrial Products

Adam Latham

The Cowbell Agency

DIGITAL SHOWCASE:

Recent Agency Samples of Work

While this may look like a standard, 2-page spread ad, to achieve the look we wanted when needed a perfect image of the product. To get the angle just the way we wanted it, accentuating the height and trailing off in the right-side horizon, and in a clean environment…well, it didn’t actually exist. This is actually 8 of the work platform units connected (which is one of the key features of the product). Since we couldn’t actually photograph it, we went to some cool 3-D modeling software and had to create the structure from spec sheets. Then of course there’s colors, textures, lighting and shadows.

 

Is Your Website at Risk of ADA Ligation?

Is Your Website at Risk of ADA Ligation?

Is Your Website at Risk of ADA Ligation?

Suzanne McBride

The Cowbell Agency

ADA (American Disabilities Act) was signed into law in 1990, and is America’s most important law regarding accessibility and civil rights for people with disabilities, including web accessibility.

U.S. courts apply ADA and its accessibility requirements websites. The Guidelines for web accessibility covers the 4 principles:

• Perceivable (how one perceives content through sight, sound and touch
• Operable (the way someone can use the site)
• Understandable (how easy is it to understand)
• Robust (does coding meet standards, etc.)

Rise in Litigation:

Since 2017, the number of ADA title III-related lawsuits skyrocketed and 2022 broke the record for ADA lawsuits and demand letters– with small and medium business being in the center of the storm.

Why are there so many ADA lawsuits?

There are a few reasons why ADA web accessibility has become such a hot legal topic in just the last few years, including the spread in awareness about web accessibility requirements. In 2022, 100,000 business owners received demand letter for having inaccessible websites.

Businesses can be fined up to $150,000 for ADA violations. Since it’s almost inevitable that the court would find in favor of the plaintiff, small business owners often feel that they have no choice but to settle out of court. The cost of defending a lawsuit would destroy even a medium-sized business, but the average settlement agreement still comes to $35,000.

Who has to comply with the ADA?

There’s a common misbelief that ADA only applies to very large corporations, but that’s a serious mistake. All types and all sizes of businesses have to comply with ADA legislation, for their customers, and for their employees if there are over 15 employees.

That means that ADA affects:
• Places of entertainment like theaters, movie theaters, and concert halls
• Restaurants and eateries
• Small and medium businesses of all types
• Large enterprises
• Retail stores
• All state and Local government offices, employment agencies, and labor unions 

Here’s how Cowbell can help:

We can run a no cost audit of your site to see if there are any issues. If so, we can add the ADA software for a free 7 day trial period, and if you decide to stay with the plan, the cost is $490/year, plus small set up fee

Unlocking the Power of Targeted Advertising

Unlocking the Power of Targeted Advertising

Unlocking the Power of Targeted Advertising

Adam Latham

The Cowbell Agency

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital advertising, businesses are constantly seeking ways to maximize their return on investment and reach the most receptive audience. The key to achieving this lies in identifying and targeting the right audience – individuals who are most likely to become customers. By focusing their efforts and budget on engaging with this specific group, advertisers can enjoy significant cost savings. In this blog post, we will explore the different methods of identifying the right audience and how it ties into the effectiveness of a DSP or programmatic advertising model.

(Even before we get too deep into this, I realize I have already introduced some jargon or acronyms that people who don’t speak advertising geek might not understand. If you want to better understand exactly what DSP or programmatic advertising is you can refer to HERE

Identifying and Targeting the Right Audience

To effectively reach the right audience, advertisers have access to a wealth of data-driven insights that help them understand consumer behavior and preferences. Now, some of you right now are repulsed by the notion advertisers have access to this data. But get over it. We do. Take your consumer hat off for just a moment, please your business owner or advertiser hat on, and just embrace the many different ways we can target. 

Personal Demographic Information:

Understanding the demographics of potential customers is crucial. This includes factors such as age, gender, marital status, education level, income, home value, and even specific details like car make and model. By analyzing these demographic attributes, advertisers can tailor their messaging to specific subsets of the population that are most likely to be interested in their products or services.

In fact, trying to prepare a list or spreadsheet of ALL of the different levels of demographic data is virtually impossible. The depth of different attributes changes and evolves from day to day, and the true beauty is when you combine different attributes, which can provide an almost infinite list of possibilities. If that sounds like an exaggeration, imagine if you will for an advertiser who might make branded accessories for people who own Jaguars. Imagine the ability to deliver everything from online display ads to actual television ads, during the most popular streaming television show, but only paying to deliver that ad to people watching who a) own a Porsche, b) have an online behavior history purchasing similar items, and even has 5X to 7X the average discretionary income. 

Gone are the days of paying to deliver ads to people who don’t want, need, or can’t afford your product or service.

Online Behavior:

Online behavior provides valuable insights into consumer interests and habits. Keyword search analysis allows advertisers to identify individuals who are actively searching for products or services similar to what they offer. Contextual content viewed allows targeting based on the type of content users are consuming, ensuring that ads are relevant to their interests. Moreover, analyzing the types or categories of websites visited provides valuable information for advertisers to determine the online preferences and align their ads accordingly. 

Previous Purchasing Behavior and Habits:

Studying customers’ past purchasing behavior and habits helps businesses identify potential customers with similar characteristics. By analyzing previous purchase history, brands can create lookalike audiences – individuals who exhibit similar behaviors and preferences to their existing customers. This approach enables advertisers to target prospects who are more likely to convert, thus optimizing their marketing efforts.

Geographic Location:

Geographic location plays a pivotal role in targeting the right audience. Advertisers can narrow their focus to specific regions, cities, or neighborhoods by leveraging geographic location data. This allows them to tailor their messaging to local audiences who are more likely to be interested in their offerings due to their proximity to the business location.

Event or Business Geo-fencing:

Event or business geo-fencing is a powerful technique that enables advertisers to target individuals in specific physical locations. By setting up virtual boundaries around events, trade shows, retail stores, or competitor locations, advertisers can deliver relevant ads to individuals who enter or exit these boundaries. This approach allows businesses to engage with potential customers who are physically present at specific locations or have shown interest in similar events or businesses.

The Role of DSPs and Programmatic Advertising

Here’s where all this comes together. After you identify your ideal target audience, you want to be able to reach them. This is where Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs) and programmatic advertising play a crucial role in efficiently doing that. When we say “demand-side” what we are talking about are these opportunities when when websites, video providers, social media platforms, and yes, even streaming TV content providers, are asking for ads to serve up. If you watch any streaming television (and there are more of you than cable watchers now), it happens very fast. The show is pausing for a commercial and that little wheel in the corner of your screen is spinning. A few seconds later, it tells you how many minutes of commercials it is going to show you. In those few seconds, the AI in the background found ads specifically targeted to you. Cool, uh? Well, I think it’s cool. Some people find it scary. But for the life of me, if I have to be served up two minutes of ads, I can’t understand why it is better to see an ad meant for a 17-year old, female, who is actively downloading boy band tunes. Why not see ads for things I actually might want to buy. And yes, I get how that gives us marketers a lot of power. Again, embrace it and take advantage of it. 

Choosing the right social channels for your target audience?

Choosing the right social channels for your target audience?

Choosing the right social channels for your target audience?

Shelley Gulley

The Cowbell Agency

In today’s digital age, trying to select the right social channels to reach your target audience is like trying to pick a movie on Netflix. There is so much to choose from, where do you begin? As of 2023, there are well over 20+ platforms, including the major powerhouses of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest. 

In this blog, we will outline 5 major steps you can take on the road to aligning the right channel with your audience.  

Step 1 – Defining your Target Audience

The truth is, to arrive at the right social channels you’ll need to first start by having a clear understanding of who you are marketing to. Considering factors such as age, gender, location, interests, buying behaviors, and the motivators influencing their purchases is the key to identifying the best fit. Know thy audience! 

Step 2 – Researching the Major Platforms

Each platform is unique in the way they utilize different features, demographics, functionalities, and types of content they focus on. Look for channels that align with your audience’s characteristics and preferences. Here are some of the most popular ones below: 

  • Facebook: Originally popular among college students, it has now grown to include a wide range of age groups, with the largest user base consisting of adults aged 25-54.
  • Twitter: Popular among users seeking real-time news updates, trending topics, and discussions. It has a diverse user base, attracting users across different age groups, interests, and professions.
  • Instagram: Initially popular among younger demographics, particularly teens and young adults, Instagram continues to have a strong presence among those age groups. However, it has also seen significant adoption among older age groups.
  • LinkedIn: Primarily used for professional networking and job searching, LinkedIn’s user base consists largely of working professionals, businesspeople, and job seekers. It tends to attract users of various age groups, with a higher concentration of older professionals.
  • Pinterest: Known for its focus on visual inspiration, DIY projects, and lifestyle content, Pinterest has a predominantly female user base, with a higher concentration of users in the 25-54 age range.
  • Snapchat: Initially popular among younger demographics, particularly teenagers and young adults, Snapchat’s user base skews younger. It has a strong presence among Gen Z and Millennials.
  • YouTube: With a vast range of content, YouTube attracts users of all age groups. However, it has a significant presence among younger audiences, especially teenagers and young adults, who consume a wide variety of videos.
  • TikTok: Known for its short-form video content, TikTok gained popularity among younger demographics, primarily Gen Z and Millennials. It appeals to those seeking creative and entertaining content.

Let’s dig in a little deeper. Do you like pizza? Let’s consider how each platform has its own way of communicating content, as shown in the example below.

Again, it all comes down to “knowing thy audience” and matching up with the best demographic that aligns with your target audience.  

Step 3 – Consider the Type of Content & Interactions

Some platforms drive content with video, others with graphics and links. Each is unique in the way it matches your target audience’s interests and engagement patterns. 

For example, if your target audience is C-Suite level, CEOs, VPs and Presidents then utilizing a business platform like LinkedIn where professionals interact by sharing articles, or corporate news updates would be a far better match than a platform like TikTok whose demographic skews much younger and is more focused on video content. If you plan to use visual content or products to show off, platforms like Instagram or Pinterest might be more suitable where visual graphics are front-runners to grab your audience’s attention. 

Step 4 – Prioritize Platform Popularity

Just because YOU love a platform, doesn’t mean it’s the best one for your target audience. Consider the popularity and user base size of each platform. A larger user base usually means more potential reach, but it also means more… dum, dum, dum…. Competition! Balance the size of your audience with your ability to stand out and engage effectively with the right social channel.

Last but not least…

Step 5 – Test and Measure

Once you have identified the most suitable platforms, (that’s right, there could be more than one!) start by creating a presence on those channels. Nowadays, most channels have amazing digital insights that allow you to drill down the metrics. Monitor your performance, engagement levels, and conversions. Adjust your strategy based on the platforms that yield the best results. 

At the end of the day, choosing the right social media platform(s) for your target audience requires careful consideration of their demographics, preferences, and marketing goals. By following these 5 simple steps, you can make informed decisions and optimize your social media presence to effectively reach and engage with your desired audience. Remember, social media trends are consistently evolving, so be sure to periodically review and adapt your strategy to stay relevant, and maintain a strong connection with your audience. 

 

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