Carlisle Brands

Why a defined customer journey might be the e-commerce marketing element you're missing 📢

First things first, a customer journey is a strategic outline that helps you plan out the interactions between your business and your target customer from the moment they first lay eyes on your offer until they are brand evangelists.

Plus, customer journeys can help you develop an experience so that your customers feel involved in something bigger than themselves (instead of just feeling like one of two parties in a transaction.)

Here are a few common e-commerce marketing problems that you might be falling victim to:

📢 Lack of Vision - you don't understand the major questions, roadblocks, and needs of your customer in order to get them to progress through your offer funnel
📢 Lack of Clarity - you don't know how to market to your customers at each step of the journey, ensuring they don't drop off without converting *or* leaving a review
📢 Lack of Perspective - you don't see what your customer sees so you'll be able to spot opportunities in your marketing strategy

And the solution to all three of those marketing problems? A defined customer journey and well-curated experience.

If you're ready to serve your customer instead of sell a product, we're you're new marketing BFF. Let's work together ➡️ forshortcreative.com/contact

"A dress is only as strong as its weakest seam," and templatized marketing campaigns have quite a few weak seams.

Let's talk about it. 😈

There's a ton of temptation to go for those 'off-the-shelf' marketing templates and scripts. I mean, who wouldn't want a quick fix for a fraction of the cost of custom services? Plus, they're great for new business owners who need to get basic information (and well, any content at all) out into the world.

But there is a catch.

These one-size-fits-all templates often miss the touch of branding, that piece of your business, that ends up ignoring your unique qualities and audience nuances.

Because of this you won't stand out in the crowd, and you won't create any brand awareness.
If you don't stand out and aren't building brand awareness, you won't drive users to your website.
If you don't drive users to your website, you won't have any purchases.
If you don't have any purchases, your business goes under. 😅

There is a solution.

What if you could build a content or purchase funnel that marketed your core offer to your ideal audience, on autopilot, year round?

At For Short Creative we build transformative marketing funnels that reflect your brand's unique identity, that feel like the perfect fitting dress — no slack, assets emphasized, and feeling flawless.

Ready to ditch the one-size-fits-all approach? Tap here for a FREE checklist that will teach you how to build your very own marketing funnel. 🔗 - forshortcreative.com/marketing-campaign-checklist

It's time to prep for your next launch - here's how to do it using AI 💻

If you're getting ready to introduce your audience to a new product or offer, it might be a good idea to make sure you’re streamlining your launch process using the power of AI.

Here are 3 tips to get you started! Use AI to:

🧠 brainstorm copy, content, or campaign ideas based on trends among your target audience
📝 complete your campaign strategy by filling in any gaps within your funnel or customer journey
📸 plan your next photoshoot or provide you with a list of content ideas

The sooner you start implementing AI into your brainstorming, strategy, and planning processes, the better off you’ll be when it becomes a standard expectation in the next couple years.

Need help updating your marketing funnels using AI? Book a call today - forshortcreative.com/contact

Here's why your website clicks from social are low (+ how to increase them!) 📈

Even if you're sharing the most relatable content it the world, does it really matter if it isn't driving your audience to purchase (or to your website for re-targeting, at the very least?)

Here are just a few possible reasons why your website clicks from social are low:

❌ Your content is missing a hook or a CTA, so your audience isn't engaging
❌ Your social copy and customer journey isn't tailored to your target audience
❌ Your social visuals are too much, too little, or non-existent

Now, lets think about the kind of social media content that makes YOU click...

❤️ The hook tells you what the content is going to be about, and the CTA tells you the next steps you should take
❤️ The social copy speaks directly to your personal experience or a problem you're dealing with
❤️ The social visual elements are engaging, succinct, and optimized

To learn more about how to increase website clicks from your social content, tap here to read our latest blog: https://www.forshortcreative.com/blog/unleash-the-power-of-social-media-management-how-to-increase-brand-awareness-engagement-and-conversion-using-content

And if you want to do me a favor, share this post with others so they can also learn how to increase their website clicks from social (and see the rest of For Short Creative's content!)

I have a hard truth to share:

Email is a marketing *medium*. Ads is a marketing *medium*. Social is a marketing *medium*.

And you create strategies to align your goals and plans for using the marketing medium. That means you need an email strategy -- email *isn't* the strategy.

Let me break this down. If you walked into a marketing meeting for any corporate role and suggested "email" when a team leader asked for new strategic ideas or initiatives... you'd get a blank stare.

And I don't say this to be mean, but to remind you that your business deserves to operate at the same standard as any other, no matter how new or small it may be.

That's why we hold ourselves to a clear standard at For Short Creative. When you work with us you'll know exactly what our plans are, and how we're working to execute them.

No more stress about letting customers know when you're launching a new offer or holding a sale. No more guessing when it comes to your marketing calendar and ROI. No more general plans and terms.

If you're ready for actionable strategies with clear goals, let's work together. Book a call ➡️ forshortcreative.com/contact

If social media algorithms were movie characters, they'd be the villains with plot twists you never saw coming.

If I lost you, let me break it down ➡️

Let's say you've spent hours picking a photo, choosing keywords, and writing the best caption ever. You think that your content is relevant, your feed is beautiful, and your confidence is higher than ever. So you hit post.

Things seem to be going well, but the algorithm has other plans.

Your beautiful, perfect, amazing content ends up being seen by... well, your mom, and that one weird co-worker from your previous job who likes everything you share.

Why? Because there's been another update and you somehow missed it (again 😅). How are you ever supposed to keep up?

We don't abide by the 'post and pray' method at For Short Creative. We analyze trends, update strategies, and ensure your content receives the visibility it deserves, on social media and across all your marketing platforms.

Want to be the hero of your own social media story? Book a call ➡️ forshortcreative.com/contact

POV: you're an e-commerce marketer preparing for the holidays and any mention of "cyber week" makes you flinch

If you build it, they *might* come. If you market it well, they definitely will.

What we're talking about here is that your product isn't the only great product on the market. In fact, it's probably not even the only great product in your niche.

One of those small things that can make a big impact in your sales and marking is User-Generated Content (also known as UGC.) This style of content acts as a testimonial, building authority and answering common customer questions.

How do we know it makes an impact? Forbes says, "companies can see an increase of 29% in web conversions when websites feature user-generated content. That may be partially due to the fact that 70% of consumers will consider UGC reviews or ratings before making a purchasing decision."

Moral of the story: Just having a great product isn't enough. How you decide to market it will determine if someone decides to buy.

Through custom strategies and tailored funnels, we make sure your target audience not only sees you, but can't look away. We take your ‘great’ and turn it into ‘unforgettable.’

Want to be more than just a great idea? Book a call: forshortcreative.com/contact

If ROI were a person, it'd be that friend who shows up two hours late but swears they were 'just about to leave' when you texted them as you pulled up to the restaurant.

You've made plans, allocated budgets, executed campaigns, and the numbers roll in. You're staring at the data you've gathered, but the ROI is like a wallflower at a party—nowhere to be seen.

And you're left feeling dumbfounded. The landing page, email, and social media templates you invested in promised massive revenue and immediate cult-like customers. What went wrong? Where's the return?

You shouldnt' have to play hide and seek with your campaign ROI.

Goal setting is at the center of all we do at For Short Creative — clear, quantifiable, and proud KPIs — because we believe that marketing dollars should work towards generating leads and driving sales.

Stop playing games with your ROI. Book a call today ➡️ forshortcreative.com/contact

“Best practices” in e-commerce marketing? Let's try, “most average practices” on for size... 🐸☕️

Time to debunk the myth of "high-converting templates".

POV: You're scrolling on your phone. "Do this, not that" marketing lists are flooding your feed. Everyone has advice on "best practices" for e-commerce stores telling you a whole lot about nothing and pitching the next batch of seasonal marketing templates, "unique marketing content ready in 1 hour or less."

Sounds great, right?

Well, let's switch your perspective.

CUSTOMER POV: You're searching for a product that solves your problem, appeals to your personal missions, and matches your budget. A lot of the products that came up in your search look great, but they also have the same kind of marketing style so they look a little spammy. You decide to choose the offer that stands out with bold messaging and a clear solution (not the offers that all look like black lace, tall scripts, and a pant suit had a baby that grew up to be a Canva template.)

I have a serious question for you -- how do you expect to stand out from your competition if you're using templates to appeal to your customers?

We say screw the one-size-fits-all approach. Your brand is unique; your marketing strategies should be too. That's why we use knowledge from over a decade of industry experience to craft custom campaigns tailored just for your business.

Ready to ditch the templates once and for all? Book a call ➡️ forshortcreative.com/contact

So you think DIY marketing can save you some money? Let's crunch the numbers.

But first, we need to set the scene:

You've been moonlighting as a marketer. You're staying up until the wee hours of the morning watching YouTube tutorials and scrolling your TikTok FYP hoping for another lightbulb moment.

You're feeling like a budgeting genius—until you tally up the hidden costs.

Hours spent scrolling: 40
Hours executing: 30
Hours panic editing: 10
ROI: 🤷♀️

What if instead you could have spent those 80 hours building a campaign using a proven methodology that could accurately track effort and results?

We dare you to reclaim your time and invest it where it counts: we'll do the heavy lifting while you focus on scaling your business...
..and spending those precious TikTok hours binging Taylor Swift conspiracy videos and learning about the next best romance novel for your TBR instead of attending Search Bar University.

If you're ready to invest smarter, it's time to book a call: forshortcreative.com/contact

Do you ever wish marketing a product could be as easy as it is to hit "add to cart"? 😅

If you're an e-commerce business owner, you know how chaotic and details marketing plans can get. From setting KPIs to promotional strategies, the to-do list seems endless.

Not to mention, the learning curve is steeper than prices for decent Eras tickets.

That's why we're changing the game. We build and execute transformative marketing campaigns in just 14 days so you don't have to become a marketing expert to see a profit.

Imagine going from concept to live content funnel, capturing hearts and wallets, without losing any sleep (or your sanity.)

Don't take my word for it. Book a call and see for yourself. ➡️ forshortcreative.com/contact

Marketing funnels shouldn't be copy-and-paste templates.

Like you, we're frustrated by content that lacks creativity and charisma.

If you’re confused about how to market your offer, or how to find a marketing partner that creates unique and thoughtful strategies, you aren’t alone.

The good news is that we have over a decade of experience working on marketing teams for direct-to-consumer & e-commerce businesses, so we know *exactly* what it takes to run a successful campaign.

We’re For Short Creative and we help you build transformative marketing funnels for your e-commerce store in just 14 days.

It’s nice to meet you! ✨

If you want to learn more, visit our website at forshortcreative.com

Have you heard of Jeffree Star? 👀

Controversial topics aside (because there are A LOT), did you know he got his START on MySpace back in 2003??

Talk about an early 2000s throw back. Yet, Jeffree is still gaining notoriety and building his brand even though Myspace hasn't really been a thing since 2009 (14 years ago.)

Why does this matter?

Because it goes to show that a consistent message and solid brand can sustain the test of time. The social platforms you use don't matter nearly as much as your connection with your audience and the problems you solve.

So, what's your legacy going to be? Are you an Instagram-exclusive, or will you withstand the social media test of the decades?

That's where we come in-- we're Seek the Agency and we help small businesses curate an intentional community on social media. If you're a wellness business owner with a goal to grow your digital audience and engage them through each step of the customer journey, we can help.

Tap here to get started: https://i.mtr.cool/laptaezlus

It's no secret that Reels are a huge growth opportunity on Instagram...

It's also no secret that they can be a PAIN to plan, create, edit and share.

To simplify your struggle just a bit, we've compiled a list of 14 super-engaging hooks that are perfect to inspire your reel creativity and help you keep your audience entertained.

Don't forget to save 🚩 this post so you can find these hooks later.

Social Media Manager Mantras for the Holidays (Part 3/7)

The last three months of the year are a DOOZY 😵💫

Overwhelm and burnout are easy when there are promotions and competition galore. To avoid that, be sure you plan ahead now so that you can make time for yourself from October through January.

Remember that you are capable and your time is sacred.

BUT → if you're already feeling a bit of that stressed, anxious, not sure what to do rumble in your gut-- you aren't alone.

Tap here to book a call and we'll walk you through an actionable, overwhelm-free marketing plan for the next quarter and you can feel relief from the pressure of business ownership in the holidays: https://www.seekthe.agency/contact

Does the thought of your next product launch make you want to *sigh*? 🫠

In launches past, have you found yourself scrambling to create content and throw together a content plan so people know your new product exists?

If that sounds familiar, our Product Launch Campaign Checklist is your new hero.

Stop stressing about what to share across your marketing channels next time you launch a campaign. This checklist outlines what to share on your website, email, ads, social media and more. Then, we walk you through planning your launch campaign with all the content we created.

That's what we call a stress-free launch. 🚀

Tap here to access the checklist, for free, right now. → https://www.seekthe.agency/product-launch-campaign-checklist

Have you ever wondered why so many of your social followers, email subscribers, or blog readers just don’t seem to interact with your content?

You know they aren’t spam because you’ve followed all the precautions and you monitor your audience regularly.

They also obviously enjoy your content, because they open or like or comment when you share, or maybe even mention you in things that they create.

Yet, for some reason, the sessions and transactions just aren’t matching the other numbers you’re seeing…

This could be because you aren’t speaking to the felt needs and desires of each segment of your audience. To bridge that gap, we like to focus on creating content for each buyer type.

Tap here to read more: https://www.seekthe.agency/blog/buyer-types

One thing you can expect from social media: people will not react to all your content the same way.

Audience reactions will depend on how well they know your business, your product and your story. If they know and relate to you, engagement is a no-brainer.

Getting them to that point of relation takes problem-solving to show them you know where they are and where they should go. It takes action steps to help them move forward. And it takes humor and inspiration to connect.

Tap here to outsource your social media engagement so you can continue to drive big-picture initiatives for your business. ⚡️→ https://www.seekthe.agency/contact

In this blog post, we’re talking about developing a Product Launch Campaign Calendar SOP so that you can easily launch, review performance, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

To be clear— the SOP is a draft campaign that you would customize based on the specific product, or category, that’s being featured in the launch.

Tap here to see a full 7-day campaign outline: https://www.seekthe.agency/blog/ecommerce-product-launch-campaign-calendar

A few ways for you to save time and energy.

If you DM us a 👋 we'll share a couple more.

The days of people heading straight to traditional search engines to find products are over.

Social media is the new search engine— Millennials and Gen-Z are saying goodbye to empty lists and hello to a sea of business interaction fueled by high-quality content and their needs as online shoppers.

If you want your eCommerce business to succeed in today’s digital commerce market, social media is no longer an option, it's a necessity.

Tap to read more: https://www.seekthe.agency/blog/social-media-marketing-benefits

Instead of saying, "Hey, I need help with this problem," try...

"Hey, I need help brainstorming a solution. I have this problem, and I think this could solve it. What do you think?"

Why? → Because it showcases your knowledge, confidence and willingness to collaborate (instead of seeming a bit like a damsel in distress.)

You know more about your business than anyone else, so you are the key to uncovering the solution. 🔑

What do you think? Will you try it? Why or why not? 🤔

Social Media Manager Mantras for the Holidays (Part 2/7)

The last three months of the year are a DOOZY 😵💫

Overwhelm and burnout are easy when there are promotions and competition galore. To avoid that, be sure you plan ahead now so that you can make time for yourself from October through January.

Remember that you are capable and your time is sacred.

BUT → if you're already feeling a bit of that stressed, anxious, not sure what to do rumble in your gut-- you aren't alone.

Tap here to book a call and we'll walk you through an actionable, overwhelm-free marketing plan for the next quarter and you can feel relief from the pressure of business ownership in the holidays: https://www.seekthe.agency/contact

Your customers are bombarded with countless advertisements, newsletters and competitive content from your business (and countless like it) every day.

This competition can make moving a customer to the next stage of your customer journey a bit more difficult.

The solution? Start to break down your businesses’ customer journey! A versatile customer journey outline is the easiest way to map a plan for your business that will facilitate a positive customer experience, and you’ll stand out from the crowd!

The best news? We're sharing how you can create one in today's blog.

Tap to read more: https://www.seekthe.agency/blog/create-a-customer-journey-outline

This is your sign to simplify social media for your Shopify store. 💻

You're probably making it more complicated than necessary, tbh.

One of the questions we get most often is, "How do I do social media for my Shopify store?"

The answer is simple: by knowing what your audience wants and needs, and how your products help them get there.

After that, it's just consistency. 😉

If you're ready to take social media off your plate to open more time for you to work in your zone of genius, we are here to support you.

With over 25 total years experience marketing Shopify stores, you can trust Seek the Agency to help your audience find just the product they've been searching for. 🤍

Drop an "🚀" in our comments or DMs if you want to learn more about the services we offer Shopify stores!

"Then, two days later, BAM!

Ritual, one of the most trendy vitamin supplement brands, copies the meme in a similar fashion, this time speaking to a gluten and dairy intolerance.

Were we heartbroken? Absolutely not— we were flattered.

Social media is about setting and hopping on trends, and we got one of the most popular brands on Instagram to copy us. That meant that our meme stuck out to them.

And if it stuck out to them, it stuck out to our audience."

Read more: https://www.seekthe.agency/blog/ancient-nutrition-case-study-social-media-management