Author: admin

Categories
Insights Branding Marketing Communications Advice

Unveiling the Power of Consumer Insights: How Push Elevates Brands with Deep Understanding

Unveiling the Power of Consumer Insights: How Push Elevates Brands with Deep Understanding

In the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, understanding consumer behavior is paramount. Businesses do so by constantly considering how their target audience thinks, feels, and behaves. By delving deep into the minds of consumers, Push elevates brands to new heights. Here’s how:

The Importance of Consumer Insights in Brand Strategy

Consumer insights are more than just data points; they are the foundation for successful marketing strategies. Understanding the motivations, preferences, and behaviors of your target audience enables brands to:

  • Craft Personalized Experiences: Tailor messages and offerings to meet the specific needs and desires of different consumer segments.
  • Enhance Customer Loyalty: Foster deeper connections by addressing consumer pain points and delivering consistent value.
  • Drive Innovation: Identify emerging trends and unmet needs to stay ahead of the competition.
  • Optimize Marketing Spend: Allocate resources more efficiently by focusing on the most impactful strategies and channels.

How Push Applies Consumer Insights

Analyzing consumer insights is at the core of all strong strategy and design. Our approach involves several key steps:

  • Data Collection: We leverage a variety of sources, including social media analytics, surveys, focus groups, and customer feedback, to gather comprehensive data.
  • Data Analysis: We analyze the data to uncover patterns and trends that reveal consumer preferences and behaviors.
  • Consumer Segmentation: We segment the audience based on shared characteristics and behaviors, allowing for more targeted and effective marketing strategies.
  • Behavioral Analysis: We uncover the ‘why’ behind consumer actions so that we can predict future behaviors and tailor our strategies accordingly.

Success Stories: Transforming Brands through Insights

Case Study 1: Tailoring your message

One of our newest clients is a bean bag company that had already identified who its consumers were: young families. What it didn’t do was a deep dive into understanding why these individuals bought. After a customer decision-making audit, it was unveiled that a substantial portion of the families who were fervent brand advocates were those who had neurodivergent children who loved that the materials of the chairs were noiseless. Identifying this small detail caused the brand to reconsider its messaging for this sub-segment of its audience and create specialized content that highlights key values that were highly relevant to this specific audience but not others. It also provided an opportunity to explore some additional media channels for this audience exclusively.

Case Study 2: Knowing your customer’s WHY

Another relevant example is when one of our university clients utilized first-party consumer research to consider how it could increase enrollment with prospective Hispanic students, a market that it was trying to make inroads with. Of all of the factors considered, the most influential proved to be the input of their parents or guardians, disproportionality so for Hispanic audiences. Research showed that when Hispanic students considered college enrollment, hearing from their parents and how much time college would take away from their family was a big factor in their decision-making process. As a result, our ads featured parents as a dedicated audience with their own creative, targeting, and budget along with adding families in all our Hispanic marketing for the college.

Get Started with Consumer Insights at Push

Harnessing the power of consumer insights is not just a strategy; it’s a necessity in today’s competitive market. At Push, we pride ourselves on our ability to transform data into actionable insights that drive marketing success.

Ready to elevate your brand strategy by evaluating the transformative power of consumer insights with Push. Touch base with us!

Categories
Marketing Communications Digital Media Advice Education

Using Digital Storytelling to Enhance Student Recruitment Campaigns

Using Digital Storytelling to Enhance Student Recruitment Campaigns

Thanks to the advent of social media, a compelling story can connect millions of people with the click of a button. This is all the more likely when we relate to the stories being told. Storytelling is a skill that has prevailed through the ages, so it’s a no-brainer that it has become a go-to marketing strategy for academic institutions.

Incoming students crave someone or something to ease their fears throughout an unfamiliar process, and a relatable story can be the perfect fix. Follow along to learn how to leverage the power of authentic storytelling in a way that defines your brand narrative and resonates with incoming students.

The Power of Narrative in Marketing

The best marketers consistently utilize the power of a strong narrative. You are much more likely to reach a larger audience with a captivating tale than statistics and facts. The right story can build an emotional connection with potential students and build trust.

Identifying the Key Elements of Effective Digital Storytelling

What the most effective marketers have in common is that they have simplified their execution by splitting digital storytelling into four key elements: relatable characters, strong narrative, vivid imagery, and an inspiring call to action.

Ideally, prospective students should be able to envision themselves succeeding within your community before they ever step foot on campus. So the “characters” in your story need to be relatable to help viewers live vicariously through them. Utilizing a narrative that highlights conflict resolution, you can help them experience possible challenges and successes through the eyes of others. Just ensure that you always highlight the vibrant aspects of campus life and share a glimpse of their future.

They say seeing is believing, and when it comes crafting a compelling narrative about campus life, that is especially true. Use videos, photos, infographics and anything else at your disposal that you believe would serve as a proof point for your stories and inspire people to learn more. Take advantage of YouTube, social media, and websites related to your institution to attract a global audience and generate organic interest.

And most importantly, once the hard work of creating this content is done, make sure you close the loop by have a motivating call to action that guides students to the next steps. CTAs are known to drastically increase the likelihood that your viewer will engage, and a directive makes the process of proceeding clear and simple.

Encouraging Personal Experiences

Now that you know what you should be doing, let’s talk about how to do it consistently. To truly harness the power of digital storytelling, it’s crucial to encourage individuals to share their personal experiences. Asking students, alumni, and faculty to share their voices can be operationalized through surveys, social media prompts, and campus events. Whether it’s a life-changing lecture, an unexpected friendship, a story about accidentally starting a fire on day one in the dorms… No? Just us? Regardless, these personal stories can become powerful narratives that resonate deeply with prospective student.

Aligning Stories with Your Brand Identity

While it’s important for stories to be relatable and visually interesting, they must also echo the greater story and voice of your brand. Every narrative shared should reinforce the values, mission, and identity of your institution. Consistency in messaging ensures that prospective students not only relate to individual stories but also gain a clear and cohesive understanding of what your institution stands for. This alignment helps in building a strong brand identity that is memorable and appealing to your target audience.


See It In Practice

Stanford University is a pro at using video content to tell stories. In 2019, they ran the #Stanford19 campaign on Instagram, where they placed a spotlight on 2019 graduates. Each video was a story about a student, their background, and their accomplishments at Stanford. With over 600,000 followers at the time, they were able to reach thousands of potential students and connect with them in an inspirational way.

Taking a different approach, Wright State University launched a new Push-built brand in 2016, with a narrative of being a school that doesn’t try to weed out the ones who won’t succeed––but instead tries to find the success in everyone. Their story drew in potential incoming students, many of whom were non-traditional and needed to balance every other aspect of life along with school. Thus helping WSU attain their goal of increasing recruitment rates.


Conveying Your Brand Voice

To achieve your desired impact, whoever is writing your stories needs to have a deep understanding of your brand voice. It’s not just about sharing experiences but doing so in a way that reflects your institution’s ethos. This ensures that the stories are not only engaging but also cohesive and true to your brand. A skilled storyteller can weave perspectives that align with your institution’s identity, creating a narrative that is both compelling and credible.
If you find yourself struggling to create relatable content that aligns with your brand’s voice, or don’t know how to seamlessly incorporate your narrative into multi-media formats, hit us up.

Categories
Insights Marketing Communications Digital Media Advice

Integrating Online and Offline Channels for a Seamless Customer Experience

Integrating Online and Offline Channels for a Seamless Customer Experience

Everything we need is essentially available at our fingertips. Need groceries? Pre-heat the oven, they’re on the way. How about a dress for a night out? It’ll be at your doorstep before you are. We can have practically anything at the tap of a button. But that doesn’t mean we stop having IRL experiences with the companies we’re buying from. In fact, it becomes all the more important that modern businesses seamlessly integrate their online and offline channels in order to give customers a unified experience with their brand. Let’s look at the benefits of channel integration and the best way to give your customers the journey they expect when they interact with your brand in these different spaces.

What Are Online and Offline Channels?

Online channels can be anything your customer is using to interact with your brand in a digital space: your website and mobile app, social media page or emails. Offline channels refer to physical stores, in-person events and print media customer engage with physically, like bus shelters or magazine ads. These are places one might consider more classic mediums of advertising.

Why Should You Integrate Online and Offline Channels?

Breaking down the barriers between these isolated channels is the key to achieving a seamless experience. This helps ensure that your brand essence is communicated whether a customer is looking at your billboard on the side of the road or breathing in the signature scent of your store. A seamless experience will boost your customer’s satisfaction with your brand––increasing loyalty and, ultimately, sales.

Target is an expert in this space. Their app serves as the most significant support system for in-person experiences, with innovative features like same-day delivery, curbside pick up and inventory management to enhance customer convenience. By utilizing real-time data and tech, Target can personalize and customize customer experiences across all platforms, creating positive and satisfying experiences with their brand.

Integrating online and offline channels gives you access to boundless amounts of data that tell you who your consumers are, what they buy, when they buy it and more. With these valuable insights, you can cultivate a better all-around experience for your audience.

How Do You Effectively Integrate These Channels?  

Start providing a unified experience across multiple spaces, both online and offline, through omni-channel marketing. This involves coordinating and synchronizing marketing efforts to create a cohesive and consistent experience no matter where customers interact with your brand. You should ensure you use the same messaging and branding in store and online and take advantage of the crucial role social media plays in connecting with consumers.

It won’t be long before the data from omni-channel marketing allows you to personalize your marketing or improve customer service. The data will also provide you with a Unified Customer Data Platform and a repository of customer data from various sources that will allow you to tailor future strategies and improve customer experience.

This strategy will ultimately enhance customer satisfaction and inspire more repeat purchases, help you reach a larger audience and increase brand visibility while elevating the customer experience.

See It in Action

Living in this digital era, retailers must understand the consumer demand for connected digital and in-store experiences.

The Apple Store is another expert in creating a cohesive experience through channel integration. Their app allows consumers to browse products, make purchases, and schedule appointments at physical stores. Any experience online is complemented at their stores by personalized assistance, product demonstrations, and workshops. Additionally, their use of omni-channel means any experience that begins online can continue and end in the store or vice versa.

Cinnabon recently embraced the benefits of integrating channels and pivoted from being fully on-site to being a brand found both on-site and at home or office. Consumers can now order online, with their app, or in-store to enjoy their treats anywhere they like. They can also use the Cinnabon app to elevate their in-store experience with rewards or exclusive offers. Successful channel integration has allowed Cinnabon to evolve into a forward-thinking brand that is connected to its customers.

Challenges and Solutions 

Though a seamless experience is the goal, we can’t promise that the transition to one will be seamless. You may receive concerns about data privacy, experience technical issues or struggle to integrate organizational silos internally.  The best solutions to these challenges are to give your team the proper training and adjust your policies to best suit your company’s needs.

What Happens Next? 

Modern businesses stay modern for a reason: they evolve. And that’s what customers expect. You must constantly monitor advances in technology to stay sharp and ahead of the game in creating a unique space for your customers to interact with your brand. Take AI and AR/VR, for example. Integrating these into your customer experience could enhance the services you provide your consumers, making them even more efficient and engaging.

Note that these advances mean customers will become increasingly demanding in terms of how fast and seamless they want their experiences to be. It’s only a matter of time before these emerging technologies become essential, so why not stay ahead of the curve?

Ultimately, an omni-channel retail strategy will grant you access to more consumers and consumer data while providing your consumers with an elevated retail consumer experience with your brand. Curating a seamless transition between your physical stores and online presence may seem daunting, but retail integration is the best way to join the modern business world in their success. If you need help getting started, we have experience. Check out our work, or speak to a Pusher.

Categories
Insights Restaurant Branding Marketing Communications Digital Media Advice

How Consistent Branding Can Be Your Restaurant’s Secret Ingredient

How Consistent Branding Can Be Your Restaurant’s Secret Ingredient

In our nearly 30 years of restaurant branding experience, we’ve seen just about every type of restaurant under the sun. And despite their differences in cuisine, location, and clientele, these restaurants can all be neatly filed under two categories: those that were successful, and those that were not. With the biggest determining factor often being consistency––or a lack thereof.

Consistency is what keeps customers coming back. What makes them refer you to loved ones looking for a good meal. It’s a promise that all the reasons they loved their last meal will be waiting for them when they next grace your dining room.

But consistency isn’t reserved for restaurant experience. Along with delicious food, a unique perspective, and stellar service, a consistent brand, too, can be a key ingredient in your continued success. Follow along to the recipe below as we help you cook up a consistent brand for your restaurant.

Be On-Brand

You probably have no less than 30 brands you can think of in a moment’s notice, simply because of the consistency of their logos, colors, fonts, messaging and voice. Establishing consistent branding for your restaurant means aspiring to this level of ubiquity across every consumer touchpoint: giving your customers the same signature flavor and experience each time they interact with your restaurant.

Spend quality time chewing on the elements mentioned above, ensuring they each send the right message. Burger King’s playful irreverence doesn’t fit McDonald’s, nor could Macca’s bright brand colors work for an upmarket eatery like The Capital Grille. These are the first impressions of your brand, and they’re what will become engrained in customers’ minds as they examine your place in the market. If you’re looking to protect your brand, it will help to compile a comprehensive set of brand guidelines. Think of these guidelines as a marketing Magic 8 Ball: if you’re ever doubting whether a creative decision is on brand or not, simply return to the rules you have in place for guidance.

Be Authentic

In the restaurant business you need to build a foundation of trust and loyalty with your customer base. This will require you to uphold the brand promise you created to build the foundation you need to evolve and expand. It will also demand that you be authentic.

Your customers are smart––they can see right through an inauthentic brand. Give them the credit they deserve by presenting honestly and authentically, drawing from real achievements, strengths, and emotions that translate across your entire organization. Part of establishing an authentic brand is ensuring your team knows how to represent your brand. Make sure they understand and embody your brand’s values and standards.

Look at brands like Sonny’s BBQ. Since undergoing a tip-to-tail rebrand with Push in 2013, they have have proudly maintained a consistent brand that lives authentically throughout the entire company. Their status as legendary local pitmasters is indisputable and shines through every billboard, menu item and social post. If you want an example of a younger company with brand consistency, Smalls Sliders has produced an organic cult-like following in just five short years. This is largely due to their simple, craveable product. But a healthy portion is owed to their consistent, Push-built brand.

Be Memorable

Your brand should be as memorable as your go-to order (double cheeseburger, extra pickles, add Mac sauce––thank us later.) When a brand is consistent across all fronts, spanning social media, web and physical locations, packaging, etc., consumers get to know it so well that they feel personally connected it. They know what it should look like, what it might say, and what it definitely wouldn’t say. (See our point about authenticity above.) A unified marketing strategy that is deeply influenced by your brand’s identity and messaging is great way to solidify the relationship consumers have with your brand.

Hubspot argues that your logo is the most memorable part of your entire brand, and we agree. When done well, it can immediately tie back to the pillars of your brand in the minds of consumers, in addition to looking equally great on a billboard or a napkin. Developing a memorable brand can feel like capturing lightning in a bottle. But consistency will undoubtedly help you put a cap on it.

Be Different

To end up on top in an increasingly competitive market, your restaurant needs to be different than the rest. Or, at the very least, consumers need to believe you provide a unique value that makes you a better option over other restaurants. With only so much wiggle room when it comes to price point and menu options, brand consistency can be a great way to curate a unique personality for your brand. As your brand matures, regular audits of your brand touch points will help you make sure you’re still staying true to the personality that makes people love your brand.

When hanging together, brand elements like signature dishes, distinctive decor, and a clarified visual presence are all ways to establish a distinct brand identity. But, remember: brand differentiation without consistency is a side dish without an entrée. It doesn’t matter how unique you are if you aren’t consistent with it.

Be Connected

Your customers may be the ones who bring home the bacon, but it’s your employees who make sure your doors open every day. Your employees are also your main ambassadors both within your restaurant and out in the world. They may not be in boardrooms making high-level brand decisions, but their daily insights can be instrumental in the success of your brand.

Keep these valuable lines of communication open by creating a feedback loop that encourages both customers and employees to identify areas for improvement in your organization. Even when communicating within your organization or onboarding employees, keep your brand personality and values consistent. Remember what we said about authenticity: A disconnect between how your brand looks or feels internally and externally will put off those consumers who have gotten to know your brand well.

We can look back at Smalls Sliders for a great example of consistent branding within an organization, too. Their brand’s voice and personality are clear and consistent no matter who it is aimed at. And with employees who fully embody their brand, it’s not just their sliders that keep people coming back.

Brand consistency can help you enhance brand recognition, increase customer loyalty, strengthen your brand’s identity, improve marketing efficiency, and improve employee engagement. But, all of these benefits can only be achieved through consistency over time, which will pay off in customer loyalty and the success of your restaurant.

If you want a brand that won’t get lost in the sauce, try out the advice given above. And if you feel like you need more direction, we are more than happy to lead the way. Check out how we helped Smalls Sliders Push their brand to its full potential.

Categories
Insights Commentary Restaurant Advice Trends

6 Marketing Trends for BBQ Restaurants in 2024

6 Marketing Trends for BBQ Restaurants in 2024 feature image

Sustainability. Personalization. Authenticity. These are just a few market drivers for restaurants in 2024. As experiences and expectations continue to evolve, BBQ joints need to stay ahead of the curve and explore trends redefining the restaurant space. 

1. Fire up new tech 

Technology has infiltrated our daily lives. By now, almost everyone, from guests to restaurants, is plugged in. And tech-savvy guests are driving the expectation of automation. Whether it’s tap-to-pay service, online reservations, table-side tech, or custom promotions that get guests engaged with the brand, it’s important to add convenience to the menu. And reach audiences where they’re at.

2. Get personal(ization)

Guests want to make their dining experience, theirs. From customizable menus to memorable interactions, guests want their individual preferences and needs to be seen. This can manifest in a few different ways:

•  Mix-and-match menus:  Let guests choose their journey. Include permanent or LTO items that allow guests to mix and match sides, proteins, and ingredients in dishes like bowls.

•  Save preferences:  From birthdays to anniversaries, seating preferences, dietary  restrictions and  order history, BBQ restaurants can remember and recognize these to make guests  feel more  comfortable, valued  and  appreciated.

•  Recommendations:  Based on previous orders, restaurants can make  educated recommendations on online platforms for guests, suggesting new plates to try and  add-ons that  would level up their choices.

3. Clean up your practices

Today, consumers  are  largely  considering  a restaurant’s sustainability practices when deciding where to spend their dollars. Restaurants  will need to  embrace new processes to minimize their impact and align with consumers’ demand for more green practices. For example,  prioritizing  locally sourced foods, practicing portion control to reduce waste, establishing effective recycling programs, and switching to energy-efficient appliances and biodegradable or  even  reusable packaging.

4. Innovate the smooth sippin’ experience

It’s  no secret cocktail menus can plus up the dining experience. But guests’ tastes are constantly changing. With new preferences  on the rise, restaurants might need to freshen up their drink menus. Here are a few noteworthy trends and innovations that go beyond that traditional beverage:

• CBD-infused cocktails

• Eco-friendly liquors

• Mocktails

• Experiential enhancements like smoke, edible garnishes, and aromas.

5. Support the community

Guests want to know that their favorite restaurants are giving back. It’s an  important  aspect of building a strong loyalty with them.  Engage the community by hosting charity events for local causes,  hosting  workshops, cooking classes,  or  food-related events that provide educational opportunities, and partnering with local businesses through promos, events, and initiatives.

6. Keep it real

Stay true to your brand. Make sure your messaging aligns with your menu, values, mission, and actions taken. This will help your BBQ restaurant build trust and loyalty with guests. All it takes is consistent messaging, transparency and honesty about practices and shortcomings, and compelling brand storytelling.

Whatever marketing trend you decide to jump on, be sure it aligns with your BBQ restaurant  brand’s  mission, vision, and values. You can see how we  took a locally loved BBQ restaurant to the next level with a re-brand and new marketing strategies  here.  And if you need help deciding what makes sense for your brand or  don’t  know where to start, you can always  reach out.

Categories
Retail Insights Marketing Communications Digital Media Advice Trends

Examining Gen Alpha: The Spending Habits of “Little Adults”

Examining Gen Alpha: The Spending Habits of “Little Adults”

Gen Alpha, the successors to Millennials and Gen Z, are reshaping how we think about marketing with their unique traits and tech-savvy nature. Let’s uncover what makes these globally aware kids tick and how businesses can keep up.

The Death of the “Tween”

Remember the early 2000s when tweens flocked to malls, heading straight to Limited Too? It was the younger version of The Limited and a go-to spot for logo tees and glittery accessories. As a 12-year-old girl, it was your favorite store. Or maybe you preferred Wet Seal, Delia’s, The Body Shop, Lush, or Charlotte Russe, places where young people explored who they wanted to be. By the late 2000s, Limited Too was gone and so was the tween shopping experience.

Gen Alpha, kids 14 and under, are known as the ‘landmark generation’ but surprisingly have few dedicated retail spaces. This is odd because they’re expected to be the largest generation in history, with over 2 billion born between 2010 and 2024. With nowhere to go, older Gen Alphas are jumping straight into adult brands like Starbucks, Lululemon, Sephora, Walmart and Target, influenced by their millennial parents.

Younger Gen Alphas are even more influenced by their millennial parents, who are still shopping for them. These parents do a ton of research before buying anything and exhibit higher brand loyalty, preferring nostalgic choices for their kids such as Disney, Lego, Nintendo and Fisher-Price.

To add further nuance, it should be noted that attempts by adult brands to target Gen Alpha separately, like Project Gap, don’t top their favorites list. That honor goes to brands like Amazon, Apple, Nintendo and Target—places adults love too. Gen Alpha and Gen Z share almost the same top 10 favorite brands. This generation is very brand-savvy, so businesses need to stay authentic. Speaking to them like they’re children can come off as patronizing.

At the end of the day, while Gen Alpha may have distinct brand preferences, they don’t yet have independent purchasing power. The reality of what brands kids are repping is down to what their parents are willing and able to buy them. So brands continue to market to adults, even if their consumers are getting younger by the day. If you’re wondering why 10-year-olds’ Sephora shopping carts are filled with retinols and heavy exfoliants, look no further than who’s paying for it.

Who’s influencing who? 

These shopping habits were built online over the past decade, first on Instagram and then on TikTok. Gen Alpha has grown up digitally connected, learning to “get ready with me” by listening to their favorite YouTubers list off the brands they consume during their daily morning routine, or things like WaterTok and IceTok, where recommendations about ice cube trays and water additive packets are free-flowing and monetized.

Certain products have reached cult status thanks to their constant appearances in Instagram Stories, YouTube haul videos and TikTok For You Pages. These brands do more than just serve a purpose though, they help tweens feel accepted in a community of multigenerational tastemakers. Buying these brands is like a rite of passage into adulthood and a way for Gen Alpha to join online culture.

Around 25% of Gen Alphas say influencers are their main shopping source and nearly 60% of their parents note that their kids watch shopping content, influencing their purchases based on favorite YouTube or Instagram personalities. This trend means companies should look into influencer partnerships for effective brand promotion.

However, to give credit where credit is due, Gen Alpha is changing how they use media, shifting towards more entertaining and funny content that sparks engagement. They value digital and human connectivity, pushing companies to create shareable and conversation-starting content.

Sustainability or Bust

While parents and influencers shape their choices, Gen Alpha has strong opinions. About 66% prefer buying from companies that make a positive impact and 67% want careers that help save the planet.

It makes sense that Gen Alpha is so eco-conscious—they’re growing up in a time of big environmental awareness. They’re more informed about issues like climate change, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss than previous generations were at their age. Sustainability is part of school curriculums, all over social media and a priority for many of their parents.

As a result, Gen Alpha prefers eco-friendly products like those made from recycled materials, biodegradable items and minimal packaging. They support brands with ethical practices, including fair trade and corporate social responsibility. They also favor locally sourced and organic products to reduce carbon footprints. Brands need to keep innovating to meet Gen Alpha’s high sustainability standards.

Marketing to Gen Alpha

Now that you understand what influences Gen Alpha’s buying preferences, let’s talk tactics for effectively marketing to them:

1. Leverage Influencers: With many Gen Alphas looking to influencers, collaborating with popular YouTubers or Instagram stars can significantly sway their purchasing decisions.

2. Nostalgic Branding: Since their parents are loyal to familiar brands, tapping into nostalgia in your campaigns can resonate well.

3. Entertaining Content: Create humorous, shareable media to match Gen Alpha’s love for engaging content.

4. Balancing the Experience: Blend online and offline interactions to play on Gen Alpha’s value for connectivity.

Adopting these marketing tactics can allow businesses to navigate the unique characteristics and preferences of Gen Alpha, ensuring a meaningful and impactful presence in their world.

Categories
Insights Marketing Communications Digital Media Advice Trends

Top AI Tools for Businesses: Identifying Popular Solutions and Expert Detection Methods  

Top AI Tools for Businesses: Identifying Popular Solutions and Expert Detection Methods feature image

Now that we know AI comes in peace, companies across all kinds of industries are starting to embrace the new tech with open arms. But it’s important to understand the dangers, the benefits and impact of AI to use it effectively. Let’s take a look at the top AI programs being used by businesses today and the best ways to evaluate their performance. So you can take your business to new heights.

What are AI tools?

Let’s back up a little bit. What is artificial intelligence? It’s super high tech that can complete tasks that normally us humans would have to do. For example reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, etc. A lot of businesses use these AI software apps to save time and money, understand their audiences, predict patterns, spot fraud and even provide customer support.

Today, 35% of businesses have already dove into the world of AI. And 42% of companies that haven’t plan on integrating it within the next two years. Companies clearly don’t want to get left behind in this new tech revolution. Especially since new softwares seem to become available almost every day.

Key AI Technologies to Consider

Top AI Tools for Businesses: Identifying Popular Solutions and Expert Detection Methods

From streamlining operations to customer satisfaction and content creation, AI harnesses the power and potential to drive success in many different areas of business. But they aren’t meant to replace your work. Only reinvent the way your business operates so that you can focus on the bigger picture.

You might be asking yourself, “But how do I know which ones are right for my business?” Here’s a list of questions you can ask yourself to find out which tools make sense for your business:

• What are the specific goals I want to achieve through AI?

• Which of my businesses needs could be met using AI?

• Can this AI tool grow with my business?

• Is this AI tool cost effective for my business?

• Is this AI tool compatible with other stakeholders?

ChatGPT and Grammarly have earned their fair share of hype. But check out some more AI tools that could plus up your operations, marketing or customer satisfaction:

• FreePik AI Image Generator: A visual content creator that can help you streamline visual content editing and you bring your ideas to life through its flagship AI image generator.
Reply.io: A sales engagement platform that can help you expand your opportunities and handle the sales process more efficiently.

• Byword: A content creator that can produce high-quality content at scale. It uses keywords and titles to create SEO-optimized articles that will help boost your SEO traffic.

• Legal Robot: AI software program that makes it easier to decipher legalese, or overcomplicated legal terminology that is not easy for businesses to decipher, and identify potential legal risks.

• Outmatch: A recruitment AI program that can help you streamline the recruiting process while reducing costs and creating a positive experience for everyone involved.

Expert Methods for Evaluating AI Content

We understand that it’s hard enough to produce content at the speed of lightning. AI can help alleviate some of those mundane tasks and jobs that take up our team members’ valuable time. But while AI is a great tool, you can’t rely on it alone. Remember, AI doesn’t have a human stream of consciousness. It may require more information and learning to understand different concepts, ideas and questions to generate content that is original and accurate.

This is why you should always research and revise the content spit out by AI before implementing it in your business, posting online and creating any marketing assets. Here are a few ways you can evaluate your content:

    1. Check for patterns in text.
    2. Run your content through AI tools like Grammarly and Writer.com for plagiarism.
    3. Fact check. AI isn’t always up to date.
    4. Read your content to make sure it connects all the dots.
    5. Send your revised words through an AI detection tool.

Whether you’re in the restaurant, retail, higher education or tourism industry, tapping into AI tools can help improve your business in many facets. But if you want real, original, authentic content for marketing, it may take a little more brain power than artificial intelligence. If you’re interested in leveling up your advertising, feel free to reach out. For now, check out our past work.

Categories
Social Branding Marketing Communications Digital Media Advice

How Restaurant Brands Can Dominate with Social Media Marketing

Restaurant Brands

In an era where social media presence is one of the biggest factors determining where people choose to eat, it’s not enough for restaurants to have great food and a good vibe––they must also be well-versed in the world of social media marketing. Why? Because with a million options to choose from, it’s the restaurants with the most drool-worthy and engaging Instagram pages that will stand out. 

If you’re a restaurant that needs to up their social media game, check out these 5 restaurant marketing strategies to help you make waves in a tsunami of options.

Tip 1: Know Your Audience and Platforms 

Before you can start posting content and engaging with your customers, you need to know who you’re talking to. The way you engage will need to change depending on your audience.

A 2022 survey from MGH, a marketing agency that specializes in restaurants, found that 53% of Millennial TikTok users have ordered from a restaurant after seeing it on the platform. Gen Z, on the other hand, is more attracted to authenticity and transparency in brands and is 72% more likely to support a restaurant that contributes to social causes. Your content needs to be curated to who you want to interact with so that you can build a loyal base of consumers.

Once you have the right content for your audience, you need to be conscious of where you are posting it. You are less likely to reach a Gen Z or Millennial audience on Facebook, yet you are bound to connect with those demographics on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. The success of your social media marketing strategy starts with knowing exactly who you are talking to and what you want to say.

Tip 2: Create Mouthwatering Visual Content 

Social media managers might argue your content needs to look as good as it tastes. And we’d agree. High-quality pictures and videos of your food you can practically smell and taste inspire your audience to come try it for themselves. 

Visual content that represents your brand’s personality will increase engagement across your social media pages. Wendy’s, a top-five restaurant brand with a mastery of social media, generates an average of 2,417 reactions on each post through their use of meme-like content and casual brand voice. A well-curated stream of high-quality content might be what motivates a consumer to walk into your restaurant instead of hitting up your competition.

Tip 3: Engage with Your Audience 

Engaging restaurant consumers online through comments, direct messages, and interactive content is key when it comes to standing out from the crowd. But engagement only gets you so far––your response time should also be as fast as possible. This is your chance to show off your brand’s personality while receiving feedback directly from your consumers. And it’s an opportunity to make a genuine community out of your consumer base.

Some ways you can increase engagement are by taking advantage of user-generated content or leveraging influencer partnerships. Posting interactive content to your feed that inspires your audience to take action can also help you motivate more people to interact with your page. 

Tip 4: Utilize User-Generated Content 

Taking advantage of user-generated content is the best way to build trust with your audience because people tend to trust the authentic experiences of other consumers. Bright Local, a web-based SEO tool, found that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as their friends’ reviews when deciding where to eat. In other words, let your audience become your advertisers. 

Your employees are your restaurant’s brand ambassadors, and get the most one-on-one time with guests. Have them encourage customers to write online reviews about their positive experiences whenever appropriate.

Tip 5: Promote Special Offers and Events 

Social media is one of the most effective ways to promote special offers, events, and discounts. Use it to your advantage by creating content that generates excitement in your audience and drives more traffic to your page. Brands like Chipotle and Sonic Drive-In use their pages to promote charity drives and to move merchandise. Promoting special offers and exclusive events gives people a reason to come dine with you and check back regularly for more. 

Implementing social media marketing in your restaurant is a great way to differentiate yourself from competitors and dominate the market––when done right. The best social media presence is one that is consistent, creative, and responsive to its audience. Social media marketing can help your restaurant: increasing brand awareness, enhancing customer engagement, building authenticity and trust, promoting special offers and events, and granting you direct lines of insight and feedback from consumers. By following the above advice and staying up to date on the latest trends, you are sure to come out on top. 

If you still aren’t sure about where to start with your social media journey, Push has experts that would love to help. Check out our full menu of services and work with other restaurants here.

Categories
Announcements Restaurant

Redefining Conference Booths? Yes we Can!

Smalls Sliders Conference Booths

Amid the sea of familiar trade show booths at this year’s Multi-Unit Franchising Conference, Push once again helps Smalls Sliders “think outside the Can.” Our challenge was to encapsulate Smalls’ brand essence within the confines of a trade show booth, and we delivered an unparalleled solution: a design that invited attendees to step into a mini immersive “Can,” giving them a taste of what it’s really like to “Slide Thru” with Smalls.

Celebrated as one of the most unique booths at the conference, this marketing marvel ingeniously blended tangible brand elements with interactive engagement. It was a bold statement of the Smalls’ commitment to standing out in the fast-casual restaurant space and setting new benchmarks for innovation. The “Can” pulled attendees into the brand’s world with a 360-degree visual and educational feast that was impossible to overlook. Every surface showcased eye-catching facts and statistics about franchising, the brand’s core values, and mouthwatering menu offerings, leaving attendees not only with a deeper understanding of the brand’s unique market position, but also with the impression that they had experienced something truly extraordinary.


Our work here is a testament to Push’s ability to exceed the creative bounds of what an agency partnership can be. And a clear sign that Smalls Sliders is changing the game for fast-casual dining. This isn’t just a triumph of design; it’s a celebration of the collective efforts and progress of the brands’ development over time and a herald of its bold strides into the future of making Smalls, big!

See the full brand case study here: Smalls Sliders Case Study

Categories
Announcements Restaurant Branding News Trends

Push and Pantone® Unveil Smorange™: A Custom Hue for Smalls

Push and Pantone® Unveil Smorange™: A Custom Hue for Smalls

At Smalls Sliders, innovation isn’t just a concept; it’s woven into every aspect of their business, from their unique modular layout to their vibrant new brand color. The Atlanta-based quick-service restaurant, known for its groundbreaking approach in the burger industry, has teamed up with the Pantone Color Institute and creative agency Push to introduce a dynamic new shade: “Smorange™.”

This new color is more than just a visual delight; it’s a statement. “Smorange is a vibrant tribute to the spirit of our innovative brand that’s shaking up the big burger industry,” says the company. The journey to creating this custom color began with an existing Pantone shade, which was meticulously adjusted for density to achieve a brighter, more distinct variation.

Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Sliders, emphasizes the significance of this collaborative effort: “Crafting Smorange in partnership with the Pantone Color Institute and Push was a pivotal moment in our journey as we navigate our trajectory of explosive growth. Smorange isn’t just our color. It’s our energy, attitude, and essence—bright, vibrant, and a little in your face.”

In 2019, Smalls Sliders opened its first Smorange-colored “can,” a term they affectionately use for their modular shipping container model. The concept was launched by Brandon Landry, creator of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, in Baton Rouge, LA. The focused menu features cheeseburger sliders, waffle fries, shakes, and fountain drinks, all served from a compact space that covers about 800 square feet.

The color’s introduction marks an important chapter in the brand’s story, reflecting its commitment to creativity and its bold, forward-thinking ethos. The Pantone Color Institute, headquartered in Carlstadt, NJ, along with the strategic insight of Push, worked closely with Smalls Sliders to achieve a color that perfectly captures the essence of the brand. Their role in standardizing and consulting for colors helps ensure that “Smorange” will be recognized and remembered as a signature of the Smalls Slider brand.

To read more about how Smalls Sliders is innovating within the fast-food industry and their exciting partnership with Pantone and Push, click here:

NRN Article
LinkedIn Post