Twistlab Marketing is an award-winning marketing agency based out of Salt Lake City, Utah.

12 Ways The 'Stories' Format Could Shape The Future Of Content

December 6th 2018

Instagram Stories are now used by more than 400 million people each day. As such, it might come as no surprise that other platforms, like Facebook, have begun adopting this content format. But even Google has announced that it's started to leverage stories in its search results. For example, if you do a mobile search on Google for "Giada De Laurentiis," a story with her life and career highlights appears for searchers to click on.

Writing A Case Study? Here's How To Truly Show Your Value

November 30th 2018

As humans, we are naturally drawn toward a good story. This is especially true of consumers: They want to understand how a product or service has helped someone else, to see how it might help them.

14 Strategies To Keep Communication Open Between Partner Agencies

November 29th 2018

When your brand partners with multiple agencies, it can be difficult to see where each party fits in. This can lead to conflicting decisions and even arguments over who does what and when.

10 Tips For Improving Your Storytelling Craft

November 20th 2018

Storytelling is a critical skill for marketers. A good story, well told, can draw an audience in and give them a sense of personal connection with the teller. The ability to spin a good yarn often sets high-achieving marketers apart from their peers. Many people are natural storytellers, but even those who aren’t can learn this important skill.

Agency Pros Weigh In On Nike's Controversial Kaepernick Campaign

October 18th 2018

Not long ago, Nike unleashed a controversial campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Many questioned Nike’s choice due to Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem a couple years ago, which had caused an uproar throughout the NFL and U.S.

11 Tips For Creating Authentically Diverse Marketing Campaigns

September 16th 2018

From Kendall Jenner's highly controversial 2017 Pepsi "protest" ad to Jack in the Box's recent spot featuring genital jokes in the workplace, ad agencies have, over the years, made a lot of tone-deaf blunders. Today's socially conscious consumers expect authentically diverse experiences portrayed in the media, and they're becoming less and less forgiving when brands rely on stereotypes or offensive humor to sell their products.

12 Strategies That Will Improve Your Account-Based Marketing Efforts

September 6th 2018

Marketing was once viewed as a "one size fits all" activity, where businesses broadcast the same message to every single customer. In recent years, marketers have gained access to a wealth of individual consumer data and insights, making it easier to personalize their efforts for maximum effectiveness.

12 Ways To Make The Transition To An In-House Marketing Team

August 31st 2018

If your business is looking to switch up its marketing efforts, you may have considered building a team in-house. This seems to be the new trend in marketing, as companies such as Unilever and P&G are leaving agency life behind to start their own in-house teams.

Nine Ways To Grow A More Authentic Follower Base On Instagram

August 23rd 2018

Getting legitimate followers on social media -- especially Instagram -- is a tough thing to do. It often requires tools, patience and a lot of monitoring and resources. This helps preserve the account while making sure it doesn't fall victim to an army of follower bots.

12 Ways To Encourage More Diversity In The Agency World

August 12th 2018

There's been a lot of industry talk recently around diversity and inclusion. And rightfully so: Having a diverse team is important for many reasons, including the ability to envision, discuss and brainstorm ideas or campaigns from many different perspectives. But there's more work that needs to be done to balance out the playing field.

14 Apps Recommended By PR Professionals

July 23rd 2018

Apps were created to make our lives easier and more organized, and in many ways they do. Apps help to make work more efficient, and this is especially true for public relations, where there's a constant juggling of clients, clips and collaboration.

How To Get Things Done When Your Advertising Agency is Understaffed During Busy Vacation Months

July 12th 2018

More than one-third of Americans will take a vacation this year, according to a report by AAA. Summer is, literally, the hottest time for employees to request time off and take advantage of a vacation. This is no different in Salt Lake City, Utah.

15 Clues That A Client May Not Be A Great Fit

July 8th 2018

Aside from colleagues, clients are some of the people you spend a significant amount of time with. After all, you're in business to serve your customer base. However, depending on the relationship between you and the client, sometimes the time and money aren't worth it. Since these relationships are not one-size-fits-all, you have to be careful about which clients you choose to work with in order to maximize results.

17 Self-Promotional Marketing Tactics Agencies Should Stop Using

June 18th 2018

Modern marketers really have their work cut out for them. Consumers are savvier and have higher expectations than ever, and the traditional "hard sell" approach to advertising lost its effectiveness years ago.

Do You Know Your Brand Values? 13 Things To Consider When Taking A Stand

June 15th 2018

America is in the midst of a great cultural shift. At the center of this change is a new brand of social activism -- a technology-enabled wave of consumer consciousness and support for deeply-held values and beliefs, on all points of the political spectrum.

Want To Prevent A Full-Blown PR Crisis? Follow These 12 Agency-Recommended Rules

June 14th 2018

No brand wants to get bad press, but sooner or later, some negative feedback is bound to pop up. It might be a disgruntled customer complaining on social media or a review website, or a litigious employee suing the company for a perceived injustice. Either way, it's easy for an isolated incident like this to gather steam and explode into a full-blown public relations crisis.

What Is The Future Of Blockchain For Ad Fraud? Six Entrepreneurs Weigh In

May 31st 2018

There has been a lot of buzz about blockchain and what it can and cannot do. While it has revolutionized some transactions, its future still feels a bit uncertain for some entrepreneurs. What will it be capable of doing and how will that affect consumers in the long run?

When Faced With A PR Crisis, Follow These Tips From Agency Pros

May 18th 2018

Every company must be prepared for the possibility of a public relations crisis. Whether it's a data breach, an executive scandal or just a bad piece of press, any negative event connected to your brand requires a swift and carefully crafted response if you want to keep your reputation intact.

Won An Award? 12 Ways To Publicize It (Without Bragging)

May 18th 2018

Winning a business award is an exciting achievement. It feels good to have your team's hard work and dedication recognized by a prestigious organization. Even more important is the fact that this award can serve as a great marketing tool if properly publicized.

12 Strategies For Local Brands To Stay Relevant On Facebook

May 14th 2018

The social media giant has vowed to make local news a priority, making your ability to reach your local customer base through the platform a little more difficult in the future. You need to be proactive in your approach and consider that you have news to present as well. Keeping your posts about information that is locally concentrated and topical for your community can ensure you get the results you are looking for with Facebook without abandoning for another medium.

Key Takeaways From The Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal

May 13th 2018

With 87 million people affected by the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal, online privacy is becoming even more of a question. What you post on social media and the data you provide may leave the door open to an invasion of your personal freedom.

Four Things To Consider Before Putting Up Your Price Tag

May 11th 2018

Most business owners get into business to make money, profit-seeking business owners welcome cost-based pricing for its straightforward path to calculating profit. All they need to focus on is targeting a sales price that is a markup over cost. Some business owners, however, possess a price sensitivity that leads them to assume their customers share in that trait. Combining price sensitivity with a desperate need to succeed, lead some to the misconception that they need to charge just enough to turn a profit. In either case, the problem is: there is more to pricing than just cost.

10 SEO Trends That Will Influence Digital Marketing

April 27th 2018

As digital marketing has grown in importance for today's businesses, so has the role of search engine optimization. SEO plays a huge role in getting people to your website, blog post, guest articles and other content assets. And if you don't play by Google's rules, you'll see your web traffic plummet.

14 Strategies To Cut Through The Noise And Boost Brand Loyalty

April 21st 2018

Today's consumers are constantly bombarded with marketing messages on every single device they use. With this ad overload, it's become increasingly difficult for brands to stand out in a sea of competitors with similar offerings. Even if you manage to rise above the noise and reach a customer, you then face the challenge of building brand loyalty.

11 Ways To Refresh Your Company's Image Without A Full Rebrand

April 12th 2018

When a company makes a significant change to its core product offering, it may make sense to launch a rebranding campaign to let existing customers — and the new ones it's targeting — know about its new focus. However, a full-on rebrand takes a lot of time, effort and resources, and your business may not have the bandwidth or desire for this massive undertaking.

To Navigate Around Increasing Ad-Block Use, Try These Smart Marketing Tactics

April 7th 2018

The use of ad blockers has increased a lot over the years, with a 30% global jump in 2016. Experts anticipate that savvy consumers will continue to opt out of browser ads, which presents a significant challenge for brands that rely on web advertising.

15 Digital Marketing Tips For New Companies Seeking Brand Recognition

April 3rd 2018

With the foray into digital marketing becoming easier and more affordable, many companies are tossing their hat into the arena and giving it a try. Your business, like many others, may benefit from using digital marketing to your advantage — if you keep your wits and focus on the audience at hand.

12 Ways To Expand An Influencer's Relationship With Your Brand

April 3rd 2018

Leveraging influencers is a popular option for brands to develop a fanbase for their products and services. While these influencers are an excellent way to reach out to consumers via social media, social platforms aren't the only way to work with an influencer to promote your brand. Collaborative areas, including joint events and contests, are excellent options for reaching out, as is allowing influencers to share "behind the scenes" moments related to your organization or services.

13 Agency Pros Share The Most Important Career Lesson They've Learned

March 30th 2018

The wisest people know that no matter how experienced they are, they're never done learning. Some learning is formal, like earning a degree, taking an online course or participating in a training workshop. Other learning happens as you reflect on your day-to-day life, and it can sometimes teach you the most valuable lessons of all.

15 Best Practices For Your New Company Blog

March 28th 2018

By now, most brands know that content marketing is an essential part of a company's overall strategy. A company blog presents a huge opportunity to establish your industry expertise and extend your audience reach through social sharing. You might even see some ROI on your blog posts if you do it right.

Need To Let A Client Go? Here's How To Do It Professionally

March 22nd 2018

It can happen to even the best agencies: You sign a client only to discover that your working relationship is less than ideal. Whether the client is demanding and difficult or you're simply exhausted by the projects you have to do for them, you can see that it's no longer worth your time and energy to continue working together.

15 Tips For Creating Marketing Content That Resonates With Customers

March 15th 2018

Developing your company’s marketing content takes a special skill that builds trust and positions your brand as an authority while avoiding a sales pitch.

How To Craft The Ideal User Persona For Your Brand

March 14th 2018

Creating personas for the different users or customers interested in — and buying — your products can be a beneficial way to understand and recognize the likes and dislikes of a consumer group. Every company should take the time to evaluate who its typical (and atypical) customers are and what needs you should target to get their business.

12 SEO Trends Heating Up 2018

March 13th 2018

If your business isn't taking advantage of using SEO strategies on its website, blogs and social media pages, you're missing the boat in terms of ranking your business in internet searches. SEO is one of the most effective ways to ensure your customers find your business and buy your products.

15 Ways To Increase Brand Loyalty And Retain Your Customer Base

March 12th 2018

Developing your company brand is key to driving customers to your business. The more a consumer resonates with your brand, the more likely they are to buy from you again. Creating this loyal following of customers can ensure continued success and help drive sales of your company’s products and services forward.

Need Help With Social Media Management? Try These 13 Expert-Recommended Tools

March 9nd 2018

In the modern marketing world, it's not a matter of whether or not your business is on social media (of course it is). The question is which social media platforms you're on, and how you're managing your content.

Research And Development: When It's Time To Break The Mold

March 2nd 2018

Growing up, the home phone was a permanent fixture that hardly ever needed to be replaced. It’s interesting to consider that keeping up with each iPhone update would mean you’re replacing your phone more often than an average light bulb.

10 Tips To Navigate The New Google Chrome Ad Blocker

February 28nd 2018

We've all encountered awful online ads in the form of pop-ups, autoplay videos and intrusive banners. As more and more consumers seek to eliminate advertisements from their browsing experience (the use of ad blockers grew 30% worldwide from 2015 to 2016), Google has decided to do something about it: On February 15, the internet giant started blocking any ad from its Chrome browser that doesn't comply with the standards set forth by the Coalition for Better Ads.

Want To Scale Content Creation? Agency Professionals Share Their Best Insider Tips

February 22nd 2018

Content creation has become one of the primary activities for many marketing and public relations agencies. Whether it's blog posts, newsletters, whitepapers, infographics, social media copy or thought leadership articles, every brand wants a slice of the content marketing pie to satiate consumers' growing demand for high-quality, valuable information.

Eight Questions To Ask Yourself Before Starting A Podcast

February 21st 2018

It seems there's a podcast for every professional interest out there, from broad topics like entrepreneurship and career advancement to niche subjects like agile development and software as a service. With 67 million Americans tuning into podcasts each month, there's a growing potential to reach your customers through this medium.

Create And Understand Your Unique Value Proposition With These 12 Tips

February 15th 2018

Your brand's unique value proposition (UVP) is a critical asset that should serve as the core tenet of your marketing messaging. It tells consumers, employees, investors and other stakeholders exactly what your company offers that no others can. It defines your point of differentiation and explains why you're the right choice to help a customer solve their problems.

In-House Or Outsourced? 12 Questions To Help You Choose The Right Marketing Talent

February 13th 2018

When you first started your business, you may have worn every single hat yourself, including marketing. Now you've grown to the point that you need help – but do you hire an in-house staff member or outsource an agency?

13 Strategies To Help Your Global Brand Maintain Its Local Roots

February 9th 2018

Not long ago, mom-and-pop shops struggled to compete with the big conglomerates and internet businesses luring their customer base away with convenient shopping at low prices. Today, the local business scene has made a resurgence, thanks in part to millennials who want to "shop small" and support entrepreneurs in their own backyard. In fact, nearly half of consumers in this generation are willing to pay more to support a small business.

Three Best Practices To Manage Your Online Identity

February 8th 2018

There are three key components to any great advertising campaign: It must communicate a promise, be strategic and come across as effortless. People engage with brands that are real and authentic, not brands that try too hard to be cute or that don’t seem to care.

11 Agency Payment Models That Make Sense In The Modern Marketing Landscape

January 31st 2018

Determining pricing structure is often one of the most difficult tasks for a service-based business. Product-based businesses can easily quantify the cost of making, storing, displaying and shipping goods, but the intangible nature of creative agency work often means that campaign metrics determine your firm's value and worth to a client.

Ten Signs It's Time For A Brand Redesign

January 26th 2018

In November 2017, Snapchat unveiled a new design that separates content from a user's "friends" from branded content by publishers and creators. Parent company Snap hopes the changes to its popular social app will "lead to more conversations between close groups of friends," and ultimately expand its stagnant user base, reported The Verge.

Want People To Share Your Social Content? 12 Ways To Optimize Your Posts

January 12th 2018

A robust social media presence has quickly gone from a "nice to have" to an absolute necessity for new and established brands alike. Whether your target audience is on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or all of the above (and then some), being where your customers are and providing consistent, interesting content is key to creating loyal followers.

14 Thriving U.S. Cities Amazon Should Consider For HQ2

January 11th 2018

This past September, Amazon announced plans to build a second headquarters to complement its existing Seattle location. Since then, cities across North America have been scrambling to draw the attention of the tech giant in hopes that they'd become the chosen location for HQ2. By the time submissions closed in mid-October, Amazon had received more than 200 proposals from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

These Brands Are Using VR To Offer Customers An Exceptional Experience. Here's How.

January 10th 2018

The integration of virtual reality (VR) is gaining more ground across all industries, and your company will have to decide pretty soon whether the technology is beneficial for interacting with your customers.

15 Reasons To Add Influencer Marketing To Your Business Strategy

January 9th 2018

With 30% of consumers likely to buy a product recommended by a non-celebrity blogger, according to a study by Collective Bias, investing in influencer marketing just makes sense. It can be the push in taking you to a new level of awareness with your customers.

13 Red Flags To Watch Out For When Selecting A Digital Marketing Agency

January 8th 2018

Picking the right agency for your business takes some effort and homework on your part. You need to find a company that meshes with your personality and your business style, but you also want an agency that is affordable and in tune with your industry.

Want To Work Smarter, Not Harder? Follow These 14 Tips

January 5th 2018

Many professionals say they want to "work smarter, not harder" to make the most effective use of their time. This is often easier said than done, though – without a clear plan and strategy for your workday in place, most people end up overcommitted, overwhelmed and overworked.

12 Design Trends To Integrate Into Your Web Development And Marketing

January 5th 2018

In the modern world, flawless design and functionality of digital assets – including your website, social media content and marketing materials – is essential to keeping customers engaged. A top-notch product or thoughtful blog post will go ignored and unseen if it's housed on a site with a poor user experience. To that end, it's important for web developers and marketers alike to keep up with the latest trends and consumer expectations. Members of Forbes Agency Council offered their take on popular design trends popping up in this space, and how you can integrate those trends into your branding.

Evolution Of The Four Ps: Revisiting The Marketing Mix

January 3rd 2018

Marketing can be defined as the means to communicate value to customers or, more formally, as “the science of satisfying consumers’ needs profitably,” according to one of my former Harvard University professors, Nick Nugent. The concept of marketing remains the same but the marketing mix, or combination of factors that influence the delivery of value, has evolved considerably.

15 Ways To Bridge The Gap Between Social Media And In-Store Experiences

January 2nd 2018

For retailers, the line between online and offline shopping experiences no longer exists. Today's consumers expect consistent branding and service across all platforms, whether they're physically in a store, browsing products on a website or reaching out on social media.