Brighter Messaging LLC

Q. What are the main differences between ActiveCampaign and HubSpot? A. ?? HubSpot is built around a CRM and CMS; ActiveCampaign is built around email marketing. ?? HubSpot offers a free CRM; ActiveCampaign does not (although it does offer a free trial). ?? When it comes to paid plans, ActiveCampaign is generally less expensive than HubSpot. ?? On certain plans, HubSpot can act as a content management system (CMS); with ActiveCampaign you’ll need to use integrations to achieve similar functionality. ?? In fact, HubSpot is your one-stop platform for all things marketing; ActiveCampaign is one app in your marketing tech stack. ?? ActiveCampaign’s email split testing andlist segmentationare simpler to use. Q. Which is best for my business? Our opinion: for small businesses looking to scale, ActiveCampaign’s plans are more affordable, and the email marketing features are just as good as (if not better than) HubSpot’s. Want help converting or setting up a new marketing automation platform? Reach out. We've got your back.

ICYMI, social media (even for businesses) should be just that: social. It's the only way to build a loyal, engaged following. Feeling stuck? Here are 8 ways to build loyal customers through social media marketing: 1?? Keep it real Avoid constant "Buy Now" posts and focus on creating content that resonates personally with your audience, like stories and team shoutouts. 2?? Showcase what you know Share tips, insights, and updates to position yourself as a trusted resource in your industry. 3?? Put a face to your name Highlight your team members through interviews or action shots to make your brand feel more relatable. 4?? Show up where they are Engage with customers promptly on social media to demonstrate excellent customer service and build relationships. 5?? Cross-sell without the hard sell Subtly introduce your other services by offering value through helpful content. 6?? Build community Foster a sense of connection among your customers through private groups, interactive posts, or event tagging. 7?? Go behind the scenes Share behind-the-scenes content to give customers a deeper appreciation for your work and build trust. 8?? Don’t forget the basics Use social media to announce specials, events, and promotions, but balance them with content that nurtures long-term loyalty. If you’d rather take your social strategy off your plate entirely,we’d love to hear from you.

5 best practices for better email engagement 1?? Let recipients know what to expect Don’t be shady! Let email subscribers know upfront how many emails they can expect from you. Even better, give them the option to choose their preferred email type and/or frequency. 2?? Build relationships through consistent contact To stay top of mind and build relationships with your audience, we recommended sending consistent, regular emails (exception: emailing just for the sake of it; see #3). 3??Prioritize quality over quantity Adopt a less-is-more philosophy. If an email doesn’t provide tangible value to your audience, it’s better not to send it. Each communication should offer meaningful content that actually makes your audience members’ lives better. If you have nothing of value to say, you don’t have to say anything at all. 4?? Segment your audience Recognize that different segments of your email list have varying needs and preferences. Tailoring email content and frequency based on factors such as demographics, past engagement, and purchase history can lead to more personalized and effective communication. 5?? Monitor engagement metrics Regularly analyze key performance indicators, such as click-through rates and unsubscribe rates. A sudden change in these metrics may signal the need to adjust your email frequency or content strategy. And if you need help making your emails work smarter and stay out of the spam folder, we’d love to hear from you!

?? Is your website working for you or against you? For Realtor Lauren Fours, an outdated site and inconsistent branding were holding her back. With a custom website and fresh brand identity, she now has a digital presence that matches her market-leading service. ?? Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/evsueM9x

Let’s be blunt: If you’re relying on organic social media to generate leads, you’re going to be disappointed. Business pages don’t get much organic reach unless they’re paying to advertise. The platforms are designed that way. It’s a pay-to-play game. Here's what organic social media WON'T do: ? Drive massive leads for free The golden age of organic reach is long gone. Unless your content goes viral(it won’t), don’t expect a flood of leads from social. ? Replace your website or email list If you’re struggling to get traction in marketing, prioritize your website and email list first. Those are assets you control. Social is rented space. ? Work if you’re on the wrong platform If your target audience isn’t on Instagram, don’t waste time there. Focus on the platforms where your ideal clients actually hang out. Organic social media has a place in your marketing strategy, but it’s not the magic bullet many hope for. Use it to build credibility, connect with clients, and support your other marketing channels. Just don’t expect it to replace real, measurable marketing efforts like your website and email list.

We gave the 3 Es of content marketing (Engage, Educate, and Entertain) a 2025 glow up. Here are Brighter Messaging’s NEW 3 Es of content marketing: ?? Empathize: Stop shouting, start listening Understand your audience’s real challenges and speak to their needs. Make them the hero of your story. ?? Empower: Stop teaching, start equipping Go beyond surface-level advice—give your audience tools they can use and the confidence to take action. ?? Experience: Stop entertaining, start immersing Create content that pulls people in, keeps them engaged, and lets them actively participate in the journey. If you’d like help achieving that,we’d love to hear from you!

Confused by content marketing metrics? Let’s make it simple! Here are 6?? steps to help you turn your data into a strategy that drives real results: 1?? Define success What does success look like for you? Pick a clear goal so your metrics make sense. 2?? Know your core metrics. Focus on these essentials: ?? Traffic: Are people finding you? ?? Engagement: Do they care about your content? ?? Conversions: Are they taking action? ?? Retention: Are they coming back? 3?? Prioritize quality over quantity One great blog post beats ten rushed ones. Make every piece count! 4?? Set up your tools You can use free software or tools you already use. Think Google Analytics, Search Console, your CRM, sales data, etc. 5?? Be realistic about data It’s a long game. Trends over time tell the story, not daily spikes. 6?? Test, adjust, repeat Try new headlines, CTAs, or formats. Track the results, tweak, and keep improving.

AI’s impact on SEO: what you need to know It’s no secret: SEO is evolving. As AI-driven tools and AI Overviews (AIOs) continue to shape search, here are a few things to keep in mind: ?? Less traffic, but better traffic Some sites may see fewer visitors as AIOs provide direct answers in the SERP. But the traffic is likely to be more relevant. Think quality over quantity—people seeking in-depth, actionable insights. ?? Visibility matters more than rank With AIOs pulling data from beyond the first page, being #1 is no longer the only goal. Create content that’s thorough, well-structured, and addresses your audience’s real needs, and you may just show up. ??? You can’t game the system Forget trying to hack your way into an AIO. Google keeps its selection process vague, but the fundamentals remain: write great content, follow E-E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines, and make your site user-friendly. The future of SEO? It’s all about quality, relevance, and authenticity—the same as it always has been.

Let's face it: marketing your professional services company isn't always sexy. But here's how's to get it right: 1?? Create compliant content Ensure your content adheres to industry regulations while still adding value to your audience. 2?? Speak your audience’s language Ditch the jargon and focus on relatable, clear communication that addresses your clients’ pain points and solves their real-world problems. 3?? Be educational, not pushy Your content should inform, guide, and build trust. 4?? Stay current and relevant Regularly update your content to reflect the latest industry news and changes, showing clients that you’re always ahead of the curve. 5?? Play the long game Build trust and authority over time with consistent, valuable content. 6?? Get personal Showcase your firm’s human side with relatable stories and behind-the-scenes insights. Need help with your content marketing? We work with several professional services businesses so we know the drill, and we’d love to hear from you.

Your business deserves a digital strategy that works as hard as you do. John Merrill Homes partnered with us to create a cohesive marketing plan as the foundation (see what we did there???) of their revamped online presence. Take a closer look at how we helped them stand out: https://lnkd.in/gWgKWd5w