Digital Agency Blog: Spoken by Speak Creative - Featured

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Category: Featured

How to Choose and Optimize Images for Your Website

You don't have to be a web designer or developer to know that, when used well, imagery has a powerful effect on the way a website makes people feel. When you only have a matter of seconds to make a strong first impression and connect with your audiences online, it's vital that every decision is backed by strategy, and the imagery you choose to tell your story is no exception. We know that people's eyes are drawn to visuals on a page before they read words, and that image and video leave a mor... Read More
Stephen Smith Wednesday, March 15, 2023

How to Leverage UGC for your Marketing Plan: Getting the Most Out of Feedback/Reviews

The way we receive ads has changed significantly in the last five years. While online ads, commercials, and even billboards are still a relevant option for many organizations, other avenues are more prevalent in product advertising. No matter what side of the internet and TikTok algorithm you're on, you've come across UGC without even realizing it. From unboxing videos to try-on hauls, there are customers out there that are already showcasing your products or services. So, why not learn how t... Read More
Maggie Dye Monday, February 27, 2023

How to Manage and Protect Your Domain

When we talk about websites, it’s their design and performance, the wow factor stuff, that typically gets the spotlight. And that makes sense! The look and feel is the most visible element of your site – the one that grabs users’ attention. But there are also several less visible components that keep your website running smoothly… or running at all.  Your domain is one of the most vital pieces of your website’s ecosystem, and yet, it often goes overlooked a... Read More
Claire Grace Monday, February 13, 2023

5 Quick and Easy Ways to Create QR Codes (And How to Use Them In Your Marketing!)

Since their humble beginnings way back in 1994, QR codes have evolved into a marketing tool that’s become immediately recognizable by the masses. And they don’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon, either. Exploding in popularity during the Covid 19 pandemic as a hands free, paper free way to view menus, handouts, flyers, and more, they’ve solidified themselves as a great tool for driving action.   In fact, when used well in marketing, they’ve prove... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, February 8, 2023

5 Reasons You're Not Seeing Your Google Ads 

Why don't I see my Google Ads when I search? You’ve got your keywords researched, budgets set, billing info entered, your campaigns set to active, and then you go to Google to test your ads and…. Nothing. Sound familiar? If you’ve got an ad campaign up, chances are you’ve spent some time searching for it and have had the thought “if I can’t see it, is anyone?!”  We hear this question fairly frequently, but with good reason — so... Read More
Kindra Svendsen Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Web Design Terms Every Marketer Should Know

A well-designed, strategic website is one of the most important pieces of a solid digital marketing strategy. This means that if you’re in marketing, especially if you’re on a small team, chances are at some point you’ll participate in a web design project to some extent, whether you’re creating a new site from the ground up, embarking on a full redesign, or implementing smaller, incremental changes.  Most likely, you’ll partner with an outside web design t... Read More
Digital Marketing Team Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Recapping Speak Week 2023 in Photos

If you’ve been following us on social media, you may have noticed our work week looked a bit different last week.  We got away from our desks and laptops, put those OOO notifications on, and got together in Memphis for a week of connecting and collaborating in person.  As a fully remote-optional company, our team spans far and wide. We’ve got our core offices in Memphis and Nashville, but we also have team members in Arizona and Oklahoma and Florida, Italy and Bra... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Mythbusters: Social Media Edition

There are tons of different takes on what truly are the best practices for social media marketing. While many have their merit, there are some that aren’t true, and can even be damaging to your online presence. You want to be sure you’re not wasting your time making social media choices that won’t actually help your views and engagement – and that’s where we come in to set the record straight.  While the real MythBusters are out to prove the world wrong ... Read More
Maggie Dye Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Digital Marketing Trends and Predictions for 2023

The new year is here, which means it’s time to start planning for any shifts in digital marketing. While some things tend to carry over from year to year, there are always new trends or older ones advancing in popularity. Let's explore some of the upcoming trends and market predicitons for this year.  1. Meta/The Metaverse Meta. It’s all the rage. When Facebook shifted to Meta, they were betting on the idea that the Metaverse would rise up. An... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, January 4, 2023

A Fond Farewell to 2022

Remember everything that happened in 2022? We don't either. But we've come up with a list of (some of) what 2022 had to offer. Below, you can find just a few of the things that made us think or laugh this year. It's likely you've already forgotten about a few of them... Wordle Ok, so technically Wordle was around before 2022, but it became a cultural phenomenon this year when the game added the ability to share your score via emoji squares. The Speak #wordle S... Read More
Matt Roberts Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Your 2023 Marketing Budget: 6 Ways to Succeed This Year

Marketers, it's time to face 2023 head-on.  It can be tricky (to say the least!) to create a marketing budget with so much uncertainty swirling around the economic forcast of the upcoming year. When it comes to marketing budgeting and planning, you may be feeling some extra pressure this year. Balancing both your short-term and long-term marketing and growth goals amid a lack of certainty about the state of the economy is tricky, and often the first response is to start slas... Read More
Kristin Cales Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Web Design Case Study: Helping New Ballet Ensemble Reach New Heights

New Ballet Ensemble & School (NBE) needed a new website that would not only showcase the talent and arts excellence they foster, but also provide a digital space for parents, students, and alumni.  With 20+ years under our belt creating exceptional online experiences for nonprofits and arts organizations in Memphis (our Headquarters!) and beyond, Speak was the perfect partner to build New Ballet a stunning, conversion-driven site. We set out to create a website that would ... Read More
Digital Marketing Team Wednesday, December 7, 2022

The Need for Industry Expertise: Why One Site Doesn’t Fit All

When choosing a digital partner, it’s important to look for someone with both a creative mindset and a deep knowledge of the industry in which you're positioned. As a web design and digital marketing agency, we've worked with organizations from dozens of industries in our 20+ year history, from nonprofits and visitor attractions to doctor's offices, real estate, restaurants and arts organizations. A partner that has a knowledge of your industry will... Read More
Madelyn Bomar Wednesday, November 30, 2022

UX Writing and Microcopy: Writing for Web Design (With Examples)

We’re huge fans of scroll-stopping design around here. (In fact, it’s kind of our thing.) But we also believe great websites that get results require the right mix of conversion-focused design and compelling UX writing.  In this blog, we’re talking all about UX writing and microcopy – what it is, why it’s fundamental when building your website, and how to create engaging copy for the web that moves your audiences to action.  What is UX Writing?  ... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, November 23, 2022

How Does Web Design Impact Your Overall Marketing Strategy?

If you’re in the boat of thinking of your marketing strategy and your website as two separate things, think again.  In fact, your web presence should be the very first place to begin when developing a strong marketing plan. Your website has the potential to be your best sales asset, and works at the front lines of communicating your story to key audiences and solidifying your brand voice and personality.  For organizations who aim to captivate their audience from the fi... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, November 16, 2022

7 Tips for Wrapping Up Your Website This Holiday Season

With the holidays approaching fast, how are you preparing? Are you the kind to put your Christmas tree up the moment Halloween is over, or are you decorating and doing all your shopping the week before Christmas? However you swing it, between decorating and shopping and coordinating family get-togethers, it's easy to become completely swept up by everything you need to do OOO between November and the end of the year. But don't forget, the second half of Q4 is your final stretch t... Read More
Amy Dunbar Wednesday, November 9, 2022

8 Smart Ways to Maximize Your Year-End Marketing Budget

As we near the end of the year and large projects wind down, you may be finding yourself with some extra funds left in your marketing budget for 2022.  While it’s always a nice feeling to have completed everything on your marketing to-do list for the year and have come in under budget, not making use of your full budget may mean losing it for the coming year. No matter the size of your remaining budget, there are several small investments you can make now that will maximize t... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Driving Donations This #GivingTuesday: A Quickstart Guide for Nonprofits

Nonprofit leaders, marketers, and champions for good: I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that Giving Tuesday is right around the corner, and with it comes one of your biggest opportunities to craft a campaign that will drive donations for your organization.  More Americans donate money from November through December than any other time of year. With giving on the brain during the holiday season, you’d be remiss not to take advantage of this time to tell your story ... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Marketing Vocabulary Words You Should Know

Marketing Vocabulary For Beginners If you’re just beginning your adventure into marketing, welcome!  Practically every business needs some form of marketing, digital or otherwise.  Especially within the last year, business owners large and small have discovered that the need for a digital presence is essential to their company’s survival.  Marketing is about meeting your customers where they are and getting in front of the eyes that are most likely to act on your b... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Decision-Making Tactics for Senior Level Marketers: The OODA Loop

Leadership requires exceptional decision-making skills. But in the life of a marketer – who on any given day is having to keep tabs on dozens of channels, tactics, analytics, and audiences to name just a few – it can be easy to fall into a ready-fire-aim approach to decision making. Or if you’re Top Gun’s Maverick, don’t think, just do.  Urgency, pressure, complexity, resource limitations, and incomplete and/or conflicting information can easily influence ... Read More
Kristin Cales Monday, October 10, 2022

4 Ways to Harness the Power of Video for Your Next Website Design… And Why It’s a Must

Among an ever-increasing number of marketing tools, channels, and platforms, video has risen in the ranks and become a vital piece of many organizations’ marketing strategies.   In fact, if you’ve held off from investing in video as part of your marketing efforts, you’re likely missing out on a number of conversions and major ROI. It’s long been said that, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” but with new research, we can actually quantify... Read More
Claire Grace Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Speak Creative Takes Home 8 Web Excellence Awards

The Web Excellence Awards, a leading international interactive web awards competition, has announced the 2022 award winners to highlight this year's "best of the best" in web design and development. The team of designers, developers, and strategists at Speak Creative were recognized for excellence in web design for 8 websites built for our clients. We are proud to announce the award winning sites:  Fort Worth Zoo Guaranty Bank Lung Cancer Research Foundatio... Read More
Kristin Cales Tuesday, September 27, 2022

7 Things I've Learned in 7 Years at Speak

This summer, I celebrated my 7th "Speakiversary," our team's endearing term for work anniversaries.    According to Google, the traditional gifts for a 7th anniversary are copper and wool. If I were Oprah, I’d be announcing that you’re all going home with hoards of pennies and pet sheep. Unfortunately I couldn’t make that happen, so instead I’m sharing 7 of my top takeaways from my first 7 years at Speak Creative. ... Read More
Megan Jones Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Increase Engagement with 2 Google Analytics Reports

How do you objectively gauge how engaging your website's content is? Marketers don't have time or space for guesswork. Analyzing data to influence your future marketing decisions is key to an effective marketing strategy that isn't just a shot in the dark. In this blog, we're highlighting two reports that will give you the insight you need to assess engagement and plan for improvements. In case you're wondering, we'll be focusing on instructions that use Google&#... Read More
Kristin Cales Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Tackling Budget Barriers: 7 Steps To Go From Woes to Whoas

With the economy being... the economy, and inflation and other factors threatening budget cuts for organizations across all industries in the coming year, you've surely had your budget on the brain when making major marketing decisions.  If you've ever found yourself wanting to do more with your website and digital marketing strategy but are feeling held up by budget limitations, you’re not alone. Budgets serve a good and necessary purpose, but sometimes they leave us feel... Read More
Megan Jones Friday, September 9, 2022