The SEO Game Has Changed—fast! 

If your AI Overviews SEO strategy hasn’t been re-evaluated in the past 6 months, you’re likely falling behind. That’s because Google has introduced AI Overviews, short AI-generated answers that now sit above traditional search results.

In short: AI is answering the question before users ever get to your website.

What’s Actually Happening with AI + Search

Google’s AI Overviews (formerly SGE) are designed to provide instant, conversational answers. And while that’s great for users, it’s a curveball for marketers who rely on clicks and traffic.

Here’s what’s changing:

• Click-through rates are dropping for basic “how-to” and definition-based queries.
• Generic content is getting filtered out—Google is rewarding originality, authority, and experience.
• Search behavior is evolving—users are skipping traditional blog formats for AI-fed summaries.

Why Most SEO Content Will Start to Fail

If your blog post sounds like it was written by ChatGPT or copied from your competitors’ websites, it’s toast. Google is actively penalizing:

• Thin, unoriginal content
• Overuse of keywords with no added value
• AI-generated content that lacks authority or human input

What Still Works (and Works Better Than Ever)

This is where your brand can win—especially if you’re in an industry like sports, education, hospitality, or services.

Here’s what we’re recommending to clients right now:

1. Prioritize Original, Experience-Based Content

Google’s ranking system (and its AI models) want to see content that reflects real expertise. That means:

• Personal stories, insights, or interviews
• Firsthand experience (reviews, behind-the-scenes posts, case studies)
• Author bios and linked profiles that establish credibility

2. Target Long-Tail, Niche-Specific Keywords

Move away from “Top 5 tips for X” and go deeper:

• “How post-grad basketball players get recruited through DME Academy”
• “Behind the scenes of a Division 1 prep training program in Florida”
  
  These longer, more specific searches are less likely to be replaced by AI overviews—and more likely to convert.

3. Use Mixed Media and Structured Content

Pages that include:

• Short-form videos
• FAQs
• Testimonials
• Schema markup (for events, locations, products)

…tend to outperform generic copy-heavy blogs.

Real Example: DME Academy

For our client DME Academy, a leading post-grad sports training school in Florida, we’ve shifted blog strategy from “training tips” to “real athlete outcomes.”

Instead of a blog titled “Why Post-Grad Basketball Programs Work,” we created content like:

• “How DME Helped Marcus Go from Underrated to D1 Offer in 6 Months”
• “What Parents Need to Know About Boarding at a Sports Academy”

These perform better because they offer unique value, human insight, and trust signals.

Final Takeaway

SEO isn’t dead. Lazy SEO is.

Google is getting smarter. AI is getting faster. And users are trusting content that feels personal, professional, and proven. If your brand wants to stay relevant, your content must evolve.

Need help future-proofing your content strategy?

We help clients build search visibility in a post-AI world. Fill out the form below—we’ll show you how to stay ahead of the algorithm and the competition.

K1 Sportswear Slashes Google Ads Cost-Per-Lead by Over 70%

Between July and November 2024, K1 Sportswear grappled with a major challenge in its digital advertising efforts: a soaring cost per lead (CPL) of $93.46. This unsustainable figure hindered their ability to scale campaigns, reach new customers, and drive meaningful ROI.

To turn things around, the team at IOI Ventures implemented a revamped strategy between December 2024 and April 2025. The results were dramatic—CPL dropped to just $25.63, representing a 72.5% decrease. Even more notable? This success came without increasing the ad budget.

3 Strategic Shifts That Delivered Results

1. Campaign Consolidation for Smarter Budgeting

Previously, K1 ran separate campaigns for each sport—hockey, baseball, softball, and lacrosse. While this allowed for segmentation, it fragmented the budget and led to inconsistent performance. IOI consolidated these into a single master campaign, with dedicated ad groups and keywords for each sport. This allowed Google to optimize spend more efficiently across sports based on real-time demand and seasonal trends.

2. Unlocking Value with Display Ads

A recent Google update enables unused search ad budget to flow into the Display Network. IOI activated this feature, helping K1 boost impressions and clicks without spending more—extending their reach and maximizing budget usage.

3. Performance Max for High-Impact Retargeting

To re-engage high-intent audiences, IOI launched a Performance Max campaign targeting users who had previously interacted with the K1 brand. Running across YouTube, Gmail, and other platforms, this initiative proved extremely efficient, generating clicks for just $0.44 and leads for around $8.

Ongoing Gains

In the most recent 30-day period, K1’s CPL dropped even further—to just $15 per lead. This continued downward trend underscores the lasting impact of smart campaign optimization and data-driven strategy.

Let’s Make Your Marketing Dollars Work Harder

K1 Sportswear’s results didn’t come from throwing more money at the problem—they came from smart strategy, deep experience, and a team that acts like an extension of their own. That’s how we roll at IOI. If you’re looking to drive real results without wasting budget, let’s talk.

At IOI Ventures, we’re always on the lookout for innovative tools that help us deliver incredible campaigns and drive exceptional ROI for our clients. That’s why we tuned in to Canva Create 2025—and we’re excited to share our biggest Canva Create 2025 takeaways for marketers and creative teams.

From AI-powered enhancements to more streamlined collaboration tools, Canva’s latest updates are designed to help marketers, designers, and teams work faster and smarter. Here are the highlights that stood out most to us—and how we plan to use them in our work.

Visual Suite 2.0: Canva’s Unified Creative Workspace

Canva’s Visual Suite 2.0 merges presentations, documents, whiteboards, spreadsheets, and more into one cohesive space. For marketing teams, this unified experience means less app-switching, quicker turnarounds, and better collaboration. The result? A more efficient creative process with fewer barriers from idea to execution.

Canva Sheets: A New Era of Visual Data Design

If you’ve ever dreaded making spreadsheets look client-ready, Canva Sheets is your new best friend. Features like Magic Charts, Magic Insights, and Magic Formulas transform raw data into polished visuals that make sense at a glance. It’s ideal for campaign reports, internal planning, or dashboards you want stakeholders to actually enjoy reading.

Creative AI in Canva: Faster Content Creation

The new AI features take productivity to a whole new level. With tools like Magic Write and Canva Code, we can brainstorm, write, and even build interactive designs—no dev required. These tools let us focus more on strategy and less on production, speeding up timelines across content and creative deliverables.

Photo Editor Upgrades in Canva Create 2025

Visual content just got a major glow-up. Canva’s updated Photo Editor includes AI-generated backgrounds, image enhancements, and other one-click upgrades that make it easy to create studio-quality visuals. Perfect for ad creatives, social graphics, and branded content that stops the scroll.

Community-Driven Canva Features We Love

One of our favorite Canva Create 2025 takeaways is how many features were inspired by the community. Over 50 crowd-sourced updates were announced, including better typography tools and the ability to build multi-page websites. These features help us tailor our work more specifically to each client’s needs—something we pride ourselves on at IOI.

Final Thoughts: What Canva Create 2025 Means for Marketers

Canva Create 2025 didn’t just unveil cool new tools—it introduced a future where creativity and productivity can truly co-exist. As a team obsessed with results, we see these tools as an opportunity to build faster, think bigger, and elevate the campaigns we bring to life.

Want to work with a team that’s always exploring what’s next in digital marketing? Let’s talk.

Why Video Matters More Than Ever

Video content is dominating digital communication, with video streaming accounting for 74% of global internet traffic in 2024. From social media reels to professional marketing campaigns, the demand for engaging and high-quality video is at an all-time high. Marketers and content creators must leverage powerful video editing tools to bring their visions to life and keep up with evolving trends.

A Brief History of Video Content Evolution

The landscape of video content has drastically transformed over the years:

• Early 2000s: Rise of social media and user-generated content
• Mid-2000s: Video-centric platforms like YouTube emerge
• 2010s: The boom of mobile video, short-form content, and live streaming
• 2020s: Algorithm-driven platforms like TikTok dominate, integrating e-commerce and advanced analytics

These shifts have reinforced video as an essential marketing tool, driving higher engagement, retention, and conversions.

The Impact of Video in Marketing

🔹 Emotional and Visual Appeal

• Videos create a stronger emotional connection than text or static images.
• People process visuals 60,000 times faster than text, making video an effective way to communicate complex ideas.

🔹 Increased Engagement and Retention

• Social media algorithms prioritize video, leading to 1200% more shares than text and images combined.
• Viewers retain 95% of a message when watching a video, compared to only 10% when reading text.

🔹 Boosted Conversions and Sales

• 84% of consumers say a video convinced them to purchase a product or service.
• Adding video to a landing page can increase conversions by 80%.

🔹 SEO and Visibility

• Websites with videos are 53x more likely to rank on Google’s first page.
• Including video thumbnails in emails can increase click-through rates by up to 300%.

🔹 Trust and Credibility

• Authenticity sells—user-generated videos, testimonials, and product demos build trust.
• Educational and how-to videos establish brands as industry experts.

The Best Video Editing Tools for 2024

To create professional, engaging content, selecting the right video editing tool is crucial. Here are some of the top video editing tools available today:

1️⃣ Captions App

• AI-powered platform for talking videos
• Auto-edits with effects, transitions, and music
• Multilingual support with synchronized lip movements

2️⃣ Instagram’s Edits App (Launching in 2025!)

• Mobile-based editing suite with advanced tools
• Built-in performance insights and analytics
• Designed for social media creators

3️⃣ CapCut

• User-friendly and designed for mobile editing
• Features pre-made templates for easy content creation
• Auto-captioning for accessibility and engagement

4️⃣ Final Cut Pro 11

• Professional-grade Apple video editor
• AI-powered masking tools for advanced effects
• Optimized for spatial video and immersive content

5️⃣ DaVinci Resolve

• Advanced color grading and post-production tools
• Multi-user collaboration for team projects
• Free version with extensive features

6️⃣ Adobe Premiere Pro

• The industry standard for professional video editing
• Seamless integration with Adobe Creative Suite
• Frequent updates for cutting-edge features

The Future of Video Marketing in 2025

As we move forward, video will become even more influential:

🔹 Video will make up 82% of all internet traffic by 2025.
🔹 75% of video consumption will be on mobile.
🔹 Employee-Generated Content (EGC) will rise, adding authenticity to brand storytelling.
🔹 Short-form videos will evolve, with longer, more interactive formats gaining traction.
🔹 AI-powered editing will streamline video creation, automating repetitive tasks and enabling personalized content.

Final Thoughts

Video content isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity for marketers. Brands that embrace platform diversification, authentic storytelling, and innovative tools will stay ahead in 2025. Whether you’re creating social media reels, marketing videos, or long-form content, leveraging the right video editing tools and strategies will set your brand apart.

Client Overview:
Our client, an athletic apparel brand with collegiate licensing agreements, sought to boost sales during the 2024 Holiday season and capitalize on New Year’s resolutions and college football fandom in early 2025.

Objective:
The goal was to drive online sales through Meta Ads by strategically aligning messaging with seasonal consumer behavior.

Phase 1: Holiday Shopping Campaign (Mid-November – December 2024)

• Strategy: Focused on holiday gift shopping, emphasizing bestsellers and special promotions to attract holiday shoppers.
• Ad Spend: $3,558.12
• Results:
  • Sales Generated: 350 orders
  • Average Order Value (AOV): ~$60
  • Key Insights: High engagement with gift-focused messaging, strong conversion rates from retargeting campaigns.

Phase 2: New Year’s Resolutions & College Football Campaign (January 2025)

• Strategy: Shifted focus to fitness-related messaging to align with New Year’s resolutions and targeted fans of specific college football teams based on the brand’s licensing agreements.
• Ad Spend: $1,958.35
• Results:
  • Sales Generated: 368 orders
  • Average Order Value (AOV): ~$72
  • Key Insights: Higher purchase intent from resolution-based messaging and team-specific apparel, leading to increased order value and conversions.

Key Takeaways:

• Seasonal Targeting Works: Aligning ad messaging with consumer behavior (holiday gifting vs. fitness goals) significantly impacted sales.
• Higher AOV in Niche Targeting: Targeting college football fans and fitness-driven consumers resulted in a higher AOV compared to the holiday period.
• Efficient Ad Spend: January’s campaign achieved a higher ROI despite a lower budget, proving the effectiveness of well-segmented targeting.

Total ROAS Calculation:

• Total Revenue: $47,496
• Total Ad Spend: $5,516.47
• ROAS: 8.61 (For every $1 spent on ads, the client generated $8.61 in revenue.)

Conclusion:
By adapting campaign strategies to shifting consumer priorities, we maximized the client’s revenue while optimizing ad spend. This case study demonstrates the power of agile paid media strategies in e-commerce, ensuring continued growth beyond peak holiday shopping periods.

In the world of digital marketing and sales, timing isn’t just important—it’s everything. If email is part of your lead generation strategy, how quickly you respond to a prospect can make or break the deal.

The 5-Minute Rule: Why Every Second Counts

Research shows that responding to a prospect’s email within 5 minutes makes you 100x more likely to connect compared to waiting an hour. That’s a massive difference, and it highlights a key truth: speed wins deals.

📩 Why Fast Email Follow-Ups Matter:
✅ Speed = More Conversions – The sooner you respond, the fresher the lead’s interest.
✅ Quick Follow-Ups = More Sales – Fast replies show professionalism and increase trust.

According to a study by InsideSales, 78% of customers buy from the first company that responds. Yet, the average email response time from businesses is 42 hours—far too slow to capitalize on a hot lead.

Are You Optimizing Your Response Time?

If you’re not responding within minutes, you could be losing out on potential customers. The faster you engage, the higher your chances of converting a lead into a sale.

Drop a ⏳ in the comments if speed is a priority in your email strategy! Need help optimizing your lead response time? IOI can help—let’s chat! 🚀

Social media isn’t just an add-on for youth soccer clubs—it’s your most powerful play for growth. Whether you’re looking to recruit more players, secure sponsors, or strengthen your fan base, mastering social media can take your club to the next level

Let’s break down the fundamentals of soccer marketing on social media and how your club can level up.

Why Instagram?

Instagram isn’t just another social platform—it’s where your audience is.

🔹 Massive Reach: Over 2 billion monthly active users, with young athletes, parents, and sports fans highly engaged.
🔹 Higher Engagement: Instagram has 4x the engagement rate of Facebook and 10x higher than Twitter—perfect for connecting with your community.
🔹 Recruitment & Growth: Active clubs see increased player sign-ups, stronger sponsor interest, and deeper community ties.
🔹 Revenue Opportunities: 60% of sports fans follow brands on social media, meaning sponsorships and monetization opportunities are huge.

👉 Bottom line? If your club isn’t leveraging Instagram, you’re leaving growth on the table.

Building a Strong Social Media Presence

Success on social media doesn’t happen by accident—it’s all about strategy. Here are some quick wins to boost your club’s social media presence:

1. Make the Most of Your Bio

Your Instagram bio is your digital handshake. Make sure it includes:
✅ Your club name and handle (@yourclubname)
✅ A properly sized logo
✅ Your business category (e.g., sports club, youth sports)
✅ Relevant info like location, website links, and key updates
✅ Cover images for videos and reels

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your bio clear and informative—make it obvious who you are and what you do.

2. Content That Drives Engagement

Not all content is created equal. Here’s what works best for soccer clubs:

⚽ Game Highlights – Share key plays, goals, and celebrations.
🎥 Behind-the-Scenes – Training clips, coach insights, player interviews.
🌟 Player Spotlights – Feature standout players to build team morale.
📸 Fan & Parent Engagement – Re-share user-generated content.
📊 Instagram Stories & Reels – Stories see 50% more engagement, and Reels get 22% more interaction than regular posts.

👉 Action Tip: Post at least 3-5x per week to maintain visibility. Best times? 8-10 AM & 6-9 PM—when parents and athletes are most active.

3. Optimize for Growth

📈 Boosted Posts & Instagram Ads – 70% of Instagram users say they discover new brands through ads. Promote tryouts, camps, and events.
📲 Live Streaming & Takeovers – Let coaches or players take over the account for a day.
📍 Collaboration Posts – Partner with sponsors or apparel providers to expand reach.
🔄 Consistency is Key – Pick a posting schedule and stick to it.

💡 Remember: Engagement drives visibility! Reply to comments, DMs, and encourage interaction.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

🚫 Inconsistent posting schedules.
🚫 Ignoring comments and DMs.
🚫 Low-quality images or videos.
🚫 Not using Stories or Reels (major growth tools!).

✅ Instead, focus on:
✔ Setting clear social media goals (growth, engagement, recruitment).
✔ Delegating a social media manager or maintaining a content calendar.
✔ Optimizing your bio and including relevant links.
✔ Using social media to build a community, not just promote events.

Final Thoughts

Social media is an incredible tool for soccer clubs looking to grow, connect, and drive engagement. Whether you’re looking to recruit more players, secure sponsorships, or strengthen your community, a well-planned strategy on Instagram can make all the difference.

Need help executing? That’s where IOI comes in—we specialize in youth sports marketing and know what it takes to win online. Let’s connect and make your club stand out!

In the world of retail, innovative sales events like Amazon Prime Days and “Christmas in July” exceptionally drive consumer engagement and boost sales. These mid-year events offer a strategic opportunity for retailers to clear inventory, attract new customers, and maintain sales momentum during typically slower periods. A significant factor contributing to the success of these events is the power of influencers, recently  shaping consumer behavior and driving sales.

Overview of “Christmas in July” and Amazon Prime Days

“Christmas in July” is a promotional event that has been adopted by retailers globally. Its origins can be traced back to summer camps in the 1930s, where the concept of celebrating Christmas in the summer was a novelty. Over time, it evolved into a commercial event, allowing retailers to offer holiday-like discounts and promotions during the summer months.

Amazon Prime Days, on the other hand, began in 2015 to commemorate Amazon’s 20th anniversary. Initially conceived as a one-day sales event exclusively for Amazon Prime members, it has since expanded into a multi-day event featuring thousands of deals across various categories.

Both “Christmas in July” and Amazon Prime Days have become significant fixtures in the retail calendar. These events provide retailers with an opportunity to boost mid-year sales, engage with customers, and introduce new products. They also serve as a strategic platform for testing marketing tactics and gathering consumer insights.

The Power of Influencers

Influencers have emerged as powerful players in the marketing landscape. Their ability to connect with audiences on a personal level and sway purchasing decisions have  made them invaluable to brands. Influencers can range from everyday individuals with a modest following to celebrities with millions of fans.

Types of Influencers

• Nano Influencers: These influencers have a small but highly engaged following, typically between 1,000 to 10,000 followers. They are often seen as more authentic and relatable.
• Micro Influencers: With a following of 10,000 to 100,000, micro influencers have a more extensive reach while still maintaining a close connection with their audience.
• Macro Influencers: These influencers boast 100,000 to 1 million followers and have a broad reach and significant impact.
• Celebrity Influencers: With over a million followers, celebrity influencers can generate substantial visibility and engagement but may lack the personal connection of smaller influencers.

Traditional advertising methods are increasingly being overshadowed by influencer marketing, which offers a more authentic and engaging way to reach consumers. Influencers provide relatable content that resonates with their followers, making their endorsements more credible and effective. This shift is driven by the growing trust consumers place in influencers compared to traditional advertisements.

Amazon Prime Days: An Overview

Amazon Prime Days started as a one-day event on July 15, 2015, celebrating Amazon’s 20th anniversary. It has since evolved into a major sales event spanning multiple days, offering exclusive deals to Prime members. The event has grown in scale and scope, becoming a highly anticipated shopping event comparable to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Amazon Prime Days have significantly impacted consumer behavior, driving a surge in online shopping and increasing Amazon’s Prime memberships. The event creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, encouraging consumers to make purchases they might otherwise delay. The extensive discounts and limited-time offers attract bargain hunters and loyal customers alike.

Influencers have played a crucial role in promoting Amazon Prime Days. Successful campaigns often involve influencers showcasing their favorite deals, creating unboxing videos, and sharing reviews of Prime Day purchases. For example, influencers might create a “Prime Day Haul” video, where they unbox and review items they bought during the event, generating excitement and providing authentic product insights to their followers.

The success of influencer campaigns during Prime Days can be measured using various metrics and KPIs, including:

• Engagement Rate: The level of interaction (likes, comments, shares) on influencer posts.
• Reach and Impressions: The number of unique users who see the content and the total number of times the content is displayed.
• Conversion Rate: The percentage of followers who make a purchase after engaging with the influencer’s content.
• Affiliate Link Clicks: The number of clicks on affiliate links shared by influencers, leading to the retailer’s website.

Influencers utilize various content formats to promote Prime Day deals:

• Unboxings: Showcasing the excitement of receiving and unveiling new products.
• Reviews: Providing detailed, honest opinions about the products, enhancing credibility.
• Live Streams: Real-time interactions where influencers can answer questions and provide immediate feedback on deals and products.

Amazon Prime Days and “Christmas in July” have become key events in the retail landscape, driven significantly by the influence of social media personalities. As influencer marketing continues to grow, its impact on sales events will likely increase, providing brands with new opportunities to engage consumers and boost sales. Understanding the power of influencers and leveraging their reach can help retailers maximize the potential of these mid-year sales events.

Interested in adding influencer marketing to your strategy? Let’s talk. {insert contact form}

As a team of digital marketing professionals, we strategically choose tools that help us stay on task, allow for creativity, save time, and ultimately support our efforts to achieve our clients’ goals. Canva is among the tools most frequently used by our team, and we recently remotely attended the Canva Create webinar to learn about the new features of the platform. Here are some of our team’s favorite features in this incredibly dynamic tool.

ADAM: As a marketing pro, I use Canva to create engaging graphics for paid media and social media campaigns.  I also am constantly creating print and digital advertisements, along with slide decks.

My favorite feature has to be the brand kit. When working with multiple clients it is incredibly time saving to have the client’s colors and logos ready to go without having to worry about looking up color codes, and finding the correct logos

After Canva Create, I am most looking forward to Ad Tech Integration which will allow me to design and optimize ads for Google and Meta right within Canva. I may even be able to publish the campaigns directly from Canva. I am also excited about the live edit process and the bulk editing ability to apply brand guidelines to entire documents at once.

MARISA: I love using Canva’s background eraser/expander feature. It makes editing images so quick and easy, saving me a ton of time. It’s my go-to tool for creating polished visuals without the hassle.

NICOLE: Canva is one of the tools that I use daily as a digital marketer. From creating ideally sized graphics for social media to brand kits for clients and the plethora of templates available, it is an essential part of our IOI Toolbox.

Among all of the incredible features of the platform, the bulk upload functionality allows for our team to batch-create social media content and reports. Once you have a brand template ready, the ability to upload a CSV file and create dozens of graphics in a single click saves an incredible amount of time.

The new features being rolled out from Canva will only enhance our ability to create images, presentation decks, reports, and brand kits quickly and collaboratively with other teammates.

JUNIOR: I love the pre-sized templates for any digital creation. Not only is it nice to simply get an Email banner or Instagram Post artboard ready to go- but you can also look at templates for creative inspiration. I also really appreciate how easy they make it to share and edit with a team- sometimes especially in our line of work you do revisions via email- but now you can just jump on a call and work through a design digitally and I think that is brilliant and fun. Makes for more connection and collaborations within small teams like ours.

KRISTINA: I love and use the resize & magic switch tool – it makes it easy for when you are creating a graphic that will be used across multiple marketing channels. You only have to create it once and then click the magic resize tool and it takes the artwork you already created and adjusts to the size you selected. You might have to move things around slightly but you don’t have to redo the entire graphic over for every size you need.

The Google Marketing Live summit this week brought a wealth of insights into the constantly evolving landscape of AI, search, and advertising. Here are the top three takeaways that every marketer and business owner should know:

1. AI-Driven Search Enhancements: Transforming User Experience

Google is doubling down on artificial intelligence to revolutionize its search capabilities. The introduction of advanced AI models aims to make search results more intuitive and contextually relevant. These models are designed to understand natural language queries better and provide more precise answers, moving beyond simple keyword matching to truly grasping the intent behind a search. This development promises a more seamless and efficient user experience, making it easier for people to find exactly what they need without wading through irrelevant results.

What this means for marketers:

• Content Optimization: Marketers will need to focus on creating high-quality, contextually rich content that aligns with user intent rather than just keyword stuffing.
• Enhanced User Engagement: With more relevant search results, user engagement is expected to increase, leading to better metrics for websites that align their content with these AI-driven insights.

2. AI-Powered Ad Personalization: Precision Targeting at Scale

Google is leveraging AI to enhance ad personalization, ensuring that ads are not only targeted to the right audience but also delivered at the right moment. This shift towards more precise targeting is made possible through advanced machine learning algorithms that analyze user behavior, preferences, and engagement patterns in real-time. The goal is to create a more personalized ad experience that feels less intrusive and more relevant to users.

What this means for marketers:

• Better ROI: With AI fine-tuning ad delivery, marketers can expect higher conversion rates and a better return on investment as ads reach users who are more likely to be interested in their products or services.
• Dynamic Creative Optimization: Marketers should invest in dynamic ad creatives that can be tailored in real-time based on AI insights, ensuring that the ad content is as relevant as possible to the viewer.

3. Privacy and AI: Balancing Personalization with User Trust

Google is also focusing on maintaining a delicate balance between enhancing ad personalization through AI and upholding user privacy. The company reiterated its commitment to privacy-first principles, ensuring that all AI advancements in search and ads respect user consent and data protection regulations. New features and updates will include robust privacy controls, giving users greater transparency and control over how their data is used.

What this means for marketers:

• Trust and Transparency: Building trust with users will become increasingly important. Marketers will need to be transparent about how they use data and ensure that their practices align with evolving privacy standards.
• Adaptation to Privacy Regulations: Staying informed about and compliant with privacy laws will be crucial. Marketers should be prepared to adjust their strategies in response to new privacy regulations and Google’s updates to its data handling practices.

The insights from Google Marketing Live 2024 highlight a future where AI plays a central role in enhancing search and advertising. For marketers, this means adapting to more intelligent search algorithms, leveraging AI for personalized ad targeting, and navigating the evolving landscape of privacy with care. Embracing these changes will be key to staying competitive and effective in the digital marketing arena.

Here at IOI, we are anxiously awaiting many of these updates as Google continues to innovate and shape the future of AI in marketing! 

In today’s fast-paced digital world, email marketing remains a powerful tool for small business owners to engage with their audience, build relationships, and drive clicks. An effective email newsletter can help you connect with your customers, showcase your products or services, and ultimately boost your business. In this blog post, we will walk you through the essential steps for constructing an email newsletter that drives clicks, specifically tailored for small business owners.

Know Your Audience

Before you start crafting your email newsletter, it’s crucial to understand your audience. Who are your subscribers, and what are their interests, preferences, and pain points? Knowing your audience allows you to create content that resonates with them, increasing the chances of getting clicks.

Craft a Captivating Subject Line

Your subject line is the first thing your subscribers see, and it can make or break your email’s success. It should be engaging, concise, and give readers a reason to open the email. Consider using personalization and creating a sense of urgency or curiosity to entice your readers.

Create Valuable and Relevant Content

Your email newsletter’s content is the heart of your email marketing strategy. Ensure that the content is valuable, relevant, and informative. It should offer solutions to your audience’s problems or provide them with something they find interesting. You can include articles, videos, infographics, or product highlights.

Visual Appeal Matters

A visually appealing email newsletter is more likely to capture your readers’ attention. Use eye-catching images, a clean layout, and mobile-responsive design to ensure that your newsletter looks great on all devices. Consistency in branding and color schemes can help reinforce your business’s identity.

Use Call to Actions (CTAs)

The ultimate goal of your email newsletter is to drive clicks. To achieve this, strategically place call-to-action buttons within your content. These CTAs should be clear, action-oriented, and directly related to the content you’re offering. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Get Started,” make sure they stand out.

Personalize Your Messages

Personalization can significantly boost your click-through rates. Address your subscribers by their first name, segment your email list based on their behavior and preferences, and tailor your content to their specific needs. The more personalized your emails are, the more engaged your audience will be.

Test and Optimize

Email marketing is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Regularly test different elements of your email newsletter, such as subject lines, content types, sending times, and CTAs. A/B testing allows you to identify what works best for your audience and make data-driven improvements.

Monitor and Analyze

To construct an email newsletter that drives clicks, you need to track its performance. Pay attention to key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and unsubscribe rates. Analyze this data to identify trends and make informed decisions about your email marketing strategy.

Keep Your Subscribers Engaged

Don’t just focus on acquiring new subscribers; make an effort to keep your existing ones engaged. Send relevant and valuable content consistently, and consider setting up automated email series to nurture relationships over time.

Comply with Regulations

Finally, it’s essential to follow email marketing regulations, such as the CAN-SPAM Act and GDPR. Ensure that your subscribers have opted in to receive your emails and provide an easy way for them to unsubscribe.

Creating an email newsletter that drives clicks is an invaluable asset for small business owners. It’s a cost-effective way to reach your target audience, build relationships, and promote your products or services. By understanding your audience, crafting engaging content, and using best practices, you can construct an email newsletter that not only drives clicks but also contributes to the growth and success of your small business.

It’s plain and simple: if your business isn’t using AI, you’re behind. Generative AI has caused a transformative shift for businesses everywhere, changing the way people work, shop, and buy. Before, the formula businesses used was “More Reps x More Tools x More Activities = More Sales”

AI is moving us away from that.

Now, the new formula businesses should be using is “Efficient Reps x Connected Tools x Right Activities = More Sales”

Businesses are eliminating repetitive tasks that once took time, money and deep expertise through AI-powered products to improve overall efficiency while greatly increasing effectiveness. As HubSpot recently wrapped up their annual conference, INBOUND 2023, they unveiled their newest AI developments and product releases on the horizon. We’ve taken the liberty of sifting through some of the largest developments and summarizing them below so you can get just as excited as we are for these to start rolling out.

Marketing Hub Product Launches

Content Assistant – Generate content across social media, emails, SMS messaging and more with HubSpot’s AI Content Assistant. Type a prompt, get a result in seconds.

Image Generation – Need a graphic for a social post or landing page? Use HubSpot’s Image Generation tool to quickly create and edit graphics for your business.

Sales Hub Product Launches

AI Sales Forecasting – Get thoughtful insights on your sales pipelines and performance so you can make the right decisions at the right moments.

Content Assistant – Not just for marketing, the content assistant can help write sales emails in Gmail, Outlook or on Mobile devices to ensure your email has the right tone and actions to get your leads to take the next step.

Service Hub Product Launches

AI Chatbots – We’ve all been stuck in a phone tree where we just want to speak to someone, but are caught in a horrible loop speaking to an automated voice system. HubSpot’s AI Chatbot isn’t like that. This chatbot tool will automatically pull resources from your site depending on what is being asked of the lead, but can also quickly route conversations over to a representative if the question isn’t asked in time. Prevent the easy questions from taking up your team’s time, and ensure that time is spent answering the difficult ones.

Content Assistant – Trying to figure out how to respond to an aggravated customer? HubSpot’s Content Assistant can save the day again with thoughtful messaging that keeps your customers happy and responses timely. Not only that, but you can begin to quickly build a Knowledge Base through Content Assistant that can work in tandem with the AI Chatbot to pull helpful articles to point your contacts in the right direction.

CMS Hub Product Launches

AI Website Builder – Wishing you could build a landing page in seconds by typing “Build me a landing page about a youth soccer organization with a contact us page that has a form asking for first name, last name, email and phone number?” HubSpot’s AI Website Builder can do that.

Content Assistant – You get the idea, the Content Assistant is a powerful tool that can be used across any Hub in HubSpot. Write landing page and blog content in seconds, write meta descriptions in seconds – the power is yours (sort of).

Wrap It Up

As you can see, HubSpot’s Generative AI tools are something your business should be excited about, not afraid of. Utilizing these powerful tools is meant to save your business time and money while your team is focusing on the important things that help your business grow. If you really don’t know where to start, aren’t using HubSpot, or just want to chat about the growth of Artificial Intelligence and the impact it has on the world today, fill out the form and we’ll reach out. We’re looking forward to seeing what we can create together!

We’ve emphasized the importance of SEO in the past, and today, we’re going to dive even deeper to demonstrate how AI can simplify your life.

SEO and blog entries stand out as two of the most important tools for boosting your online visibility. According to searchenginejournal.com, “70 million blog posts are published every month, with an astounding 42% of the web relying on WordPress alone. These numbers  underline the impact of blogging in modern marketing strategies.”

We’re well aware that optimizing your SEO can sometimes feel like a daunting and time-consuming task that often gets relegated to the bottom of your to-do list. 

However, using AI can make this process significantly smoother.  Here are a few ways we have found that AI can help you to improve your blog writing process:

Keyword Search:

Blogs provide a platform for strategically incorporating keywords pertinent to your industry, products, or services. AI can help you pinpoint the most effective keywords, giving your content a competitive edge

Streamline Content Creation:

Writer’s block? No problem. AI can effortlessly generate engaging and relevant content, ensuring your blog appeals to your audience.

Scheduling and Automation:

AI can be used for more than content creation; it’s also a reliable scheduler. It can help you plan and automate your blog entries, guaranteeing that your website always serves up the freshest and most relevant content.

While AI can help improve efficiency in your blog entries, it should never be solely relied upon.  Although it’s magical how easy it is to take advantage of the powers of AI, it is still in the learning stages. Make sure to always fact check, add in your brand voice and tone, and edit and review any content you put out in a digital space.  

By embracing AI for your blog entries, you’re not just saving time; you’re also elevating the quality and relevance of your content. Whether you’re a business owner or a content creator, taking advantage of AI to enhance your SEO strategy through blog entries will certainly help you stand out in the digital world. 

Need help with your SEO strategy? Let us lend a hand!

As a youth sports program, creating engaging blog content can help you connect with your audience and build your brand. By providing valuable information, highlighting your program’s accomplishments, and sharing stories from your participants and staff, you can create content that resonates with your audience and inspires them to get involved. In this blog post, we’ll explore tips for creating engaging blog content for youth sports programs.

Know Your Audience

The first step in creating engaging blog content is to know your audience. Understanding their interests, needs, and preferences will help you create content that resonates with them for a better user experience. Take the time to research your audience and create buyer personas that represent the different types of people who might be interested in your program. Use these personas to guide your content creation and ensure that your blog posts are relevant and interesting to your audience.

Provide Valuable Information

One of the key ways to engage your audience is to provide valuable information that they can use. This can include tips for improving skills, advice for parents on how to support their children in sports, or insights into the latest trends and developments in youth sports. Make sure your blog posts are well-researched and provide information that is both accurate and useful. Using keywords and SEO will also give your post a better chance at appearing at the top of the search. Using your basic link-building, on-page elements, and SEO optimization will help increase the online visibility of your post.

Highlight Accomplishments

Another way to engage your audience is to highlight your program’s accomplishments. This can include stories about the individual triumphs of your participants, or updates on your program’s standings in tournaments or competitions. By sharing these stories, you can inspire your audience and show them the value of your program with real-world highlights.

Share Stories from Participants and Staff

Sharing stories from your participants and staff can also help you create engaging blog content. This can include interviews with coaches or players, or profiles of participants who have overcome obstacles or achieved success. By sharing these stories, you can help your audience connect with your program on a more personal level and create a sense of community.

Use Engaging Visuals

Finally, using engaging visuals can help you create blog content that is both interesting and memorable. This can include photos of your program in action, infographics that illustrate key points, or videos that showcase your program’s accomplishments or training resources. Make sure your visuals are high-quality and relevant to your content, and use them to break up text and create a visually appealing layout.

Examples of Engaging Blog Content for Youth Sports Programs

To see these tips in action, take a look at some examples of engaging blog content for youth sports programs. The Positive Coaching Alliance, for example, has a blog that provides valuable information for coaches, parents, and athletes, as well as inspiring stories from youth sports programs across the country. Another example is the blog from the National Alliance for Youth Sports, which provides insights into the latest trends and developments in youth sports, as well as tips for parents and coaches.

Creating engaging blog content is an important part of building a successful youth sports program and is very cost-effective. By understanding your audience, providing valuable information, highlighting your program’s accomplishments, sharing stories from your participants and staff, and using engaging visuals, you can create content that resonates with your audience and inspires them to get involved. Use these tips to create blog posts that are interesting, informative, and memorable.

Video content has become increasingly popular in the digital marketing age, and there’s no doubt why. It is an effective tool for engaging audiences and conveying information in a way that is both memorable and entertaining. This is especially true for youth sports programs, where video content can help promote the program, provide valuable training resources, and showcase the skills and accomplishments of participants. We’ll explain why it’s valuable and provide some tips and tricks to utilize your video content creation. 

Promote Your Program

Video content is an effective way to promote your youth sports program to potential participants and families. You can create videos that showcase the highlights of your program, including game footage, testimonials from participants and families, and interviews with coaches and staff. This helps potential participants get a sense of what your program is all about and why they should choose it over others.

Provide Valuable Training Resources

Video content can also be a valuable resource for participants who want to improve their skills. You can create training videos that provide tips and techniques for improving performance, such as drills for building strength and speed, or strategies for improving team communication. These videos can be used by participants to supplement their training and improve their performance on the field.

Showcase Skills and Accomplishments

Video content can also be used to showcase the skills and accomplishments of participants. Highlight reels that showcase the best moments from games and tournaments, as well as individual accomplishments such as awards and honors are fan favorites in terms of user engagement. These videos can be shared on social media and on your website by using link-building to help promote your program and build excitement among participants and families. 

Tips for Creating Effective Video Content

So now that we showed you WHY incorporating this digital marketing strategy, creating engaging video content, and optimizing on-page elements can enhance your online visibility, attract more participants, and gain a competitive advantage in the youth sports industry. Let’s show you HOW. 

Keep it Short and Engaging

When creating video content, it’s important to keep it brief and engaging. Attention spans are short, so aim for videos that are no longer than a few minutes. Make sure your videos are visually appealing and use music and graphics to keep viewers engaged.

Plan Ahead

Before creating your video, take the time to plan ahead. Identify the message you want to convey and plan out the shots and scenes you’ll need to achieve that message. Consider using a storyboard or shot list to help organize your ideas.

Use High-Quality Equipment

The quality of your video can make a big difference in how it is received by your audience. Invest in high-quality equipment, including a good camera, microphone, and lighting, to ensure your videos look professional and enhance user experience while keeping it cost-effective.

Edit and Polish

Once you’ve captured your footage, take the time to edit and polish your video. Use video editing software to trim and cut footage, add transitions and special effects, and adjust the audio. Consider adding captions or subtitles to make your videos more accessible. 

Examples of Effective Video Content for Youth Sports Programs 

To see effective video content in action, take a look at some examples from youth sports programs. For example, the USA Volleyball program has a YouTube channel that includes training videos for coaches and players, as well as highlights from national team matches and tournaments. Another example is the Texas Youth Football Association, which has a YouTube channel that includes game highlights, interviews with coaches and players, and training videos for players and parents.

With the right approach and implementation, video content can be a valuable tool in digital marketing, providing an effective way to showcase your program, offer valuable training resources, and celebrate the achievements of your participants. By leveraging the power of video, you can take your youth sports program to the next level and make a lasting impression in the minds of your audience.

Email marketing has become a popular tool for online marketing strategies in businesses and organizations across all industries. Youth sports programs are no exception, as email marketing can be an effective way to engage with participants, promote upcoming events, and provide program updates. Let’s explore the benefits of email marketing for youth sports programs and provide tips for creating effective email campaigns!

Why Email Marketing is Effective for Youth Sports Programs

 Email marketing allows youth sports programs to communicate directly with participants and their families as well as keeping your online presence strong. This can be particularly useful for promoting events and programs, as well as providing important updates such as schedule changes or weather-related cancellations. In addition, email marketing can help youth sports programs build a sense of community by keeping participants and families informed about the program’s activities and accomplishments.

Building an Email List

 To effectively use email marketing for youth sports programs, it’s important to build a strong email list that is cost-effective. Start by collecting email addresses from participants and their families during registration. You can also collect email addresses through your program’s website or social media channels. When collecting email addresses, be sure to ask for permission to send marketing emails and provide an option for recipients to opt out of future emails. By having a strong email list, you can create a competitive advantage over your opponents.

Types of Emails to Send

Several types of emails can be effective for youth sports programs. These include:

Newsletters: A regular newsletter can be a great way to keep participants and families informed about program news, upcoming events, and other relevant information.

 Event Invitations: Email invitations to upcoming events can help boost attendance and excitement. 

Program Updates: Email updates can keep participants and their families informed about any changes to the program, such as schedule changes or weather-related cancellations.

 Tips for Creating Effective Emails

When creating emails for your youth sports program, it’s important to keep in mind the following tips:

Keep it brief: Most people receive a lot of emails, so it’s important to keep your emails short and to the point.

Use clear and concise language: Use language that is easy to understand and avoid using jargon or technical terms.

Use visuals: Include images or videos in your emails to help grab recipients’ attention and convey your message. 

Include calls-to-action: Encourage recipients to take action, such as registering for an event or visiting your program’s website.

Keywords: When people are searching for a specific email, they will often use a keyword if the email gets lost in all the junk, so it is good to have a wide variety that will help your email go to the top of the search and help implement SEO.

Examples of Successful Email Marketing Campaigns for Youth Sports Programs

To see email marketing in action, look at some successful campaigns from youth sports programs. For example, a youth soccer program might send a monthly newsletter that includes updates on recent games and upcoming tournaments, as well as information on skill-building drills and nutrition tips. An email inviting families to attend a “family fun run” event might include a catchy subject line, fun graphics, and a clear call-to-action to register for the event. It is also good to incorporate backlinks and link-building in your emails. This will make it easier to navigate to another page or website. All these tips and tricks will create a better user experience.

Email marketing is versatile, fast, and EASY! If you use this tactic, chances are your business will bloom.