Digital Marketing 101
this is a sponsored post
Digital marketing is the use of the internet to market your products or services. Digital marketing campaigns may include but are not limited to email, social media, website, landing pages and search engines. Each of these tools works to engage with current and future customers.
SEO is the process of optimizing your website to \”rank\” higher on search engine results pages, which will increase the amount of organic (or free) traffic that a website receives. Websites, blogs and infographics benefit the most from SEO.
On-page SEO
On-page SEO focuses on all of the content that exists \”on the page\” when looking at a website. By doing keyword research you can see what your users are searching for and answer the questions for the reader.
Off-page SEO
Off-page SEO focuses on all the activity that takes place \”off the page: when looking to optimize your website. Think inbound links (backlinks) – the number of publishers that link to you, and the relative authority of said publishers will affect how highly you rank for the keywords you care about. Writing guest posts and networking is a great way to increase your off-page SEO.
Content marketing allows you to attract website visitors through engaging published information that answers their questions as well as provides value. Great content marketing includes blog articles, videos, social media posts, webpages, eBooks, and more.
Social media sites allow you to share content as well as build a community of followers. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube are all valuable lead generation tools. Use social media to drive leads to your website through engaging content (videos, images, and written posts).
PPC is a method of advertising that displays ads on a search engine results page. For instance, Google PPC ads are based on targeted keywords. When you place targeted ads in front of consumers via search engines or social media it will generate leads to your website.
How can I use lead generation to my advantage?
The use of SEO, advertising, and social media to attract visitors to your site is great, you just need to make sure you are bringing them to a form or landing page on your site that gives them in an offer to sign up for. In exchange for that offer, they have to give you their contact information. This is a way to build your email list so you can make sure you\’re staying in contact with those that visit your website.
Without analytics, you do not know if your processes work or do not work. The use of metrics and data will determine whether or not your digital marketing efforts are successful in meeting your ROI goals. Tools such as Google Analytics and Search Console will allow you to view data and make informed decisions on your digital marketing strategy.
Five Things
With a blink of an eye, September has arrived. On Tuesday I shared 30 things to do in September, and all of the ideas can be done at a safe social distance from others. Week 24 of quarantine has concluded, and with us entering September I am so excited to see what fall brings. This year may be nothing like I had planned, but it\’s everything I needed.
This year I booked my very first Airbnb trip. You see, I am typically a hotel girl, but with COVID-19 creating a pandemic I haven\’t felt safe in a hotel and thought I would give an Airbnb a try. Since this year is like no other, I planned a glamping trip, and let me tell you spending a few days hanging out on the 45th parallel was just what I needed. Here is a peek at my week, stay tuned next week for the 411 on my amazing trip north – including the details on the cute retro glamper I stayed in.
{Discovered gorgeous trails}
{got a super cute new bracelet, that gave me all the adventure vibes}
{I just couldn\’t resist this level of cuteness}
{Eating all the veggies}
Beginners Guide to Car Camping
Car camping is an easy and affordable way to get you outside and enjoy the outdoors, and it is especially great during COVID if you’re like me and really trying to avoid people. I typically like to plan my trips close to hiking trails, water, or rock climbing.
Jack and I recently went on a car camping trip in the 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring and wrote down all the details that any beginner should know, and wanted to share all the details with you!
How to plan a car camping trip
I am a big planner, even if they are loose plans I like to get the most out of everything, and planning ahead ensures that will happen. Not to mention when you plan ahead you’re able to snag your ideal campsite during the dates you actually want it.
1. Decide how many nights you will be staying.
2. Select a few dates that will work for your car camping trip.
3. Reserve your spot – is it first-come, first-serve or do you need advanced reservations?
4. Search the area and plan your itinerary.
Pro Tip: I look at Instagram, Pinterest, and do online searches to figure out the best activities for myself.
How to pick a campsite
When it comes to picking the right campsite this will depend a lot on what kind of vehicle you have and the terrain you’ll be driving on. There are two types of campsites: paid and dispersed.
Paid campsites Paid campsites are campsites that are managed by the state, public lands agency, or a private owner. They require a fee that will vary based on the location and the type of amenities that are provided.
Pro Tip: Paid campsites typically have a toilet and a shower.
Dispersed campsites Dispersed campsites are campsites that are located on public lands. You need to come to these campsites fully prepared with absolutely everything you need.
How to pack for a car camping trip
Typically with a car camping trip, you can bring more things along since you do not have to worry about keeping things lightweight and compact. Car camping provides the flexibility to bring the gear that you will need for your outdoor activities such as a paddleboard or kayak.
Camp cooking essentials One of my absolute favorite things to do is cook while camping. It is so easy to become a good camp chef. If the campsite does not have a fire pit provide I bring my Solo Stove with me. This allows me to use my pie irons to cook up delicious sandwiches and desserts. I also love mixing canned corn, canned black beans, and a can of Rotel together and having that in a wrap.
Pro Tip: Plan ahead what you’ll be cooking and bring all the items needed to make those items.
What to wear car camping
Like an onion, you want to think layers. Go for breathable moisture-wicking layers. Be sure to check the forecast so you know if you’ll need to bring a hat and gloves to stay warm at night.
Pro Tip: Avoid cotton, it will retain moisture and won’t keep you cool, dry, or warm if you get sweaty. I also like to snuggle in a blanket as well. I also love to bring a Pandana with me – you can easily move it from your neck to around your nose and mouth, use it as a headband, ponytail holder and more!
How to find things to do while car camping
Car camping is a great way to get the most out of the outdoors, and since you have an easy vehicle to move around why not make the most of your car camping adventure
1. Look up local hikes near your campsite.
Pro Tip: Apps like PeakFinder, Map My Hike, View Ranger, and my personal favorite AllTrails are great for discovering places to hike.
2. Use TrailForks to find bike paths.
3. Download a constellation app like Sky Map for stargazing on a clear night. Join A Girls Guide to Cars and Lincoln on September 22nd for a virtual day of creating sanctuary as you listen to speakers, get ideas and tips at The New Now: Live Your Best Life. Registration is free and open to all, and the first 200 attendees to join the full event will receive a special gift in the mail from Lincoln and A Girls Guide to Cars. Register here: bit.ly/driveyourbestlife
Garden Vegetable Soup
This past weekend the temperature got a little cooler (well, here in Michigan anyway), the weather got wetter, and the garden is producing at its full potential. \’Tis the time of year for my Garden Vegetable Soup – or as I like to call it Everything in the Garden Soup. This pot of comfort is perfect for chilly nights, and did I mention it is healthy too?
Today, I am sharing with you how to make garden vegetable soup, and this soup is filled with delicious vegetables and is so easy to throw together. Serve it with some crusty bread, crackers, or popcorn (my favorite).
This garden vegetable soup recipe doesn\’t really have a recipe. I know what my base is and I just throw veggies in that I have laying around. You really can\’t mess this up, so be creative and enjoy it. Below I am sharing what was in my soup.
Garden Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 onion diced
Carrots diced (I used about 5)
A handful of green beans
Handful of peas
Bunch of kale
1 clove garlic minced
1 green pepper
1 baby zucchini
1 baby eggplant
A handful of mushrooms sliced
Cabbage (I used half a head)
2 cans of beans (your choice)
15 ounce can of diced tomatoes (I used garden tomatoes)
1 large can tomato sauce
3 cups vegetable stock
Salt
Pepper
Italian seasoning
Directions
2. Add your harder ingredients like carrots and onions and saute for 5 minutes.
3. Turn down and add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
4. Add the rest of your ingredients.
5. Simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
6. Season as needed.
7. Ladle into bowls and serve.
Remember, this garden vegetable soup is very adaptable. Don\’t like kale? Use spinach or don\’t add it. Don\’t have any fresh veggies, no problem – throw in canned or frozen favorites. Customize the soup to YOUR liking!
30 Things to Do in September (Quarantine Edition)
Everyone has that one friend, who loves fall, and as soon as they see a single leaf changed and/or September 1st arrives they go into full-on fall mode. Well, let me let you in on a little secret – I am that friend. I am so excited for September first to be here. September is filled with trips to the apple orchard and cider mill, it marks the arrival of pumpkin spice season and officially kicks off (if the temperatures ever cooldown) scarf and weather season. Even during COVID, there is plenty of ways to stay safe and socially distanced while enjoying everything September hs to offer. Today I am sharing 30 things you can do in September.
1. Take a trip to the cider mill for fresh apple cider and plain or cinnamon sugar donuts. Yates Cider Mill is my favorite.
2. Head to a local roadside stand and gran some of the season\’s best produce. I just picked up Michigan watermelon, sweet corn, peaches, tomatoes, carrots and kale.
3. Don\’t forget to make a stop at Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte or a chai tea latte like me (I don\’t like coffee).
4. Pop some popcorn and grab all your favorite movie snacks while you watch Mulan on Disney+. Fair warning it is $30.
5. Book a weekend glamping trip. From yurts and campers to treehouses you\’re sure to find a unique way to camp.
6. Decorate your front porch and front door with some fall decor. I\’m thinking stacks of pumpkins, barrels of straw, mums, and lanterns.
7. Enjoy an evening filled with a bonfire, popcorn over the campfire, and of course s\’mores.
8. Nothing says fall like a giant field of sunflowers. Find one local to you.
9. Pack a fall picnic with thermoses of hot soup and don\’t forget a charcuterie and cheese board.
10. Catch a drive-in movie. With movie theaters still closed, drive-ins are popping up all over Michigan and offer my favorite way to catch a flick.
11. Head out to the apple orchard and pick some apples. My favorite is Honeycrisp.
12. Visit a different local park and enjoy your day outside exploring.
13. If you haven\’t learned already watch videos or take a virtual class and learn how to knit or crochet a scarf.
14. Celebrate international crab fest day. Plan a crab boil for dinner at home or make crab rangoon to shake up your dinner routine.
15. Update the ambiance of your home to create a cozy and comforting fall atmosphere. Use a vintage ladder to hang blankets, add twinkling fairy lights and even get some fall scented candles.
16. Hop in a kayak and float around checking out the leaves changing colors.
17. Cuddle up on the couch with your favorite blanket, snacks and drinks while you light some candles and enjoy a movie. You can find me watching a Hallmark movie.
18. Update your beauty routine and add moody colors. I am loving olive green on my nails right now.
19. Ahoy Matey! It\’s talk like a pirate day.
20. Discover a new downtown area that you haven\’t visited before or an old favorite.
21. Buy a new cozy sweater.
22. Happy first day of fall! Fill your day with everything pumpkin spice from food to hand soaps.
23. Book a leaf-peeping cabin getaway. I love going to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and checking out the color.
24. Take a leaf-peeping nature hike and enjoy the changing of colors.
25. October is almost here, why not head to the pumpkin patch and pick some pumpkins.
26. Whip up a batch of your favorite pancakes to celebrate national pancake day.
27. Head on over to Pinterest and look for a delicious soup recipe to make.
28. Why not make some caramel apples today?
29. Start a new television series
30. Make some pumpkin bread to deliciously enter October.
Fashion meets Food 