Welcome to 5 BY 5, the alpha | BRAVO blog.

In radio jargon, the term “five by five” affirms that a radioed transmission was received loud and clear. Each was rated 1 to 5 with the first for clearness, and the second for loudness. Whether we’re writing social media ads, managing a brand’s social media presence, or crafting a full-funnel social media strategy, our mission is to ensure that every message is received loud and clear. The 5 BY 5 blog covers insights, news, tips, and trends in social media marketing strategy, management, copywriting and design. Check in on the 5th of each month and join us on LinkedIn + Instagram for of-the-minute updates!

brainstorm
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 January 2019| Blog
5 Pro Tips for Cultivating Creativity in a Brainstorm Meeting

Brainstorm sessions aren’t just “slack off” time. Not for agencies. For us it’s serious business. Our reputation lies largely in the creativity of our work. Without brainstorm sessions, we can’t collaborate, share ideas, or come up with unique strategies. Over the last 25 years, I’ve been a part of countless brainstorm sessions. And I’ve noticed...

marketing positions
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 November 2018| Blog
7 In Demand Marketing Positions for 2019 and Beyond

With a limited budget, how do you decide what marketing positions you need in-house and what can be outsourced? Whether you’re interested in a marketing career or are building out your 2019 budget for a marketing staff, these are the 7 roles that will be in demand in 2019. Here’s what to look for in...

AI
Posted by agencyab | 21 June 2018| Blog
AI’s Impact on the Future of Content Marketing

Technology is always evolving, but it seems to have catapulted to the forefront the last several months. Emerging tech such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are powerful tools that can drive engagement and have a positive impact on companies’ bottom lines. According to one Cisco report, the use of...

interview
Posted by agencyab | 06 June 2018| Blog
9 Interview Tips for High Quality Content

Whether you need to interview a Subject Matter Expert (SME), a thought leader or a client, knowing how to get the information you are seeking is essential. It’s not enough to ask questions and record responses. The most productive interviews require thorough preparation, excellent listening skills, and a bit of improvising. Regardless of your role,...

content writing
Posted by agencyab | 20 April 2018| Blog
A 7-Step Guide to Writing Content That Converts

60% of marketers report that hiring marketing content talent is “somewhat difficult,” according to a Kapostsurvey. Understandable. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. If the thought of content writing intimidates you, follow these 7 steps. Whether you do the writing yourself, or hire a writer, you'll be closer to publishing content that leads your audience through the marketing funnel...

sweepstakes
Posted by agencyab | 12 January 2018| Blog
Play by the Rules: A CYA Guide to Hosting Sweepstakes & Contests

Finishing up a client's recent sweepstakes last week reminded me of many previous games I've created and managed throughout my years in the industry. I once managed a sweepstakes for Cartoon Network in conjunction with the MLB, where one winner would get to bring their favorite player to school. The winner turned out to be...

small business social
Posted by agencyab | 13 November 2017| Blog
6 Social Media Time Sucks SMBs Needs to Avoid

Social media can be a time suck. But if you clean up your act a bit, and focus on what’s important, social can actually save you time and bring in new business. So claim your independence from all that’s holding you back! You know, like this stuff: Social Media Time Suck #1: Worrying too much about...

content creation
Posted by agencyab | 23 October 2017| Blog
The Key to Creating Content Your Audience Wants

My first job in marketing was with a furniture manufacturing company. The corporate office was set up with the executive offices in the front of the building (Marketing, Sales, HR, Accounting), and in the back, Shipping & Receiving, Manufacturing, and, oh yeah, Customer Service. To my 21 year-old mind, Customer Service looked unimportant. And I...

Posted by agencyab | 29 August 2017| Blog
How to Create the Mother of All Content Calendars

Content might be king, but it's the organization of content that rules. Without a clear structure for when and where you're posting your content, it's difficult to keep up. Especially for agencies or large enterprises that manage multiple websites, blogs, and social platforms, a Master Content Calendar is a must. As our small agency began adding...