fun Archives | Outsource Marketing

Discover how AI effectively uses data and analysis in marketing

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 21:33:39 +0000

AI in marketing project management

A study by Econsultancy found that 75% of marketers are already using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in some way, and 61% of marketers believe that AI is the most critical aspect of their data strategy.

We all know that AI has been making waves in the marketing industry for a while now. One of the most significant benefits to marketers is AI’s ability to analyze and interpret vast amounts of data. It’s mind-boggling. In this blog, we’ll explore how AI will become integral to marketing project management in 2024 and how Outmark® uses AI responsibly.

AI marketing brings new opportunities to the table

This new technology will bring new and innovative opportunities in 2024. For example, AI algorithms will be able to analyze data and predict future trends more accurately than ever. This will allow marketers to make more effective and efficient data-driven decisions. Additionally, smarter tools will enable marketers to personalize their campaigns more, resulting in more targeted and effective marketing messages.

AI Marketing: When to use it, when not to

While AI marketing has many benefits, it’s essential to know when and when not to use it. For example, AI marketing is beneficial for analyzing large amounts of data and making predictions. However, it’s less effective at understanding human emotions and making creative decisions. Marketing professionals need to understand the strengths and limitations of AI marketing and use it accordingly.

Outmark’s founder, Patrick Byers, points out, “AI leverages all other content that exists, so, by definition, it’s a race to the middle. At a time when differentiation is one of the most influential aspects of marketing, AI makes your content equal to everyone else, just average.”

Be realistic about their place. We can look at a website or article and tell with 99% accuracy (made-up statistics) if the content is AI-generated. For now, anyway, content technology like ChatGPT spits the same keywords and phrasing over and over again. Not an “authentic” reading experience.

Best uses of ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Bing’s Sydney

In 2024, many AI tools will be available for marketing professionals. Some of the best AI tools for marketing project management include ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Bing’s chatbot.

ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot that can answer customer questions and provide personalized recommendations.
Google’s Gemini is an AI-powered language model that can help marketers create compelling content.
Bing’s chatbot, formerly codenamed ‘Sydney’ is an AI-powered search engine that can help marketers understand what their customers are searching for online.

Outmark’s use of AI Marketing

At Outmark, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of AI marketing. It’s constantly changing and we’re blown away by the evolution. We believe AI has the power to transform marketing project management, and we’re giddy about the possibilities that lie ahead. We continually train our team in the latest AI tools and techniques, actively seeking new and innovative ways to leverage AI for the benefit of our clients.

AI is set to transform marketing project management in 2024. However, it’s important to understand the strengths and limitations of AI marketing and use it accordingly.

Check out the link below for more information about our Digital Marketing Services.

Dive into digital

Outmark integrates cutting-edge technology into our services, keeping you so you’re using the most modern tools to market your business.

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We’ve waited all year: Super Bowl ads have begun!

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:33:39 +0000

We’ve waited all freakin’ year: Super Bowl ads!

It’s no secret that the importance of Super Bowl ads in American history is on par with events like Mardi Gras, Earth Day, and New Year’s. Advertisers invest millions of dollars to create memorable ads that score with their over 113 million Americans. The Super Bowl offers a massive platform for brand relevance and culture.

Why do people eagerly await Super Bowl ads? According to a report by Forbes, Super Bowl ads are popular because they entertain emotionally and memorably. And how fun is it to sit on a couch with your friends, drink in hand, and critique ads?

Ads used to be ‘funny’; they showed babies talking about financial investing and rugged old cowboy/cat wranglers on a cattle/cat drive. However, the definition of ‘funny’ is changing. Remember the Holiday Inn ad from 1997? After they completed $1 billion in renovations, they placed a Super Bowl ad featuring a transgender woman. The cringeworthy ad listed the cost of a woman’s body parts as she strutted across the room during her class reunion. A man attempts to flirt with her before he suddenly exclaims, “Bob Johnson?!” This ad didn’t appeal to viewers then and hasn’t aged well since.

Super Bowl ads and the call for DEI

Responsible ads for the Super Bowl are becoming more important to viewers. Advertisers must be aware of diversity, equity, and inclusion so their ads don’t offend any particular group or community. Advertisers also need to be mindful of the messages they are conveying and the impact they may have on the audience.

The biggest mistake Super Bowl advertisers will make is failing to create ads that align with their brand values. Again, we need to be reminded of the Holiday Inn ad. Oy.

Super Bowl ads give us insights into what people want to hear

Analyzing Super Bowl ads from a marketing perspective provides valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Advertisers can learn from successful Super Bowl ads and apply those insights to their marketing strategies.

When major events cycle through the year, Outmark® captures the best and worst in branding and marketing, which we proudly feature in our Basecamp projects as “Gimme Fun.”

So, what can we expect for Super Bowl 2024? Check out this article: The Biggest Mistake Super Bowl Advertisers Will Make in 2024: Don’t Fumble Your Super Bowl Strategy.

For more information, visit our Branding page and discover how we can improve your game.

Game on

Outsource Marketing has studied audience personas for 25 years. We know how to market companies responsibly.

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Get to Know Your Customers Day

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:44:08 +0000

Show ‘em the love! Get to Know Your Customer Day

As a business owner, you know customers are the backbone of your success. And what better way to show appreciation than celebrating “Get to Know Your Customer Day” on January 18th? Set this day aside to strengthen your customer relationships and build on the trust that you’ve already established.

One of the best ways to nurture your customer relationships is by acquiring proactive feedback. It shows your customers that their opinions matter. It also allows you to address any issues and improve your business.

Moreover, you can send tailored messages to your customers and tell them how much you value their business. This personal touch can go a long way in building customer loyalty. Be sure to check out our blog, Shifting from reactive to proactive customer service that sells for tips on proactive customer engagement.

Another way to show your appreciation is by hosting a customer appreciation event. Whether it’s a simple thank you note or a bit more elaborate, your customers will appreciate the effort you put into recognizing their importance. These activities can also be an excellent opportunity to network with your customers and show them what sets you apart from your competitors.

At Outmark®, we understand the importance of customer satisfaction and loyalty. We offer a range of services to help you take your customer relationships to the next level. From reputation management to customer engagement, we can help you build a loyal customer base that will return for years.

Marketing Services Magic

This Get to Know Your Customer Day, take the time to nurture your customer relationships. Call us for expert advice and guidance on proactive customer engagement that sells.

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MLK Day: Ideas for your “Day On” for service

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 18:41:30 +0000

MLK Day: Ideas for your “Day On”

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated every third Monday in January. We love it because it’s a day dedicated to honoring the legacy of Dr. King. It’s also a day to remember the importance of service and giving back to the community.

We’ve got some cool ideas for ways to participate in this Day of Service:

WTH is a “Day On”?

The MLK Day of Service is federally recognized and encourages Americans to volunteer and make a difference in their communities. This year, the MLK Day of Service theme is “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” You can find volunteer opportunities near you by visiting the Corporation for National and Community Service website.

If you’re unsure where to start, try registering on the MLK Day of Service website. You can find volunteer opportunities and register for an event.

Community includes “U” and “I”

Another way to get involved is to organize a community service project. Gather your colleagues and do a project that will benefit your community. Clean up a local park, organize a food drive, or volunteer at a local shelter. You can also contact local organizations to see if they need volunteers for the day. Teamwork makes the dream work, baby.

Have fun with pictures

Be sure to take pictures and share your experience on social media using the hashtag #MLKDay. Your post can inspire others to participate and make a difference in their communities.

Whether you volunteer, organize a service project, or register for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, your contribution makes a difference.

If you want to amplify your message and make a bigger impact, consider partnering with Outmark^®. We can help you plan and execute your marketing to have a bold effect.

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Outmark Inspo: How to improve company culture

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 23:36:28 +0000

Why company culture matters

Outmark® is back again and ready to delve into the fascinating world of company culture and its impact on businesses. Good culture transforms your workplace and builds a vibrant community of talented team members. It’s the magical force that fuels collaboration, creativity, and employee engagement.

It’s time to fasten your seatbelts as we discuss how to improve company culture.

Having fun doing good together

At Outmark, we firmly believe in the power of doing good together as a team to enhance company culture and positively impact the world. Engaging in collective acts of kindness — like charity donations and volunteering — strengthens team bonds and nurtures purpose and fulfillment.

We recently partnered with Kiva, a global nonprofit organization that empowers individuals through microloans. By supporting Kiva’s loan goals, we aim to create opportunities for entrepreneurs in need and contribute to building thriving communities worldwide.

Join us in exploring the incredible value of doing good as a team and making a difference beyond the confines of our office walls. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positivity and inspire others to embrace the spirit of giving. Help people like Istabraq, a Palestinian refugee, expand her childcare center, and Maria in Nicaragua buy minerals to fertilize her land and grow her harvest. Click here to donate today.

If you plan it, they will come: Team bonding opportunities

Discover an exciting way to improve company culture with scheduled in-person team bonding activities. At Outmark, we recently embarked on a memorable Team Time trip that allowed us to strengthen our bonds and foster a sense of camaraderie. This dedicated time away from work focused purely on what we do best—having fun.

We recapped the highlights of our adventure on our social media platforms, giving a glimpse into the laughter, shared experiences, and memories we created together. From kickball to disc golf and a baseball game (and much more), in-person team bonding provided unique opportunities for our team members to genuinely connect. Check out our latest team time recap on Instagram and TikTok.

Group activities everyone can enjoy

Creating a strong and inclusive company culture doesn’t have to be challenging, especially when introducing group activities that bring the fun. At Outmark, we’ve found that our Book Club has been a fantastic way to bring our team together and spark meaningful conversations. However, there are countless other ideas to foster connection, especially in a hybrid work environment.

Consider organizing wellness days where employees can participate in activities like yoga or meditation, or hosting virtual cooking classes where everyone can bond over a shared love for food. For those who prefer in-person interactions, arranging occasional happy hours can help fellow employees to unwind and build relationships.

By providing diverse options for team engagement, whether virtual or in-person, you can bridge the gap and ensure that all employees feel included and valued, regardless of their work environment. Now, let’s talk more about our hybrid and remote working peeps.

Staying connected in a hybrid workplace

At Outmark, we’ve embraced the hybrid work model to accommodate our employees’ diverse needs and preferences. We understand the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where hybrid and fully remote team members feel included and work-life balance is prioritized. To bridge the physical distance, we’ve implemented several virtual activities that bring our team together.

For example, we’ve introduced a mix of virtual activities that bring us closer together, even when we’re apart:

User Guides and personality tests to learn what makes us tick
Virtual trivia questions
Wordle Wednesday
Weekly show and tell to acknowledge exciting projects
Virtual team lunches
Social media posts that celebrate employee milestones
Bonusly, a tool that allows us to recognize and reward each other’s efforts
Bi-weekly huddles focused on company goals and initiatives
Team brainstorming sessions (or as we like to call it, a brain trust)

By investing in these practices, we cultivate a vibrant and cohesive company culture that transcends physical boundaries and celebrates the unique contributions of every individual.

Spotting negative company culture from the jump

Always look for red flags that point to a toxic company culture. Poor leadership and a lack of transparency can create a negative company culture, where employees feel undervalued, unsupported, and disengaged from the organization’s mission and values.

Additionally, toxic behaviors such as favoritism, micromanagement, and lack of accountability can further contribute to a negative work environment. Super gross, right? Don’t worry; we’ll stop there.

To help counter this, offering diverse ways for teams to connect (virtually or in person) helps bridge gaps. That way, all employees feel included and valued, no matter where they work.

Now, let’s talk more about our hybrid and remote working peeps.

Raise the roof on morale: Whoop whoop!

We hope this blog offered helpful insights into how to improve company culture and how Outmark brings those strategies to life. Whether it’s in-person team bonding or virtual group activities, we strive to create a sense of belonging and connection for all our employees, regardless of their work arrangement.

To stay updated on the latest happenings at Outmark and join our group of party people, follow us on social media. Cheers to nurturing a culture of collaboration, growth, and shared success!

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Popular rebranding projects we’re obsessed with

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 15:00:55 +0000

Bring on the rebranding projects

We’ve handled countless rebrands over the last 25 years, so yeah, we love a good branding project. There’s a certain level of risk involved when you rebrand a prominent brand because, over the years, they’ve developed an identity and audience with their existing branding. Change isn’t always a good thing (believe it or not, we’ve urged clients not to rebrand), so every rebranding project must be well thought-out and executed. (Don’t get us started on NBC’s logo rebrand.) Now, let’s get into it.

Dunkin’ Donuts goes Dunkin’

If you grew up with Dunkin’ Donuts, it might sting to see them switch up their name and branding. But once you get past the initial shock of the name change to “Dunkin’,” along with their fresh and bold design elements, it makes sense. For the same reason, Starbucks dropped “Coffee” from their name: now they aren’t associated with just their signature product. One of the more humorous parts of this rebrand was the advertisements stating, “just call us Dunkin’,” like a kid changing their name in high school. But hey, it worked.

From Facebook to the Metaverse

Is this our favorite rebranding project? We like the simplicity of the new mark, but no. Has it gotten everyone talking? Yes. When Facebook announced the surprising move to the Metaverse, it was the turning point many stakeholders had been waiting for. The Metaverse creates a 3D virtual world that can do everything from playing VR games to hosting meetings while giving Facebook a futuristic makeover. (Look out, TikTok?) This rethink of the Facebook model and brand also brought on thousands of new employees to inspire and revamp beyond its one-dimensional social media offering.

A “priceless” rebrand for MasterCard

MasterCard is one of those iconic brands that we all recognize. While there’s something timeless about not touching a tried-and-true logo, a subtle refresh can do wonders. MasterCard did a great job of keeping its recognizable red and yellow circles but giving it a clean, modern feel that competes with the newer brands, and we love it.

Burger King hitting us with a throwback

Even kings need to keep up with the times, right? After 20 whopping years (get it?), Burger King was finally ready to serve up some branding updates. Burger King ditched its 1999 flashy design for a retro design that was revamped from the ’70s. Are they pulling on our nostalgia heartstrings? We think so.

Adobe Creative Cloud getting more creative

Out of all the rebranding projects, this one made the most sense. For a company that hinges on creativity, a red and white logo was just ‘blah.’ Wanting to encompass all the different products in the Adobe Creative Cloud, the new rainbow gradient logo represents bringing all their programs together.

Launching a successful company rebrand

When it comes to rebranding, you need to know what to keep and what to change. Unless you’re walking away from a branding dumpster fire, you need to understand:

What your meaningful differences are, and how they’re expressed
What your competitors are doing
What people like about your brand, and why
The components of your brand that resonate
Where your brand is lacking

Once all those details are clearly defined, you can break into the rebranding process.

Think it’s time you took on that rebranding project? Werk. Outsource Marketing is here to take your company’s branding up a notch. Probably a bunch of notches, plus two or three clicks. Learn more about the branding process here.

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Outmark’s 25th anniversary time capsule

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 22:44:14 +0000

Turning back time for our 25th anniversary

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Outmark®, we decided to bring it back to where it all began, 1997. What better way to honor the ’90s than to share our own throwbacks from The Good Decade? Past the old Tamagotchi and that orange Rugrats VHS, you’ll find a bunch of totally tubular peeps.

Even though the Outmark team didn’t know each other back in the day, it’s pretty clear we all knew that it’s fun to be good. We hope some of our ’90s memories spark some of your own. Let’s get jiggy with it. Bring on the throwbacks.

It’s time to open the time capsule

Abigail Quam – Marketing Coordinator
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Cartoon Network

Andrea Moretsky – Marketing Integrator
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Pearl Jam

Britta Springer – Marketing Integrator
Favorite ‘90s throwback: The fashion accessory slap bracelets

Hayley Watkins – Graphic Designer
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Watching Nickelodeon

Jeanie Walker – Marketing Integrator
Favorite ‘90s throwback: The 211 Pool Hall

Jen Kodosky – Operations Manager
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Listening to Biggie, Black Street, and Usher

Kayla Everett – Graphic Designer
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Super Mario 64

Kayla Horton – Marketing Integrator
Favorite ‘90s throwback: The movies The Craft and Practical Magic

Lilly Stall – Marketing Coordinator
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Baby Bottle Pop candy

Lizzie Gow – Copywriter
Favorite ‘90s throwback: The movie Matilda

Nick LaPolla – Lead Developer
Favorite ‘90s throwback: The movie The Matrix

Olivia Shaw – Marketing Coordinator
Favorite ‘90s throwback: The movie The Parent Trap

Patrick Byers – Founder/CEO
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Griffey, Gar, Bone, and the Big Unit

Paul Deans – Digital Lead
Favorite ‘90s throwback: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Rheana Hersey – Director of Creative
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Butterfly hair clips in allll the colors

Rick Blythe – CRM and Marketing Automation Specialist
Favorite ‘90s throwback: The classic leather jacket

Tricia Vowles – Marketing Integrator
Favorite ‘90s throwback: Blockbuster

Be kind. Please rewind.

You’ve come to the end of Outmark’s 25th anniversary time capsule. While we’ll always look to the future to inspire better marketing, we carry our past experiences with us. Everyone’s story shapes their unique point of view and bridges a connection with others, and we think that’s pretty dope.

Now, if you don’t mind, could you get offline? We need to make a phone call.

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How we use the CliftonStrengths assessment to deepen our culture

Tue, 25 May 2021 22:53:00 +0000

I’ve got a test for you.

Think about these words:

Executing
Influencing
Relationship building
Strategic thinking

Which describes your greatest strength? There’s no wrong answer because it’s about how you feel. What drives you. Your mojo.

Sound like your kind of test? Mine too.

The CliftonStrengths assessment is named after its inventor, Dr. Don Clifton (1924-2003). Clifton was a famous psychologist who determined there are 34 personality tendencies. The assessment finds the top five tendencies that you lead with and where your greatest potential lies. These strengths are grouped into four domains: Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking. The assessment and results are all backed by over 50 years of Gallup data. Giddyup.

“What would happen if we studied what was right with people?”

– Dr. Don Clifton

CliftonStrengths focuses on changing the mindset of leaders who spend valuable resources on fixing what is wrong with people. Why do we stick staff in hours of training, or roles that will never play to their strengths and only frustrate them? Why not focus on their talents instead? Used by everyone from Fortune 1000 companies to mom-and-pop shops, the CliftonStrengths test is key to retaining motivated leaders, engaged employees, and happy clients.

How does the CliftonStrengths test work?

To access the assessment, Gallup offers a variety of options. Once you take the test, you’ll receive resources and tools to learn more about your strengths and how to apply them. This works best if your entire team, from top to bottom, participates.

Next, review everyone’s results and have them talk it out. You may find some surprises. Perhaps quiet Connie in the corner shows high in Ideation strength, but you’ve never once tapped her for a brainstorming session. Or demanding Dave is actually a big squishy teddy bear who is strong in the Empathy and Includer category.

Executing	Influencing	Relationship Building	Strategic Thinking
People with dominant Executing themes know how to make things happen.	People with dominant Influencing themes know how to take charge, speak up, and make sure the team is heard.	People with dominant Relationship Building themes have the ability to build strong relationships that can hold a team together and make the team greater than the sum of its parts.	People with dominant Strategic Thinking themes help teams consider what could be. They absorb and analyze information that can inform better decisions.
Achiever	Activator	Adaptability	Analytical
Arranger	Command	Connectedness	Context
Belief	Communication	Developer	Futuristic
Consistency	Competition	Empathy	Ideation
Deliberative	Maximizer	Harmony	Input
Discipline	Self-Assurance	Includer	Intellection
Focus	Significance	Individualization	Learner
Responsibility	Woo	Positivity	Strategic
Restorative	Woo	Relator	Strategic

When forming teams, think about who’s Restorative and thrives on solving problems. Who can bring Harmony to the team? Perhaps someone is stronger in the Context strength and can bring deeper insight into a project. Remember, there is no one way to lead.

For your own personal development, create an action plan for developing your strengths further. Talk with your manager or mentor about ways you can focus more on your talents. Teams aren’t always filled with rainbows and happy little trees, so if you’re butting heads with someone, revisit their personality profile and adjust accordingly. Grab a beer and discuss how you can work better together.

CliftonStrengths is key to our culture at Outmark®

It’s fun to be good.® So anytime we hire a new team member, they get some fresh Outmark swag, a taco lunch, and a copy of “StrengthsFinder.” After they take the assessment, they import their results into our beautifully color-coded spreadsheet where we compare and contrast the entire team’s profiles. We look for similarities, talk about how we can best work with that person, and think about how the team can play off their strengths.

If someone is blocking progress on a project, we revisit their personality profile and look for opportunities instead of focusing on the negatives. We review someone’s CliftonStrengths profile every two weeks at our team meeting and if it’s been a few years, we’ll take the assessment again.

“Ask yourself this question right now: Are you building a career and life through attempting to fix your weaknesses or through developing and applying your strengths?”

-Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO of Gallup

Well, are you?

At Outmark, we know that culture matters. We believe that it’s fun to be good, so we pick employees, partners, and clients that are good at what they do and fit our playful culture. Want to learn more about how we can help you make marketing the fun part of running your business? Schedule a free marketing consultation today.

CHAT WITH US

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What’s fun about work? It’s up to you.

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 17:57:56 +0000

January 28th is “National Have Fun at Work Day.”

Yep, there’s a day for that. Your workplace officially has permission to go bananas in the name of fun. Nerf gun fights (you’ll shoot your eye out!), snacks, games, puzzles, crazy hair, pickle eating contests…you name it. It’s a good team-building, morale-boosting opportunity for you and your staff, and also a great way to show your customers the human side of your brand.

At Outmark® it’s no surprise we love this day since we live and breathe, “It’s fun to be good.”

Having fun should be part of every day for your team, not just work anniversaries, employee birthdays, or a day you may never have heard of before you read this. Even Nerf gun fights get old after a few hundred battles though, so making fun happen is a deliberate process that takes planning, time, and a budget. To get started, define what “fun” means and map it to your company culture and brand.

For Outmark, fun means we surround ourselves with team members, clients, and vendors who love what they do and are excited about what’s to come. It means getting warm fuzzies when our client is thrilled with their new creative, ringing a cowbell when goals are crushed, counting down the seconds to a website launch, or feeling goosebumps down our arms when we watch our client’s new video. It’s laughing at ridiculous memes, being silly in Slack, having absurd on-hold music and bantering back and forth with our equally fun clients.

So, yes, definitely take advantage of the official “National Have Fun at Work Day.” But we urge you to take a step back and consider how you can weave more fun into your work—every day.

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Jingle this

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:32:10 +0000

‘Tis the season for hot buttered rum, fuzzy mittens, and festive cards.Check out our animated holiday card developed by the artistic brains at Outsource Marketing.

JINGLE THIS

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