Skimmable Takeaways From DOYO Live

One of the key messages from DOYO Live’s keynote speaker was that today’s business professional has an attention span comparable to a goldfish.

We know that sounds bad, but it’s just an adaptation to the overwhelming amount of information we’re given every day. Today’s digital marketer has to cut the fluff and get to the point!

So with that in mind, here’s a super-scannable look at our favorite people and presentations from DOYO Live 2017:  

Debra Jasper – Mindset Digital (Keynote Speaker) 

  • Don’t write long emails, they won’t get read
  • Use more slides in your presentations but less words per slide
  • Pick a happier LinkedIn profile photo
  • Use Readable.io to see how easy your content is to read (this blog scored an A)

Dennis Schiraldi – DOYO Live

  • Turn video content into blog content instead of vice versa

Jim Komara – PALO Creative “Be the Big Dot: Local Search Results” 

  • NAP- make sure your company’s name, address and phone number are the same across all its various listings or get penalized by Google
  • Use “My Google Business” to your advantage
  • Get external links back to your page for better ranking

Jeff Leo Herrmann – Madison, Michigan & Market “How to Grow your Own(ed) Media Platform”

  • Every company is a media company
  • Publish content consistently
  • Don’t forget your call to action

Lisa Arledge Powell – Mediasource “Content Marketing Strategies that Drive Exposure and Sales”

  • Use brand journalism: discover/creating news content on behalf of a brand (instead of just blogging)
  • Tell not sell! Focus on the audience rather than customers in terms of content creation

Marisa Sergi – RedHead Wines “Guerilla Marketing 101: Creating Buzz for Your Brand!”

  • Be authentic
  • Strategically place product/logos that are in eye-catching locations rather than where they are expected
  • Create buzz in new markets before product release

Jamie Jamison – ala Jamie “Style Your Instagram & Connect for Success”

  • Make sure your account has a cohesive look
  • Connect with brand influencers
  • Geotag when you post about a sample/product
  • Share behind the scenes content (video or pic)

Brian Blasko – Keynote Speaker #2

  • We can change and motivate people!
  • Don’t avoid grumpy coworkers, brighten their day with some humor
  • Lead by example

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McConnell on the Run

Among the foliage and winding paths of Mill Creek Park a strange sound could be heard this past Sunday. A rumble, not unlike a team of horses, was getting closer to water stand #4. Finally, through the trees we could just make out their forms – the runners. Over 1,200 of them descended on Youngstown for the first annual Youngstown Marathon and McConnell Marketing was right in the thick of it.

Runners in Residence

Can’t miss Steve with his wave and bright yellow shirt!

Katie getting back in the groove after a water break

Our office had both volunteers and runners that participated during the day. Steve has been running since high school and continued after college to stay in shape. Inspired by the camaraderie of the local running community, Steve puts mile after mile behind him to relax and relieve stress . He cites the camaraderie of the running community in the area as his inspiration to keep going. When not listening to podcasts, he likes the sounds of the Foo Fighters, Imagine Dragons, and Fitz and the Tantrums. Katie is our other runner in residence. She completed her first half marathon in 2011 and has continued to run since. She likes to unplug, recharge and re-center. Plus it helps to get the creative juices flowing. Feeling good physically and mentally is her inspiration to keep running.

Water Station #4

The best water table at the marathon!

Other McConnell associates couldn’t let Steve and Katie have all the fun! The rest of our team along with some friends and family converged at the East Golf Hike & Bike Trail to pass out water to thirsty half and full-marathon runners. With over a thousand cups to fill and pass out we were  busy. Singing, dancing, and a steady stream of jokes kept us going throughout the day. Runners took notice and complimented our fun and organized water station. “Free water here!”

Young in Youngstown

Runners from all over North America came to the Mahoning Valley

Being from the area and attending Youngstown State University, I’ve been going to Mill Creek Park my entire life but I’ve never seen so much activity at one time before. I have seen the city go through many changes, and the Youngstown Marathon is certainly a welcome addition. Runners from as far away as Ontario, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee participated in the race and it was fun to help welcome and support these visitors!

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It’s All Fun and Games

McConnell Marketing knows how to have summer fun. Wonder what we do when we’re not making killer marketing pieces?

Kickin’ It at Kickball

Two members of our graphic design team, Allie and Alexa participate in a weekly adult kickball league. Their team captain is actually the husband of one of McConnell Marketing’s owners Megan. Megan, ever the supportive wife, is a big fan and avid spectator. Speaking of fans, their league actually has a “Fan Appreciation Night” which means that they either take kickball way too seriously or not seriously enough.

It’s in the Hole!

Fore! Our Director of Business Development, Steve, spends Tuesday nights golfing in a league with his dad at Salem Hills. Sound familiar? It was a featured golf course in a guide we designed  for the Mahoning County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, which you can see here.

The Joys of Parenting

A parent’s work is never done, but who says you can’t have fun in the process? Katie, McConnell Marketing’s other owner keeps busy hiking, swimming and traveling with her husband and 9-year-old twins Calvin and Olivia.

Between baseball, swim team, kayaking, snorkeling and any other activities that come up this summer she’ll certainly have her hands full!

Honored to Have You 

Our summer intern Megan is a counselor each year at YSU’s Summer Honors Institute, a weeklong summer camp for high achieving high school students. Basically, the students get a taste of what college life is like by taking classes from college professors, staying dorms and meeting new people.
Megan says being a counselor is very rewarding and she loves seeing how students develop as people from the beginning of the week to the end! She even made a video for the event, check it out!

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5 Reasons We Love Hospitality

If you’ve ever heard someone complaining about their boring and repetitive job, then we can guarantee they don’t work in the hospitality industry! Full of unique clients and exciting projects, we at McConnell Marketing love the hospitality industry for a variety of reasons. Here are our top five:

1. Everyone is so hospitable!

This may sound silly, but yeah, people in an industry where guest satisfaction is a measure of success, tend to be really nice and helpful. Our business development director communicates with people from all across the industry often and is always impress with how helpful and friendly they are.

2. Working with clients all around the country

Hospitality is a global industry, and meeting with our clients from around the country helps us keep things in perspective, and get to appreciate the world outside of our northeast Ohio bubble. It’s always an interesting experience to talk to a client in New York in the morning and client in Los Angeles that same afternoon.

3. Hotels are like snowflakes

Hotels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each has its own story, style and architecture. Some are traditional, some are boutique. Even hotels that are part of the same brand can be very different, take for example Marriot hotels. While the Ritz-Carlton and Fairfield Inn & Suites are both Marriots, they are structured and marketed completely different.  Even when comparing two Ritz-Carltons or two Fairfields you’ll find that they each have their own  individual personalities. Adapting our marketing style to reflect these differences can sometimes be a challenge, but that’s what makes it fun!

4. Hospitality is much more than just hotels

Resorts, in-hotel spas, golf clubs and even travel organizations like convention and visitors bureaus fall under the umbrella of hospitality! One week we might be dealing with a client’s challenge to book more suites, while the next week we’re designing their restaurant’s menu. The sheer variety within the industry keeps us on our toes.

5. It’s incredibly diverse

 According to a 2012 study by Forbes, “Hotels and Catering” is the #2 most diverse sector of the workforce! We definitely see that diversity first-hand here at McConnell Marketing. We’re a women-owned firm, and we deal with clients who come from a variety of demographic groups. There’s no typical age, gender or ethnicity, when it comes to our clients.

Whether it’s the nice people or plethora of different projects, there’s never a shortage of reasons for loving the hospitality industry! Today’s blog was brought to you by coffee from a stainless-steel tumbler. What it lacks in microwavability it makes up for in shininess. Until next time, be well.

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Our Most Unique Holiday Card

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This animated gif served as our digital holiday card a few years ago. It was a fun way to stand out against a sea of static holiday cards. #McConnellMoves

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