Renew with Intention, AMA Madison’s 2020 Virtual Annual Conference on Sept. 24, will be packed with relevant topics to help you deal with today’s challenges.
Michael Ray, Social Media Director of STIR Advertising & Integrated Messaging, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will offer insights regarding social media in the months ahead.
Michael emphasizes that social media has played a significant role during this year’s crises. He asserts this trend will continue during the 2020 election in November and beyond, impacting the social media strategies for many marketers and businesses.
“Get ready for some significant changes,” he said. “Brands will need to refine their messages, rework their strategies and tune in to new tactics to help navigate the social shift successfully.”
During Michael’s presentation, Managing Your Social Strategy During Times of Disruption, he will discuss the challenges that marketers and businesses face with social posting and advertising during the election year and throughout other times of disruption. He will highlight solutions that will help you successfully manage your channels throughout the year.
Key issues he plans to cover in the presentation:
- Elevated costs of social ads during an election year: How to leverage behavioral targeting and spend smarter instead of casting a wider and more costly net.
- Authentic ads: How to pivot traditional social ads to be more emotional, so they don’t appear as ads. As a result, they will be more effective and less expensive.
- New political policies: Facebook and Twitter are adding numerous regulations and safeguards. He’ll explain how businesses can avoid trigger words and phrases that are bound to get your ad denied. Facebook also has updated rules on contests and promotions, which can impact business pages. Learn what they are and how to work with them.
- Getting flagged: Steps to take if your ad campaign gets ‘flagged’ by social channels.
In a Q & A session with AMA, Michael shared what attendees will gain from his presentation and revealed some fun facts about his personal interests.
Q: What do you expect the audience to take away from your presentation?
I hope that people will come away with a clearer understanding of both the challenges and opportunities available through social media during election seasons, challenging times and throughout the year.
Additionally, I hope that people will walk away with a handful of actionable next steps to improve their social media presence and drive real results for their company or brand.
Q: What is holding companies back from doing what you advocate?
I think many companies have experimented with social media in the past with limited success, or they don’t know where to start. The other common hurdle is the misbelief that their particular company or industry doesn’t need to be on social media. These concerns can be overcome by developing a manageable, measurable game plan designed specifically for them. They also need to educate stakeholders on the benefits of a well-executed, data-driven social game plan.
Q: What will companies gain from what you are advocating?
My goal for every company is to have them realize that social media can be successful for EVERYONE as long as time is invested on the front end to develop a clear direction with measurable goals. For some, that can mean a serious increase in revenue for their company. For others, it might be gaining valuable insights into their consumer and an opportunity to strengthen that relationship.
Whatever the goal, social media can help you reach it. It’s often faster and less expensive than traditional marketing channels.
Q: If you were not engaged in your current career, what would you be doing instead?
I’m a writer by trade, with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, so I would probably be pursuing a career where I could showcase those talents. I’ve always been amazed by the power of words to evoke emotion, create genuine connections between individuals and to educate people in ways that draw them closer together. I feel fortunate that my current career allows me to do ALL of those things and that along the way, I’m able to help companies show their true self to a public that is hungry for it.
Q: What is a hobby you enjoy?
I love traveling and learning about new places, different cultures and seeing all the world has to offer. Since I was a kid, I’ve been drawn to the open road, and I am always amazed at what a big and beautiful world we live in. When I’m not traveling, I’m a karaoke regular, enjoy going to trivia nights and spending time with those I care about.
Q: What is your favorite travel destination?
There are so many places I have loved traveling to, but the one I return to the most often is probably Memphis. I love the feel of that city, and the people I’ve met there have been incredible. There’s such amazing food, live music and history ̶ especially the Civil Rights Museum ̶ that it draws you in and feels instantly familiar. Plus, there’s Graceland, and I’m a big Elvis fan, so that helps too.
Q: What is a fun fact about you?
I’m a lifelong, huge Disney fan. I grew up on Disney comics and movies, and we took family vacations there several times as a kid. More than anything else, I’m drawn to Walt Disney’s character, creativity and work ethic. As an adult, I have visited his hometown, the Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, and, of course, the Disney parks.
Don’t miss Michael Ray and other marketing thought leaders at our 2020 Annual Conference. Register Now!