This might be a hot take, but it’s okay to start over… Recently, we discovered that one of our brand accounts had been hacked. It was a tough pill to swallow—this account had grown to over 20k followers, and going from 25k+ to 0 feels like a major setback. But ultimately, we’ve realized it might be for the best. There’s a common misconception these days that starting a new account is a terrible idea because growth seems impossible. But let’s be real: everyone started with a brand-new account at some point. Building a following again—perhaps even surpassing what you initially had—is absolutely doable. It just takes time and consistency. Think about it: which sounds better? Trying to scale a profile that the algorithm has flagged as ‘unworthy’ or ‘potentially scammy,’ OR Starting fresh with a new profile that the algorithm is neutral about and learning from as you post and share consistently? We know what we’d choose every time. What about you?

How We Scored 15 Calls This Week by Digging Into Old Contacts (and how you can too)... Lead generation sounds like this huge complex task when in reality it's not that difficult if you've already been putting in the work. How? Let me tell you a secret: no doesn't always mean no. I know we're not supposed to say that but hear me out. We just booked 15 additional calls in just this week alone solely by revisit people who initially told us “no,” “not yet,” or—let’s be honest—ghosted. It took all of 30 minutes to go through our pipeline and see who we have and haven't spoken to (or converted), send emails, and wait for the response. And what we found? Most of the ghosts weren't actually ghosts at all, just busy humans! We all say at one point in time that we're going to do something or we're super busy but in reality, we very rarely take action or even remember to do the thing we said we were so busy doing unless prompted. And what we found this week was sometimes people need a little reminder and others need a bit of encouragement but in either case it results the same: a call. Here’s how we did it, and how you can, too. Step 1: Scroll through your CRM or wherever you keep notes on past leads, and pick a handful who showed interest once upon a time or those you built good rapport with. Step 2: Don't reach out with, “GIVE ME YOUR MONEY!” "I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU" but instead ask how they’re doing or if they’ve reached the goals they mentioned last time you spoke. For example, here’s what we sent to one of our cold contacts: “Hey [Name], hope you’re doing well! I was just thinking about our chat a while back about [their goal/project]. How’s that going? Would love to hear how you've been since [month of last contact]!” Simple, friendly, and no pressure. Step 3: Follow up, prove you’re reliable. People remember the ones who keep showing up, not the ones who disappeared after one “no.” Even if they’re not ready to work with you now, you’ve planted a seed for later and you can water that as much as you're willing. So, today's challenge? Find five people you haven’t talked to in 3-6 months. Send a friendly, no-pressure message. Follow up regularly (weekly) and if you don’t hear back within a month, wait a few months and try again. Consistency is key. The worst thing they can say is “no” (or ignore you), and you’re already surviving that! So give it a shot, your calendar—and maybe bank account—will thank you.

Welcome to Part 6 of our 6-part crash course in business! By now, you’ve learned how to: Reach people. ✅ Keep them engaged. ✅ Earn and maintain their trust. ✅ Genuinely help them. ✅ A way to monetize the help you're giving (aka get paid) ✅ It's finally time for #6 : A Way to Keep It Going and Evolving The final piece that separates fleeting fads from success stories. Success in scaling business isn’t just about quickly profiting—it’s about thriving over time. And thriving requires adaptability. Markets shift, customers evolve, YOU evolve, and technology advances. So, how do you keep your startup alive and well? 1. Stay Customer-Centric This may seem obvious but is often overlooked. The best way to evolve is to listen to your customers, ask their feedback, monitor reviews, and understand their changing needs to guide your next steps: What do they love? What’s missing? What could be better? 2. Keep Innovating Innovation doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel... sometimes, it can just mean refining it. Check to see if you can you enhance your product or service, offer a new feature, use new tools to could improve your processes, or new tech to enhance your UX (user experience). 3. Keep Learning About Your Industry This is going past your customers and taking the WHOLE market into consideration. What new trends are rising? Who are your newest competitors? What new developments are occurring in your industry? Follow thought leaders. Study reports. Attend industry events. Read case studies. Knowledge is power. 4. Diversify Your Offerings Don’t rely too heavily on a single product, service, or revenue stream. (look back at #5  to help) Diversification adds resilience. 5. Reinvest in Your Business Your business is your baby and babies need food. Food in this case just happens to be money. Set aside a portion of your revenue to reinvest in your growth. There's always new tech or talent to invest in, and marketing to dedicate proper funding to. Final Thoughts Evolving in business sounds more complicated than it is, but it's still a tricky gal. Think ahead and know this isn’t a one-time task—it’s a continuous journey. We as humans are always evolving so, if you're doing business right, that means so should you. Business is for people by people so, like a person, get ready to adapt! As we wrap up this mini-series we leave you with the question: What’s one area you think your business could evolve today?

If you've ever wondered how some brands can seem to get away with posting anything and it will always get views and sales, this is for you. When every single brand first begins they have, whether they know it or not, a value proposition: a statement that essentially answers the customer’s internal question: “Why should I choose you over the competition?” The difference between brands that are able to post a photo of a tree and get 1,000,000 views vs others that need professional photoshoots and styling for 100 is: 1) time (you grow trust and loyalty over time not overnight) 2) history of consistent value and angles conveying their value proposition 3) the value proposition tied into some aspect of the post In essense, yes a tree could be part of a value proposition, at its core, a value proposition is a clear statement that explains: What your brand offers (your product/service). Who it’s for (your target audience). What makes it unique or better (your differentiators). ... so depending on these factors a tree could be perfect or the worst fail you could ever make. Think of your value proposition as your brand’s elevator pitch— and the more you believe in it, the easier it will be to sell. How to Effectively Communicate Your Value Proposition on Social Media It can be a bit harsh to say 'if you don't sell a lot it's because you don't believe in your brand' but there is an element of truth to it. All communicating a value proposition really boils down to is asking yourself A) "who will be seeing" this and what are their needs, pain points, and aspirations B) "how can I put this in layman's terms" so it's relatable and easy to digest C) "what would it take for me to stop scrolling and look at" and then evaluate if you're creating that piece of gold. Some tips to help: Highlight Emotional Benefits: Focus on outcomes like confidence, joy, or peace of mind. Example:  A meal prep company might post: “More time for family, less stress in the kitchen—our meals make life simpler.” Educate and Entertain: Avoid hard-sell tacticsand simply tell a story that naturally ties into your brand’s value proposition. Example:  A fitness app might post quick workout tutorials while emphasizing their unique feature: “Fitness that fits into YOUR schedule.” Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC): Let your customers do the talking! Affiliate marketing has become saturated but people will never not look at reviews to make sure they're investing in the right thing. You just have to leverage intentionally. Craft Engaging CTAs: Close your posts with calls-to-action that feel more inviting than salesy. Phrases like “Discover how we make it easier,”  or “See how others are making the switch,”  feel collaborative rather than "BUY NOW". Examples of Brands Communicating Value Propositions Well Glossier: “Skin first, makeup second.” Their content focuses on enhancing natural beauty with simple, clean visuals and testimonials that align with their value proposition. Notion: “One workspace. Every team.” Notion’s social media content shows real-world use cases and success stories, helping users see the benefits in action. Patagonia: “We're in business to save our home planet.” They blend advocacy with product promotion, ensuring their value proposition resonates across all platforms. Final Thoughts Crafting a compelling value proposition and communicating it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s not about telling people what you offer—it’s about telling a story of how your offer has the potential to upgrade their lives in a way that's mindful to the changing landscape (ie no attention spans, doomscrolling culture, and intense competition that rarely utilizes emotional connection). Take the time to refine your message. It should make even YOU stop scrolling...

Sometimes, the smallest, most ordinary moments spark the biggest conversations. Recently, Danielle, our founder, had one of her TikToks turned into an article . It was a reflection on package deliveries in Spain—seemingly lighthearted content that unexpectedly ignited discussions about humor, perception, and cultural commentary. As a team, reading the article prompted a mix of emotions—gratitude, surprise, and a moment of collective self-reflection. It was a reminder of something we constantly navigate in digital media: how humor, while powerful, can be misunderstood or misinterpreted. For context, Danielle’s TikTok shared her experience adapting to Spain’s package delivery system, describing it with playful sarcasm: “You get a random knock on the door… you’re not expecting anyone… suddenly there’s a man peering into your camera, as if he’s waiting to be let inside. No, this isn’t a horror movie—it’s package delivery in Spain.” Though the humor was meant to be lighthearted, the article framed it differently, underscoring how humor can connect—or disconnect—audiences depending on interpretation. Here’s what we learned from this experience: 1. Small Moments Can Spark Big Conversations This was a story about package deliveries—hardly groundbreaking—and yet it became the center of an article. This reinforced the idea that even ordinary observations, when framed well, can resonate deeply. People are drawn to the relatable and mundane when it’s shared in a way that connects with their own lives or cultural experiences. However, this reach comes with a responsibility to use these moments thoughtfully. 2. Humor is a Double-Edged Sword Humor, especially sarcasm, can be a bridge or a barrier. While it’s a great tool for engaging audiences, it’s also an acquired taste. The lesson here? Always consider the cultural lens through which your humor will be interpreted. What feels relatable and playful to one group might come across as critical or dismissive to another. Clear intent and context are key to ensuring humor connects as intended. 3. Respecting Cultural Differences is Non-Negotiable The article highlighted an essential principle we live by: humor should never come at the expense of respect. Danielle’s video included a closing note clarifying her intent to offer a playful perspective rather than judgment. That final touch—a respectful failsafe—was critical. It reminded us that when dealing with diverse audiences, especially across cultures, care and clarity are essential to avoid unintentionally alienating viewers. 4. Storytelling is a Responsibility Seeing how a single TikTok resonated with some and upset others reinforced the importance of storytelling in digital media. Content creators hold the power to spark connection, curiosity, and conversation—but with that power comes the need for responsibility, nuance, and intention in every post. At Vitality Digital Media, we strive to blend humor, relatability, and respect in the stories we tell. This experience underscored the importance of balancing those elements, particularly when stepping into new cultural or thematic territory. If you’re going to tell a story, make it a meaningful one—and always consider how it might land with your audience. Storytelling is a craft, and even the smallest moments deserve thoughtful execution. What do you think? How do you balance humor and respect in your content?

Welcome to Part 5 of our 6-part crash course in business for first-time entrepreneurs! By now, you’ve learned how to: Reach people. ✅ Keep them engaged. ✅ Earn and maintain their trust. ✅ Genuinely help them. ✅ Now, it’s time to focus on monetizing the value you’re providing  in a way that feels ethically fair and sustainable. This is crucial step in ensuring that you're getting compensated fairly while enhancing the experience of those you serve. Monetization is the fundamental concept of value exchange : You offer something that effectively solves a problem or increases overall life quality—and in return, a willing recipient pays for the good. Simple right? Then why do so many businesses struggle to do so? Here’s how to approach this step effectively and thoughtfully: 1️⃣ Identify What They’re Willing to Pay For Not everything your audience loves will translate into a viable revenue stream. It's sad but true. Some people aren't ready to take that step for themselves and better their lives (sad but true again). To effectively monetize your offerings, you need to dig deep into their pain points and priorities.  For more inspo on what this looks like see part 4. Business, 9 times out of 10, is an emotional sale. You won't be able to close every customer on logistics alone, they need to be emotionally invested and feel the urgency of their situation... even if it's buying a new toothbrush. What tangible results are they invested in achieving? What factors make them eagerly say, “Take my money!”? What parts of your brand do they resonate with? Can that connect them further? Have you asked every question possible to gauge where they're at and see what makes sense to offer as a service/product? 2️⃣ Choose A Revenue Model Aligned With Your Business There are numerous ways to monetize your offerings, but not every way will monetize your offering. Picking a revenue stream that most effectively communicates your value and provides it to your customers in a timely and EASY manner is crucial. You may want to write a book but really what your customers want is your mentorship. Or you may want to offer a monthly subscription membership but where your business is at, it can only support a physical product. Knowing where you stand and what your options are is important because you may want to choose one (or a combination of) revenue stream(s) but if it doesn't align well with your business model or resonates with your audience, it could build ill-will instead of goodwill... which will tank your future endeavors. Generally speaking, your potential revenue streams include: Products  (physical or digital): like educational courses, informative eBooks, or tangible items. Services:  consider coaching, consulting, or done-for-you solutions. Memberships:  subscription services that grant access to exclusive content, tools, or supportive communities. Affiliate Marketing: commission-based stream that incentivizes you or others to promote products. Sponsorships or Ads:  partnerships with brands your audience loves, is authentic with you, and integrates their offerings in a way that feels natural. 3️⃣ Price Your Offering Right Pricing is not just a number —it’s your perceived reflection of value  and transformation that you can deliver . When it comes to pricing, we want to charge as much as possible that we think is fair but approaching thoughtfully could mean having to decrease (or increase) or initially amount: Do your research: investigate what the going rate is in your industry, you don't want to be the least or most expensive option on the market (unless you have irrefutable evidence as to why). Test your pricing: Offer early-bird discounts, waitlist opportunities, or beta pricing to validate the demand of your offer. Gauge from there how your audience responds. Anchor your value: Clearly communicate what sets you apart from competitors and why your offer is worth the investment (see part 1 for more inspo). This could involve sharing testimonials, case studies, or content to illustrate your value. 💡 Pro Tip:  Start by pricing low enough to attract interest but high enough to cover your costs. As you grow and gain more insights, adjust your pricing accordingly. 4️⃣ Make Payment Easy A great offer falls flat if people struggle to pay. People, as great as they are, are inherently lazy and impatient by nature. So streamlining the checkout process to enhance the user experience could mean the difference between a sale and lost case: Offer multiple payment methods (credit card, PayPal, etc.) to cater to various preferences. Utilize trusted payment platforms that your audience recognizes, feels comfortable using, and is known to be intuitive. Ensure the payment process is quick, secure, and mobile-friendly to accommodate users on different devices. 5️⃣ Focus on Aligning Your Monetizing Efforts on the Bigger Picture The difference between sustainably monetizing and profiting in your business is profit isn't permanent. Delivering consistent value to keep customers coming back, using your best advocates to spread the word, and offering complementary products/services to maximize the lifetime value of each customer if your best bet in ensuring your business is viable not just in the months to come but YEARS to come. 💡 Pro Tip:  Over-deliver! Exceed expectations to build loyalty and encourage referrals. Providing exceptional customer service and valuable follow-up can significantly enhance your reputation. Quick Recap on Monetizing your Business Understand what your audience truly values and is willing to pay for. Choose a revenue model that aligns with your business and audience needs. Price your offer appropriately to reflect its value. Make payments seamless and user-friendly. Build for long-term growth and sustainability in your business model. The rest will naturally follow as you build a community of satisfied customers and advocates. In Part 6, we’ll cover A Way to Keep It Going and Evolving,  this ongoing evolution is critical in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Ready to monetize your impact? 🚀

If you’re a first-time entrepreneur, this is for you: Welcome to part 4 of our 6-Part crash course in business! So far, we’ve covered: 1️⃣ A way to reach people ✅ 2️⃣ A way to keep them engaged ✅ 3️⃣ A way to earn and maintain their trust ✅ Now, let’s move to the heart of your business: 4️⃣ A way to genuinely help them. At this stage, your goal should be to align your product or service with what your audience actually needs. Not what you think they need, but what will truly improve their lives (or make their goals more attainable). To get there, you need to understand their needs deeply and this means getting over the fear of reaching out! 1️⃣ Ask them directly! Use surveys, polls, or start a conversation. People are so willing to give their insights, all you have to do is ask! Dive into forums, social media comment sections or DMs, and really try to approach their struggles as if they were your own. 2️⃣ Give value before asking for ANYthing. It's a free pretzel sample. People don't know if they want the new pretzel brand, but if the company is giving out samples they'll try so they can see if they'll like it or if they just saved their money (or gut health)... this is not about pretzels. Sharing educational content, tips, resources, or insights that are related to your audience's challenges establishes yourself as not only a valuable resource they'll want to have in their life, but it also demonstrates your priority is their success—you keep giving and giving because when you say you want to help them, you make it so you can. 3️⃣ Deliver measurable results. People need to feel and see the impact of what you offer. Don’t just promise “better results”; clarify exactly how their life will improve (“Save 5 hours a week,” “Cut stress by half,” “Grow your following by 30%”). Share proof from others who’ve benefited from what you do and don't be afraid to flex your track record. 4️⃣ Ask for feedback and adjust need be. Trends are always changing as we evolve with the times and ourselves, stay curious and don't get too emotionally attached to one way of doing something. We need to adapt as AI and interests change the game so by asking and tuning in you're able to genuinely help your audience by maintaining your relevancy. A Summary: Genuine Help = Long-Term Success Why? Because people love to support businesses that support them. Join us for part 5: A way to monetize the help you're giving (aka get paid)

If you're a first-time entrepreneur, this is for you. Welcome to Part 3 of our 6-part crash course in business: 1. A way to reach people ✅ 2. A way to keep them engaged ✅ 3. A way to earn and maintain their trust 4. A way to genuinely help them 5. A way to monetize the help you're giving (aka get paid) 6. A way to keep it going and evolving At its core, business is simply answering the question: "What can I provide to a large number of people that genuinely helps them that also generates recurring, sustainable income to support and grow my efforts?" To answer, we’re diving into Step #3 : A Way to Earn and Maintain Their Trust. Trust is the foundation of every relationship, in life and in business. It's the line in every movie 'if we don't have trust we have nothing' and it's true. Without trust, it’s nearly impossible to grow a loyal audience and without that, good luck scaling. Luckily, trust isn’t just luck—it’s a skill you can build. 1. Show Up Consistently Trust is earned over time, and consistency is how you prove you’re reliable. It's like dating, if your partner was constantly late, not keeping his word, or would vanish without communication when you were apart you'd start to grow suspicious, distrust him, and start to forget about him.... Business is the same, especially with the amount of competition you're now up against. So establishing a consistent way to show up on social platforms or via regular newsletter is crucial to building rapport and trust with your audience. 2. Be Transparent People appreciate honesty, plain and simple. Share your journey, admit mistakes, let your audience see the human side of your business, and share lessons you’ve learned. It’ll round out your perceived character and show the people you ARE for the people. 3. Provide Value Without Asking for Anything (At First) It's a free sample. You don't know if you want to buy the pretzel, so you taste test and see if it's for you. If you like the bite, you'll probably like the full thing— this analogy is not about pretzels. Trust grows when you give before you ask, genuinely help people—even if they haven’t purchased from you yet, that solves a small but specific problem and let them sell themselves on you. 4. Leverage Testimonials and Proof Nothing builds credibility like proof. There is the bandwagon effect (and FOMO) for a reason. People like to know they're not alone in the journey and they're not the guinea pig. Highlight success stories, positive feedback, or tangible results to show you can deliver on what you say you can. 5. Engage, Be Accessible When people feel heard and cared for, they trust. Responding to messages, answering questions, and joining conversations builds a sense of real connection and community. Business is about helping people, the very least you can do is answer a Q&A. Building Trust in Business NOT Built Overnight ...but it is backbone of your business so stay consistent, calm, and know all good things take time.

Recently, Danielle found herself in the spotlight of an article but not in a good way... After a joke she made about walking culture in Spain, she was labeled as a "harsh critique" because she made a comment about how older women in Madrid typically walk (slowly) in the middle of the sidewalk.  The intent behind her words was to add a touch of humor to an otherwise aggravating pause in the day, not to offend or hurt anyone...but, as the saying goes, the best laid plans of mice and men—it was a humbling experience. So, here’s what we’ve learned, and hope it helps you in your content creation to avoid (or to navigate if you find yourself in) similar situations: 1️⃣ Intent ≠ Impact While her intention was playful, the impact was different. As creators, we can’t control how our audience will interpret our content, but we can control how we frame it. A quick gut check—asking yourself before you post, "Could this be taken the wrong way?"—can save a lot of trouble. Yes, you still want to remain authentic to you and your opinions are valid, but ensuring that if you're using humor or sarcasm it can be interpreted the way you intend because intent ≠ impact. 2️⃣ Humor is Cultural What one culture finds funny, another might see as disrespectful. Living in Spain, we’ve learned how much cultural nuances matter, especially when humor is slipped in the mix. We're fine with controversy and stirring up a good conversation and we're fine with being misunderstood, but only to a degree. Understanding where the line is, between humorous and hurtful, is crucial. 3️⃣ Own It & Move On Mistakes happen, as they say: lo que sera, sera; whatever will be will be. Instead of getting defensive, we accept and admit. Instead of rallying up an army to attack a writer or publication for slander, we're going to use this time to reflect, acknowledge the misunderstanding, and grow as both creators and people. Accountability builds trust—even during a misstep. Final Takeaways on Making Controversial Content As seen here, words can ripple far beyond what we imagine. This experience reminded us how important it is to balance creativity with consideration when you're making controversial content.  Humor is a powerful tool, but it is like playing with fire when you're in a different culture speaking on dynamics that are not necessarily your own. The most important lesson we'll be meditating on is how mistakes don’t define us, but how we respond to them does... so moving forward, how we treat this with respect and care is of the utmost importance.  Thank you to everyone who pointed this out and gave us the chance to reflect. And to the grandmothers on the sidewalks of Spain—thank you for the inadvertent reminder to slow down and appreciate the journey. 💙

Welcome to part 2 of this 6-part crash course to help you get on track with your business. A way to reach people ✅ A way to keep them engaged A way to earn and maintain their trust A way to genuinely help them A way to monetize the help you're giving (aka get paid) A way to keep it going and evolving At its core, business is simply answering the question: "What can I provide to a large number of people that genuinely helps them?"   The caveat? You also need to ensure recurring, sustainable income to support and grow your efforts. Now we’re diving into Step #2 : A Way to Keep People Engaged. One of the easiest things to get—and hardest to maintain—is attention.  In today’s digital age, we’re spoiled for choice with platforms and tools, yet many entrepreneurs feel lost in a sea of noise. So, how do you break through, hold attention, and build genuine engagement that keeps people coming back? Engagement is the foundation of your business. If your audience doesn’t feel connected to your brand, you don't have one (not a sustainable one anyways). Engagement isn’t just about a quick like or comment—it’s about creating a community that resonates with your message and feels personally and emotionally invested in your journey. So how can you do this as a beginnner? 1. Know Your Audience Like a Friend Your content is only as strong as your understanding of who’s consuming it. The better you know your audience, the more you can tailor your content to their needs, desires, and pain points. Tangible Steps: Survey your audience:  Use tools like Google Forms, Instagram polls, or email surveys to ask your followers about their biggest struggles or interests. This not only shows you care but can open the forum for more meaningful conversation. Create personas:  Imagine your ideal customer, or audience member, and outline their habits, frustrations, and goals. Who are they? What TV shows do they watch? What references will they relate to? What's their social status? Economic status? Career? This isn't John Doe. Join conversations:  Dive into comment sections, forums, or communities where your audience hangs out to see what they’re talking about. Not only will you gain valuable insight but you'll also show them you're genuinely trying to build something by contributing to it. Example: If you’re launching a wellness brand and notice your audience struggles with burnout, focus your content on small, actionable ways to combat stress or provide personal anecdotes to relate to their struggles or ask them questions about what they feel would be helpful to receive from you. 2. Start With a Hook The first 3 seconds determine whether someone engages or swipes away. We all know people have developed the attention span of a goldfish nowadays, a strong hook sparks curiosity, compels your audience, and interrupts the quick dopamine hit cycle they're trapped in as they doomscroll. Tangible Steps: Ask a question:  “What if everything you know about X is wrong?” Lead with emotion:  “You’ve tried everything  to feel better—but nothing works. Here’s why.” Use movement in videos:  The first frame should show action to grab attention, this can look like jumping towards the camera, a flash of color, a beautiful landscape (or face), animation, or sound effect. Example: Instead of starting a post with, “Here are some tips for better focus,” try, “This is the one productivity mistake the separates you from Elon Musk —here's how you can fix it.” 3. Be Genuinely Helpful Your audience is investing their time in you—make it worth their while. We have no patience for frauds, neither do you, neither does your audience. When your content solves real problems, your audience sees you as a trusted resource and goodwill compounds. Tangible Steps: Educate in bite-sized pieces:  Break down complex topics into digestible tips. No one cares how smart you sound if they can't relate, they'll chalk it up to you showing off or, even worse, feel inadequate after watching your content because they realize how much they don't understand. Remember to KISS -- keep it simple stupid. Provide tools or resources:  Share free downloads, cheat sheets, or guides. No one likes paying for things, if your audience can 'buy' into you at a low perceived risk (because it's free of charge) and leave with genuine value, they're going to trust you and what you bring to the table which will help when you eventually do have a thing to sell. Share relatable stories:  Show how you’ve overcome the same struggles they’re facing. No one wants a detached person spewing nonsense from his mansion balcony, show your audience you're on their level... but elevated, and that if you can rise they can too. Example: A post titled “How I Beat Overwhelm With a 5-Minute Morning Routine” that includes actionable steps is far more engaging than a generic “self-care tips” post. 4. Create Opportunities for Interaction Engagement thrives on interaction. Make it easy for your audience to connect with you, the more they feel they can interacts, the more invested they feel—and the more visible your content becomes thanks to algorithms. Tangible Steps: Pose questions:  “What’s the biggest goal you’re working on right now?” And then either react to their responses or respond! Use interactive features:  Leverage Instagram’s Q&A, polls, and stickers. Again, show the people you're looking at what they're providing. They're taking time out of their day to give to you, appreciate that gift. Respond to comments:  Every reply is an opportunity to deepen the connection, show your audience you're real, care, and are congruent with your content's messaging. Example: If you post about journaling and end with, “What’s one question you’d ask yourself in a journal today?" like or comment to the responses you get -- show people you genuinely want to hear what they have to say and, over time, they'll start showing up in surplus. 5. Leverage Storytelling to Build Connection Stories are how humans connect. Storytelling evokes emotion, and emotion creates loyalty. This is IT. Tangible Steps: Share your journey:  What inspired your business? What challenges did you overcome? Why is this important for people to know? How does your story help them? How can your journey help them? Ego aside, why are you the person who has the best solution and how will you care for your audience because of your past? Use the Hero’s Journey framework:  Position your audience as the hero, and your product/service as the guide. Everyone loves a good underdog movie and if we're all the main character in our own life movie... why wouldn't we want the same for ourselves? No one wants to imagine themselves as the villain or side character, make your audience connect by positioning your content as a way for them to feel important. 6. Test, Refine, Repeat We're humans, we evolve. There's no shame in pivoting, embrace it. What resonates today might not tomorrow. Consistently analyzing your content keeps you ahead of the curve and shows your audience you're willing to adapt. It also makes you seem more human because then they can literally watch you grow over time. Tangible Steps: Use analytics:  Check what posts get the most shares, saves, or comments, and replicate that format. Experiment:  Test new content types like live videos, stories, or long-form blogs if you're noticing you're not having the same impact you once did. Ask for feedback:  Directly ask your audience what they want more (or less) of. It's fine if you had an idea and it bombed, what's not fine is doing it again and again and disregarding what your audience wants. Example: If your audience loves behind-the-scenes content, make it a weekly feature. If they’re skipping over static posts, consider shifting to reels or carousels. Just because you have them today doesn't mean they'll stick around tomorrow. Final Takeaway on Enhancing your Engagement At the end of the day, keeping people engaged isn’t about tricks or trends—it’s about building relationships. When you focus on creating a two-way connection, the “sea of noise” fades away, leaving you with a loyal, engaged community that supports you, your business, and your vision for the long haul. Engagement isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

Email marketing is not dead... it's just on life support. With countless newsletters, promotions, and updates competing for attention, it's tough to stand out and why people give up. But AI everyday is showing us how it's here to stay so we may as well familiarize ourselves with it, and use it to help us in the creative process. AI in Understanding Your Audience Before even typing the subject line, you need to understand who it is you're reaching out to. Of course you can do this by guessing and A/B testing but why not fast track that whole process? AI can not only help you analyze vast amounts of data about your audience's behaviors and preferences but help you to segment your audience based on key factors like purchase history and engagement levels so you can increase your chances of conversions by allotting your energy to those proven to respond to it. For example, if you operate an online store, instead of sifting through all your visitors and customers, AI can help pinpoint your most loyal customers—those who make up 20% of your users but contribute 80% of your sales and help personalize emails for that specific subcategory of people. By targeting these segments with tailored offers, you can increase your chances of conversion significantly and enhance engagement, as emails with relevant content can see open rates rise by as much as 50%. AI in Crafting Personalized Content Personalization is, and always has been, a must in email marketing. Research shows that emails with personalized subject lines have a 26% higher chance of being opened . And again, this is where AI shines. Anyone can write a subject line... but not everyone should. AI tools can sift through subscriber data and help you create personalized content that resonates. If you're sending emails and seeing an open rate of 2% on a 5,000 list, this directly correlates to the perceived importance and potential value subscribers think they'll recieve. Consider this: you're running a lifestyle blog and need help engaging your audience on specific topics. If a subscriber often reads articles about healthy cooking, instead of you doing the backwork to figure this out, you can use AI to track this, along with all your other subscriber behavior and interests to automatically recommend similar content that will likely keep them engaged and create compelling copy/subject lines/ etc when it comes to emailing. Optimizing Send Times with AI The timing of your emails can significantly impact engagement. Sending an email when your audience is most likely to open it can increase your open rates dramatically as it won't have as high a chance as getting lost in the inbox. It's the difference between that 9am vigor to work, answer emails, be productive and the 9pm sloth. Which email do you think will be opened, responded to, and convert? AI tools can help in this regard by analyzing historical engagement data to pinpoint optimal send times. Instead of sifting through all the numbers yourself you can use AI to reveal when most of your subscribers are active. Scheduling your next big campaign during the discovered window of time could elevate open rates considerably and help improve conversions. AI in Content Creation Writer's block can strike anyone at anytime, a fact I'm sure we're all aware of. Fortunately, AI can help you overcome this by creating compelling subject lines (as we've just discussed), engaging email body content, and effective calls-to-action (CTAs). For example, tools powered by AI, like GPT-3, can quickly generate content ideas based on keywords you provide. This can be a huge time-saver and help you maxamize your productivity in a day; however, it's important to remember that while AI can provide a strong foundation, your unique touch is vital. People can tell when a bot is writing vs a real human being. We don't want to see errors, so ensuring your grammar and punctuation is on point is necessary, but we want to see real, raw emotion... and so far, AI doesn't come close to the human brain in this respect. Only we can add that truly personal touch. 10 AI Tools to Help With Your Email Marketing A few tools we find particularly helpful include: Jasper Purpose:  Generate engaging email content and subject lines tailored to your audience. Key Feature:  AI-driven templates for different email types (e.g., promotional, follow-up, or newsletter). Writesonic Purpose:  Write persuasive and personalized email copy quickly. Key Feature:  Integrates with CRMs to create hyper-targeted emails. Phrasee Purpose:  Optimize subject lines and email body text using AI-powered language. Key Feature:  Tests and suggests copy that aligns with your brand voice. Copy.ai Purpose:  Create compelling email campaigns in minutes. Key Feature:  Pre-built templates for newsletters, promotions, and follow-ups. ActiveCampaign Purpose:  Advanced automation workflows for email sequences. Key Feature:  Predictive content and machine learning for personalization. Constant Contact Purpose:  Manage email campaigns with automation and analytics. Key Feature:  AI-driven suggestions for email content and send times. HubSpot Purpose:  Create automated email workflows and track performance. Key Feature:  Smart segmentation and behavior-triggered emails. Persado Purpose:  Generate personalized email messages using emotional language. Key Feature:  AI categorizes audiences by emotional triggers for better engagement. Campaign Monitor Purpose:  Analyze email performance and improve future campaigns. Key Feature:  AI insights into subscriber behavior and engagement patterns optimization. Optimizely Purpose:  Test and refine email strategies using AI-driven experimentation. Key Feature:  Multivariate testing and AI optimization for better performance. We hope this helped and if you have any additional questions or are curious as to how we can help you level up your email strategy, feel free to reach out to admin@vitalmedia.one Happy emailing!

Launching a successful start up, for better or worse, only has a few steps, 6 in particular: 1. A way to reach new people (outreach) 2. A way to keep them engaged 3. A way to earn and maintain their trust 4. A way to genuinely help them  5. A way to monetize the help you're giving (aka get paid) 6. A way to keep it going and evolving At the end of the day business is really answering the question of 'what can I provide to a large amount of people that genuinely helps them' with the caveat of: and make sure I get paid on a recurring sustainable basis to support the ongoing efforts of the project. So, we're starting with #1 - a way to reach people. For free, this looks like content creation.  The paid version is affiliate marketing, UGC content, and paid media For FREE: Content posted on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads, podcast, or a blog is the first thing we would suggest whether you have a digital or physical store. Why? Because having enough information about who you are, what you're doing, why you're doing it, and how you're entering the space in a fresh, innovative way. Content compounds over time.  Even if you can only post 1x per day, that's still 30 pieces of content a month. 30 pieces a prospective customer can reference when they're looking into you. Imagine the trust you can gain, momentum you can build, and sales you can generate by showing up consistently. PAID: Affiliate marketing and UGC content falls under this category because while you may not literally be giving your money to a person to receive their service you will have to supply them with a free sample of your offer. This depends on your budget and willingness to lose on the front end to receive 3x on the backend (1: their connections, 2: leveraging their audience 3: receiving referrals). For ads: we do recommend this but only after you've tested a few angles with your organic content first. The last thing you want to do is pump money into a losing angle and waste you time, energy, and finances. Now, HOW do you ensure the VISIBILITY of your content? Each platform is like a new person: they have their own personality traits, characteristics, and unique quirks that attracts a different crowd.  Being aware of the demographics that each platform is suited for will help decrease the probability that your content goes unnoticed. There are, of course, other factors to be aware of, but ensuring you're in the right area to begin with is ground 0.  SUMMARY: To reach new people post content, paid or free, and remain consistent.