Building the future of work for creators centers on solving the problems they care the most about - Distribution, Ownership, and Ownership. The creator economy continues to expand and accelerate with more and more tools hitting the market with the intent to build the future of work for the creative class. However, as the diversification of tools increases, there appears to be a gap in companies that are addressing the entire scope of what creators care about. In the thousands of conversations, I've had with creators and their teams over the years, there are a few areas every creator, regardless of their medium, is focused on: distribution, monetization, and ownership are at the forefront, and unlocking these areas is where the opportunity exists. If companies want to truly build the future of work, then they must solve the magnitude of issues creators are experiencing in these areas primarily. What Creators Want Creators want tools that help them create better and run their businesses effectively. Clear ways to make money and transparency around how they can access those funds; they also want to better understand ways to foster deeper connections with fans through experiences and care deeply about ownership – not only as it relates to their intellectual property (IP), but also the ownership of the relationship to their audience. Distribution I define distribution as the method in which the item being produced (content, music, videos, etc.) reaches the audience it needs to. With the advent of independent distributors, social media platforms, DSPs, and other stand-alone methods to upload and produce content, there has never been an easier time to create and share that creation. In 2022, Spotify uploaded 60,000 new tracks per day: that’s the equivalent of 22 million songs in one year, or a new song every 1.4 seconds. For context – in 2019, the company uploaded 40,000 tracks. The rate at which songs are uploaded shows the ease of access for distribution, but it also opens the discussion around the barriers to entry for independent artists when we start to dig into the numbers on stream rates, label share, and budget. When we examine the total cost of producing a song ($1,000+), inclusive of all elements of the song (studio time, marketing, mixing/mastering, and content) and divide by the revenue generated from streaming, then the cost to acquire a new listener for an emerging artist is on the highest end, and they are often competing against the unlimited budgets, established relationships, and widespread influence of major labels. Monetization If distribution is at the top of the list of concerns for creators, then monetization, and ways to make money from their art once they’ve reached their audience, are of equal importance. Only the top 1% of creators are making sizeable returns from their platform of choice – whether it’s YouTube or Spotify, when we start to examine the pay structures, emerging creators are often at the bottom of the pay spectrum, relegated to a smaller percentage of the share of revenue being generated. It is harder for them to generate sizable revenue from touring, streaming, and syncing when they lack influence, access, and money. Web3’s promise to level the playing field through various projects has yet to come to fruition, and so, creators are left holding the bag, hoping to build their audience through platforms, generate enough income to produce their shows, develop marketing budgets to maximize ways to earn new fans, maintain life, and not run out of steam. This is the reality for many creators: choosing between the pursuit of their dream and a full-time role that takes them away from that pursuit. Caught in an endless flywheel, most creators opt to leverage the one thing they have: ownership of their intellectual property (content, music, videos, etc.) understanding too late what leveraging these items too soon does for their long-term impact. Ownership As tools and companies have come along to solve a lot of the issues in music – first through ease of access to distribution methods, then through expanded access to monetization strategies – it gave way to a much larger issue that snuck up while creators were distracted: ownership. Through music, we’ve heard a lot of horror stories about artists unknowingly signing away the rights to own their work, or leveraging entirely too much through an advance, and later regretting it. At some point, a creator, regardless of their medium, will have to decide whether they want to give up ownership to their IP to reach new heights, and they’ll have to grapple with that decision. For Issa Rae, the decision to enter into a long-term agreement with Warner where they owned the content she produced in partnership with them, was a no-brainer. She receives capital, access, and relationships – while also the fulfillment of creating the things she loves. It is a win-win for her as someone who started her career on YouTube, built an authentic connection with her audience through partnerships with Patreon, and continues to foster through her own channels. Issa understood early what many creators are starting to wake up to owning the content is important, but owning the audience is THE most important. When a creator owns their audience, they can shift platforms, launch new verticals, explore new mediums, and know their relationship will continue to expand. When they don’t own their audience, it opens them up to the whims of larger companies and shifts the balance of power. What I’ve seen time and time again in building growth strategies for both creators and creative-focused companies is that the entity that owns the relationship with the audience is the one that holds the power. Right now, platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Web3-centered marketplaces own that relationship – they allow others (brands, creators, you) to access & leverage the relationship from time to time, but there’s a cost for that. Almost all these platforms are predicated on the continued use of consumers, creators, their teams, and stakeholders from studios and labels. Creators don’t own their audience, they are just renting it, and like real estate in most cities – the cost for that skyline view is becoming exceedingly out of reach. What this means for the future At any given moment, a creator is only accessing 15% of their audience thanks to platform algorithms – and even if they can access it, there is no guarantee that action will be taken. Now imagine a world where the creators can access 100% of their audience, drive engagement, control access to it, and tailor experiences based on what they know of their audience. I wholly believe this is where we are headed and the reality of this future is being built one algorithmic playlist, AI-enabled DJ, royalty pay-out to collectors, at a time, and it’s largely being shaped by teams who do not wholly reflect the diversity of the creators they serve. I believe in a future for creators that provides them with the frameworks they need to be successful and leverage the content they are building while owning the relationship with their audience. A world where the content creator becomes their own studio; the independent artist becomes their own label, and the aspiring sneaker designer or health enthusiast becomes their own distributor. I believe that when creators are adequately equipped with the right tools, partners, and access – there are zero limits to what they can do. This belief is one of the reasons I founded Visionary Rising as a creative studio and growth partner in 2016. It is also one of the reasons I’ve been so excited about the acceleration of blockchain technology over the last few years, but my excitement about the progress made in the space doesn’t blind me to the fact that there is still a lot of work to do to ensure that the promise of WEB3 tools for creators lives up to the reality of the platforms being created.

We’re excited to announce our partnership with Tulay About Tulay Tulay, based out of Oakland, California, is a platform that helps creators get brand money way before NET payments are due. They help creators take advantage of the benefits of their brand deals as soon as they do the work without having to wait for the payout. About Visionary Rising Visionary Rising, (also known by the moniker "VSNRY"), based in Austin, Texas, is a culture-focused creative studio and growth partner for ambitious brands, creators, and startups ready to scale. About the Partnership For many decades, a very small number of companies controlled what we saw, read, and listened to. These players were known as “big media” and were staunch supporters of the status quo that saw them blanketing their advertising spend across all available platforms, icing out those they deemed unworthy, propping up the type of cookie-cutter aesthetic that ensured they sold more without saying very much or having to adhere to any type of standards from the general public. That changed with the introduction of The Creator Economy and the ability for everyday people to gain access to audiences, build community, and tap into the ability to work directly with brands they love by creating content. Today, creators are creating businesses at an overwhelming rate, but less than 5% of those businesses scale to over six figures. As an independent creative agency and strategy studio that has worked on both sides of the brand conversation, Visionary Rising, understands the challenges other independent creators will face with launching, scaling, and growing their businesses after the overwhelming responses we’ve heard from freelancers detailing their difficulties in developing their business and driving revenue. This intimate understanding of the challenges is one of the reasons we’re excited to partner with Tulay, a financial platform uniquely positioned to help creators maximize their potential by unlocking access to funds when they need it most. Together, we are focused on providing the access and resources creators need to leverage their content, own their output, and scale their businesses to the next level. “It’s important that we meet creators at the point of their needs and provide solutions that improve their lives.” Says Tulay CEO, Alex Okafor; “Partnering with the likes of Visionary Rising makes sense because they share our passion for serving creators by providing critical resources and insights to help them flourish as artists and businesses alike. We’re excited about all the creators that Tulay and Visionary Rising will have the privilege of supporting.” What does this mean for VSNRY Creators? Visionary Rising and Tulay will be working together to develop content centered around addressing the common roadblocks encountered by creators, core financial management pillars, scalability, and the macroeconomic factors that impact diverse creators, affecting access to money and the ability to book recurring deals. Our partnership will also tackle the things creators need to know while negotiating deals and how to leverage their opportunities for future growth. “Our partnership with Tulay is a no-brainer,” begins Visionary Rising founder and CEO, LaTecia Johnson, “Oftentimes, creators have to choose between taking a great paying opportunity that they’ll have to wait for thirty or more to receive payment for or taking the immediate opportunity that may not be as lucrative, but will pay them quickly, so they’ll have enough money to pay their rent. Tulay’s commitment to advancing access to creators when they need it most aligns with Visionary Rising’s goal to expand how creators access capital and what they can do with it when they do.” The partnership will extend early access to the Tulay platform for members of the VSNRY Creator Society, a global network of diverse creators and freelancers actively working to break through the six-figure club of high-earners. Members of the network can expect to receive early access to the platform, along with targeted content developed to help them increase their earning potential and access their funds as they scale. How to join Access to our community is free but does require an application process to join. Interested creators can apply here to join the community before applications close on January 31, 2023. A second opportunity to join the network will open later in the year if you miss out on the opportunity to join now.

In order to succeed in business today, it is essential to have a strong online presence. One of the best ways to build and grow your community is by using newsletters. Newsletters allow you to keep in touch with your audience on a regular basis, and can also be used to generate leads. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 ways that you can use newsletters to grow your community and increase lead generation efforts. Sending out a regular newsletter is a great way to stay in touch with your audience and keep them updated on what is going on with your business. It is also a great way to generate leads since you can include links back to your website or landing pages in your newsletter. In order to maximize the effectiveness of your newsletters, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. First, make sure that your newsletter is informative and interesting. Include content that will help your readers learn more about your industry, and be sure to include links to resources that they can use. Also, be sure to keep your newsletter concise – no one wants to read a novel every time they receive an email from you. Second, make use of graphics and images to break up the text and make your newsletter more visually appealing. People are more likely to engage with content that is easy on the eyes, so including pictures or infographics is a great way to increase engagement. Third, segment your list so that you are only sending your newsletter to those who are interested in receiving it. There is no point in sending a newsletter about your latest product launch to someone who has never bought anything from you before. By segmenting your list, you can ensure that your newsletter is going to the right people and that they will be more likely to engage with it. Fourth, use an email marketing service to send out your newsletters. These services will help you track opens and clicks, and will also provide you with valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. The one we use for the agency and our clients is lu.ma, a no code newsletter and community tool that enables uses to set up one-stop communities for their audience. Fifth, include a call to action in every newsletter. Whether you want your readers to buy something from you, sign up for your email list, or just visit your website, be sure to include a call to action so that they know what you want them to do. Sixth, make it easy for people to share your newsletter. Include social sharing buttons in every newsletter so that people can easily share it with their friends and followers. Seventh, measure the performance of your newsletters. Use the insights from your email marketing service to see how many people are opening and clicking through on your links. Also, pay attention to any feedback that you receive – both positive and negative. Eighth, use what you learn from your newsletter analytics to improve future editions. If you see that people are not engaging with a particular type of content, try something different. Also, be sure to test different subject lines and calls to action to see what gets the best results. Ninth, consider using an autoresponder series for new subscribers. An autoresponder series is a series of emails that are sent out automatically after someone subscribes to your newsletter. This is a great way to welcome new subscribers and give them more information about your business. Finally, don’t forget to promote your newsletter on your website and social media channels. Be sure to include a sign-up form on your website, and make sure that your social media followers are aware of your newsletter and how to sign up for it. By following these tips, you can grow your community and increase lead generation with your newsletters. Keep these things in mind and you’ll be well on your way to success. use newsletters to grow their community and increase lead generation efforts.

If you're not using user-generated content (UGC) on your website, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to engage with your customers and create a more loyal following. According to research by Adobe, UGC generates 6.9 times the number of views as traditional brand-generated content. Here are 5 reasons you need to start using UGC on your website today: Authenticity User-generated content is more authentic than traditional brand-generated content. In a world where consumers are bombarded with marketing messages, UGC provides a breath of fresh air. It's more relatable and trustworthy because it comes from real people who have actually used your product or service. Engagement UGC is also more engaging than traditional content. It's been shown to generate up to twice the engagement as traditional content. This is likely because UGC is more personal and relatable. People are more likely to comment on or share something that they can relate to. For the loyalists UGC can help you build a more loyal following. According to research by Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust peer recommendations over advertising. By featuring UGC on your website, you're effectively turning your customers into brand ambassadors who can help you reach a wider audience. SEO Benefits UGC is also great for SEO. User-generated content often contains the keywords and phrases that people are actually searching for. This helps your website show up in more search results, driving more traffic to your site. Fun to Watch Finally, UGC is simply more fun to consume than traditional brand-generated content. It's more interesting and varied, making it more likely to hold people's attention. So if you're looking for a way to engage with your customers and create a more loyal following, user-generated content is the way to go. If you want to get started with user-generated content, there are a few things you can do. First, make it easy for customers to submit their photos and videos by creating hashtags or setting up a dedicated email address. You can also run contests or giveaways to encourage people to submit their best content. And finally, be sure to showcase your favorite pieces of UGC on your website and social media channels. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to reaping the many benefits of user-generated content. So what are you waiting for? Start using UGC today! Your customers will thank you for it. Do you have any other tips for using user-generated content? Share them in the comments below!

As an independent creator or studio owner, you know that your success depends on creativity and dedication. You also know that marketing is a must to grow your business and reach more people! It's no secret that the landscape of the creative industry has changed dramatically in recent years. With technology becoming more and more accessible, it's easier than ever for independent creators and studio owners to get their work out there. However, in order to be successful, it's important to find ways to increase profits and stand out from the competition. When I first started the Visionary Rising Agency, the only thing that mattered to me was getting my name out to as many people as possible in the hopes that name recognition would translate into closed deals. Newsflash: it didn't. It wasn't until year three of business that I learned valuable lessons that unlocked my potential. If you're just starting out and are looking to level up, try using these growth strategies: 1. Focus on Collaboration Over Competition When you're starting out, your next project is more likely to come from your favorite designer than it is from random introductions. A big thing I loved to do was attend studio networking sessions. Invite local creatives to tag along with you driving traffic to space while also showcasing the talent you're introducing to the local ecosystem. 2. Diversify your services One way to increase profits is by diversifying the services that you offer. This could include anything from offering consulting services to selling products in addition to your usual offerings. By expanding your service offerings, you will be able to reach a wider range of potential clients and customers. 3. Develop a Distinctive Brand Identity A distinctive brand identity with an accompanying lookbook of images demonstrating the breadth of talent they offer which is easy enough on Instagram but also needs its own website. This should include pricing information so people know what they are getting before reaching out! (Note: Pricing should be negotiable based on budget.) 4. Build Your Email List An email list for regular updates on what's happening in their lives as well as relevant industry news. This is also a great way for them to stay connected without having to post all the time which can be overwhelming. Provide an easy way for people to subscribe so they can get updates on new work, upcoming events, and discounts. Add a link to your website in the email signature which may lead potential clients directly to you without having to search and find it themselves. It will also provide them with an opportunity to check out what’s happening on other social media channels that they might not be following yet. 5. Look for new opportunities in untapped markets Another way to increase profits is by looking for new opportunities in untapped markets. This could involve anything from targeting a new demographic to entering a new market altogether. By expanding your reach, you will be able to bring in more business and ultimately increase your bottom line. 6. Automate where you can Another way to increase profits is by automating where you can. This could include anything from setting up automatic billing to using software to streamline your workflow. By automating some of your processes, you will be able to free up time that can be better spent on other aspects of your business. 7. Always be learning Finally, it's important to always be learning. This could involve anything from taking courses and attending workshops to reading industry-related articles and books. By continuously learning, you will be able to keep up with the latest trends and find new ways to improve your business. So there you have it- my seven strategies to increase your profits as an independent creative or studio. If you liked this content, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list for more updates on ways to make money as an artist. And if you have any thoughts or questions about the tips we shared in this post, feel free to leave them in the comments below. We love getting feedback from our readers and helping artists achieve their financial goals! Ready to elevate your brand?

Over the last year, the Global Gig Economy has exploded in growth, with projections to be over half of the workforce by 2030, that number will be largely made up of creators, who already make up 59% of the current 60 Million employed as freelancers. It comes as no surprise that creators are leading the charge in changing how the world works but, with less than 5% earning above 6-figures, they are still taking the smallest piece of the pie. Wethos, an end-to-end platform built specifically for studio owners, recently raised $8 MILLION to change how creators work and help to shatter that 6-figure ceiling. I am excited to share that Visionary Rising has partnered with Wethos to bring you a series built for creators by creators, to provide insightful tips on utilizing the Wethos platform to scale rapidly and win more business. #InSession: A Series for Creators, is a 6-part series artfully crafted to provide creators, studio owners, and freelancers, with all the tools and resources needed to expand to the next level. When I discovered Wethos, I was like many of you who’ve read the blog, seen our work, and followed us for the last few years: a studio owner doing great work but struggling to align the company’s bottom line with the value we provided to our clients. I had a feeling I was undercharging, but with others being unwilling to openly share their rates, I was limited on what to leverage when potential clients low-balled us. And, trust me, they did that often. In June 2020, I started thinking about how I wanted to shift the agency’s model, increase our rates, and work better. That search led me to the Wethos platform’s scoping tool and an invitation to join as a 1 of the 100 founding studios. The first thing I did was complete a scope for one of our clients and immediately discovered how much money we’d left on the table ($20K), by not negotiating our rate. I completed a few more using the service's library and was stunned. The next steps became extremely clear to me. I spent the remainder of 2020 restructuring our service offerings, creating new scopes of work, and increasing our rates. So far in 2021, we’ve signed $25K, $50K, and $100K agreements, on RFPs we were able to turn around in days thanks to the Wethos platform. We’ve maintained an 80% win rate on services, maintained a 99% retention rate for clients, and been able to expand our projects utilizing the collaboration tool. I don’t just want to give you the blueprint on how to scale - I want to give you the tools, resources, and knowledge to do it again and again. Save the date for October 12, 2021, and get ready to level up your output. Register for #InSession: A Series for Creators and stay tuned for more information on the amazing sessions we have lined up.

First Listen is a series from Visionary Rising where we provide our readers with early access to the music that will soon become the soundtrack to their lives. Featuring DJs, Musicians, and a host of others, these mixes are curated by artists we love and shared with you to enjoy. Songs of Freedom Vol.3 Throughout history, music has inspired, uplifted, motivated, and sparked change in society. Whether addressing political issues or making people dance, music has been the healing force uniting those most disenfranchised. In the 1980s, with the fall of disco in the public eye, a few local DJs in New York, Chicago, and Detroit strived to keep it alive. At clubs like The Warehouse in Chicago, DJs like Frankie Knuckles provided a haven for many gay men coming to get away from the biases of everyday life. Mixing iconic disco tracks by acts like Donna Summer, First Choice, and Instant Funk Knuckles quickly became a pioneer for what was to be known as House Music later. During his 5-year tenure between (1977 – 1982) at The Warehouse, Frankie Knuckles allowed the music to take over and lead the way inspiring other DJs like Ron Hardy and Steve Hurley to help evolve the sounds. Using synths, drum machines, and adding sound effects to add extra layers to the songs and mixes allowed for the growth of House and created Techno music in the process. Decades later, the legacy of Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy & Larry Levean is still heard around the world with as many festivals and DJs alike hosting extreme events with crazy lights and solid sound systems in the name of House Music. Today, with the launch of Volume III of our #SongsOfFreedom, we celebrate Black music month, pride month, and Juneteenth, by recognizing the contributions of Chicago’s house music and Detroit's techno scene. If they didn’t push the status quo and create a safe place to celebrate their lifestyles then we would never have concerts like ultra, tomorrow land, or even David Guetta, let that sink in. Created for those who felt left out, house music is the music for the people, giving them a place to feel at home. For creators, by creators. And, the world they love.

We are excited to announce that Visionary Rising Agency has joined the select group of official Wix Partner agencies. After an amazing experience working with Wix on many of our projects, we were honored to be formally invited to be part of the Wix agency community at the end of 2020. . This partnership means that Visionary Rising Agency is now a member of the Wix Marketplace, where brands and businesses get connected with top professionals and agencies on the platform. As marketers, we work with a long list of technology providers on a daily basis- many of whom you’ll meet over the next few weeks. So far, through Wix’s partnership in 2021, we’ve onboarded 30+ clients to the platform; beyond being a powerful web design, content management and SEO platform, Wix stands out for its competent team and ongoing community support. We look forward to a long and productive relationship throughout 2021 and beyond! Check out our website portfolios www.websites.visionaryrising.agency and drop us a line if you’re ready to get started on your project.

Content. Content. CONTENT! Everywhere you look there’s content. You can stream it in the palm of your hands, watch it on demand, and download it to your heart’s desire. If you’re a small brand or independent creator trying to grow your brand, the idea of creating even more content to reach customers already streaming in a sea of content can be daunting, to say the least. As a society, we’re consuming more content than ever before- from the music we listen to, to the shows we watch, and the social media platforms we scroll: CONTENT IS QUEEN. This is GREAT NEWS for creators and companies that generate content and even better news for the creators interested in expanding their audience. But, where do you start? And, how do you find the right content release strategy that works for you? Today – we’re breaking down all those questions and more. First things first; what exactly is content? Does it refer to the digitally produced material a company has, or does it have a broader meaning? When we hear the word “content”, we think “information”, “collateral”, “marketing materials”; all those things that tell your brand’s story is content when it is generated for specific purposes, with a specific part of the customer’s journey in mind, including keywords that are important to your primary industry, and is used to help audience find and connect with the business. This piece right here? It’s CONTENT. It’s your first point of entry to our brand and this is where we start the conversation. Think of it like an exercise in trust, with each piece of content you are gaining the trust of your audience with the hope of converting them to a customer. Now that you understand what content is, we can start the process of figuring out what content is best for you to create. Before you develop a single frame of film; endeavor to record the podcast, or put pen to paper – you need to ask yourself 3 questions: 1. What is the goal of the media? 2. Who is the intended audience? 3. How will the information get delivered to the target audience? Answering these questions means that you have to know your intended audience and have an understanding of the ways they consume media. If your intention with creating media is to be a resource, then the types of media associated with that objective are podcasts, informational blogs (hey!), and interactive videos. Our favorite from this category is podcasts. Podcasts are fast becoming everyone’s favorite way to consume content because they can do it while also being occupied by something else. Video, for informational purposes, seems a bit invasive to us, but a quick 15-minute podcast release bi-weekly could be just the thing you need to take your brand to the next level. For musicians and visual artists, we can’t say enough about IGTV or other forms of video content, to engage your audience. We’re sure that track is AMAZING, but so were the 10,000 other tracks released in the last few hours – set yourself apart by establishing an authentic connection with your audience. It doesn’t matter that only 300 or so people tune in versus the 11K followers you have on the platform. It’s important to remember that Followers aren’t necessarily fans, but the 300 who are tuning into your weekly content can become part of your tribe if you nurture and engage them often enough. Lastly, in choosing the right content strategy, it’s important to remember that a key goal of content creation is to establish time content that can be used again and again to provide relevant information regardless of when the audience stumbles upon it. You got this – we’re rooting for you.

We're excited to announce a new partnership with Skillshare & welcome them as a sponsor of the "Creatives on the Rise" podcast. Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes in creative, design, business, technology and more. Creatives on the Rise, a subsidiary of Visionary Rising, Inc., is the premiere podcast for creative entrepreneurs who want to learn how to level up their output and turn their side hustles into full-throttle careers. Exclusive Offer for Visionary Rising Clients & Creatives on the Rise Podcast Listeners Skillshare's mission is provide everyone with access to the tools needed to learn a new skill perfectly aligns with the mission of the podcast to help all creative entrepreneurs unlock their genius level talent. Our team has partnered to provide access to an exclusive offer from Skillshare who is aligned in our mission to democratize the creative industry by enabling access to resources, tools and in some cases, funding to be available to all: Creative tribe members receive 2-months of unlimited learning by accessing Visionary Rising's exclusive portal here. If you promised yourself this was the year to get started down the path of entrepreneurship, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to do just that. Be sure to sign up for our Newsletter to learn about more exclusive offers from our partners going forward. #RiseOfTheCreatives Happy creating!

We're excited to announce a new partnership with Soundstripe. Soundstripe is a stock music site made for video producers, offering a variety of high quality royalty free songs, and a one-of-a-kind unlimited licensing model for the industry. The platform is designed to make it easy, profitable, and fun for videographers to add great music to videos without any hassle. Exclusive Offer for Visionary Rising Clients & Creatives on the Rise Podcast Listeners Our team works hard to ensure that the partners we work with are aligned in our mission to democratize the creative industry by enabling access to resources, tools and in some cases, funding to be available to all. Soundstripe's mission is to "Keep Creatives Creating" by providing video content creators access to a growing collection of royalty free music at an unbeatable price. NOW, thanks to our partnership, this price is even lower for Visionary Rising Clients & Creatives on the Rise Podcast listeners. Creative tribe members receive 10% off monthly subscription services by entering "Creatives" at check out. That's right! Their one-of-a-kind unlimited licensing model & unbeatable low prices are EVEN LOWER for our network. Access Visionary Rising's exclusive portal here, browse through the subscriptions and enter coupon code "Creatives" or "RiseoftheCreatives" at checkout to claim the discount. Happy creating!

There are several reasons brands need a digital footprint. If you're serious about your business and attracting interest in your brand that translates to increased revenue, you need a place that tells your story. The only thing worse than not having a website is having a poorly built website. With the digital landscape in constant flux, and the discussion of what constitutes an ad view continuing, companies and brands should get serious about updating their site and digital marketing plans every 6 months (faster in recent years). "Outdated sites receive outdated results." The first quarter is the perfect time to maximize the potential of your business by completing a quality check on the current website and web marketing plan. We’ll start by breaking down the key elements that make websites successful: 1. AETHESTICS. This seems like a no-brainer, but the first thing a company should do is make sure the website is pretty. Employees are customers as much as they are members of a business. When designing a site our primary question is always would we want to look at this site? This is also a question business owners should ask when reviewing current, or planning for future, sites- DO I WANT TO LOOK AT THIS SITE? And, would I really spend time on your site if it wasn’t my site? There shouldn't be a seamless color palette throughout the site , functioning buttons and no overlap. I f you're utilizing older versions of HTML/CSS, then you'll want to have that updated to the industry standard HTML5/CSS3 that is currently recognized by all search engines. Is your site enabled to be shared on social media with a site explanation? That's the 2-3 sentence blurb about what people can expect to view on your site, usually accompanied by an image you'd like associated with your business. 2. ACCESS. Can people find you EVEN if they don’t know they are looking for you? Sure, having a budget to run advertising campaigns across multiple search engines is great- but, it’s also time consuming and a lot of trial and error (mostly error) goes into becoming an expert on what content ranks. What if there was a way to limit the number of ads you run per month and increase viewability across these search engines? There is- it’s called Search Engine Optimization, SEO for short. SEO has absolutely nothing to do with running costly ad campaigns and absolutely everything to do with optimizing the keyword usage within your Metadata (the backend framework of a site that communicates directly with search engines). Industry standard websites have 500-1000 keywords located within the framework of their website. Most template based platforms limit the number of keywords a programmer can enter (roughly 30-40, depending on what site you use) and force consumers to go the secondary route of generating traffic via CPM advertising, which can be a waste of money in the long run. 3. ANALYTICS. Check the data - it doesn't lie. If you had analytics implemented on your site when it was initially created, or at any point after, check the Bounce rate to identify the total number of people accessing your site on a daily basis. How long do they stay? Where do they go? This trail will start to tell a story. If your bounce rate is over 60%, and users stay for less than 5-6 seconds, they aren't interested in what you're selling or the content you use to sell it. So, it's time to make some changes. 4. RESPONSIVENESS. Is the current site able to be viewed across multiple platforms WITHOUT the need for additional plugins? Hopefully the answer is YES. In 2013, 996 million people accessed data using their mobile phone. 996 MILLION! That number was up 19% from 2012 and an exponential increase for 2014 is expected once data is reported. In short, a website should be functional to someone using their tablet, cell phone browser or desktop. It’s no longer a maybe, it’s a definitive requirement. That’s different than having an app, which is my next point. 5. INTEGRATION. Does the website easily interact with other applications? Is the current platform prime to have an iOS or android application added should the company need to expand in the future? The answer should be YES. Because the future is NOW. As more and more clients access their data via phones and tablets, businesses with application-enabled sites are poised to increase revenue. Spending money on a site without this capability now, will cost down the road when (not if) an app is built – why? Because a new site will also need to be built. Save time and Money by investing in this NOW rather than later. These are just a few of the items business owners will want to review when assessing the current website. If the answer is YES to all the questions above, you’re in great shape to flourish. If the answer is NO. Call Us. Now. We specialize in BIG PICTURE BUILDS – that is, building from DAY ONE, the framework required to support the growth of a business down the line within the digital sphere. We've pioneered "client-side optimization" which focuses on comprehensive designs that take the guess work out and create demand generation platforms that increase brand awareness and revenue. We focus on doing the work, so you can focus on creating.