Sara Loretta

One of my best copywriting lessons came from an apartment sign—and it's one I still cringe at today. 🫠   A few years ago, I was apartment hunting in Austin when I spotted a sign while driving that said, "60+ Apartments Available."   Confidently, I parked and walked into a nice leasing office, excited about the abundance of options.   "Hi there," I said. "I'd love to see what availabilities you have!"   The woman at the desk gave me a knowing smile. "For who? For you?"   "Yes!" I nodded.   "Oh no," she laughed. "This is for seniors 60 and older!"   Cue my immediate embarrassment and retreat... 😅 🏃🏻‍♀️ ➡️   And yes, I was oblivious to the stairs of the leasing office being replaced with a wheelchair ramp, and no, I didn't think anything of it other than, "Oh, lovely, how accessible!"   They've since updated their sign to say, "60+ Active Adult Living" and "60+ Apartment Homes" (pic in comments).   Which makes me think I wasn't the first 20-something to make this mistake.   Great ads can be both beautiful AND clear—it's UX 101. (And they can save a few red faces along the way!)   At least if you can laugh at yourself, even the most awkward moments make great stories. I know the leasing agent enjoyed it. 😂   P.S. I will not be engaging in discussions that this had anything to do with reading comprehension. Thank you for your understanding. 🥸 🫡   #UXDesign #Copywriting #Marketing #OpenToWork

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What I’ve Been Up To Lately? Lately, I’ve been helping businesses grow their online presence, and I’ve really enjoyed it. One of my recent projects was working with Teree Murphree at Murphree Marketing. I helped her redesign her company’s website and gave it a boost in SEO. Working with Teree was awesome. We created a clean, simple design that makes it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for, and we added a clear call-to-action at the bottom of the page. On the SEO side, I worked in plenty of long and short keywords naturally, and we added customer reviews right on the homepage to build trust. Since Teree’s an expert in marketing and media buying, I wanted to make sure her site reflected that. We added a glossary page to explain key industry terms and help visitors better understand her services—and of course, this helped with SEO, too. Feel free to check out the site. And if you’re looking for help with your advertising strategy, Teree’s definitely someone you should talk to. https://lnkd.in/dTKxrpQS I love working with small business owners like Teree, and I’m excited to see her business continue to grow! #onlinepresence #websitedesign #smallbusiness #marketing #SEO

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When was the last time you hired someone or worked on a project that only required technical expertise? If you think about it, we’re often quick to prioritize certifications, hard skills, and technical know-how—but how much of success in a team or organization really boils down to that? In reality, it’s the ‘soft’ skills—communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability—that often make the biggest difference. Here’s why soft skills shouldn’t be overlooked: ❇ Hard skills will land you the job, but soft skills help you grow in it. You can be the best coder, marketer, or project manager, but without leadership, emotional intelligence, or effective communication, it’s hard to build lasting success. ❇Soft skills build culture. Skills like empathy, teamwork, and adaptability are what create a positive work culture, something that hard skills alone can’t achieve. ❇They’re harder to automate. As technology evolves, technical skills become outdated faster than ever. But the ability to connect with others, lead through change, and foster collaboration? Those skills will always be in demand. Investing in soft skills isn’t just about personal development; it’s about building resilient teams and sustainable organizations. It’s why at kokkona, we’re focused not only on enhancing technical skills but nurturing the people behind those skills. Have you seen the impact of soft skills in your own career? I’d love to hear your thoughts. 💬 #softskills #leadership #emotionalintelligence #kokkona #peopledevelopment #teamwork

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Want your business to be more visible locally? Here are three things I don't know why 🤔 most local businesses overlook: 1. Optimize your Google Business Profile by adding hours, updates, and reviews. 2. Use local keywords on your website and blog (e.g., "Bakery in Austin"). 3. Get listed in online directories like Yelp and Bing Places. More than enough to significantly improve your local visibility.

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Ever heard of this? I’m preparing to host my first-ever IN-PERSON brand story workshop — EXCITING! And as I spent my Sunday prepping, I had this memory pop up of a time when I took my childhood bestie on a hike in New Mexico. The hike was just outside of the Albuquerque city limits, and I had been to the area hundreds of times before. But my friend never had. She was nervous and didn’t trust my navigation skills. So she kept asking me: “Jessica, do you know where you’re going? Are you sure? Are you leaving a trail of breadcrumbs in case we need to find our way back?!” (You remember from Hansel and Gretel, right?) Hilarious. I was reminded of this incident because of something I’m sharing in my workshop, which goes: It’s about leaving ‘brand crumbs’ – or a series of moments along the trail — that build rapport with your audience and offer an emotional experience. I heard the term ‘brand crumbs’ years ago and it stuck. Because they really are the things that you continue to put down to build and nurture relationships with your audience. And stories are some of the best ‘brand crumbs’ you can use! Think about the entrepreneurs you really admire and feel connected to. Most likely, you can recall your initial connection to them being related to a story you heard them share. And then you probably experienced resonating with another experience. And then you felt more connected with their offer. Their stories are like little tastes of what they value, what they believe, why they do what they do, and what led them here. And it builds this know-like-trust factor. ➡ So, if you’re in the Rhine Valley and would like to attend the Craft Your Signature Story Workshop on Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30, send me a message. ↘ The workshop is perfect for business owners who are ready to deepen their connections with their audience and community and leverage their personal experiences to get more brand visibility in a totally authentic way. There are a few more spots! I’d love to see you there. ♥ _____________________ 💄 I'm Jessica: I believe your stories are your accessories for impact. When they’re shared, they can move mountains.     📌 Want to talk about your brand storytelling next steps? Schedule a Storytelling Strategy Session, linked in my featured section.    💖 Know an entrepreneur in the Rhine Valley who would like to refine their story? Share this post!

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Top Workplaces 2024: The best small companies to work for in #Colorado. Basis Technologies is number 23! That's for all of Colorado. Do you know how many companies operate in all of Colorado? Well, it's a lot. Link is in the comments. #technology #workplace

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2 Ways to Segment Your Klaviyo Emails 1. Geographic Location •Offer Localized Offers and Promotions Offer a special in-store only discount or a free gift with any purchase to encourage visits. Host a Local Meetup •Could be your event OR another organization's •For example, a running apparel brand based in Austin, TX could send emails to anyone nearby with info about the local run club. •You could feature an In-Store Event, Popup Store, In-Person Product Launch Run Community Support Drive •"Help Us Support [Local Cause]—Here's How!" Send Emails About Seasonal Celebrations •"Celebrate [Season/Local Festival] with Us at [Store Name]!" Country-Specific Holiday Offers •For example: Mother's Day is celebrated at different dates in different countries — so make an email about it! Region-Specific Tips •Example: "Custom Skincare Tips for [Region] Weather!" -Address specific skincare challenges unique to the region's climate, such as humidity, pollution, or UV exposure -Include product recommendations that cater to these conditions Local Ingredient Spotlight •"Check out the Magic of [Local Ingredient] in Your [Product]!" Seasonal Timing •Adjust the timing of your campaigns to align with the start of a new season, sending out themed promotions right as the season changes in the recipient’s local time Welcome the Season •Get Ready for [Season]! Early Bird Specials Inside." •"Welcome [Season]! Unveil Our Seasonal Essentials." Seasonal Sale Announcement •"Stay on Trend this [Season] with Our Latest Arrivals!" •"[Season] Sale Starts Now! Refresh Your Routine." Interactive Seasonal Quiz "Discover Your Perfect [Season] [Product] Routine!” Season Change "Countdown to [Season]! Daily Deals to Gear Up.” 2. Purchase History 0-Time Purchasers •These guys haven't actually had the product in their hands... so you want to treat them differently •Use social proof from people in their spot - ie " I was super skeptical about ____, but ____" •You can be more aggressive with this segment, since they’ve never bought before. 1-Time Purchasers •If they bought X product, send an email about the benefits of Y product •Ask them to respond to the email — "what did they like/not like" "Almost VIPs" •Tell them about the perks of joining the VIP list •Tell them what they need to do to be a VIP VIPs •Treat these guys like VIPs! •Give them early access to sales •VIP-only sales

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The typical first marketing hire looks like this. If your Swiss Army Knife is overwhelmed. We can help take the edge off. --- 👋 Hi y'all, I'm Kris. 🎒 The founder of Zanate Marketing based in Austin, Texas. 🖋 We help seed-funded B2B tech companies leverage strategic marketing to ignite rapid growth. 🤝 To learn how we work, check out the links I share in the comments of these posts and the Featured Section of my profile.

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📚 I recently spoke to Gene Brenek's class of Branding students at Texas State University about what personal branding looks and feels like to me... And here's the truth: Templates ≠ Personal Brand Anyone can grab a template, slap on a few headshots, add some marketing lingo, and call it a "brand." But your UNICORN FACTOR? That's irreplaceable. Uncopyable. Unmistakably YOU. I love putting the BRANDING in personal branding, crafting distinctive identities that help make you the NIKE of your industry. Because you didn't come this far to look like everyone else…let’s “Swoosh” it up y’all! 🦄✨ #personalbranding #branding #leadership #innovation #entrepreneurship #business #personaldevelopment #marketing #brandstrategy #thoughtleadership

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https://lnkd.in/gq2QkMDr I had the fine opportunity to be interviewed again by VoyageDallas. Check out the article here, where I talk about the ups and downs of my journey and my company goals. We are just getting started so stay tuned and follow Chump on the Run ★

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Sad news - I'm canceling the Gospel Springs part of the beverage brand... Other beverage startups weren't kidding when they said the constant iterations can get cuh-razy - and rebranding happens ALL the time. The shift in the message to America First and traditional American values wasn't connecting with the Gospel Springs name - it was confusing. Therefore, a rebrand is in order. What's going to change? - The name, logo, and slogan - Website - Target audience - Can design - Marketing video - 10% of profits will now go to the education and training of veterans entering the civilian workforce What's NOT going to change? - The overall message of American First: Traditional American Values, America Proud, American-Sourced, American-Manufactured, American-Produced - Product, ingredients, and beverage functionality (vitamins) - Commitment to transparency, integrity, and honesty throughout the startup process and beyond - Mission and vision - Funding campaign will be postponed - future date TBD I've poured (a much-needed beverage pun) so much into these last few months and this feels like a HUGE step backward - which it is - BUT - the brand will be stronger for it and increase the likelihood of its success. Thank you to those who continue to stick with me and offer resources and words of encouragement throughout this journey. You've made this process a lot more fun and bearable! The updated brand reveal will happen at some point next week. Onward and upward! Have a blessed Friday and weekend, everyone.

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The secrets to writing winning agency proposals… Give us two days in Denver Oct. 14 & 15, and we’ll teach you to write killer proposals. Proposals that: - Immediately bond with the client - Separate your proposal from the pack - Prove your worth - Move ahead your candidacy Details here: https://buff.ly/4681Gy5 Agency Management Institute 4A's #agencyleadership #advertising

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The margin between great and famous is often small. I see this all the time in Austin. We're blessed with amazingly talented musicians... ...that most people have never heard of. (Sandra) Kim McDonald, MBA, CPM, showed me the power of storytelling in her published book years before Donald Miller published his StoryBrand. Kim is brilliant... as is Donald. The margin between great and famous is often small. Sometimes it's a matter of luck. But you can improve your luck when you devote dedicated time to empathy exercises. In the last 10 days I've held 6 empathy-focused workshops with clients to improve their marketing. WOW! Some of the insights and ideas that have come out of those are stunning. If you want to increase your margin on those who provide services similar to you... you should do the same thing. Small differences lead to big results. PS: Who can identify the artist in the image? PPS: Hint - his most famous song is about an arachnid. #leadershipqualities #salesandmarketing #growthstrategy

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Check out the latest blog from my Waza partner, Simon West: “We’re the same people at work that we are in our personal lives and the purchasing decisions we make are just as critical—and sometimes more so. Buy the wrong phone and you're stuck with it a couple of years until you can upgrade. Buy the wrong network security platform and you could be looking for another job.” https://lnkd.in/gXMQDggm

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In case you can't tell from his Zoom background, Rusty Smith loves the City of Houston <3 Rusty also loves EOS and helping businesses embrace change. Here's a question for B2B leaders: Do you think you're more scared of the status quo? Or are you more afraid of embracing change? When I see brands who have yet to embrace digital marketing, this is something I ponder. Why haven't so many companies shifted their strategy? Why aren't they rethinking their revenue growth strategy (and therefore their sales and marketing processes)? What's your mentality about improving your sales and marketing programs saying about your overall commitment to improving your company? Hear more about what Rusty has to say 👉 https://lnkd.in/gafWKXfi

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I saw this on Threads yesterday and, wow, did it illustrate #HigherEd technology for me. We spend a lot of time focusing on marketing website #UX, often at the expense of our on-campus community’s experience. If IT is going to make software purchasing decisions for things like CRMs, SISes, and portals, they really need a usability researcher and/or UX designer on staff to help make purchasing decisions. Hot take: we let ourselves down when we don’t take software vendors to task for horrible user experiences. We let our students, faculty, and staff down when their experience needs aren’t a part of the decision-making process.

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We just wrapped our final Bootcamp for The Marketing Academy US Scholars Program. I’m still processing, but had to share these 3 golden nuggets now. 1. Coaching circles are INCREDIBLE. Gather 6-10 peers. Do a round robin of 1 challenge each person is grappling with. Ask for a volunteer to be the coachee to workshop their topic. Do 1 round of clarifying questions with a short reflection from the coachee after. Do a second around of wisdom sharing. And finish with a final short reflection from the coachee. Free. Powerful. Priceless. Thank you Katherine Tulpa for teaching us! 🎁 2. Our brains are magical IF we choose to engage them. Check out The Learning Blueprint from Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd and watch for his work coming to the business world via Harvard Business Review - publishing soon! 💡 3. “Swing out big” and “back yourself”. Two powerful reminders from the legend Syl Saller CBE. ⚡️ We also heard from Sherilyn Shackell Pree Rao Zarina L Stanford Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek Clayton F. Ruebensaal Sarah Long Suresh Raj (He/Him/His) Gabrielle Dallas Wesley Mark Ritson Jon Lombardo Peter Weinberg and Jenny Rooney. 🤯 And thank you to my cohort. For your wisdom. For your push. For your relentless support of me and each other. You are so special. More takeaways to come. ✨ #leadership #themarketingacademy #tma #marketing

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Looking to find your website's strengths and weaknesses? Borrow our process and template. We've audited hundreds of nonprofit websites over the years. We'll be sharing what we've seen work well in our next Nonprofit Website Office Hours on Wed. July 24th at 11:30 CT. We'll cover how you can: + Analyze what's working on your website + Find the areas of your site that could use some love + Evaluate your calls to action + Prioritize what pages to focus on first The goal is for the audit to only take you a few hours to complete. And as always with Office Hours, we'll cover that in 30(ish) minutes. We'll then open the floor up to any website or marketing-related challenges you're wrestling with. I'll drop the registration link in the comments below. If you have any questions you'd like us to add to the Q&A queue, feel free to drop those in the comments as well. Hope you can make it!

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