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Whenever you perform a Google search, whenever you browse through the recommendations on Netflix, whenever you see the trends on Twitter or take a peek at your Facebook news feed, you see the result of their tireless work yet you don’t even spare them a thought. They are the algorithms, the unseen forces shaping our lives – especially the digital one. They are the pieces of code that recommend you related products when you buy something online, they are the ones who select the “people you may know” on social media and they are the ones compiling a playlist for you on various music streaming services. Their role is very important in everything digital so let’s take a brief look at what they are and what they are used for.

What are algorithms?

In mathematics, an algorithm describes a set of rules to be followed in calculations – and its role is similar when it comes to computers, too. The visual representation of an algorithm would look a lot like a flowchart used in programming, for example: lots of “if-then” statements with instructions for either case. Think of it as a series of people working at a fruit packaging plant putting apples in one crate if they are red, in another if they are yellow, and calling their supervisor if a pear gets mixed into the batch. They can describe something as simple as the recipe for apple pie to something as complex as AlphaGo, the artificial intelligence that beat Lee Sedol at Go, and everything in between.

Algorithms in everyday life

We don’t see the algorithms in our everyday lives but we see their “handiwork”, so to say. When you book a ticket. When you pay with your card at the grocery store. When you play your favorite game on your phone. We usually call them programs, software packages, applications, apps – depending on the environment. Even reading this article is the result of an algorithm running in your brain: you read the letters left to right, recognize the word, look for its meaning in your memory, understand it, then proceed to the next one in the text. There are many algorithms that are surprisingly complex doing things that seem like magic, like getting the most relevant result when performing a Google search, unlocking your smartphone by allowing it to read your fingerprint or finding the shortest route between your home and the supermarket on your GPS. Today’s digital world wouldn’t function without them.

Algorithms vs humans

Algorithms are becoming “smarter” and more complex as they get more and more data to work with. And, as many jobs can be broken down into simple tasks, they are getting better at them – sometimes better than humans. Take Uber, for example, replacing the dispatchers traditionally working at cab companies with an algorithm that does its job right, sending a driver to the desired address in due time, and taking care of handling the payments, too. An increasing number of companies are now experimenting with replacing part of their human personnel with computers, and the results so far seem promising. In time, algorithms will become even more complex – smarter, if you like – and will be able to do even more of the jobs that were traditionally done by humans. They will do this through a better understanding of the things they do, breaking these things down into simple tasks, and figuring out ways to automate them.

In 1964, science fiction writer Isaac Asimov predicted the following: “The world of A.D. 2014 will have few routine jobs that cannot be done better by some machine than by any human being. Mankind will therefore have become largely a race of machine tenders.” While he was off by a few years, we’re definitely getting there.

Branding your Cannabis Brand takes some foresight and some thought. These tips will help you do so.

Tell a Story

Today’s consumer is smarter than ever and has caught on to the usual sales language. However, one thing they cannot resist is a good story.

A good brand story is one that entertains while connecting to consumers emotionally. Think about the “Most Interesting Man in the World ads” by Don Equis. All they did was take a cheap lager and turn it into something else completely. A cheap beer suddenly takes on an attitude of sophistication and adventure. To make things worse, consumers took the story and molded it to their lives with the “I don’t always/but when I do” meme. It is a story that’s likely to continue selling years after the conclusion of the campaign.

You don’t even need to have an elaborate story. A complex fiction may work wonders, but you might be surprised by what a simple origin story of your brand is capable of accomplishing. It provides a sense of authenticity and leaves your customers feeling like they are taking part in something greater than themselves.

So, you need to think about your brand’s story and find a good way to tell it. If you do that, you are guaranteed to connect with an eager audience.

Think “Lifestyle” Rather than LOLs

The Dazed and Confused image of marijuana was ubiquitous when cannabis was sold exclusively via the black market. However, as it enters the mainstream market, savvy businesses will brand their cannabis products for audience that’s more expansive.

It means marketing cannabis products as “lifestyle” enhancers instead of sticking to the traditional stoner niche. Think sophisticated and sleek i.e. a new product for a life of luxury. Apple is a prime example.

You can alternatively consider what the craft breweries did as their industry exploded following the turn of the millennium. Beer suddenly tool on a completely different level of refinement. Each brewery, today, has a distinct, storied brand. Beers are available for all occasions and to be paired with certain foods. A massive brewery tourism industry has even blossomed.

Think of it like this: The average consumer of cannabis is a middle-class, late twenties to early thirties. So, what kinds of products do these people buy? Organic foods, bespoke clothing, craft cocktails… you get the picture. Simply put, your brand should appeal to their desire for a more refined lifestyle.

Cannabis companies should be looking at more innovative techniques of branding in the modern cannabis era – use a cannabis marketing agency to help.

Elevate the Language

This is an extension of the point above.  All the outdated slang i.e. herb, grass, pot, bud, etc., speaks to the outdated and under-the-radar market. Today, you are selling in a mature and vibrant industry. You now sell “doses” rather than “hits” or “flowers” instead of “buds.”

Obviously, there’s enough room for all the silly aspects of marijuana culture that people know and love, but stay classy and still refer to it as cannabis for branding purposes.

Don’t Use Clichés

Never forget that you are attempting to elevate the conversation and that tired old clichés do everything besides that. Afro man songs, 420, tie-dye, laziness, and Rastafarian colors and even the long-embraced pot leaf have all started to fall by the wayside.

Sure, there’s a place and time for all these, but if you do have to use cliché and nostalgia, only include them as periphery elements – never make a tie-dyed pot leaf the basis for your whole brand.

Everything we do is goal-oriented, and the goal is to bring as many customers as we can, whilst keeping them happy. If your brand doesn’t speak for itself, don’t expect many new customers and prepare to say goodbye to your current ones. Branding (and rebranding) requires balancing many elements which all together represent your company in a simple and appealing way. It’s all about customers, and yet the way to get customers is to establish a recognizable, eye-catching, unique brand. Here are some ideas on how you can get more customers by properly communicating your brand.

Engagement marketing

Experiential (engagement) marketing is a marketing strategy that allows consumers to actually see and feel what your product can do. This is a great way to help your clients realize the benefits of your product, and generally, what they will get by sticking to your company. Representing your brand through such strategy is a great idea because you’re both “selling” the product and representing your ideology.

Break the chains

Let your creativity kick in. Traditional ways are called “traditional” for a good reason, as they used to work and they represent something common and already seen. That’s why today we have something called “modern”. Mixing your creativity with some modern techniques/advice you’ve seen or heard will allow you to fight the invisible constraints and express yourself in a new and memorable way.

Online and offline stores should look the same

Developing and designing a website takes a lot of time and effort. Building a store and designing the interior and exterior also take a lot of time. Since you’re already going to invest so much in these two, why not take a step further and make them as if they were two parts of the same whole? A visitor that checks out your website, finds something he likes and decides to come to the store itself and check out the product in person, will surely be amazed when he sees that the store’s layout is almost the same as the website’s layout.

Real-world view

It’s very satisfying and educational at the same time, watching a person use some product, in real-time. Thanks to the modern era we’re living in and to all the technology and trends, we’re able to watch stuff like that, which is an amazing way of showcasing your business. Many websites provide live streaming, and of course we’re all witnesses of great ideas that Instagram and other social media have come up with. According to this master in advertising, today companies need marketing solutions that can flow like a liquid into whatever the new inventions have brought to us.

Stay fresh

Whether you’re willing to admit it or not, these days everything has to be stylish. Not only that it has become sort of a trend that more and more people tend to follow and worship, but even the statistics prove that fashionable design and advertisements tend to catch more eyes than regular “boring” ones. If you’re having a photo shoot to promote certain product that a user can interact with, make sure that the user looks like he’s getting ready for a gala evening. Also, if the product has anything to do with technology, make sure to point out the devices to create a “natural-looking” environment. Don’t forget about colors – everything should be harmonized!

Let your store speak for itself!

From the moment a client walks into your store or takes a look at your brand, they should immediately know what they are looking at and they should feel that vibe instantly. If you have to walk someone through your story than you’ve failed showing that story throughout your brand and store.

From what you’ve read so far, you should already have an idea of what are the things you can do in order to keep your current customers happy and to attract new buyers. As soon as they see your brand, visit your website or walk in one of your stores, they should form a positive opinion about your products and decide on purchasing them.

Author bio: Jennifer Hahn Masterson is a senior business strategist, holding an MA degree in business communication. She is always doing her best to help her clients find their place in the ever so competitive business arena. You can check her out on LinkedIn and Twitter.

With thousands of blogs saturating the Internet in almost every niche, it’s crucial that bloggers can set themselves apart from the competition and gain a loyal audience. Whether it’s through a Facebook page, email subscription, or other channels, blog readership can be measured by how many people are keeping an eye for blog updates from you.

This is significant because the willingness to subscribe is not something that any reader would do to just any blog. It’s like turning a one-off reader to a regular one. It’s going to take effort and patience to grow your blog readership, but it’s definitely something that you can do.

Here are four ways to improve your blog to develop a loyal audience:

1. Deliver quality content

Quality always surpasses quantity when it comes to blog content. Readers see so much information on the Internet, so when they find a really good one, they are compelled to read more from that source and begin to trust it. It’s cliché, but “content is key” is still relevant.

Here are some ways to deliver quality content:

• Craft irresistible titles or headlines to catch their attention and encourage them to read your blog.
• Create content that is valuable for your audience, those that would help them with their challenges or meets their need.
• Avoid using jargon or industry terms that readers won’t be able to understand, especially first-time visitors of your blog.
• Don’t hesitate to consult experts like David Hallstrom for help with content marketing if you feel overwhelmed.
• Utilize search-engine optimization (SEO) strategies like keywords so that your target audience can find you. However, don’t commit the common mistake of focusing on SEO alone and neglecting the content that would appeal to readers.

2. Encourage subscription

Once you can provide content that your audience would read, you’ll have a better chance of growing your readership. However, the primary reason your readership might not be growing could be simply because you don’t encourage them to subscribe to your blog.

There are so many creative ways to ask readers to subscribe to your blog, such as:

• Including a static sign-up form on your sidebar which can persuade readers to fill out no matter what page they are in.
• Craftily incorporating subscription in your blog post so it’s relevant and won’t look like spam.
• Offering gifts, discounts, or any other perk when they subscribe to your blog.

3. Host contests and giveaways

Contests and giveaways are proven to be effective in growing a blogger list. They are amazing measures to keep current readers excited and one-off readers to participate and subscribe. When using this strategy, you must carefully plan and make sure that the reward is something relevant and appeals to your audience.

Here are some things to remember:

• Keep mechanics and instructions simple to encourage more participation.
• Create steps that could increase their entries and chances of winning.
• Be transparent with when and how the winner will be chosen.
• Protect your blog by ensuring that you are following local laws or regulations from other countries if the contest is open to other locations.

4. Be on social media

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are popular because of the ability to connect and network. Many blogs have strong social media presence because it’s an avenue to be able to engage with their readers. The more you make a connection with your audience, the more you build a sense of trust that will allow you to expand your reach.

Here are some tips:

• Research where your audience is lounging.
  While you can have an account on all social media platforms, the only one or two that matter are those where your audience is.
• Give time to engage.
  As much as you can, reply to comments, give valuable tips and advice, and so on.
• Don’t sell all the time.
  A common mistake of many blogs is overselling on social media, which discourages readers from visiting the blog or subscribing because of the thought that there is nothing else to offer besides products or services.
• Don’t belittle user-generated content (UGC).
  Encourage your readers to share photos, videos, testimonials, and so on, which are relevant to your products, services, or niche. UGC’s are seen by others to add to the authenticity of your blog.
• Offer guest blogging.
  Once you have a social media community, offer guest blogging to your site. You can be creative with how to choose the guest blogger, or you can turn it into something regular. Your guest bloggers will also reach out to their network to promote your blog.

Final thoughts

Blogging is widespread in this digital age, and many bloggers are competing to ensure that they have readership and continue to expand it. You can craft various types of blog posts and incorporate the tips given above so that you can have a more extensive reach. If more people are reading your blog, there will also be more leads to generate and sales to convert.