Copywriting Gone Copy-Wrong: Too much emphasis on SEO can dilute your copy

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

Copywriting Gone Copy-Wrong: Too much emphasis on SEO can dilute your copy

Now, let me first say, I am a strong and firm believer, even advocate, of SEO writing for small businesses. But… there is a strategic art to balancing out your budget when it comes to re-doing a company website. Yes- some capital should be allotted to SEO writing because it will most definitely be driving traffic to the site. But that doesn’t mean you should burn up all your dollars and skimp on the actual content and quality of your website copy.

Remember, your company’s voice should be communicated through the online copy. It should be interesting, and invite browsers to click through and read more. If your copy is dull and obviously written exclusively to stuff as much awkward SEO phrasing in as possible, consumers will quickly become disengaged and navigate away from the page, making the whole effort of driving website traffic fruitless.

My advice to small businesses or anyone with a limited budget, is to first get your copy written in a unique and strategic style. Then with remaining budget, make sure to add-in strong SEO writing. By making the quality of your content a top priority, you’re more likely to have the people that do come to your website, stay longer and engage with your brand longer.

So, how do you keep online copywriting in check? BALANCE your content with information, quality content, good style and SEO. Never write solely for SEO purposes and never write without any SEO dialogue. If working for an interactive and online marketing firm in St. Louis has taught me anything, it’s that SEO and quality of content can work together to boost search rankings and drive traffic.

Any ad agency, should realize the strategy of web writing. G/L has recently brought on a Digital Strategist to help boost our online marketing company.

G/L’s Kathy Leonard Speaks “Gypsy” to Channel 5’s Leisa Zigman

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

G/L’s Kathy Leonard Speaks “Gypsy” to Channel 5’s Leisa Zigman

Kathy Leonard, VP of  Public Relations for Geile/Leon Marketing Communications, a St. Louis PR agency, was featured on KSDK-TV’s Newschannel 5 at Noon, Thursday. Kathy was promoting the 39th Annual Gypsy Caravan, which raises funds for her client, the St. Louis Symphony.

The interview with KSDK anchor Leisa Zigman is posted on www.ksdk.com. Kudos to Kathy on a great interview, and we hope everyone can make it out to UMSL for the Caravan on Memorial Day.

Mobile Social Marketing: The Perfect Trend for Bargain Hunters

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

Mobile Social Marketing: The Perfect Trend for Bargain Hunters

Let me begin by introducing myself, seeing as I am the newest addition to St. Louis marketing and advertising agency, Geile/Leon. My name is Lindsey, and just a week ago I started my journey as a G/Ler. Immediately thrown into the hustle and bustle of agency life, one of my first tasks was to write a post for the agency blog. Well, one thing you should know about me is that I love a good deal. I am a coupon redeeming, discount-shopping queen. So naturally my favorite marketing movement right now is mobile social marketing. This rapidly spreading movement is the perfect trend for someone constantly connected and addicted to a good bargain. It is with no hesitation when I say I have been a victim of this explosive trend lately.

I recently took a trip to Plato’s Closet to rid my wardrobe of some unnecessary clothing. Of course, only to replenish what I managed to get rid of while waiting for them to rummage through my bags of clothes. But really, how could I turn down a $12.00 pair of designer jeans? My impulse-purchase behavior isn’t exactly the point of the story, but more so is the conversation that took place upon checkout. It went something like this:

“Do you have the Facebook app on your phone?”

“Well of course I do.”

“Would you like to save 20 percent on your purchase?”

“Obviously.”

“All you need to do is “like” this location on your mobile phone.”

Done. And just 30 seconds later those jeans cost me $10.00.

Next stop on my impromptu shopping trip was the mall, wallet heavy with my $40 profit from Plato’s. And what do you know, yet another promotion similar to that of PC. $10 off jean shorts for “checking-in” at American Eagle using Facebook Places. So was it a coincidence that I came across two places using these types of mobile promotions? I don’t think so. A social networking – mobile marketing phenomenon? I would bet on it.

Location-based check-in services like Facebook Places, Foursquare, and Yelp are popping up everywhere, offering incentives for consumers to interact with a brand and share valuable data. These services use your geographical location to determine public locations and venues that are close to your proximity. Ann Taylor, Best Buy and Starbucks are a few of the companies jumping on the LBS bandwagon, offering immediate “check-in” rewards.

In addition to the location-based apps, there are coupon sites, like mobiQpons, offering on-demand special promotions from local restaurants, stores and services near you. All it takes to redeem your deal is showing the offers to the cashier directly from your cell phone – simplicity at its finest. On top of the LBS apps are the increasingly popular, QR codes showing up on ads, posters, and restaurant menus everywhere (learn more by checking out a great blog post from fellow G/Ler, Miranda). And, we can’t forget about the SMS offers. I still love getting my monthly Redbox free rental code!

Gone are the days of scissors and coupon cutting. Bargain shopping and coupon redemption has never been simpler. Now the real challenge lies in trying to sort through the hundreds of apps being offered, and I for one, graciously welcome the challenge.

 

The Gypsy Caravan is Coming!

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

The Gypsy Caravan is Coming!

A Memorial Day tradition in St. Louis for 39 years, the St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association presents the Gypsy Caravan. A city within a city is created for up to 20,000 shoppers eager to find bargains and unique treasures galore during one of the Midwest’s largest antique, craft and flea markets that takes place at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL).

Come to the UMSL campus to be in the center of all the activity. Located just off of  I-70 and I-170 in north St. Louis County and conveniently accessible via the UMSL North Station MetroLink stop, this annual event has wonderful visibility, ample public parking and is easy to reach by car, MetroLink or MetroBus.

The area will be transformed as vendors display their wares. New to Gypsy Caravan this year is Vendor Lot B with 22 additional Premium vendor spaces just north of Gate 1 and south of Lot C. Again returning to Gypsy Caravan are 72 covered vendor spaces in the Millennium South Garage, located across from outdoor booths on Lot E.

Because Gypsy Caravan is a nationally recognized fair, vendors come from a number of states and offer everything from trinkets and treasures, to birdhouses and bureaus. It’s an incredible selection of antiques, collectibles, jewelry, furniture, fashions, crafts and much more. Something is bound to catch your eye, capture your heart or whet your appetite.

Delicious food and beverages, including the Triton Dining and Beer Garden on the Millennium Center patio, are also a part of the event and refresh those who spend part of the holiday with us.

This shopper’s paradise is open from 7am to 5pm, rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the St. Louis Symphony, a client of St. Louis PR Agency Geile/Leon Marketing Communications, with a mission to enrich people’s lives through the power of music….Please join us on May 30, 2011 as we celebrate Gypsy Caravan’s 39th anniversary. There’s nothing quite like Gypsy Caravan…and there’s no better place to be on Memorial Day!

Branson Celebrities Come Together For Flood Relief Benefit

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

Branson Celebrities Come Together For Flood Relief Benefit

Kudos to the celebrities who have put together The Official Branson Celebrity Flood Relief Benefit. The benefit is set for Thursday, May 26 at the Branson Convention Center, a client of St. Louis PR Agency Geile/Leon Marketing Communications. Branson’s biggest stars, including Tony Orlando, Andy Williams and Yakov, along with community and business leaders, are joining forces to help those hit hardest by the Branson 2011 Flood. For more information, visit www.bransonflood.com

G/L Celebrity Look-A-Likes

Tim Leon
President/Brand Strategist

G/L Celebrity Look-A-Likes

Hey everyone:

If you’ve been to a St. Louis Blues game, you’ve seen the segment on the JumboTron where they take random photos of fans in the audience and show them next to a celebrity they most resemble. It’s a hoot! And believe it or not, our friends at Facebook have an app called Facedouble Twin–where you can put in your photo or someone elses photo, and it will source the celebrity you most resemble right next to yours. I thought it would be fun to pick Geile/Leon ad agency employees and do their celebrity look a like. Just for the heck of it, I also included the celebrity that I most resemble.

I plan to do this on occasion with other employees here….and maybe some of our clients (that have a sense of humor), Enjoy!

People always said I looked like Brad Pitt. The resemblance is uncanny.

 

 

 

Casa Gallardo Feeds Hungry Volunteers in Bridgeton

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

Casa Gallardo Feeds Hungry Volunteers in Bridgeton

Kudos to Casa Gallardo Mexican Restaurant for stepping up to the plate and providing lunch for more than 800 volunteers who joined the effort to help cleanup tornado-ravaged Bridgeton on Saturday. Casa Gallardo, a client of St. Louis PR Agency Geile/Leon Marketing Communications, stepped in to replace the food provider originally scheduled for that day, but cancelled mid-week. With just three days notice, Casa Gallardo’s Bridgeton location got to work planning the “big feed” and without missing a beat, delivered 800 delicious, ready-to-eat lunches to the hungry volunteers right on time Saturday. Gracias, Casa Gallardo!

Casa Gallardo To Cleanup Volunteers: “Lunch is On Us!”

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

Casa Gallardo To Cleanup Volunteers: “Lunch is On Us!”

Casa Gallardo—the Original Mexican Restaurant in St. Louis—and a client of Geile/Leon, a St. Louis PR agency, will say “thank you” to hundreds of volunteers this Saturday with a free lunch. The volunteers are working to help cleanup parts of Bridgeton, hit hard by the Good Friday tornadoes on April 22.

The restaurant’s Bridgeton location will prepare and deliver 800 ready-to-eat box lunches to the parking lot of Grace Church, where Service International is directing the relief efforts. From there, the lunches will be delivered directly to the volunteers in the field.

By the way, cleanup workers are still needed for work on Saturday. Just show up at 8:00 a.m. with old clothes, gloves and boots.

Grace Church is located at the intersection of McKelvey Rd. and Creve Coeur Mill Rd. in Maryland Heights. The lunches will arrive at 11:00 a.m.

Treat Mom to Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch in Branson

Geile/Leon Marketing Communications

Treat Mom to Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch in Branson

What better way to say “I Love You” to Mom than by taking her to Level 2 Steakhouse, at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, for a Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch? The Branson Convention Center is a client of St. Louis PR Agency Geile/Leon Marketing Communications.

Braised Newman Farms Pork Shank or Blackened Hawaiian Snapper are just the main courses! Chef-attended carving stations and so much more! Make you reservation today athttp://www.level2steakhouse.com/contact.html

Here’s the complete menu!

 

Imported and Domestic Cheese Display

Served with Honeycomb and Crackers

Charcuterie Display

Missouri Salami, Smoked Wild Game, House Cured Proscuitto, Lonza Diavolo and Chicken Liver Pate

Served with Fresh Baked Bread, Cornichons, Pickled Radishes and Stone Ground Mustard 

L2 Hors d’ Oeuvres

Seared Ahi Tuna with Sweet Chili Mayo and Charred Pineapple Salsa

Spring Time Bruschetta

L2 Deviled Eggs with Seared Beef Tenderloin and Avocado Mayo

Cold Seafood Display

Oysters on the Half Shell, Green Lip Mussels, Shrimp and King Crab Legs

Served with Cocktail Sauce, Champagne Mignonette and Lemons

Salads 

Spring Salad

Fresh Greens, Bibb Lettuce, Pineapple, Strawberries, Toasted Coconut and Vanilla Vinaigrette

Asparagus Salad

Served with Sectioned Oranges, Grilled Bell Peppers, Red Onions, Shaved Parmesan and Avocado Aioli

Infrared Salad

Infrared Grilled Mushrooms, Zucchini and Yellow Squash, Pearl Onions, Charred Hereford Beef, Blue Cheese and Tomato Pesto Tossed with Toasted Foccacia Croutons and Sea Salt

Main Course 

Ragout of Braised Newman Farms Pork Shank with Fresh Spring Peas, Mint,

Roasted Tomatoes and Fresh Spinach Parpadelle 

Blackened Hawaiian Snapper with Mango Beurre Blanc 

Red Potatoes with Caramelized Onions, Gruyere Cheese and Bacon 

Fresh Steamed Vegetables with Extra Virgin Olive and Balsamic

Breakfast 

Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Jack Cheese and Chives 

Eggs Benedict with Ham, Sautéed Spinach and Roasted Tomato Hollandaise 

Breakfast Potatoes 

Black Pepper Bacon and Maple Sausage 

Belgium Waffles with Strawberry Compote and Whipped Cream

Sliced Seasonal Fruit

Fresh Baked Muffins, Danish, Pan au Chocolat, Coffee Cake and Breakfast Breads

 

Action and Carving stations 

Chef Attended Omelet Station

Eggs and Omelets Prepared to Order

Eggs, Egg Whites or Egg Substitute, Diced Ham, Smoked Salmon, Sausage, Bacon, Diced Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Onions, Peppers, Spinach, Cheddar Jack Cheese and Feta Cheese

Chef Carved L2 Prime Rib

Rubbed with Herbs and Spices and Slow Roasted

Served with Horseradish Sauce, Fresh Baked Rolls and Rosemary Au Jus

Sea of Greens

Chef Attended Fresh Greens Cut to Order

Served with Kalamata Olives, Cipolline Onions, Roasted Peppers, Baby Carrots, Radishes,

Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Baby Green Beans, Balsamic Red Onions, Diced Bacon, Shredded Cheese

Served with Pesto Buttermilk, Vanilla Vinaigrette, Blue Cheese Dressing and Raspberry Vinaigrette

Mimosa, Bloody Mary Station 

Bloody Mary Station

Olives, Celery, Pickled Asparagus and Cucumbers

Mimosa Station

Pineapple Spears and Strawberries

Dessert 

Chef’s Dessert Display 


Contact