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Gus Wagner - Comment (0)

If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there? That’s exactly why setting clear goals is the foundation of any successful social media strategy.

Too many brands jump into social media without a plan, posting whatever seems relevant at the moment. But without defined objectives, it’s impossible to measure success or refine your strategy. Instead, take a step back and answer these critical questions:

• What do we want to accomplish? (More followers? More website traffic? Higher engagement?)
• Who are we trying to reach?
• How will we measure success? (Likes and shares are nice, but conversions and customer engagement matter more.)

How to Set the Right Social Media Goals

1. Make them SMART: Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Instead of saying, “We want more followers,” try “We want to grow our Facebook page by 15% in three months by running targeted ad campaigns.”
2. Align with Business Objectives: If your company wants to increase sales, your social media goal shouldn’t just be about engagement—it should focus on conversion.
3. Use Platform-Specific Goals: Instagram and LinkedIn serve different purposes. Tailor your goals for each platform.
4. Track Progress & Adjust: Set up analytics tools to monitor your progress. If a strategy isn’t working, pivot and try something new.

Why It Matters

Clear goals keep your social media efforts focused and effective. Without them, you’re just throwing content into the void and hoping for the best. Set your goals, track your progress, and adjust as needed. Your social media strategy will be stronger for it.

🚀 Need help defining the right social media goals for your business? Let’s talk.

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Gus Wagner - Comment (0)

The social media world moves fast, but that doesn’t mean you should post just for the sake of posting. Quality content is what stops the scroll, sparks conversations, and drives results.

Why Quality Matters More Than Quantity

Bombarding your audience with too many posts can actually reduce engagement. Instead of flooding feeds, focus on creating posts that:

• Provide real value (education, entertainment, inspiration)
• Align with your brand’s voice and message
• Encourage meaningful interactions
• Are visually appealing and well-written

A few high-quality posts will always outperform a flood of low-effort content.

How to Prioritize Quality Content

1. Plan with Purpose – Every post should have a reason. Ask: Does this educate, entertain, or engage my audience?
2. Focus on Strong Visuals – High-resolution images, compelling graphics, and well-edited videos make a difference.
3. Write Thoughtful Captions – Don’t just post an image with one-word captions. Use storytelling, insights, or calls to action.
4. Use Engagement Data to Improve – Track which posts perform best and create more content like it.
5. Post Less, But Make It Count – One impactful post per day is better than five rushed, forgettable ones.

Final Thoughts

Social media success isn’t about how often you post—it’s about how well you connect with your audience. Prioritize quality, and your engagement will thank you. 

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Gus Wagner - Comment (0)

You wouldn’t talk to your grandma the same way you talk to your best friend, right? The same logic applies to social media. Knowing your audience—what they care about, where they hang out, and how they engage—makes all the difference in crafting a successful strategy.

Why Audience Research Matters

Your content won’t resonate with everyone, and that’s okay. What matters is that it resonates with the right people. Understanding your audience helps you:

• Create content that aligns with their interests and needs
  
• Choose the right social platforms
  
• Post at optimal times for engagement
  
• Speak in a tone that connects with them
  

How to Identify Your Audience

1. Analyze Your Existing Followers – Use analytics tools on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see demographics, behaviors, and interests.
   
2. Survey Your Customers – Ask them what type of content they find most valuable.
   
3. Monitor Competitors – See who follows and engages with competitors to refine your target audience.
   
4. Use Social Listening Tools – Monitor conversations about your industry to see what topics your audience is discussing.

Tailor Your Messaging for Maximum Engagement

Once you understand your audience, refine your content strategy:

• Use the language and tone that fits them
  
• Post content that solves their problems or entertains them
  
• Engage by responding to comments, messages, and questions
  

Final Thoughts

Your audience is at the core of every successful social media strategy. Understanding them will improve your content.

🚀 Need help identifying and reaching your target audience? Let’s talk.

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Gus Wagner - Comment (0)

The Rocket Group was born in Missouri, and it’s here to stay. Gus Wagner arrived in Missouri’s Capital City in 2003, from eastern Missouri, and decided to put down roots—for a girl, for a growing community, and for a business network that has thrived for decades. Since then, The Rocket Group has been at the forefront of marketing, branding, and advocacy projects across digital, social, and traditional platforms—all of which start right here in Jeff City.

Some people, not us, say we made the #JCMO hashtag popular in the aughts.

Our web design work? Our JeffCityWebDesign.com brand is all about Jefferson City. Our marketing campaigns? They launch from Jefferson City. While our team operates virtually, 90% of our members are based in Missouri, with just a couple of valued colleagues stationed just over the state line in Illinois and Nebraska. This isn’t some faceless agency run by an out-of-state conglomerate with no ties to the community. This is homegrown, Missouri-based marketing expertise that understands local businesses, is a part of the local consumer audience, and the importance of community engagement.

Heck, we have been involved in one way or another with every nonprofit in Cole County!

Gus Wagner has owned The Rocket Group from Day One, and he’ll own it until his last day working here. We aren’t interested in selling out to a corporation that bundles together similar agencies without any real connection to the communities they serve. Our foundation is strong because it was built on relationships, trust, and results—right here in Jefferson City.

The rest of the country is full of wonderful people, but if you really want to understand Jefferson City you have to be here. 

If you’re looking for a marketing partner who understands this community and how to connect it to the world, you’ve found it. The Rocket Group isn’t just based in Missouri—it’s built for Missouri.

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Rose - Comment (0)

Social media managers in rural America often face various challenges and frustrations in their roles, as the field can be demanding and ever-changing. Some of the biggest frustrations they encounter include:

1. Constant Algorithm Changes: Social media platforms frequently update their algorithms, affecting reach and engagement. Keeping up with these changes and adapting strategies accordingly can be challenging.
2. Content Creation and Consistency: Generating fresh, high-quality content consistently can be time-consuming. Maintaining a content calendar, creating visuals, and writing captions can become overwhelming.
3. Managing Multiple Platforms: Handling multiple social media platforms, each with its unique audience and requirements, can be a juggling act. Ensuring a consistent brand voice across all platforms is a challenge.
4. Balancing Quantity and Quality: Striking the right balance between posting frequently to maintain engagement and ensuring the content’s quality can be difficult. Sometimes, quantity may compromise quality, and vice versa.
5. Negative Feedback and Trolling: Dealing with negative comments, trolls, and online harassment can be emotionally draining. Social media managers need to address these issues professionally and protect the brand’s reputation.
6. Measuring ROI: Proving the ROI (Return on Investment) of social media efforts can be challenging. Demonstrating the impact of social media on business goals like sales and conversions is often required but not always straightforward.
7. Keeping Up with Trends: Staying up-to-date with the latest social media trends, tools, and features is essential. Failing to adopt new trends can result in stagnation, but it can be overwhelming to constantly adapt.
8. Meeting KPIs and Metrics: Meeting key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics while dealing with algorithm changes and competition can be frustrating. It requires flexibility and innovation in strategies.
9. Time Management: Social media management involves numerous tasks, including scheduling posts, analyzing data, responding to messages, and more. Efficient time management is crucial.
10. Resource Constraints: Limited budgets and resources can restrict the ability to invest in advertising, tools, or additional team members, making the job more challenging.
11. Management Expectations: Managing expectations of clients or higher-ups who may not fully understand the complexities and time required for effective social media management can be a source of frustration.

If any of these sound familiar to your professional life, we only have one question: how can we help?

The Rural Agency has the experience, depth of staff, knowledge of the rural landscape in your part of America and your industry, as well as the dedicated time to focus on the daily advancements of social media platforms and their audiences.

Let’s connect and discuss how we can work together to make your social media success story a happy one!

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Rose - Comment (0)

Reaching rural and suburban travel and adventure in Missouri planners just got easier. If you want to attract visitors to your destination, event, or attraction, The Rural Agency and Rural Missouri magazine have created a cost-effective, high-impact advertising opportunity—and it’s as simple as one inch of text.

Introducing: Small Ads to Big Audiences

This exclusive opportunity allows tourism and attraction marketers to place one-inch, text-only ads on a special Tourism Spotlight page in Rural Missouri magazine, reaching 1.5 million engaged, high-income, travel-ready readers every month—for $300 per month (prepaid required).

Why Rural Missouri?

Rural Missouri’s readers aren’t just daydreaming about their next trip—they are actively planning and spending. Here’s why they are the perfect audience for your attraction:

• Affluent & Ready to Travel – A significant portion of readers earn above the national median income and are in a strong financial position to spend on leisure activities. $96,000+ AHI!
  
• Frequent Travelers – Readers report traveling often, with 78% taking multiple in-state leisure trips each year and 53% spent more than $3000 on those trips!
  
• Action-Takers – More than 85% of readers say they’ve taken action—visited a business, purchased a product, or planned a trip—because of something they saw in the magazine.

What’s Included?

Each one-inch ad ($300 per month, prepaid) is text-only and placed within a dedicated Tourism Spotlight section of Rural Missouri. The package also includes:

• An Organic Social Media Post – A branded graphic promoting your attraction will be shared on Rural Missouri’s Facebook and Instagram (labeled as an ad).
  
• Statewide Promotion Map – Your location will be highlighted on a Missouri map featured on the same page, making it easy for readers to plan their trip.
  
• Events Calendar Listing – If your ad is promoting an event, it will be included in Rural Missouri’s widely-read event calendar.
  
• Copy and Basic Graphic Design Assistance – The Rural Agency can assist with writing your ad copy and creating a simple graphic for your social media post at no additional charge.

Looking for a Larger Presence

For those who want more visibility, a 1/3-page ad on this featured page is available for $3,000 per month and we have our full-page and half-page ads, with independent placement throughout the magazine issue, as well.

Limited Availability – Must Sell Out to Publish

This opportunity is only available in limited quantity each month, and the section must be sold out to run.

To see an example of what the page will look like each month, refer to the included image in this post.

Reserve Your Ad Today

Don’t miss your chance to put your destination in front of 1.5 million engaged travelers across Missouri and beyond. Contact The Rural Agency today to secure your spot in the next available issue.

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Rose - Comment (0)

At The Rural Agency, we understand the unique challenges rural electric cooperatives face. You’re lean, community-focused, and dedicated to serving your members with reliability, affordability, and transparency. But with so much on your plate, who’s handling your marketing and communications as their largest priority of the day?

That’s where we come in.

The “8th Cooperative Principle”—There’s Always Another Job to Do

As Gus Wagner often says, there’s an unofficial 8th Cooperative Principle: There’s always another job for somebody to do in the Co-op world. Your team is probably stretched thin, balancing member needs, infrastructure, regulations, and evolving energy trends- and explaining all of this to your members/consumers/owners on a frequent basis.

We know this because we’ve worked with rural electric cooperatives across the country for years and years, helping them connect with members, educate their communities and decision makers, and drive engagement—all while staying true to their cooperative principles.

How The Rural Agency Can Help Your Co-op

We offer a full suite of marketing and communication services tailored specifically for rural electric cooperatives. Whether you need to reach members through social media, digital advertising, or a well-managed website, we’ve got you covered.

📲 Social Media Management

Keeping members informed about safety, efficiency, and energy updates is critical—but managing social media takes time. We can handle content creation, engagement, and strategy – all of it with our turnkey solutions, or just some of it to help lessen your work loads-for your co-op across platforms like Facebook and Instagram and more, ensuring your members stay in the loop.

Also, We are there for you on the regular 72-degree and sunny days as well as the ones where Mother Nature wants to play havoc with your reliability – All Day, Every Day too!

🎯 Social & Digital Advertising

Want to promote an upcoming meeting, rebate program, or cost saving opportunities? We create highly targeted digital ad campaigns that reach the right members at the right time—driving awareness and action without wasting your budget.

🌐 Website Development & Management (Yes, Even Your Web Builder!)

Your website is often the first place members go for news, outage updates, and account information. We can help you:
✔ Build a brand-new website or refresh your existing one
✔ Manage your Web Builder site (yes, we know how to work with the Drupal systems!)
✔ Ensure your website is ADA-compliant, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate

And More…including but not limited to crisis communications, hiring campaigns, voting portals, and advocacy efforts directed at the public or decision makers at the local, state, and/or national levels.

From content creation to email and text marketing, and branding our #RuralElectric-experienced team is ready to support your co-op with whatever you need.

Let’s Get to Work!

We’ve spent decades connecting rural America with the world and vice versa—and we’re ready to put that experience to work again for co-ops and for you and your members. Our service programs start at only $400/month, with a three-month minimum, and are customizable to your ongoing or urgent needs.

💬 Let’s talk about your co-op’s marketing needs. Contact The Rural Agency today and let’s build a stronger connection with your community, together.

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Gus Wagner - Comment (0)

At The Rocket Group, we’ve seen firsthand how online reviews can make or break a business, nonprofit, or organization. Google Reviews, in particular, are the gold standard of online feedback. They’re trusted by consumers and prominently displayed in search results, making them a powerful tool for building credibility, attracting new customers, and standing out in your market. Whether you’re running a small business in Jefferson City, managing a nonprofit initiative, or leading a larger organization, Google Reviews can significantly impact your success. Let’s explore why they’re essential and how to earn them effectively.

The Power of Google Reviews

1. Boosts Visibility in Search Results

Google’s algorithm loves user-generated content, and reviews play a critical role in local SEO. A steady stream of positive reviews can help your business appear higher in local search results, putting you front and center when potential customers or supporters are looking for services or causes like yours.

2. Builds Trust and Credibility

A glowing Google Review can be the modern equivalent of word-of-mouth marketing. Reviews act as social proof, showing others that people have had positive experiences with your brand. Even constructive criticism—when handled properly—can showcase your responsiveness and commitment to improvement.

3. Increases Engagement and Conversions

According to studies, nearly 95% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase. The presence of reviews can influence a potential customer to choose you over the competition. Even nonprofits benefit, as positive reviews often translate to increased donations, volunteers, or event attendance.

4. Provides Valuable Feedback

Google Reviews aren’t just about showcasing your strengths—they’re also a goldmine of insights. By analyzing the feedback, you can identify areas for improvement and understand what your audience values most.

How to Request Google Reviews

The key to earning great reviews is making it easy for your customers, clients, or supporters to share their experiences. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Ask at the Right Time

Timing is everything. Request a review when the experience is fresh, such as right after a successful event, purchase, or interaction.

2. Simplify the Process

Provide a direct link to your Google Reviews page. Use tools like The HOTH’s guide to create a short, user-friendly link that you can include in emails, texts, or even printed materials.

3. Leverage Email Marketing

Send follow-up emails to customers or donors, thanking them for their support and kindly asking for a review. Personalize the message to show you care about their opinion.

4. Incorporate Into Your Workflow

Train your team to ask for reviews as part of their daily interactions. For example, staff members at a coffee shop might say, “If you enjoyed your latte today, we’d love if you left us a Google Review!”

5. Use Social Media

Post reminders on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms, encouraging your followers to leave reviews. Share examples of existing reviews to inspire others.

6. Reward Honest Feedback

While you can’t offer incentives for positive reviews, you can express gratitude by thanking reviewers publicly or featuring their feedback on your website.

Handling Reviews: The Good and the Not-So-Good

• Respond to Every Review: Thank people for their positive feedback and acknowledge any concerns in negative reviews with a solution-focused response.
  
• Stay Professional: Avoid emotional or defensive replies. Instead, use negative reviews as opportunities to demonstrate excellent customer service.

The Rocket Group Can Help

At The Rocket Group, we specialize in helping businesses and organizations like yours harness the power of digital marketing. From creating campaigns to guide your audience to leave reviews, to managing your online reputation, we’re here to help you succeed. Let us help you launch your visibility to the next level with Google Reviews as your secret weapon.

Want to talk strategy? Let’s connect and make your online presence shine.

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Gus Wagner - Comment (0)

Social media platforms have revolutionized the way we connect, communicate, and share information. Unfortunately, they’ve also become breeding grounds for misinformation. From half-truths to outright fabrications, misinformation spreads at an alarming rate, creating confusion and eroding trust. As marketers, publishers, and advertisers, we play a critical role in combating this growing issue.

The Stakes Are High

Misinformation impacts more than just individuals; it affects brands, industries, and society as a whole. Left unchecked, it can:

• Undermine trust in institutions and media.
  
• Damage brand reputations by associating them with misleading content.
  
• Influence consumer behavior in ways that harm public safety and welfare.

Marketers and advertisers must take proactive steps to ensure their messaging doesn’t contribute to the problem—and ideally, becomes part of the solution.

Practical Steps to Tackle Misinformation

Here are actionable ways marketers, publishers, and advertisers can address misinformation:

1. Choose Platforms Wisely

Not all social media platforms enforce their policies on misinformation equally. Partner with platforms that prioritize fact-checking and transparency. Facebook, Twitter (now X), LinkedIn, and others have varying degrees of commitment to these values—so choose your channels strategically.

2. Support Quality Journalism

Place ads in reputable publications and partner with publishers committed to fact-based reporting. Doing so not only aligns your brand with trusted sources but also helps sustain journalism in an age when it’s needed more than ever.

3. Leverage Technology for Monitoring

Misinformation spreads quickly. Tools like FenceChecks.com can help businesses monitor digital and social communications to detect harmful content in real-time. By listening to the digital conversation, you can act before misinformation takes root.

4. Proactive Engagement

When misinformation about your brand or industry emerges, don’t stay silent. Engage directly and transparently to provide accurate information. FenceChecks.com and services like it empower brands to take control of the narrative, responding swiftly to diffuse potentially damaging situations.

5. Educate Your Audience

Consumers are more likely to trust brands that take a stand against misinformation. Share content that educates your audience about identifying fake news, understanding reliable sources, and verifying information.

6. Invest in Contextual Targeting

Move beyond behavioral targeting and invest in contextual targeting. Placing your ads next to credible content ensures your brand isn’t inadvertently funding misinformation or hate speech.

How The Rocket Group Helps

At The Rocket Group, we understand the challenges brands face in today’s misinformation-laden landscape. That’s why we offer a suite of tools and services designed to empower marketers, publishers, and advertisers to take meaningful action.

• FenceChecks.com: Our proprietary tool listens to digital and social communications, identifying potential issues before they escalate. Whether it’s harmful rumors or outright lies, we help brands take swift, effective action.
  
• Proactive Engagement Services: Our team works on your behalf to respond to misinformation, ensuring your brand’s reputation stays intact.
  
• Strategic Ad Placement: We guide you in choosing platforms and publishers that align with your values, ensuring your advertising dollars support credible and trustworthy content.

A Call to Action

The fight against misinformation is one we all have a stake in. As marketers, publishers, and advertisers, we have the tools, platforms, and influence to drive positive change. Let’s commit to building a digital ecosystem where truth thrives, trust is restored, and brands can grow ethically.

Ready to take a stand? Contact us today to learn how The Rocket Group can help you protect your brand and promote truth in the digital age.

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Gus Wagner - Comment (0)

You’re trying to visit a website, maybe to check out a local business, pay a bill, or shop online, but instead of the page you expected, you’re hit with a stark error message: “This site can’t provide a secure connection.” Frustrating, right?

If you’ve ever encountered this issue, you’re not alone. These errors can happen for various reasons, but they all boil down to a problem with the site’s SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate or how your browser interacts with it. For businesses, these issues can be more than just annoying—they can drive customers away. At Jeff City Web Design, we’re here to explain what’s going on and how to fix it.

What’s an SSL, Anyway?

An SSL certificate is like a digital handshake between your website and its visitors. It encrypts data exchanged on your site, ensuring sensitive information (like credit card numbers or login credentials) stays safe. Sites with SSL certificates display “HTTPS” in their URL, often accompanied by a padlock icon. Without one, visitors might see scary warnings and think twice about sticking around.

Common Causes of SSL Errors (and How to Solve Them)

Here are some of the most frequent culprits behind that dreaded “This site can’t provide a secure connection” message, along with practical solutions:

1. Expired SSL Certificate

SSL certificates don’t last forever. If yours has expired, browsers will flag your site as insecure.

Fix it: Renew your SSL certificate. Most hosting providers offer automated renewal options to avoid this problem.

2. Mismatched Domain Name

Your SSL certificate must match your domain. If you’ve recently changed your URL or are using subdomains, this can cause issues.

Fix it: Ensure your certificate covers all variations of your domain (e.g., www.example.com and example.com).

3. Incorrect Server Settings

Sometimes, server configurations can interfere with SSL connections.

Fix it: Double-check your server settings or reach out to your hosting provider for assistance.

4. Outdated Browser or Operating System

Browsers and operating systems need updates to stay compatible with the latest SSL protocols.

Fix it: Update your browser and operating system to their latest versions.

5. Firewall or Antivirus Interference

Your security software might mistakenly block a secure connection.

Fix it: Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software and see if the problem persists. If it does, whitelist the website.

6. Certificate Revocation

SSL certificates can be revoked if they’re compromised or issued incorrectly.

Fix it: Check your certificate status and replace it if necessary.

Why This Matters

For website owners, an SSL error isn’t just a technical hiccup—it’s a potential barrier to trust. Visitors may not understand the details but will likely associate your site with “unsafe.” That’s bad for business.

How Jeff City Web Design Can Help

At Jeff City Web Design, we specialize in building secure, user-friendly websites that work seamlessly. From obtaining and installing SSL certificates to troubleshooting errors, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we’ll ensure your site remains secure with ongoing maintenance and updates.

Having trouble with SSL errors or other website issues? Don’t worry—Jeff City Web Design has your back. Our team of experts will diagnose and fix the problem quickly, ensuring your website runs smoothly and securely.

Take the Next Step Today

Don’t let SSL errors keep your customers away. Contact Jeff City Web Design today to keep your website secure and welcoming. Whether you need a new SSL certificate, ongoing site maintenance, or a complete website overhaul, we’re here to help. Let’s make your website work for you!

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