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THANK YOU for visiting this page to learn more about what our efforts have been to educate, inform, and motivate voters in our home state of Missouri about the importance of the nonpartisan court plan – The Missouri Plan!

Our case study detailing the past 10+ years of communications with Missouri voters is available for download here on this site.

The team here at The Rocket Group, under our Defend the Plan project, is ready to help your state bar committee or legal association to educate, inform, and motivate the voters in your area when you are ready to do so.

Please feel free to reach out at any time with any questions you may have. My online scheduler is MeetGusWagner.com if you’d like to grab just five minutes – or more – for a beginning conversation!

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Hey there! Gus Wagner here with The Rocket Group, and I thought I’d share the results of a recent experiment we conducted. As some of you may know, it’s now possible to set up your personal profiles to be digital creators. This is done through your profile settings, and it comes with the power to promote your posts to a broader audience, including the general public, your friends, and followers.

We decided to test this feature with a birthday video we were using for a fundraiser. To ensure it got seen, we promoted it. Our budget was $14 for seven days, meaning $2 a day, and we targeted friends and followers only. I have about 3,900 to 4,000 Facebook friends and followers on my personal profile, a relatively small audience compared to the extensive campaigns we run for brands nationwide.

The results were quite disappointing. Despite the promotion, only 85 people were reached. We garnered just three clicks, and while the cost per click was somewhat attractive, the overall reach for $14 was very poor. Typically, through a business ads manager, $14 would reach thousands of people daily. Even $2 would achieve a far greater reach than 85 people.

Based on this one small and biased experiment, we don’t recommend using personal profile advertising for significant campaigns. The reach and impact are minimal compared to business ads manager capabilities. 

If you need help with your social media, social media advertising, or general marketing, please feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you create your success story today. Thanks a lot!

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In today’s digital world, many businesses, organizations, and nonprofits often find themselves stuck when it comes to deciding what to post on social media. With so many content options available, it can feel overwhelming to consistently create posts that engage and grow your audience. Finding the right mix of content that resonates with your followers, matches your brand, and encourages interaction can be tricky. If you’re still looking for help or inspiration, feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to chat and help you review your marketing goals to create a social media presence that truly shines.

Quotes: Share inspiring or motivational quotes.

Infographics: Share visually engaging data or information.

Interesting Facts: Post intriguing tidbits about your efforts relevant to your audience.

Tips and Advice: Offer practical advice in your area of expertise.

How-To Guides: Provide step-by-step instructions.

Product Reviews: Share honest reviews of products and services.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Highlight positive feedback from clients.

User-Generated Content (UGC): Share content created by your followers.

Question Posts: Engage your audience with thoughtful questions.

Polls: Engage your audience with interactive polls.

Surveys: Conduct surveys to gather feedback.

Contests and Quizzes with Prizes: Increase interaction with fun competitions.

Giveaways: Host giveaways to increase engagement.

Blog Posts: Repurpose content from your blog.

Resource Lists: Compile and share useful resources.

Ebooks: Share downloadable ebooks.

Case Studies: Provide in-depth looks at successful projects.

Statistics: Share relevant data and statistics.

Recipes: Share culinary creations or favorite recipes, if you are in the food space.

Fashion Tips: Post advice on style and trends, if you are in the retail space

Health and Fitness Tips: Provide wellness and exercise guidance, if you are in the health space.

DIY Projects: Inspire with do-it-yourself ideas they can do on their own.

Travel: Share travel stories from your business travels

Travel Pictures: Share images from your business travels.

Cute Animal Videos/Pictures: Delight followers with adorable animal content or memes related to your product or service.

Funny Videos: Post lighthearted and humorous content.

Events: Announce upcoming events or share event highlights.

Local News: Keep your audience informed about local happenings in your community.

Behind the Scenes: Give a glimpse of your operations and team.

Show Your Culture: Showcase your company’s values and environment.

Personal Stories: Share relatable and personal narratives.

Celebrate People: Recognize team members, customers, or community figures.

Celebrate Achievements: Share your milestones and successes.

Announcements: Inform your audience about important updates and news.

Job Postings: Advertise open positions.

Group Events: Highlight group activities or community gatherings you are sponsoring.

Call to Action: Encourage your audience to take specific actions – like to spend money with you!

Photos: Post high-quality and engaging images.

Videos: Share various types of video content.

Live Videos: Engage with your audience in real-time.

Podcast Episodes: Promote your podcast content or appearances.

Tutorials: Post educational how-to videos or articles.

Q&A Sessions: Host question and answer sessions, even live ones!

Product Launch: Announce new products or services.

Sales Announcements: Inform your audience about sales, events, or special offers.

Freebies: Offer free resources or products.

Coupons and Discounts: Offer exclusive deals to your followers, sparingly.

Free Shipping: Promote free shipping offers if you offer shipping.

Links: Provide links to relevant and interesting articles or resources.

Checklist: Provide helpful checklists associated with your product or service.

Online Courses: Promote educational courses related to your product or service.

Webinars: Host online seminars.

Inspiration: Post motivational quotes and stories.

Gift Ideas: Suggest thoughtful gift options, which they can buy from you – of course!

Be Fun and/or Funny: Add humor and fun to your content.

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Rose - Comment (0)

In today’s digital landscape, social media isn’t just about broadcasting promotional messages; it’s about building engaged, loyal communities. Here at The Rocket Group, we understand that navigating the world of social media can be daunting. That’s why we’re here to help you unlock its true potential. Here’s why you should hire us for your social media needs:

Understanding the Value of Social Media

Many businesses, organizations, and nonprofits struggle to see social media’s true value, viewing it as merely a platform for promotions. We’re here to change that perception and increase your success. 

At The Rocket Group, we help our clients understand that social media is a powerful tool for fostering community engagement and loyalty. We prove its worth through compelling case studies and real-world results. Don’t have the metrics yet? No problem. 

Qualifying Our Work

We have been working in social media since Facebook was only on college campuses and Twitter was still called Twitter. The growth and daily changes of the platforms and their functions is incredibly time consuming, and then you have to have the time to create the content!

The team here at The Rocket Group has worked for years in social for clients from the Fortune 100 to local small businesses – and everywhere in between. We have grown with the well known platforms and are schooled on the smaller niches of social as well.

Additionally, we know your audience no matter where they are in America. Content we have created routinely reaches more than one million Americans a month – organically – and our engagement stats are through the roof as well.

Fair and Competitive Pricing

Balancing competitive pricing with delivering top-notch services can be challenging. At The Rocket Group, we use industry resources to inform our pricing strategies, ensuring we remain fair and competitive. However, we believe that our pricing should reflect our unique expertise and the value we bring to your business.

We are committed to impressing our clients with our results, not just our rates. We understand that every business is different, and we tailor our services to meet your specific needs. Our goal is to provide exceptional value and help you achieve your social media objectives, whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving engagement, or boosting conversions.

Check out our tiered services digital services grid, choose the column or services you are interested in, and let us put together a proposal and estimate of services for your consideration.

Building Strong Client Relationships

We do not under-deliver on our over-promise. 

We pride ourselves on our transparency and our ability to listen to your needs and concerns. Our onboarding process is designed to set clear expectations and ensure we are aligned with your goals from the start.

We are not just a service provider; we are your partner in success. Our team is dedicated to working closely with you to develop and implement social media strategies that drive results. We are here to support you every step of the way, from initial planning to execution and beyond.

Additionally, you have access to President.Owner Gus Wagner through every way there is to contact him if you need it!

Join Us Today

Choosing The Rocket Group means choosing a partner who is dedicated to helping you succeed in the ever-evolving world of social media. We bring expertise, transparency, and a commitment to delivering results. Let us help you build an engaged, loyal community and take your social media presence to new heights.

If you’re ready to see the difference we can make or need more inspiration, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to have a conversation and review your marketing goals. 

Contact us today!

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ICYMI, Google dropped its most massive upgrade yet last month with AI Overviews. We’re calling it the Google Apocalypse here at The Rocket Group, because the impact AI Overviews can have on your business is huge.

What are AI Overviews?

With AI Overviews, search results look quite different. Rather than serving up a list of sponsored and non-sponsored website links in response to a search query, Google now provides neat little boxes of information pulled from a variety of sources across the web. These boxes may contain the answers searchers are looking for, reducing their need to click on a website.

The world has already been trending toward zero-click searches with Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business). Many searchers can find hours, contact info, ratings, etc directly in search results. In fact, as many as half of all searches were “zero-click” prior to AI Overviews.

But now – expect the number of zero-click searches to go up, which could mean a big decline in organic traffic on your website. You know, that holy grail traffic that converts so well and grows your business. Don’t get lost in new world of AI search. We’ve got tips for you to stay relevant in the search space through this crazy Google Apocalypse and beyond.

Recommendations

Update your Google Business Profile.

No source is more important for local SEO and the world of zero-click searches than your Google Business Profile. It’s a critically important source for AI Overviews. If you have a GB profile, optimize it. If you don’t have one, get one.

Remember, if you have multiple locations, you’ll need separate profiles for each. You’ll want accurate Name/Address/Phone number info, hours, web address, and photos at a minimum. 

Invest in listings management.

AI Overviews is pulling info from multiple sources – so make sure you have correct NAP and hours info on Yelp, YP, City Pages, and all other public database-driven online directories. The best way to do this may be through a paid service.

Invest in Google reviews.

Ratings, ratings, ratings. It’s all about your star ratings. That’s been true for years, but with AI Overviews – it matters more than ever, especially for local business. Invest in a service that integrates with your customer management or point of sale software and automates review requests after purchases. If you don’t ask, you’re primarily going to hear from Negative Nancys. But when prompted, many people are willing to take the time to leave a review, especially if it’s made easy for them. 

Write for humans, structure for robots.

Infuse your written web content with “AI optimized” keywords – that’s a fancy way of saying use the same language as your customers. Keep it at a simple, elementary school reading level, and replace industry jargon with plain language.

But, behind the scenes in your code, structure your site for search engine robots to make it super clear what your website is about and what each page conveys. Your taxonomy and how you tag your posts makes a difference in how google classifies your site. Include Schema mark-up for additional clarity.

Make your website accessible.

All sorts of users with varying levels of ability may be visiting your site. Ensure that your site offers a clean experience to all individuals with alt tags on images, meta descriptions, clean links, and readable and contrasting fonts. Highly accessible sites are rewarded with better rankings and potential inclusion in AI overviews boxes.

Skip the spam – even in your domain name.

Google AI is over spammy keyword placement. You no longer need title tags that say “Duncan Hines | Best Missouri Lawyer | Jefferson City, Missouri.” With clear content and taxonomy, just keep it descriptive. “Duncan Hines | About Our Firm” is better. Google has confirmed that it will penalize for spammy keyword overuse.

Consider paid search as a stop gap.

You may already be noticing a decline in organic traffic – but even if not, a temporary paid search campaign may help close the gap. Clicks from paid search ads do not convert as well as organic ads, but this tactic can still help you maintain a brand presence in the Search Engine Results Page. Maintaining a strong SERP presence matters since the amount of zero-click searches is on the rise.

Get professional help.

Did you find any of the above recommendations confusing? You’re not alone. This AI Overviews SEO stuff is tricky, and it requires technical, web development knowledge along with access to paid services to maximize success and minimize negative impact.

The Rocket Group can help you survive the Google Apocalypse and thrive in the new age of search. We’re offering a free consultation and web presence audit along with affordable packages utilizing our partner tools for Google Business Profile management and digital marketing. Reach out today to schedule a meeting.

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Have you ever noticed someone from The Rural Agency checking out your LinkedIn profile and wondered why? Let us share a little insight into why we might be taking a closer look at your professional journey.

1. Sales Prospecting:

At The Rural Agency, we are always on the lookout for new opportunities to help businesses and organizations thrive in rural America. By reviewing LinkedIn profiles, we identify potential clients who could benefit from our specialized marketing services. Our goal is to find businesses that align with our mission and values, ensuring we can offer the most effective support.

2. Educating Ourselves on Your Job and Responsibilities:

Understanding your role within your organization helps us tailor our approach to meet your specific needs. By familiarizing ourselves with your job responsibilities, we can better appreciate the challenges you face and how our services might provide solutions. This background knowledge allows us to engage in more meaningful and relevant conversations, ensuring that we address your unique concerns and goals.

3. Assessing Fit for Potential Collaboration:

We want to make sure that any potential partnership is mutually beneficial. Reviewing your LinkedIn profile helps us determine if our services and expertise are a good fit for your business. We look at your industry, company size, and professional background to see how we might work together to achieve your marketing objectives.

In short, when we view your LinkedIn profile, it’s because we see the potential for a valuable connection. We are committed to fostering strong relationships and delivering exceptional results for our clients. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how we can support your marketing efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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In the fast-paced world of social media, engagement is the currency of success. When it comes to managing your Facebook content, responding promptly and appropriately to comments can make a significant difference. Whether it’s a glowing compliment or a critical remark, each comment presents an opportunity to enhance your brand’s image and build stronger relationships with your audience.

Respond Quickly and Positively

Aim to react or respond to every comment within a short, predefined timeframe. This shows your audience that you value their input and are attentive to their needs. Quick responses can foster a sense of community and encourage more interaction, which in turn boosts the visibility of your posts.

Celebrate Positive Engagement

When you receive positive comments, respond with equal enthusiasm. Express gratitude, provide additional information, or share a light-hearted comment. This not only reinforces positive feelings but also demonstrates your brand’s personality and approachability.

Handle Negative Comments with Care

Negative comments are inevitable, but they don’t have to be detrimental. Instead of deleting negative feedback, which can escalate the situation, choose to hide them when necessary. This approach prevents the comment from being visible to the broader audience while still being visible to the person who posted it and their friends. It’s a subtle way of managing your page’s environment without outright censorship, which can sometimes backfire.

When dealing with negative comments, always remain professional and empathetic. If the comment is a legitimate concern, address it constructively and offer to resolve the issue offline. This can turn a potentially negative experience into a positive one, showcasing your commitment to customer service.

Why This Matters

Engaging actively with your Facebook audience builds trust and loyalty. It shows that your brand isn’t just about broadcasting messages but is also keen on listening and interacting. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, enhanced brand reputation, and ultimately, more successful engagement on your social media platforms.

Introducing Fence Check Social Media Services

To help you stay on top of your social engagement, The Rural Agency offers Fence Check social media services. Fence Check monitors your social engagement and addresses it as soon as possible with the correct information, acknowledgment, or triaging to your attention. By ensuring timely and appropriate responses, we help you maintain a positive online presence and strengthen your relationships with your audience.

Remember, on social media, the conversation is always ongoing. Being an active participant in that conversation, with the support of our Fence Check services, can set your brand apart.

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Search engine optimization (SEO) might seem technical and complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. By following this simple SEO guide, you can improve your website’s search rankings in as very little time. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Check On-Page Speed and Quality

Start by making sure your website is running smoothly. You want your pages to load quickly and be easy to navigate. Use Google’s free PageSpeed Insights tool to check how fast your pages load. Aim for under three seconds, with under two seconds being ideal. If your pages are slow, try enabling browser caching or using a content delivery network (CDN) to store assets locally. WordPress users can install a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache to automatically manage caching and compress images.

While optimizing speed, also check for errors and duplicate content on your site. Duplicate pages or products can confuse search engines and hurt your rankings. Remove any duplicates you find.

2. Conduct Keyword Research

Next, focus on your content. You need to use keywords and phrases that match what people are actually searching for. Use free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner, UberSuggest, or Ahrefs to find longtail keywords—phrases that are more specific and less competitive.

Create pages that directly answer the questions people are searching for. Use your target keywords naturally in your headlines and opening sentences. Make sure your content is well-organized, with sections, quotes, and images that keep visitors engaged.

3. Configure Page Metadata

Metadata is the information that tells search engines what your pages are about. Make sure your title tags start with your target keywords and are written to encourage clicks. Keep your meta descriptions under 160 characters and summarize the purpose of the page.

If you’re using WordPress, a plugin like Yoast SEO can help you insert schema markup, which can trigger rich result previews in some searches. Optimized metadata can improve your click-through rates from search results.

4. Build Backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites to yours, and they signal to search engines that your site is credible. Start by creating valuable content that others will want to link to. Reach out to bloggers and influencers in your industry and ask them to link to your content. Guest posting on authority sites is another great way to get backlinks.

Consistently building relationships and creating valuable content will help you earn ethical backlinks that improve your search engine rankings over time. Use a free tool like Ahrefs to monitor your backlinks and assess your site’s authority.

5. Call Us

Still having issues? Don’t sweat it. We all feel intimidated in the beginning when it comes to SEO. If you need help, or just want someone to take these worries off of your plate, feel free to reach out to us at any time!

By following this advice, you can systematically improve your website’s visibility on search engines. It might take up to three months to see significant changes, but staying organized and consistent will build momentum and bring lasting results.

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A backlink, in the context of search engine optimization (SEO), is a link from one website to another. Think of it as a “vote” or a reference from one site to another. Here’s how it works and why it’s important:

1. What is a Backlink?

Imagine website A and website B. If website A includes a link that leads to website B, this link is a backlink for website B. It’s like website A is saying, “Check out website B for more information.”

2. Why are Backlinks Important?

Search engines like Google use backlinks as a way to gauge the credibility and relevance of a website. If a site has many backlinks from reputable sources, search engines consider it more likely to be valuable and informative. This can positively affect the site’s ranking in search results.

3. Quality over Quantity

Not all backlinks are equal. A backlink from a well-respected, authoritative website (like a major news outlet or academic institution) is more valuable than many backlinks from lesser-known or low-quality websites. Quality backlinks can significantly boost a site’s SEO.

4. Natural Link Building

The best backlinks are those that occur naturally. This means other website owners link to your site because they value your content and believe it adds value for their audience. Artificially creating backlinks (like paying for them or using shady tactics) can be penalized by search engines.

5. Relevance Matters

Backlinks from websites that are relevant to your site’s content are more effective. For instance, if you have a gardening blog, a backlink from a gardening supplies website is more valuable than one from a car repair site.

6. Anchor Text

The clickable text in a hyperlink (anchor text) also matters. If the anchor text is relevant to the content it links to, it can provide additional context and help search engines understand what the linked page is about.

In summary, backlinks are links from other websites to yours, and they act as endorsements in the eyes of search engines. High-quality, relevant backlinks from reputable sources can improve your site’s search engine ranking and visibility.

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Embracing the Power of Print Ads Amidst Slowed-Down Readers: A Journey of Success in the 2020s

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital marketing, it’s easy to overlook the enduring charm and effectiveness of traditional marketing channels. While the 2020s ushered in an era of fast-paced technological advancements, traditional print advertising has not lost its touch. In fact, the slowed-down readership culture of the 2020s has allowed print ads to carve out a unique space in the hearts of consumers. This blog post explores the undeniable significance of print advertising in the 2020s, highlighting its power to connect with audiences and narrating a compelling success story that exemplifies its effectiveness.

The Slowed-Down Readership Culture of the 2020s:

The 2020s brought about a significant shift in how people consume information. With the rise of smartphones, social media, and digital content platforms, readers have become accustomed to rapid scrolling and skimming through vast amounts of information. In this fast-paced digital age, traditional marketing approaches often struggle to capture and retain the audience’s attention. However, there has been an unexpected silver lining for print advertising in this seemingly adverse landscape.

Amid the relentless influx of digital content, people have started to crave a sense of calmness and authenticity. This has led to a resurgence of appreciation for tangible experiences and physical materials, with print ads emerging as a refreshing alternative to the digital noise. Slowed-down readers, seeking respite from the digital frenzy, are more likely to engage with the immersive and tangible nature of print ads, making it an invaluable channel for marketers in the 2020s.

The Timelessness of Print Ads:

Print advertising’s timeless appeal lies in its ability to deliver a multi-sensory experience. The touch of glossy paper, the vibrant colors, and the carefully crafted copy combine to create an emotional connection that digital ads often struggle to replicate. In an age where digital fatigue is prevalent, the tangibility of print ads offers a sense of trustworthiness and permanence that digital ads cannot match.

Moreover, print ads benefit from the “halo effect” of traditional media, evoking feelings of nostalgia and familiarity. Consumers who grew up with print media are more likely to trust and engage with print ads, perceiving them as a reliable source of information. This innate trust contributes to the success of print advertising campaigns even in the dynamic marketing landscape of the 2020s.

A Success Story: The Rise of XYZ Brand through Print Advertising

To illustrate the power of print advertising in the 2020s, let’s explore the success story of XYZ Brand, a start-up specializing in handcrafted leather goods. In an era dominated by e-commerce and digital advertising, XYZ Brand’s marketing team dared to take a different approach.

Understanding their target audience’s desire for authenticity and premium craftsmanship, XYZ Brand launched a print advertising campaign that celebrated the artistry and tradition behind their products. They collaborated with renowned lifestyle magazines and luxury publications, strategically placing eye-catching full-page print ads that showcased their unique leather creations.

The results were astounding. XYZ Brand’s print ads garnered widespread attention, sparking conversations among readers who appreciated the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship. The slowed-down readers of the 2020s allowed the message to sink in, and soon, XYZ Brand witnessed a surge in website traffic and inquiries. The print ads not only brought in new customers but also established a loyal following who valued the brand’s commitment to quality and heritage.

Conclusion:

In the 2020s, traditional marketing, particularly print advertising, proved its resilience and effectiveness in the face of rapidly evolving digital trends. The slowed-down readership culture allowed print ads to shine, offering a unique opportunity to connect with audiences on a deeper level. XYZ Brand’s success story is a testament to the enduring charm of print advertising, demonstrating that in a world of fleeting digital content, tangible and authentic experiences still hold a special place in the hearts of consumers. As marketers continue to adapt to the changing landscape, embracing the power of print ads in the 2020s and beyond will undoubtedly yield remarkable results.

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