Category: Blog

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What you need to know about GA4

In digital marketing, tracking website traffic is imperative. Google Analytics is the tool used to track and measure this data. Giving you insight into what people are doing on your site and how you can improve transactions with their time spent. Google Analytics is now transitioning to GA4, the newest version of Google Analytics  – which completely reimagines data collection and analysis, combining all of Universal Analytics strengths with brand-new features created to take advantage of the opportunities provided by big data and machine learning.

On July 1, 2023, all standard Universal Analytics properties will stop collecting website data. From that date on, website traffic will be recorded only in the new GA4 tool. Now is the time to make sure you are set up on GA4!

What is Google Analytics 4?

Google Analytics 4 replaces Google Analytics with a new class of property that offers different reports from those you’re used to seeing in Universal Analytics properties. Google Analytics 4 allows you to track traffic and user engagement across all of your websites and apps. This documentation offers implementation guidelines and reference materials targeted at developers.

What is the difference between GA4 and Universal Analytics?

Universal Analytics was built on the idea of measuring user sessions on your website, while the new GA4 is built with an entirely different architecture aimed at measuring engagement events [how people interact with your website when they are there]. Engagement events can be defined by page views, clicks, form submissions, and even custom events you’re able to set up for any user activity on your site. For example, if XX is an important action to know whether a user is absorbing the information on your website, you can set up an event to track XYZ.

What is new about GA4

The implications this architectural change has on tracking are vast and significant. GA4 is much more data-capable than Universal Analytics. GA4 can provide significantly more information about what users are doing on your website or app and can be used to track a variety of different actions, in addition to simply web traffic.

The tracking of users across platforms and devices is one of GA4’s most efficient features. This enables you to obtain a thorough understanding of how customers engage with your brand whether they are using your website, your mobile app, or both.

A GA4 property can pull in data from more than one source, unifying data from your different domains and mobile applications into one view to better understand the customer journey. For mobile app developers, this allows an easy merge of IOS and Android mobile app analytics.

GA 4 also uses event-based data instead of session-based and includes privacy controls such as cookieless measurement, and behavioral and conversion modeling.

This is enabled through the use of “data streams,” which are essentially different “views” of your data based on specific criteria you’ve set up. You could, for instance, make a stream for all web traffic, one for all app traffic, or one for all traffic coming from a specific acquisition source.

Other new measurable metrics features available:

  • Active Users — Number of users that have been active in a 28-day period
  • Engaged Sessions — Number of sessions that lasted longer than 10 seconds, had a conversion event, or had at least 2 views
  • Engagement Rate — Percentage of total sessions that were engaged sessions
  • Average Engagement Time — Calculated summation of user engagement durations per active user
  • Event Count — Count of triggered events or hits

How Google Analytics 4 Will Affect You

If you are not set up with GA4 after July 1, 2023, you will no longer be able to view your current website data.  It is important to transition your account to GA4 NOW to ensure there won’t be a blackout period in tracking from switching platforms. Noisy Trumpet has already transitioned overall current clients GA4. If you are not a current client, we are here to help!

Historical data collected through Universal Analytics will no longer be viewable after July 1, 2024. Should you like to view and access that historical data, we are also able to export the information to ensure it is collected and secured. From there, we can set up custom reporting dashboards you can reference down the road.

Conclusion

Overall, the Noisy Trumpet team has successfully migrated all of our client’s Google Analytics accounts to GA4, and is now in the process of exporting and preserving all of the previous data and analytics from Google Analytics. If you have any questions or want to learn more about GA4 migration and exporting past analytics data, contact us today, and our team will be happy to assist.

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Blog Noisy Trumpet

Agency Increases Nonprofit Donation to Break Record Fundraising Amount

By: Fran Freeland Yanity

I love having a positive impact on society and those around me.

To be able to work in a business environment that shares this belief is a true blessing.

As the nonprofit spring fundraising season comes to a close, I am grateful for being part of the Noisy Trumpet and PM Group family of companies that give so much back to our community.

For the past few months, I have had the honor to serve as chair for JDRF’s “Fund A Cure” efforts in San Antonio helping raise funds to cure, prevent, and treat Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and its complications. Thanks to the incredible team supporting the effort, the 2023 Promise Ball and Golf Tournament raised over $1.4M with a net of $978,457.92. It was a record-breaking year for fundraising!

Following the successful event weekend, the JDRF Board gathered to review the incredible results. While we were immensely proud of the funds raised, we agreed that reaching $1 million net in research funds would further our mission tremendously – we were so close to breaking the record! Amidst the discussion, my business partner Bob Wills, asked if our companies could donate ANOTHER $25,000, on top of the $160,000 in sponsorships and “Fund A Cure” donations we already committed, so that JDRF could surpass this goal. The suggestion was met with complete awe – the room was blown away and erupted in tears and cheers. No one could remember the last time JDRF South Central Texas had raised over $1M net for research.

Achieving this milestone, however, is not just about a successful fundraising campaign – finding a cure is deeply important to me.

My family history with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) spans almost 100 years.

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that can run in families with a genetic predisposition to it.

My grandfather, Charles Johnston Freeland, Jr., was diagnosed at the age of 16 in 1931. Even though he received cutting-edge care during The Great Depression at renown hospitals across the country from his home, so much was unknown about the management of this terrible disease. He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 57 in 1972, a big loss for our family.

Since that time, we’ve had a niece diagnosed with T1D, then our daughter, Leighton, was diagnosed on May 16, 2020, at the age of 11.  While my grandfather was diagnosed at the dawn of survivability of this disease, shortly after insulin was discovered, my daughter was diagnosed on the cusp of a cure thanks to JDRF.

Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has dramatically altered the trajectory of this awful disease for millions of people diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. From the artificial pancreas to the continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and stem cell research, JDRF has led the way in funding life-changing research.

JDRF is my personal passion project.

I am blessed to work for a group of companies that supports JDRF and is pushing for a cure as much as I am.

 

ABOUT NOISY TRUMPET

Based in San Antonio, Noisy Trumpet is an integrated digital marketing and public relations agency that leverages audience insights to craft messaging and creative that elevate brands as leaders across marketing channels. Founded in 2018, Noisy Trumpet helps clients identify new and relevant opportunities to engage and connect with their target audience through digital marketing and advertising, website development, social media management, and public relations.

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Blog Public Relations

Making a Difference in the Community Through Public Relations

Embarking on a career change is never an easy transition. However when your goals align with your passion, that’s when your move becomes seamless. I became a journalist because I wanted to tell stories, give a voice to those who had none, but most importantly I wanted to make a difference in my community. When deadly flooding struck Wimberly, Texas during Memorial Day in 2015, killing eight people and leaving millions of dollars in damage behind, as a journalist, I knew I had a duty to help those Central Texas residents. From interviewing residents who had lost everything to attending fundraisers, I wanted viewers at home to see what these folks were going through and encourage them to help as well. When you help others who are in need, not only do you feel good as a person, but you can encourage others to do the same.

When I made my career change, the biggest challenge I faced was trying to achieve that same feeling of helping others but on a different scale – public relations. Every media pitch and press release I received from public relations agencies felt more about selling their client to you than about authenticity. However, when I dipped my toes into the public relations industry one of my clients proved that you can be authentic, if you know how to share real-life experiences.

When I was assigned to work with Any Length Retreat, the leading spiritual retreat for treating men’s addiction in Central Texas, I knew right away there were an endless amount of impactful stories to tell. One thing journalism has taught me is that people want to hear stories from real people and they want to feel an experience. When I met Any Length Retreat Founder Robert White, he shared his experience about his own recovery journey and wasn’t afraid to share it with others as well. With willingness to share his story, I was able to book him on a radio show, Inside Austin. The pre-recorded interview consisted of Robert and another guest from Any Length Retreat who was also recovering from addiction. On the day the episode aired, I was informed by Robert that they had a new guest check-in at Any Length Retreat because he heard the interview and wanted to get help. Thinking about it still gives me chills to this day, but it made me realize that just because I left journalism it didn’t mean I was leaving behind my passion for helping others by telling stories. I was still doing it.

If your company or nonprofit organization has amazing stories to tell, but don’t know how to get the word out to the community, contact Noisy Trumpet to work with our experienced public relations team who can turn your stories into impactful changes in the community.

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Blog Industry Trends Noisy Trumpet Social Media

Micro-Influencers Take Over The Marketing World

Influencer campaigns have been trending for years in the marketing world. Recently, over 50% of marketers who invest in influencer marketing prefer to work with micro-influencers. Despite their relatively small audience size, studies have shown that micro-influencers consistently generate higher levels of engagement and traffic across various platforms compared to a majority of highly followed influencers. This could be attributed to the fact that although they are a public figure, they offer a more relatable connection with their followers.

It can be a challenge deciding what kind of influencer is best to partner with for your business which is why we’ve come up with a few key reasons micro-influencers could be the right fit for your marketing strategy.

What is a Micro-Influencer?

A micro-influencer has an active social presence and loyal following somewhere between 1,000-100,000 followers. Their role in the influencer world is that of a public figure and a smaller-scale, relatable individual that peak’s their audiences’ interest. Micro-influencers tend to be individuals who decide to make a living out of brand deals and digital promotion. Typically, their content concentrates on a specific topic, passion, or niche, positioning them as experts in their respective fields. About 47% of all creators are micro-influencers and generate up to 60% more engagement than macro-influencers. Whether a tech blogger or a traveling foodie, micro-influencers can tap into any industry and make a living out of it.

How Micro-Influencers Benefit You

Cost Effectiveness 

Because micro-influencers have a smaller following and overall audience reach on their social platforms, they charge less than a celebrity or macro-influencer. This not only saves money, but also allows your brand to hire several micro-influencers with their own unique following to showcase across multiple audiences what you have to offer. Working with multiple creators who have unique audiences ultimately helps to expand the company/brand’s reach.

Authenticity and Passion for Your Brand

Prominent influencers regularly promote a variety of brands and products – it’s difficult to trust whether their opinions are true. Micro-influencers tend to be more selective in their brand deals depending on their niche and what their tight-knit audience would be interested in. Micro-influencers have a reputation for being more authentic than larger-scale influencers. This is partly because they are engaged and present themselves as genuine people on social media. Because of their high engagement rate with followers, they tend to trust micro-influencers more in terms of recommendations and promotions.

Niche market

Most micro-influencers represent a niche market and are experts in their field. For example, followers may go to a micro-influencer for their expertise in thrift and vintage finds. A brand such as ThreadUp, an online thrift store, could then hire a micro-influencer to promote their line of clothing, knowing the influencer’s audience will trust their content related to this topic

This gives brands a higher chance of targeting the right audience since most likely their followers have a shared interest.

More consistent engagement rate

Despite what some may think, micro-influencers experience some of the highest engagement rates compared to other types of influencers out there. Although they are public figures on social media, they are also perceived as regular people. Unlike celebrities and mega-influencers, micro-influencers have more time to devote to responding to their followers and results in a consistent engagement rate.

Conclusion 

Overall, micro-influencers have proven to be a popular choice among marketers. As influencer marketing continues to grow and evolve, micro-influencers are expected to remain a crucial part of successful digital marketing strategies. If you have any questions or want to learn more about micro-influencers and the benefit they can provide for your business, contact us today and our team will be happy to assist.

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Blog Industry Trends Web

Modern WordPress Development & The Benefit to our Clients

Our agency routinely manages and builds WordPress websites with the latest developer tools and platforms in mind. We recognize the challenges developers and designers face, which is why we aim to create websites that are both contemporary and user-friendly. Many WordPress themes remain out-of-date, with some being more than a decade old. These versions cannot deliver the functionality we strive to provide our clients and is why our team went in search of the perfect solution – a user-friendly interface with a modern appearance.

WordPress Can Be A Challenge for Developers

We tested numerous new methods to enhance the overall experience for the client, user, and developer. We experimented with developing custom themes using PHP and used the headless approach with Gatsby, but these methods did not fulfill our requirements. We faced several pain points like poor performance, long build times, difficulties previewing content, and compatibility issues with tools like E-Commerce and CRMs.

Our Solution

Our research found that the Faust JS – Headless WordPress Framework works best for both developers and publishers. This structure allows WordPress to act as the same CMS (Content Management System) the client is familiar with and gives the front-end (what a user sees) a modern appearance. This was the most effective way to use a Next JS application without sacrificing the benefits of the WordPress software.

The Benefits

Unmatched Website Performance and Increased Conversions. Generally, a web page should load as quickly as possible. According to skilled.co, 47% of customers expect a webpage to load in 2 seconds or less, and AI healthcare software company mPulse Mobile found that pages that loaded in 2.4 seconds had a 1.9% conversion rate. At 3.3 seconds, the conversion rate was 1.5%. At 4.2 seconds, the conversion rate was less than 1%, and at 5.7+ seconds, the conversion rate was 0.6%.

Improved Developer Experience. Developer preview links allow our development team to work on features and bugs independently of the production code base. This grants clients access to preview functionality, test the application, and make content revisions without updating the production website. These modern tools allow our development team to deliver changes faster and with higher build quality.

Content Edits Made Easy. The CMS that clients know and love remains unchanged in regard to content editing, with lessened dependence on third-party plugins for functionality. Plug-ins on the WordPress backend are decoupled from front-end code, allowing websites to be resilient when plugins are outdated, improving the user experience.

 

 

The Results Speak for Themselves.

The following sites were built with our new tech stack and shared code.

With this new formula, it will improve site load time, so you’ll never sacrifice the build quality or overall performance.

 

 

Some Things to Remember About WordPress Development

WordPress Development is a challenging task. At Noisy Trumpet, our development team is well-versed in the latest tools and technologies to provide you with a customized solution. We help clients select suitable CMS, implement custom features, and ensure your website meets industry standards for performance and security. Additionally, we offer ongoing support and maintenance to keep our clients’ websites up-to-date and running smoothly.

Your website is in good hands, working with our team of professionals! Contact us today to learn how our team can help your business stand out online.

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Blog

2023 YourSA Readers’ Choice Awards Winners

Noisy Trumpet is excited to announce that the following clients have been voted the best of the best in the 2023 SA Express News YourSA Reader’s Choice Awards!

The PM Group & Noisy Trumpet Client Winners

  • BBQ – Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q –  WINNER!
  • Art Gallery – San Antonio Museum of Art – 2nd Place!
  • Kids and Education – Preschool/Daycare – Brighton Center – 2nd Place!
  • People and Places – Local Tourist Attraction – San Antonio Botanical Garden – 3rd Place!
  • People and Places – Museum – San Antonio Museum of Art – 3rd Place!
  • Professional Services and Finance – Credit Union – Generations Federal Credit Union – 2nd Place!
  • Professional Services and Finance – Financial Planning/Investment Service – Generations Investment Group – 2nd Place!
  • Professional Services and Finance – Insurance Agency – Generations Insurance Services – 2nd Place!
  • Professional Services and Finance – Investment Services – Generations Investment Group – WINNER!
  • Professional Services and Finance – Law Firm – Thomas J. Henry – 3rd Place!
  • Services – Heating & A/C Service – Beyer Air Conditioning and Heating – The Beyer Boys – 2nd Place!
  • Services – Plumber – Beyer Plumbing Co. –  WINNER!
  • Sports – Gun Club – Mission Ridge Range & Academy – 3rd Place!
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Blog Public Relations

The Importance of Diversity in Public Relations

On the latest podcast episode of “Be Heard”, our Public Relations Account Executive, Candice Avila-Garcia, speaks with acclaimed Latina author and PR veteran, Melissa Vela-Williamson, to discuss the importance of diversity in the public relations industry.

Melissa’s journey working in PR wasn’t a straight path. While attending St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, she studied creative writing and photography. During her senior year of college, she discovered PR and all it had to offer. After celebrating two decades of working in PR, she wants to share her story and inspire those starting out in the industry.

In Melissa’s new book, “Smart Talk: Public Relations Essentials All Pros Should Know”, she breaks down what public relations is, how diversity can positively impact public relations, and the tools you need to be successful in your role.

Being of Mexican-American heritage, Melissa shares a strong connection to her Hispanic community and is passionate about showing up for her people in any way she can. This was the sole purpose behind her new book; She wanted to bring awareness to the industry and provide invaluable knowledge for those who are interested in pursuing this career.

Listen to our conversation with Melissa and explore our other episodes today.

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Advertising Blog Industry Trends

Top 3 Advertising Trends Spotted in 2023 Super Bowl Ads

The Super Bowl is not only the biggest game in American football, but it’s also one of the biggest events for advertisers to showcase their latest products and services to a massive audience. Each year, brands compete to create the most memorable and talked-about commercials, or Super Bowl ad of the night, and Super Bowl 2023 was no exception. This year, we saw a wide range of ads that were transparent in their intentions, brands teaming up to create cooperative ads, and the ever-popular throwbacks. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the trends that emerged from this year’s Super Bowl commercials and what they tell us about the state of advertising in 2023.

 

  • Brand Transparency

One of the notable trends in this year’s Super Bowl ads was transparency. Many companies, such as T-Mobile and Pepsi, made a conscious effort to let their viewers know that their intention was to sell to them. This approach of being upfront about their motives conveyed a sense of trust and honesty, letting the audience know that the companies were not trying to trick or deceive them in any way. This shift towards transparency in advertising was a fresh and intriguing development, showing a departure from the traditional tactics of trying to sneakily persuade consumers to buy their products. The trend towards transparency in advertising appeals to a growing desire among consumers for more honesty and authenticity in advertising.

 

  • Cooperative Advertising

Another popular strategy in this year’s Super Bowl commercials was cooperative advertising, a strategy in which multiple brands work together to form a mutually beneficial promotion. For example, Netflix collaborated with both General Motors and Michelob ULTRA for separate ads, and Molson Coors joined forces with DraftKings. When the right partners come together, the results can be highly effective, as the combined resources and brand recognition of the companies involved can help to amplify the impact of the commercial. Not only can it help to reduce costs, but it also allows brands to tap into each other’s customer base and reach new markets. This trend towards co-advertising is a smart move for brands looking to maximize the return on their advertising investment and create a more memorable ad campaign that resonates with their target audience.

 

  • Movie and TV Show Throwbacks

The trend of recreating beloved movies and TV shows has been a popular theme in recent years’ Super Bowl advertisements. This trend continues to captivate audiences and evoke a sense of nostalgia, making them feel happy with reminders of simpler times. This year, we saw the return of popular classics such as “Clueless” and “Grease,” with Rakuten and T-Mobile respectively recreating iconic scenes and songs from these movies. The use of these well-known characters and scenes added a layer of humor and familiarity to the ads, making them stand out among the rest. The trend of recreating iconic movies and TV shows in advertisements shows that while advertising trends may change, the timeless appeal of nostalgia remains constant.

 

In conclusion, the 2023 Super Bowl advertisements were proof of the ever-evolving world of the advertising industry. While some trends, such as brand transparency and cooperative advertising, were new, others, such as nostalgia, remain just as prevalent as in previous years. These trends reflect the changing landscape of advertising and the evolving needs of consumers, as well as the timeless appeals that remain popular year after year. Look back on our 5 trends to embrace in 2023 and see how they align with the Super Bows Ads this year!

What was your favorite Super Bowl ad this year?

As a company that is always at the forefront of digital marketing trends, Noisy Trumpet was excited to see these developments. If you or your business needs help navigating digital media, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

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Blog

2023 YourSA Readers’ Choice Awards

A big congratulations to the following Noisy Trumpet clients who have made it to the final voting round in the San Antonio Express News YourSA Readers’ Choice Awards! Log on to MySA.com/YourSA and vote daily for your favorites! Deadline for voting is midnight on February 15th, 2023.

The PM Group & Noisy Trumpet Client Finalists

Remember, you can vote once a day up until February 15th – ensure your favorites make it to the top 3!

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Blog Industry Trends Web

Do You Need a Campaign Landing Page?

A campaign landing page is a standalone web page created specifically for the purpose of a marketing or advertising campaign. It is designed to keep the visitor’s attention and drive them to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form for more information. 

What’s the difference between a campaign landing page and using my homepage?

Unlike a homepage, which is intended to provide an overview of your company or organization to all your site’s visitors, a campaign landing page is intended only for the target audience of your marketing or advertising campaign. 

Why should you use a campaign landing page?

  1.   To provide a clear call to action: The primary purpose of a landing page is to convert visitors into leads or customers. An effective landing page will have a clear and compelling call to action, such as “Sign up for our newsletter” or “Buy now”.
  2.     To capture leads: A campaign landing page can be used to capture the contact information of visitors who are interested in your product or service. This can be done through a form on the page, which allows you to add the lead to your email list or contact database.
  3.     To track the effectiveness of your campaign: a campaign landing page allows you to track the success of your marketing efforts. By analyzing the traffic and conversion rates of your landing page, you can determine which campaigns are most successful and allocate your resources accordingly. 
  4.     To establish credibility: a landing page gives you the opportunity to showcase your product or service and build credibility with your target audience. By including customer testimonials, detailed product descriptions, and trust badges, you can establish trust and credibility for your visitors. 
  5. To expand Google SEO Advantages: landing pages provide a natural boost for on-page SEO as well as overall site SEO. We typically see a 1 + 1 = 3 effect where the paid search term and the organic landing page help boost the overall visibility of the target message.

What are some of the best practices for a landing page?

Take a look at this landing page our team developed for San Antonio Botanical Gardens for a great example of an engaging landing page that tells a story while also providing a clear call-to-action above the fold.  The call-to-action is repeated as the visitor moves further down the page, reinforcing the action you want the visitor to take. Finally, the imagery and messaging on this page is also used on other pieces of marketing such as direct mail, email and social media to create a cohesive cross-channel campaign.