By Katie Seiffertt & Jenny Ivy As the butterfly emerges from its cocoon, so too do we emerge from our homes and learn to spread our wings in the new normal. Museums and galleries are beginning to open and welcome people to safely walk their exhibits and admire works of art that haven’t been able to shine. Concert halls, stadiums, and other venues are waiting for guests to be delighted by the music and the sweet crack of the bat. Denver is ready for people to return to trail restaurants, museums, and shops! Wake up! It’s June and you can find so much to do! Changing Landscape Colorado Photographic Arts Center This caught our attention as it seems to fit thematically with the idea of things around us changing. This exhibit features three photographers who each take a different approach to capture the environmental shifts in three different locations around the world. Through their lenses we can see the connection between humans and nature — and may even learn what our future could look like. Juneteenth Music Festival Five Points June 18 to June 20 Juneteenth is a celebration marking the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation made its way to Texas in 1865. Denver City Council has finally decided to make Juneteenth a commemorative holiday and we’re thankful to be able to safely gather and celebrate this important day in history! In addition to a parade on June 19, event-goers have a range of activities to enjoy, from delicious food and live music to a two-day street festival and a drag show. Vivaldi By Candlelight The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace Tuesdays from May 25 to June 29 $45 - $55/person - 18 and older Music is important to so many of us — naturally, each member of the WF team has their go-to tunes while working away the hours. We are all looking forward to a variety of concert options this summer! For me, this Vivaldi evening would be a nice escape out sans children. This event will feature calm music to soothe the lingering anxiety from a long year of quarantine — of course, the bar would help with that as well. Denver Farmers’ Markets Summer means farmers’ markets as far as the eye can see! You probably have one close to your neck of the woods, but you can always go exploring to discover new vendors and foodstuffs. Peruse the list provided by Denver The Mile High City and set up a wonderful summer rotation! Virtual Exhibits Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art If you’re still a bit hesitant to spread those newly-rediscovered wings, never fear! Thanks to Kirkland Museum, you can find online adventures aplenty to embark upon from the comfort of your home. Find out the favorite art pieces of the museum staff, take a virtual tour, or learn about the printing process. Denver Pride From strutting in a 5K to a pool party and a Shabbat dinner, Denver hosts plenty of opportunities for the proud and diverse local LGBTQ+ community to celebrate Pride Month. As we enter a more hopeful era in 2021 with many people getting vaccinated, look for Pride Hubs offering in-person options for those who wish to gather physically to celebrate Denver Pride — locations range from the trendy SIE Film Center to the iconic restaurant Hamburger Mary’s. May We Recommend As a longtime LoHi local, WF CEO Eric loves to eat and drink his way through the neighborhood. This month, he recommends: Dimestore DeliBar 1575 Boulder St, Denver (Just a couple doors down from the former WideFoc.us World HQ) Favorite Dish: “Everything is just so delicious, but I’m a particular fan of their lamb kebab bowl, which is one of the most balanced and tasty dishes in Denver. But definitely try their “dimeroll” sandwiches (which are hearty panini rollups) or their messy, melty cheeseburger. The cocktails are special, too.” Atmosphere: “A totally inviting rooftop, a street-level patio that puts you right in the action, and a well-designed indoor dining room mean that you’ll be happy no matter where you sit. Tell them Eric sent you.” Did we miss anything important, quirky, or interesting? Please drop us a line. Sending everyone happy summer vibes. Enjoy your June adventures and check back next month to get your fill of July fun! When Operations Manager and Team Mom Katie isn’t managing her family of six or nurturing her work family with check-ins, treats, and zoom hugs, she’s most likely lost in another art or house project while listening to one of her top-five binge shows as background noise to drown out little voices calling her name. Even when she isn’t writing, Content Writer Jenny still can’t manage to get away from her computer. In her free time, she develops beautiful websites and loves all things tech. She is a native Coloradan and also has a passion for the mountains, movies, and her cat Lucy.

A few helpful hints from Katie Seiffertt These last 440 days have tried all of us in ways we never imagined possible. If you made it this far, kudos to you! It’s been a helluva year. As my kids wrap up school, I decided to reflect on this super-strange experience. The bottom line? Adulting is hard AF. That doesn’t mean it’s a hopeless mess, though it sometimes feels like that. Here are my insights to help make this chaotic thing called life a bit smoother: Repeat shows bring comfort, hobbies are needed, lists are a must, patience can win, and affirmations help. Repeat shows provide comfort Over these last 14 (and counting) months streaming has increased exponentially in my house, and repeat shows have brought my family the comfort of the known. The reassurance that Chuck can woo Sarah once again, the knowledge that little Neil is comforted by his own Mozzie, and the fact that spies can have a happily-ever-after are all wonderful feelings — but what’s really happening to us as we start re-watching Psych once more? Watching a series, a single show, or a movie for the billionth time is like staying home as a kid with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and getting to watch Vanna turn the letters on Wheel of Fortune. It provides comfort and reassurance that things will turn out okay and provides you a place to escape. Googling “why do I rewatch shows” will give you loads of pages (not doctor based — please seek help if needed and don’t take blog advice in place of mental health support) that basically say you’re addicted….which yes, yes we are. Bingeing a series gives us a boost of dopamine: The more we watch, the more we want that good feeling. Rewatching the same shows can give us a high, but also provides us with that warm blanket feeling of being secure in a chaotic world. With all the stress this past year has thrown at us, it makes perfect sense that we want to rewatch happy shows from our childhood or our favorite movie series. Psychologist Pamela Rutledge says that with the increase in anxiety we’ve all felt this past year, we’ve become needier for that comfort of the known; hence the spikes in bingeing and rewatching. So sit back, relax, and start that episode of Community again! Hobbies are needed I heart Pinterest. And was so happy to see it ranked the fourth most popular social media site (and quick plug, we’re driving impressive website clicks numbers from paid Pinterest ad campaigns for our clients. Pinterest is having a moment.). I am a fervent supporter of wiling away hours on Pinterest to find the next gluten-free recipe, a new way to throw a kids’ birthday party, or how to take care of a pet rabbit. Looking through Pinterest one might think, “ummmm, yeah, no way could I do that.” This past year has given people an opportunity to learn or brush up on skills. I have turned to Pinterest (sometimes multiple times in a day) to find wonderful new ways to use all the scrapbook supplies, fabric scraps, and random upcycled supplies I have hoarded...er, gently stored...over the years. I am 100% sure that I will never make all the ideas I have pinned, but Pinterest offers a wonderful world of possibility! Lists are a must A list for kids Appointments School Special requests A list for work What needs to be done for clients What needs to be done for staff What needs to be done for my sanity A list for house Clean Organize Finish texturing/painting the wall Build an escape room for me that my family doesn’t know about Basically I would’ve lost my mind, my job, or my children were it not for lists. That may be a little hyperbolic, but do we only make lists to be able to feel that rush of joy when you cross something off? Well, partly: You’ve accomplished a task and can mark it as done, you can see a result (which can be especially helpful if that task didn’t have a tangible result), and you can move along. Lists are good for productivity and are also good for our mental health. The Zeigarnik Effect, first described in 1927, states that a list is “the beginning of the task” as it subconsciously sets an intention to finish what was started. A plan is made and followed through, giving you peace of mind and alleviating the stress of the incomplete. And yes… I just might have a list that lists what lists I have. Wow. Wouldn’t it be so much more dramatic if our lists were unfurled like that?! I bet Pinterest could help with that craft! Sometimes it’s fine to walk away When I was in elementary school, Pluto was a planet and math was simple: Start with the ones column, then the tens, and so on. None of this “regroup to make a 10 group and add remaining and then bring in the degree of the angle of the sun hitting the northernmost tree on Mount Olympus while spinning counterclockwise” stuff. However, it makes perfect sense to my first grader. Most of my weekdays have been spent ping-ponging between children (four kids all remote learning) and my computer to make sure I wasn’t missing a meeting or forgetting to send a doc to be signed. I would shrug when the comments of “I don’t know how you do it” came at me — because honestly? I haven’t a clue how I did it, how my kids did it, how the teachers did it...we just knew that’s what needed to be done. That doesn't mean we did it all with a Mary Poppins smile or the patience of Mother Teresa. Most of the time I felt like Jayne: “Y’all are damaging my calm.” Where Jayne had Vera (yes, he named his weapons), my crew and I learned the importance of breathing exercises, some meditation, but mainly when to back the hell away from each other! Movie quotes offer affirmations Long before 2020, Cool Runnings was a top go-to quoteable film in my extended family. This line, though, is one I’ve found myself muttering often over the past year. When patience had run out, math was too much, lists didn’t hold up, hobbies lost their fun shine —and even the comfort of all the shows just went away — I would in fact mutter this: “I am a bad-ass mother who don’t take no crap off of nobody!” Of course, tossing a few curse words around as well was also helpful. But of those two things, I have tried to get myself and the kids focused on what is good and strong in each of us. Their use of curse words just decorates their sentences sometimes. I use it as proof that my children listen to what I say! Dear person, No matter what you’ve gone through this past year, please remember to find comfort where you can, do something that interests you, jot things down, take deep breaths, and remember you are amazing. Sincerely, The WF Team Is social media management for your biz or brand one of the things that’s still stressing you out? Let us carry that weight for you. Reach out today to learn how we help businesses grow and thrive. When Operations Manager and Team Mom Katie isn’t managing her family of six or nurturing her work family with check-ins, treats, and zoom hugs, she’s most likely lost in another art or house project while listening to one of her top-five binge shows as background noise to drown out little voices calling her name.

by Zach Yanowitz If you know anything about WideFoc.us, you know that we’re obsessed with food. From our weekly “The Best Thing I Ate All Weekend” contest on Instagram to our well-documented love for the Denver culinary scene, you’ll typically find us daydreaming about our next meal. This means that COVID-19 has been especially tough for our palates — as we’ve spent most of the past year in our homes, we certainly miss expanding our food horizons at restaurants and through travel! However, what it does mean is that we’ve been perfecting our home cooking game — read on for three pandemic dishes that helped get me through the past year. One-pot sausage, beans, and kale This recipe is about as simple as it gets, only takes one pot and 30 minutes to cook, and is extremely budget-friendly. All you need is ground sausage (I’m a Spicy Italian enthusiast, personally), eight cups of kale (be sure to massage it first!), an onion, garlic, a can of crushed tomatoes, spices, and a few cans of white beans — ideally great northern beans or cannellini. Get everything simmering in a pot for about 15-20 minutes before loading the kale on top to wilt and you won’t believe how delicious it gets! The beans soak up the unctuous flavor of the sausage, but don’t worry about the meal being too heavy — the acidity of the tomatoes and the freshness of the kale cut right through every bite. If you want something simple that everybody will love, you can’t go wrong with this dish — it’s a staple in our house. Masa ball soup I’m a big, huge, enormous fan of the Bravo TV cooking competition series Top Chef — eagle-eyed readers might even be able to spot me in the background of a 2013 episode — so when I learned that former cheftestants have been offering Zoom cooking classes, I simply had to sign up. A few weeks ago we spent an evening with two-time competitor Nini Nguyen to make one of her signature dishes from the show: Masa Ball Soup, a play on the traditional Jewish penicillin-in-a-bowl with some very non-traditional ingredients. Although it shares a few ingredients and basic cooking techniques with my mom’s knoedel recipe (starting with homemade chicken stock and resting the dumpling dough before dropping into the broth), the flavor profile is definitively southeast Asian. The lemongrass, ginger, chili powder, coconut milk, and kaffir lime leaves are reminiscent of a Thai tom kha soup while the masa dumplings will remind you of the most tender, decadent tamale you’ve ever tasted. The most surprising aspect of the soup? Beech mushrooms quick-pickled in coconut vinegar add a sweet-sour-acidic tang to every spoonful, elevating this soup to another level altogether. Baba Ghanouj Quarantine has probably meant lots of sitting around on the couch watching movies — and let’s be honest, we like doing that no matter what’s going on in the world! And when you’re sitting around binging Netflix, you probably want a snack, right? I can’t think of anything better than a dip — and I can’t think of any dip better than homemade baba ghanouj, a smoky and rich Lebanese appetizer made with eggplant and tahini. If you’ve never worked with eggplant before you might be a little intimidated, but this is actually even easier to make than hummus — you don’t even need a food processor to mash everything together! If you don’t have a grill for your eggplant, simply roasting in your oven will do the trick (though you’ll want to substitute smoked paprika to make sure you keep that iconic charred flavor). Top with fresh parsley, the fanciest olive oil you can find, and a squeeze of lemon juice before hitching a ride to pita-dipping paradise. I could keep listing recipes for days but I’ve been warned that I could crash the company servers if I was truly thorough when describing my favorite dishes — so hopefully this is a good start! What has been some of your favorite pandemic food? If you’ve got something you think we’d like, be sure to let us know! As soon as he's vaccinated, Copy Editor and Community Manager Zach is going straight to a Szechuan hot pot restaurant to eat his weight in wagyu beef and exotic mushrooms. You are invited!

by Zach Yanowitz As you have probably experienced yourself, quarantine has meant a lot of hours spent on the couch looking for ways to pass the time — even more than usual. With so many recreational activities currently on pause, streaming movies and TV shows has been a source of comfort and joy in a scary and uncertain historical moment. As the pandemic continues to stretch on and you’ve already rewatched every episode of The Office for the umpteenth time, I figured I’d gather my thoughts and offer recommendations on some of my favorite pieces of streaming quarantine media. The Sopranos This is an obscure program that most people have probably never heard of, but The Sopranos actually aired on HBO from 1999-2007 and was nominated for 111 Emmy Awards, winning 21! I’m not sure why it took me so long to watch this show, but it became immediately apparent why it’s such a pop cultural behemoth. The New Jersey mafia world is fleshed-out and visceral, the acting is exceptional — notably James Gandolfini and Edie Falco — and the gritty crime stories pack in as many laughs as they do shocked gasps. I would be lying if I said this show hasn’t inspired me to cook more Italian food during quarantine, from Carmella’s rigot pie with grapefruit to a nice beef braciole *kisses fingers*. Give this a watch if you’re looking to jump into a lovingly-portrayed story full of rich performances, Italian curse words, and thoughtful new perspectives on well-worn mob movie tropes. Dorohedoro I’ve watched a lot of anime during quarantine, as the bright colors and fantastical settings have been very soothing to my stressed-out brain. While highlights include Serial Experiments Lain, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and Re: Zero, my favorite by far has been Dorohedoro. Based on the manga by Q Hayashida, this Netflix-produced series follows the amnesiac crocodile-headed Caiman through life in a post-apocalyptic city called Hole as he seeks to find the sorcerer who erased his memory and changed him into a big reptilian monster. The story delves into the magical underworld of the city with exceptional art design and voice acting, but mostly it’s just about a wacky guy who loves to eat dumplings and fight wizards. Although the series is definitely hyper-violent at times, the underlying tone is always quirky, upbeat, and optimistic. Check this out to jump into a wholly original fantasy world packed with weird magic powers, gorgeous character models and backgrounds, and the surest sign of anime goodness — a baseball episode. Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi Anybody who knows me knows that I am first and foremost a Top Chef devotee — you can even see me in the background of the Halloween episode from the New Orleans season — which means that I have sworn my life to Padma Lakshmi. In her new Hulu-exclusive show, Padma travels the country to examine the stories of immigrant groups through their cuisine in an attempt to find common ground and a human aspect to an increasingly divisive political topic. From Thai immigrants in Las Vegas to the Peruvian community in New Jersey, Padma’s adventures and conversations are as empathetic as they are mouthwatering. This show will make you understand the perspectives and dreams of immigrants as much as it will make you desperately want to eat Persian koobideh or Hawaian poke. This show is more important than ever to our current moment and I highly recommend you give this a watch — for your brain and heart as much as your stomach. What We Do in the Shadows Based on the 2014 mockumentary by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, this similarly-structured show focuses on the daily lives (deaths?) of four vampire roommates on Staten Island. Individual episodes follow such escapades as feuds with local werewolves, confusion over chain emails, and an attempt to gain American citizenship — but the heart of the series is the ever-suffering human familiar Guillermo, who only wants to serve his master Nandor the Relentless and one day become a vampire himself. This is the funniest show I’ve seen in a long time thanks to sharp writing, excellent guest appearances, surprisingly good special effects, and an iconic performance by cult-favorite comedian Matt Berry as the sexually ravenous vampire (and volleyball enthusiast) Laszlo Cravensworth. Even if you haven’t watched the documentary the show was inspired by, you absolutely need to give this series a try if you want a laugh after a long day of being freaked out by the news. Thank you to my friend and coworker KT for originally recommending it to me! Palm Springs I honestly don’t watch a lot of movies, but I also love basically anything that The Lonely Island is involved in so I gave Palm Springs a shot when it was added to Hulu. This Groundhog Day-esque romantic comedy takes place at a hipster desert wedding in southern California, where sister of the bride Sarah (Cristin Milioti) accidentally joins depressed goofball Nyles (Andy Samberg) inside an eternal time loop on the day of the nuptials. A refreshingly original take on both the time loop and romcom genres, Palm Springs features a standout supporting performance from J.K. Simmons — not to mention an extended dance scene in a biker bar that must have taken hours and hours of choreography practice. Milioti is exceptionally charming as ever and the eternally-boyish Samberg shows surprisingly dramatic chops in a role with true emotional depth. In a COVID-19 world where time has seemed to lose meaning and each week feels the same, Palm Springs offers a quirky and memorable take on how to make the most of every day (even if it never ends). What have been your favorite shows and movies to stream during social distancing? Let us know — because we’ve got more time to kill than we know what to do with. Copy editor and Community Manager Zach has really been leaning into this whole “introvert” thing over the past four months, but he still misses his friends and going out to breakfast.

By Amanda Dunlap In the midst of a global pandemic where we’re required to stay inside our homes, different phases of this “quarantine life” are only natural. We’ve seen the eat-your-way-through-the-pantry phase (we’re all guilty), the clean-and-organize-your-home-twice-per-day phase, the interesting-feeling-of-coming-to-terms-with-this-new-way-of-life phase, and now my personal favorite: the rearranging-all-your-furniture phase. Not to worry — we’ve all hit that point (or soon will), so why not rearrange with intention? You don’t have to be a feng shui expert — I’m certainly not, but I’m definitely an aficionado — to understand the basics and ensure optimal vibes throughout your house. Feng shui is an ancient Eastern philosophy that seeks to reflect balance and vitality in the home and living space. It focuses on how energy moves through the home and all aspects of life such as health, wealth, family, career, and more. Knowing a few basic feng shui staples will help you understand the practice at a beginner’s level to promote the overall well-being of your home. 1. Doors Direct the Energy In feng shui, it is said that doors control the flow of energy through your home — and your life. You want to make sure that doorways are free of clutter and mess, and try to reduce any nearby obstacles and objects such as tables, decor, and furniture. Keep all entryways as open and clean as possible to let that energy flow! 2. Mirrors Maximize Space Whether you’re creating the most possible space in a small apartment or optimizing the vibes in a hallway or staircase, mirrors will create the appearance of a larger area as well as circulating, reflecting, and deflecting energy throughout the home. Ideal places for mirrors are above the fireplace, mounted in the dining room, and floor-length mirrors in the bedroom. Just be sure your mirror is not facing the bed — that’s a big feng shui no-no. 3. Commanding Positions are Key One of the top rules in traditional feng shui practice is to ensure that all rooms are organized in such a way that they assume a “commanding position” from the doorway of that room. This means that, ideally, all furniture where a person would sit or lay should be on the opposite side of the room and directly facing the door — you do not ever want your back to an entryway. For example, in a home office the desk and chair should be facing the door head-on, and in a baby nursery the crib should face the door on the opposite side of the room. 4. Plants Produce Life Force Indoor plants contribute to the health of a home in multiple ways, including air purification, mood-boosting benefits, and increasing humidity and oxygen. In feng shui, plants not only offer all of these benefits and more, but they also provide what is referred to in Chinese medicine as “life force” — or vitality. It is believed that flora connects us to nature and increases the vibrancy of the home on a holistic level. The more the merrier when it comes to greenery! 5. Color Me Happy The use of certain colors is one of the easiest ways to shift and optimize the energy in your home without moving a single piece of furniture. Feng shui uses colors as they relate to the five elements — green for earth, blue for water, brown for wood, and so forth. Understanding how the elements and their colors translate to various benefits will help enhance the energy of each room in your home. 6. Lean on Celebrity Inspo When all else fails and you don’t know where to start, look to the pros — like the home makeover master from Netflix’s Queer Eye, Bobby Berk — to kickstart your creative juices and channel your inner interior designer. An interior designer is inside you somewhere! Bobby’s Instagram page is loaded with feng shui-approved layouts from the living room to the lounge to give you ideas and inspiration for every corner of your house. With this advice, go confidently into your furniture-rearranging stage of quarantine — you may reap the benefits of a higher-vibe home as a result! Visit our blog for more fun tips and tricks on navigating lockdown life and social media best practices, and be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to keep up with the latest social media trends. Community Manager Amanda Dunlap is an Eastern philosophy enthusiast and recommends these reads for a deep dive into the subject of feng shui: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Taoism: An Essential Guide, and The Holistic Home: Feng Shui for Mind, Body, Spirit, Space.

Are you posting to social media channels regularly, but not seeing any real change in the size of your audience, in sales results, or even engagement? Consider a social ad strategy that supports your business goals. When creating an ad strategy, put the customer journey at the forefront. If your goal is to have long-term customers/followers, you’ll want to map out their journey and identify touchpoints and interactions to ensure a positive experience. In this two-part blog series, we will discuss how to implement and review the effectiveness of a dynamic ad strategy. What is CEx? The customer experience is defined as every interaction between the consumer and a company. This includes the search, purchase, consumption, and after-sale phases. Remember, your potential customers are likely navigating multiple social platforms before making a purchase decision. Customers who are in the early stages of the conversion funnel may use social media to research products or services. Adding social media touchpoints to their journey, such as helpful content and ads, increases the potential to improve a customer’s awareness of a company and what it offers. Remember, none of us like to be overloaded with ads. Too few touchpoints can make customers feel uniformed or under-appreciated, but too many can offend and irritate them. Ads can do more than encourage someone to engage with a post, click on a website link, make a purchase, or like a page. Ads can create loyal customers! The Conversion Funnel One effective way to improve the customer journey experience is by creating ads that address pain points. We recommended answering questions gleaned from product reviews or feedback and using positive problem-solving language to guide your potential customers through the purchasing funnel. Don’t forget to develop separate ads that target prospects at different stages of the buying cycle. Avoid using stock photos or generic creative assets that do not relate to the target audience. Always think of the larger context of your messaging (for instance, using the term “Fire Sale” might attract customers, but when many areas of the United States are affected by fires, the phrase can be seen as insensitive). And make an effort to demonstrate value in a positive way. For example, while working with a master planned community, we wanted to create ads for both potential homebuyers and real estate agents. One way to provide value for our customers is by posting high-quality photos of the available homes with captions that invoke a sense of place. Increase the value of following your social channels for current and potential customers by providing them with content that resonates. And improve the relevance of your ads to cultivate dedicated followers. If you aren’t sure where to start, contact us today for a dynamic organic and paid social strategy. Coming up: Part 2: Assessing ad performance and effectiveness - ROI and more

At Widefoc.us, our multi-talented team of Community Managers and strategists are always refining their craft of social media writing. One exercise is observing print and media ad campaigns and mentally rewriting them — especially when they are stinkers. The year was chock-full of sappy testimony, quippy plugs, misleading celebrity endorsements, and overdone streaming channel commercials. In review, here our favorite ads of 2018. Sarah, Community Manager and Digital Storyteller Ad: Macy’s - Believe in the Wonder of Giving – Signature Scent I’m a sucker for feel-good holiday advertisements. I grew up with the seasonal M&M’s commercial and feeling warm and fuzzy about the importance of gift giving. This year, Macy’s created a series of ads that were both emotional and buzzworthy (important for becoming viral). In the ad “Believe in the Wonder of Giving – Signature Scent,” a man and woman fall in love and a constant connection in their relationship is her perfume. In 40 seconds, the audience discovers he is blind and is disappointed when she runs out. So, he runs to Macy’s, where an employee assists him in finding her signature scent for the perfect Christmas gift. It’s touching and explores the positive customer journey experience with Macy’s employees. Nina, Community Manager Ad: Nike - Just Do It: Serena Williams Nike’s 2018 “Dream Crazy” campaign — the newest iteration of their classic “Just Do It” campaign — was stunning across the board. The print ads of bold black and white portraits of athletes force you to acknowledge their humanity, while the snippets of copy they are paired with make their exceptionalism undeniable. When the full “Dream Crazy” video ad dropped in September, the impact was immediate. With a controversial figure like Colin Kaepernick at the center of the campaign, there was no way it wasn’t going to make a splash. But for me, it was one of the teaser ads, featuring Serena Williams training as a young girl to become the superstar in a catsuit she is today; I have never seen an ad like it, and I admit with no shame that I cried the first time I watched it. Sam, Community Manager Ad: Apple - Share Your Gifts Apple’s “Share Your Gifts” is less of an ad than it is an animated short. The beauty is that we all already know Apple’s brand, so they can focus on the story rather than product placement. The storytelling, animation, and craft are all meticulous. On the marketing side, Apple is able to make spinoffs focused on the people behind the ad — working on their MacBooks. You can’t help but be sucked into the world of the woman working on her creative project and the oversized dog who helps her to bring her art out of her bedroom and into the world. We never find out what’s on the paper that blows out the window into people’s hands, but the reveal is less important than the process. As a writer, I love the way this ad celebrates creativity and I appreciate the effort involved in creating this two-and-a-half minute spot. KT, Senior Community Manager Ad: New York Times - The Truth Is Worth It The New York Times has been a subject of controversy in the last two years, but these commercials establish a simple fact about the newspaper publisher: They are an American institution dedicated to seeking the truth despite the obstacles. The commercials outline a journalist’s process beautifully, illustrating the NYT’s many contributions to news last year. Not only do they stand for truth and transparency in the journalistic process, but the ads position the New York Times as a leader in American journalism and instill trust in its readers. Michael, Ad Strategist Ad: “Big Dill” - Seventh Generation As an avid proponent of the cord-cutting movement, a majority of my ad exposure comes from Hulu. Although advertising on Hulu is subpar at best, specifically regarding media strategy, occasionally I will have a good ad experience. If you’ve had the pleasure of viewing any of Seventh Generation’s advertising, you’ll likely agree they are top-notch. Seventh Generation’s ads consistently follow the basic advertising rules: simple, relevant, and memorable. “Big Dill,” one of the latest ads for their laundry detergent offers an all-around, wonderful ad experience. I have a passion for puns, and the use of them in this ad was outstanding. The other sign of a good ad strategy is increase in sales. Just by scrolling through the YouTube comments section, I can tell viewers are already jumping ship from other brands and moving over to Seventh Generation. Also, let’s be honest, Maya Rudolph was a marvelous casting choice.​ At WideFoc.us, we know that paid social ad strategy is as important as organic content. We dig deep into best practices to make sure your social ad spend is effective. If you are feeling anxious about writing and serving ads for your brand, contact us for dynamic strategy that will increase your ROI.

Let’s be clear: I’m supportive of women in business, women who are entrepreneurs, content marketers, #digitalnomads, women with a side hustle, women who make it work. I’m also fiercely protective of women’s health. This week, actress Jameela Jamil took a Twitter-stand against celebs such as Cardi B and Iggy Azalea who endorse detox teas and quick weight loss solutions on Instagram. Her point: Marketing these products to mainly young women not only endangers their health but damages their self image. Worse yet, it upholds an unnatural beauty standard established by the cisgender, heterosexual, and white majority. To support Jamela’s case, here are the facts: A common ingredient in “detox tea” is senna, an all-natural laxative. While occasionally helpful for constipation, taking senna too long causes vomiting, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, and dehydration. Overuse is common among those with eating disorders and can cause long-term damage to your liver, kidneys, and colon. Jamela isn’t the first person to speak out against detox teas and celeb endorsements. Professionals, such as Dr. James Brown from Aston University and Dr. Lauretta Ihonor from University College of London have been vocal about the abuse of detox tea. Not only are they dangerous, but they don’t “work.” They solely shed water weight. This can be damaging to self-image, as many hold themselves accountable against society’s unrealistic beauty standards. Queue the many scholarly articles about selfies, self-image, and self-esteem. Worse yet, detox tea is only one example of “weight loss solutions” being promoted as part of the all-consuming beauty empire on Instagram. Celebs such as the Kardashians post frequently about appetite-suppressing lollipops and waist cinchers. Frustrated yet? Good, because these unchecked, subliminal marketing tactics are not okay. As a consumer or business owner, consider why products not approved by the FDA need celebrity endorsements and can’t be sold via the Shopping for Instagram feature. Turns out, it’s all in the Terms and Conditions (See: Commerce Policies). Included in Prohibited to Promote Content on Facebook and Instagram: certain healthcare products, unsafe supplements, illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs, and finally, fraudulent or misleading promotions. Obviously, detox tea falls into more than one of these categories. To side-step the Prohibited Content standards, business owners hire a celebrity or influencer to advertise their product in posts and avoid the marketplace all together. Anyone can click a “Link in bio,” amirite? Facebook doesn’t clarify if its commerce policies apply to influencers. But wait: The FTC still monitors Instagram influencers. How do they not put a stop to this? Read this guideline, highlighted by Adespresso, and weep: “Endorsers must disclose relationships between themselves and the marketer or brand if it’s sponsored content. You’ll often see ‘This was a sponsored post, but the opinions are entirely my own,’ or ‘#sponsoredpost’ appear on content.” In other words, if the opinions belong to the influencer and don’t present themselves as tried-and-true facts about the product, they’re a-okay. The most we can hope for: FTC’s slap-on-the-wrist reminder sent directly after one of Kim Kardashian’s weight loss promotions on Instagram. This is the harsh reality marketers, content creators, businesses, and users need to recognize when creating Instagram ad campaigns and promotions. Our work can affect lives negatively and support a system of injustice. The good news: You can market responsibly and boycott influencers who don’t. Marketers: To better support women, and be responsible as a business, we urge you to use the secure marketplace designed by Instagram, including the extra effective Shopping in Stories feature, which allows you to demonstrate the product with readily accessible links attached and promote web traffic and sales at the same time. You can tag up to five products per image or video. Not to mention that stories attract more than 200 million users. In fact, Insta is upping the game almost daily now: Its three newest shopping features include a shopping tag for your business page, user-ability to shop straight from video posts, and a collection tab for users to bookmark your tagged merch. Our advice: Create a sustainable social media strategy and aesthetic on #IG before scouting influencers. Influencers can lend a popular and powerful voice for your brand, but be sure to vet them and scan their feeds for previously endorsed products. We recognize that holistic medicine, especially in Colorado, may require an inventive social strategy with more influencers than Insta-marketplace maneuvering. We work with authentic, alternative brands that always pair strategy with wholesome influencer representation. Users: To keep yourself safe on Instagram, don’t engage with celeb endorsements for weight loss solutions. Love Cardi B and back her career by purchasing her music, even purchasing her promoted and non-health-related products. But recognize that pedaling dangerous detox tea to a young consumer fanbase is not only irresponsible, it’s negligent. When it comes to losing weight, always refer to your doctor or nutritionist. K.T. is a full-time freelance writer, former educator, and part-time Chihuahua enthusiast. After finishing her degree in journalism at the University of Missouri, she studied creative writing at Colorado State University. While completing her master’s degree, she taught Composition and Rhetoric for three years and was a literary editor at Colorado Review. At widefoc.us, she uses her writing skills, education, and can-do attitude to assist clients in accomplishing their social media marketing endeavors.

If you are a small business owner or a marketing manager, growing your brand’s online presence can seem overwhelming. We recommend starting with one platform at a time. For many target audiences, Instagram can be effective for building brand awareness, ecommerce, and interacting with loyal followers. Instagram, however, is the most visual platform, so before diving in you’ll want to take stock of your visual assets. After getting yourself graphically organized, we recommend dividing your strategy into three categories: graphics/content, Instagram Stories, and strategic hashtags. Graphics/Content Quality content is the most important part of your social media presence. You will want to take the time to create engaging posts that bring value to your followers. Unsure what types of content your audience wants? Take note of your competitors’ top posts for inspiration. Next, take a lesson from Queen B herself. Beyonce uses color blocking on her feed better than anyone else. She uses strategically similar colors in 3-6 posts at a time for a dramatic effect. For a more subtle effect, consider using similar colors for weeks at a time. Some brands exclusively use 1-3 colors for their feed. Remember, aesthetics are the backbone of Instagram. For more tips on taking better Instagram photos, check out our throwback blog post. Instagram Stories Instagram Stories are the future of the platform. If your company doesn’t have the resources to create videos for IGTV(Instagram’s vertical video application), consider developing stories. This feature allows your followers to see behind the scenes of your company. This can be footage of delicious staff lunches, team-building exercises, or even product promos. In addition, Instagram Stories can humanize your brand. For example, if you sell luxury hand soap, demo the product! We recommend using a variety of content for your story including polls, Boomerangs, and emojis, and fluctuating between images and videos. Try to post stories at least twice a day for a consistent engagement. Hashtags Instagram is a highly searchable app, where users discover and follow hashtags relevant to their interests. Using hashtags is the easiest way to increase your organic reach. We recommend focusing on two types of hashtags: popular and branded (unique tor your brand). Do a bit of research on which hashtags have a high frequency of usage and which are more niche — and mix up yours between high-volume hashtags and ones that might be specific to your target audiences. For instance, #hairstyle might capture users looking for images from salons, but #balayage will be used by people looking for a specific hair coloring technique. Branded hashtags should be unique and tied directly to your brand. You’ll want to search their frequency on Instagram before settling on ones to “own.” When creating branded hashtags, you could also develop clever ways to build your brand. For instance, Widefoc.us uses “#overheardintheoffice” for silly staff musings. Be creative with it! You may be asking, where do I put hashtags? Either post them after your copy or as the first comment. Wherever you add them, consider using 10-20 hashtags for peak results. If Instagram is the platform for you, spend time each day developing your brand. After all, Instagram is a visual app, so consistent posting of content that’s engaging and attractive is the top priority. If you are feeling overwhelmed, Widefoc.us is here to help! Our social media strategies tie target audiences to your business goals for measurable results. Contact us today! Community Manager and Digital Storyteller Sarah Yaffe is a writer and community organizer. She enjoys reading historical nonfiction and writing stand-up comedy.

“A thousand years or more ago, When I was newly sewn, There lived four wizards of renown, Whose names are still well known: Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor, Fair Ravenclaw, from glen, Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad, Shrewd Slytherin, from fen. They shared a wish, a hope, a dream, They hatched a daring plan To educate young sorcerers” - The Sorting Hat, - Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire Last week, in celebration of Harry Potter’s birthday, we transformed Widefoc.us World Headquarters into a magical office, not unlike Hogwarts itself. We enjoyed social media-inspired spell books, a game of quidditch, and discussed the masterful storytelling of the series. The Harry Potter books have inspired ten movies, a broadway play, thousands of student performances, and millions of fanfictions. But the values and lessons of these books transcend print media and even influence our strategy for social media platforms. We asked four WideFoc.us team members to discuss social media strategy from the point of view of their Harry Potter houses. Fear not Muggles, this guide of magical tips is for anyone. Gryffindor (Sarah, Community Manager) In the books, Gryffindor is the most visible Hogwarts house. Home to Harry Potter himself, he saw first-hand the courage of the crimson and gold witches and wizards. Gryffindors were acting like social media influencers before Instagram was invented. They are brave, daring, chivalrous and bring nerve to their writing. When looking for new members for your marketing team, look no further than the lions of Hogwarts. Social media doesn’t have to be demanding. In fact, by keeping a level head you can create content that engages your users every day. Before creating new content, Gryffindors, such as Hermione Granger, would recommend a content calendar to keep organized. In our fast-paced news world, your brand needs verve to stand out, and by keeping a calendar you’ll never miss a story. Remember, you don’t need to post parcels of text everyday. Keep it short and concise! Alongside an updated content calendar, channel your inner chivalry by being genuine with your followers. If you want to convert followers into qualified leads you need to court them. So, after a user follows you on Instagram or Twitter, always follow back. Send thank yous to followers who interact with your pages. Another way Gryffindors channel their inner chivalry on social media is in their desire to help the less fortunate. Use your platform to promote nonprofits, unique events, and other local businesses to make a difference. Standing up for what’s right on social media, even being political when needed, is what make Gryffindors vital members of a marketing team. In the wise words of Dumbledore, it takes courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. If you are trying to expand your network, be daring by connecting with other brands. Follow and interact with unusual or even competitor pages to develop your company’s social media presence. You are creating new opportunities for collaboration in the future. On Twitter, brands like Wendy’s and Taco Bell often tweet each other to shade other fast food restaurants. This unusual pairing has created new content opportunities and is highly memorable in the industry. So remember, channel your inner Gryffindor to increase your network, create unusual relationships, and always take chances on your content. Hufflepuff (Simone, Intern) There’s a common misconception that the Hufflepuff house is where everyone who isn’t “special” ends up, since they aren’t defined by flashy traits like athleticism or bravery. Everyone wanted to be a Gryffindor until Newt Scamander hit the big screen and proved that those of us from the badger house are so much more than particularly good finders. The qualities that make up Hufflepuff (such as being loyal, amicable, and down-to-earth) all have value when it comes to social media, too. Hogwarts students of the Hufflepuff house live closer to the kitchen than anyone else, so we always know what’s cooking, which is a lot like being aware of trends to better reach an audience. As warm people who know how to make friends, we recommend following and interacting in real-time to create a network of relevant connections on social media platforms. Hufflepuff house is known for loyalty, so we don’t, not even accidentally, post negative comments or interactions. Arguably, the most important Hufflepuff trait when it comes to social media, though, is patience. From meticulously curating content to patiently picking hashtags, a Hufflepuff knows how important it is to stick around for the best results. We want the fruits of our labor to be shared, after all! Ravenclaw (Claire, Community Manager) The key traits of Ravenclaws are intelligence, wit, and wisdom. As the sorting hat puts it: "Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, If you've a ready mind, Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kind." When it comes to social media, a Ravenclaw would advise you to compile a team (or, ahem, hire one) of writers and designers who can produce meaningful, creative content that your readers will actually appreciate. In a world of drab listicles churning through the content production machine, be a beacon of relevant, useful information. Be a Ravenclaw! Whatever your expertise, give away a bit of succinct advice for free on a regular basis through your social media channels. The Ravenclaw’s fans and customers will come to know her brand as a resource with serious expertise. Those who develop a relationship of trust with the Ravenclaw will stay with her business and help it grow year over year through word-of-mouth awareness. Ravenclaws are creative and so intelligent they can’t help but be daring sometimes. They practice types of magic other houses would shun. To channel the Ravenclaw in your social media efforts, don’t be afraid to let your creativity take the lead. Give your team time to brainstorm and exercise their wit in writing. Be bold; create interesting narratives and constellations of brand experiences. Also, take heed of Pepsi’s mistakes and be wise enough not to insert your brand where it definitely doesn’t belong. Ravenclaws are wise, intelligent, daring, and creative at once. Represented by the eagle, a Ravenclaw soars above the big picture of social media, looking down into the chaos to find places where pertinent commentary might be made. Watch your content rise to the top of people’s social media feeds: Audiences love smart content! A subtler side of channeling the Ravenclaw on social media: Trust the intelligence of your audience. Give them something real, smart and worthwhile… and then back that compelling content up with a solid ad strategy. You’d make the Grey Lady proud! Slytherin (Michael, Ad Strategist) When it comes to social media, the Slytherin community focuses on the power of ambitious strategies that deliver results. Our recommendations for success are to develop researched audiences, perform A/B tests, and stay informed. Never assume you know your audience. Always confirm what you may know with research and data. Use that data and further your research by answering these questions: Who does your audience follow? What websites do they frequent? And what causes do they fund? Go even further by addressing what your findings tell you about your audience in your content and strategy. We cannot emphasize this enough: Build custom and lookalike audiences. We Slytherins are known to benefit from weighing numerous outcomes; thus we recommend running A/B tests to determine which of your ads are the most effective. The results of A/B testing provide an immense amount of value, as they weed out the aspects of ads that would end up costing more and performing poorly. Test a variety of copy, copy placement, creative images, calls-to-action, links, and audiences. Eventually, you will gain an understanding of what performs well and put more budget toward ads that deliver. Slytherins pride ourselves on resourcefulness, so we are constantly furthering our knowledge of social media. Acquiring Facebook’s Blueprint certification helps assure we have the intelligence and acumen required to prosper in the dark arts of social media ad management. We stay up-to-date with the ever-changing platforms, especially as social media companies continue to endeavor to be more transparent and protect users’ privacy. In general, we stay informed on the industry with other useful resources: following social media agencies (like WideFoc.us ), engaging with key influencers, reading articles from popular advertising news publishers (Adweek, Ad Age, American Marketing Association, Marketing News), and getting updates from top social media news sites (Social Media Today, Mashable, Digital Trends and Social Times). --- Undoubtedly, the Harry Potter books have influenced the world and we can use their lessons to create dynamic content that delivers on its potential. Although the four Hogwarts houses approach social media differently, at the core of each is this lesson: Work hard and connect with your audiences by getting to know them. Make connections, build trust, be bold, and always be ready to learn more. Build your own team with members of the four houses for a well-rounded and informed cohort. Or reach out to our team of lions, eagles, badgers, and snakes for real-time social media.

Did you know that top-performing Facebook and Instagram posts are videos and compelling images? That means you should be bold with your visual assets! Pull your audiences in with visually interesting posts on social media. You know a successful post needs solid copy; however, the graphic element is the key to increasing your engagement rate on all platforms. We recommend using static images, slideshows, short videos, and gifs daily to entice your fanbase into becoming qualified leads and brand champions. Adobe Creative Suite can be a pricey tool for many businesses. Fortunately, creating graphics on a limited budget is no problem. At Widefoc.us, we use five apps on the regular to hone our clients’ brands and reach new audiences. We find inspiration by exploring images and layouts to deliver our content in new and unique ways. Our favorite graphic design tool is Canva. Canva is arguably the most user-friendly design website available. We use Canva for creating social media images, slideshows, ad images, and banner photos. The intuitive interface includes preset layout sizes for all social media platforms. In addition, the site incorporates free stock photos and recommends creative font suggestions in each graphic (so even if you aren’t a designer, you can make things look nice). This website is free, however for extra organizational and photo options you can pay $12.95 a month. Stock photos don’t have to be staged or boring! Unsplash is one of the largest free stock photo websites out there. Simply search by keyword and discover beautiful images for your brand. Download photos directly to your computer or save collections on the website. FYI, the site has no download maximum! If you are looking for a mobile option, Retype is a fantastic app for creating graphics with a focus on font families and layouts. It includes hundreds of combinations of fonts, colors, and filters to create unique Instagram posts. Retype is a one time $2.99 download. . Looking for a very specific stock photo? Our friends at the Denver startup Shotzr have an app for discovering hyper-local photos. Our favorite feature is the option to request images from events and locations. Shotzr is available as an app or website. Pay $9.99 a month for access to authentic and non-traditional stock photos to represent your unique brand. If you’re looking to create beautiful interactive Instagram stories and posts, Unfold Story Creator combines font discovery and image layout into one seamless app. The app is a natural fit before posting to Instagram. Try creating a series of images from the app to combine into a seamless Instagram story. Unfold Story Creator is a free download. We love our graphic design partners, and can always recommend excellent professional designers to work with. But if you’re on a tight budget, explore these five apps and make bold choices — your return on investment on social media platforms will most certainly increase. Remember to include your logo on all images posted on social media platforms! Community Manager and Digital Storyteller Sarah Yaffe is a writer and community organizer. She enjoys reading historical nonfiction and writing stand-up comedy.

If you know anything about me, it’s this: I love reality television. I consider reality TV quality content no matter how trashy it is. I’ll save you from my rant on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and instead focus on my most recent obsession, QueerEye . I was skeptical of the series at first. I didn’t really see the need to remake a show that was problematic at best, and some still have worthy criticism of the series. I acknowledge that it may rehash the stereotypes as seen in the original TV show, but at its core, QueerEye is good-hearted and more inclusive. I occasionally binged the series in the background while working on content and designing long-term strategy for our clients. And as I semi-watched five gay adult men makeover straight men, women, and a trans man, I began to use their lessons in my own life. I often mutter to myself, “What Would Antoni Do?” while building a spreadsheet and searching for relevant hashtags. I consider Bobby’s design aesthetics when creating Facebook and Twitter pages. Their advice has turned out to be beneficial to my work at Widefoc.us, and I’m ready to give your attitude about social media strategy the much-needed makeover it deserves. Here are five things that I’ve learned from QueerEye that you can use on the daily as a social media manager. 1. Take care of yourself. While Jonathan coaches grooming tips, he also preaches self-care above all else. Why is this relevant to social media strategists? Well, to quote Thea Neal, “We're expected to be marketers, creators, analysts, and customer service people. We’re stressed out.” It’s vital for social media strategists to take a deep breath, and remember to spend time unplugged. It’s also important that we acknowledge our limits, and ask for what we need (backup, support, time off, etc.) Widefoc.us takes a team-based approach, making this 100% possible for our in-house community managers. I know that, when I’m struggling with a task, I have a team of intelligent strategists, writers, and managers to pick up my slack. As Jonathan says, “You’re strong. You’re a Kelly Clarkson song. You got this.” 2. Understand your audience’s needs and be aware of context when creating content. Ever written a fun-loving or cute post about Memorial Day? The answer should be no. Please let it be no. QueerEye’s Karamo would not approve. This Culture Expert guides participants on an emotional journey and encourages self-awareness. He also helps individuals to recognize when they’re failing to communicate correctly with their family, friends, and coworkers. If Karamo has taught us anything, it’s that content should inspire conversation and user growth. Forbes agrees, stating that engagement can be increased with interactive hashtags or influencer partnership. In order to grow as a person, you have to trust people. In order to grow as a marketer, you have to buddy up and create real-time conversation with your target audiences. You have to know the lingo they use, their pain points, and what resonates for them. 3. Don’t b afraid to reinvent your brand within reason Stylist Tan France recreates wardrobes on the daily, but not without understanding each participant’s personal style. Sound familiar? Every client has key objectives. Be picky when selecting social channels to market your brand. Facebook is the classic #LBD while Insta is a perfectly fitted pair of jeans. Some social channels will suit a brand and its audiences better than others. Widefoc.us creates strategy for social channels such as Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, but before we launch any brand online, we assess client needs and goals, then make recommendations on which social media platforms to focus on. Target audiences for moisturizing products will likely shop on Insta, because users like to see how cosmetic products look on models. While tech companies may thrive on Twitter and LinkedIn, because their audiences are B2B decision-makers. 4. Quality over Quantity Antoni Porowski doesn’t get much screen time. After all, teaching one easy recipe each episode doesn’t “eat” much air time. However, not only does he have an incredible guacamole recipe, but he empowers participants with self-sufficiency. When you’re creating content, keep in mind Antoni’s go-to: Easy-to-make dishes with simple ingredients. You can pretty much use this strategy when creating just about anything. When crafting posts, I limit myself to 2-3 sentences, selecting only the most precise words, and communicating value. Tight, well-written posts are what elevates Widefoc.us above other agencies. We employ writers and teach them marketing capabilities. Quality writing paired with eye-catching images will prompt even more engagement. 5. Keep your pages up-to-date. Bobby Berk basically redesigns an entire house every episode. So we have to give him props for his hard work. He uses basic colors, like ivory and navy, and simple decor to speak to the participants’ personalities and update their sometimes messy homes. You don’t want to slack on your Facebook page, Instagram bio, or Twitter page design. Stick to basic branding colors and use high-res art for cover images. If you’re designing on Instagram, test out tools such as Preview to see what images will look like in your feed ahead of posting. If it suits you, consider video content for the cover photo. Update often! I know I probably watch too much television, but at least I’m learning? I think? If you have questions about social media strategy and community management, reality television, or DIY home makeovers, contact us today! KT Heins is a Community Manager at Widefoc.us who specializes in technical writing. When she isn’t at the office, she is most likely hanging out with her Chiweenies, “working” on a novel, or participating in bar trivia alone. Follow her on Instagram @ktotheheins for mountain views, cold brews, and fancy food.