Valentine’s Day Marketing Strategies for Businesses

Valentine’s Day presents an abundance of opportunities for business marketing. Many people celebrate Valentine’s Day and tend to spend a lot of money on their loved ones. This is the perfect time to leverage the holiday of love for your business. Here are some marketing strategies that are useful for eCommerce businesses. Have a Valentine’s Day Sale During Valentine’s Day, millions of consumers shop online and in stores for their significant others and family members. This is the best time for your business to send out promotional emails or come up with discounts on selected items specifically for Valentine’s Day. Customers love sales and involving holidays and offering coupons and deals is a sure way to bring traffic to your business.   Offer Benefits Many stores offer Valentine’s Day discounts and deals; however, you can make your business stand out by offering incentives as well. These benefits could include free shipping on orders of a certain price, free shipping on all items until Valentine’s Day, or even gift wrapping for the holiday. You can also offer a gift with a purchase of a certain amount such as a tote bag or a festive T-shirt. These deals are the perfect Valentine’s Day marketing strategy for your business.   Promote Relevant Products for Valentine’s Day Make sure that your website and business social media channels are flashing Valentine’s Day hearts and love. You want your products to stand out as Valentine’s gifts over birthday gifts or everyday items. If you focus on the theme of red, pink, and glitter, you can’t go wrong! Design special Valentine’s Day limited edition items that can’t be bought any other time of year. This will make your business stand out and can increase your sales. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it is best to start promoting Valentine’s items quickly! This is the time of year when sales spike for businesses who have products relevant to the theme of love and hearts. Follow these marketing strategies for Valentine’s Day for your business and you won’t be sorry you did.

Important Social Media Trends for 2023

Social media trends are constantly changing over time. To ensure your social media posts will increase engagement from your followers, it’s a good idea to keep up with these trends. Here are three important social media trends for 2023.   Organic Videos and Reels Videos and reels are extremely popular in the social media world these days. If you are wanting to maintain your growth and reach more followers, you need to make sure that videos and reels are a priority. Stagnant posts do not go very far in 2023 because they are not as interesting to your followers versus seeing a video. Videos and reels should be short, interesting, and fun.   Tik Tok Tik Tok is a social media platform where users can show off their talents or tell stories in short videos. Tik Tok has become one of the most used and important social networking platforms for marketing. This platform has a fresh perspective of the newer generations is expected to grow in 2023. If you want to see growth, Tik Tok is a good place to start. If your business does not yet have a Tik Tok, go ahead and create a handle so that you can start increasing engagement and see an increase in followers.   Say Good-Bye to Gifs That’s right, Gifs are slowly fading from social media use. The use of Gifs and search of gifs has declined by about 200 million since 2016. Posts and vids that use gifs do not seem to get much engagement. They simply have been deemed ‘uncool’ by the newer generations and therefore are being used less. It is fine to use gifs in response text messages but try to keep them out of your social media posts.   With social media trends constantly shifting and changing over time, it can be hard to keep up with it all. It is important for your business, however, to prioritize the new trends and implement them in all social media posts. This will ensure that you are getting engagement and increasing your outreach.

2023 Business Growth Ideas

Growing a business requires hard work and dedication. With our fast-paced economy and advancing technology, it is easy to feel like your business is in a rut. To help ease some of the stress, move into 2023 with these four business growth ideas.   2023, The Year of Business Growth 1. Effective Communication Every business requires effective communication to run smoothly. You need to be able to communicate goals and strategies to your team so that everyone stays motivated and works toward one goal. Good communication encourages your team to share ideas and build off one another.   2. Utilize Social Media Social media is vital in growing your brand. This is an excellent way to reach a broad audience and potentially new customers. By using different social media platforms for your business, you can engage with customers and build customer loyalty.   3. Change Sales Strategies One thing is certain, business trends change frequently. Technology affords us new ways to grow in a more efficient manner and so our list of 2023 business growth ideas are adaptable. We want you to stay relevant to your customers. So, try one of the ideas. Start by creating a sales strategy that appeals to the recent changes in business to stay relevant.   4. Change Up Your Website Your business website will be one of the first things a customer will see. For this reason, the website needs to be appealing, engaging, and SEO friendly. It is hard for a business to grow if customers do not find the website interesting, or if it is hard to find because it is low on the search list. Businesses take time and a lot of effort, but if you utilize these four ways to grow your business in 2023, you can accomplish quick business growth.

Blogging Affects Your Marketing Strategy

  Blogging is a very important part of any marketing strategy. Blogging ensures that new information is consistently delivered to your readers to keep them engaged. This is the area of your site that is likely to build your brand’s audience and increase traffic. Blogging affects your marketing strategy is a positive way by letting your readers know up-to-date information about your business.   The Benefits of Blogging Creating and maintaining a blog increases your SEO and helps to improve your search results. Blogging also drives website traffic and promotes your products and services. It is important to stay consistent with blogging so that new information is always available, and SEO is always updated. The more readers follow your blog, the more likely it is that new customers will follow you. Good blogging content for business could be anything from informing readers about the work you do, or interesting informative blogs about various topics related to your business.   Blogging Affects Your Marketing Strategy in Key Areas Blogging is essential for business because you can advertise your company while sharing content that is meaningful and interesting to your readers. Statistically, 80% of businesses prefer to use blogging in their marketing strategy because it is more personal and a good way for readers to follow your business. This helps build trust and loyalty for the company’s readers as well.   When it comes to your marketing strategy, blogging should not be overlooked. It is an excellent way to increase traffic to your website, grow your audience, and gain new prospects for your business. Staying consistent with blogging content improves SEO and increases visibility in searches. Businesses that blog often, have higher traffic than blogs that do not. Blogging affects your marketing strategy in many ways, all of which are positive. It is beneficial to any business to create and maintain a blog. Bottom line is, to attract new traffic or readers to your site you need to invest the time and energy in blogging and optimizing your site for search engines.

Trending Hashtags & Social Media Growth

    Trending hashtags and social media growth are something you have probably seen on every post across social media platforms. Formerly known as the ‘pound sign’ to millennials, the hashtag is utilized so that social media users can see content that is relevant to their own niche. Hashtags ensure that you will see posts that are related to the content you are looking for. Therefore, hashtags are the number one way to grow on social media.   The Importance of Hashtags Trending hashtags have a lot to do with social media growth. In fact, they are important because they are a way to help brands reach a broader audience. When brands use hashtags, they can widen their reach. Posts that use hashtags typically get more engagement than posts that do not use hashtags. Statistics show that the use of hashtags increased engagement by 21% for most brands. They are a good way to keep content organized and help consumer find exactly what they are looking for.   How to Use Hashtags When using hashtags, it is good to make sure the word you are using is relevant to the post and even better to make sure the hashtag being used is trending. If you post about the amazing vacation, you just took, relevant hashtags could be words that pertain to your vacation. Trending hashtags will ensure social media growth and increase the visibility of your post so it’s seen by a wider audience. Remember, hashtags should be one word and contain no spaces. They can be added to your bio on your account, under posts, and even in comments you make on yours or another account. Understanding hashtags and utilizing them into posts is extremely important when building your brand. You want to make sure that you are using trending and relevant hashtags so that you can reach a wider audience and increase engagement on all posts. Trending hashtags lead to social media growth when used correctly and can be very beneficial to reaching your brand goals.

New Year, New Resolutions for Growth

With each new year comes opportunities for businesses to become better than ever. When the new year approaches, it is good to start thinking of new business resolutions for growth. Here are our top three New Year, new resolutions for growth in 2023.   Expand Social Media Channels New Year. New Resolution for Business means time to make some changes. Devoting time to social media and other digital channels is very important for small businesses. More and more people are using social media which is a top business trend that is expected to grow in 2023. There are many platforms that businesses can use to reach a wide variety of consumers by advertising and engaging directly with the customers using different marketing techniques.  This helps build customer loyalty as well as helps the business build their image and brand.   Learn a New Business Skill The world of business is full of learning opportunity. Learning new software, apps, or other business-related information can not only help your business thrive but can help you grow as a business owner. Your business will not take off if it stays in a bubble. Keeping up with the new trends is the perfect way to learn something new. Being able to adapt to new things is always a win when it comes to your business.   Stay Consistent Consistency is the key to success. Whether it is posting daily, writing weekly blogs, or making videos, it is important to be consistent so the business attracts more followers as well as increases traffic to the site.  This reflects on your business and staying consistent will give the image that your business is true to their customers and care about their content. It is fact that consistently leads to results, especially in business.   New Year’s resolutions can be a very helpful tool when it comes to your business. Creating new business resolutions for growth is the perfect way to start the new year.

Why Content Marketing Is Essential to Every Business Growth Strategy

Content is a necessary evil for business in any industry and the benefits are vast. Internally and externally, content can provide value for your business. The definition of content marketing is clear: “…a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly–defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.” Five reasons content is a necessary evil: It helps to improve SEO (search engine optimization). Establishes your brand. Can increase market share. Drives web views. Helps build brand authority. Content is important not just because it works for building trust, generating leads, and cultivating customer loyalty, but because it has become the new normal and your customers expect you to deliver original and engaging content. It is, in itself, helping to evolve what customers expect from the brands they interact with. Neglecting it is way more risky than investing in it.

In-house Agency vs Outsourced Agency

So, you want to market your business. The first step is to decide whether you want to create an in-house marketing team vs working with an agency. Each of these solutions has pros and cons; what works best for one company might not for another.   Marketing Agency PROS vs CONS Expertise – You are now working with experts who have a wide berth of knowledge and are not limited one-dimensionally. Some agencies may specialize in specific industries. However, all agencies understand how to make the best use of your budget, build your brand voice and message, and track analytics. Agencies can also show you a return on your investment. Capabilities, software, and tools – As marketing professionals, agencies have all the right tools and software to build your brand effectively. There is no need to purchase your own software or invest in a bank of information.  Agencies have more training and experience, and can focus on helping you reach your goals and objectives. Specialties – Agencies are composed of people with different degrees of specialization who work together to create multiple cross-channel campaigns, whereas an in-house team might be limited in this area. Scalability – At busy times of the year, some in-house agencies may not have the bandwidth to sustain or increase your marketing presence. Multiple clients – While agencies are committed to each brand they work with, some clients could feel put off by the notion that the agency is working just as hard with other clients. However, this is often not the case. Your account managers are a part of your team and want to see you succeed. Control – Sometimes it is hard for businesses to relinquish any control over their marketing efforts, but agencies function best with some wiggle room. They value your input, and will not move forward with any big strategy decisions unless you grant your permission first. The ability to trust your agency to pursue your best interest doesn’t always happen overnight.   In-House Marketing Team PROS vs CONS Brand familiarity: – The people who work within your company know the brand — presumably inside and out. They have a thorough understanding of what you do, why you do it, and what goes into it on a daily basis. While agencies are committed to getting to know the ins and outs of your brand, in-house teams have a different stake in the game. Accessibility – Everyone works for the same company. Focus – Your in-house team does nothing but marketing for you and cash their paycheck. Recruiting Talent – Putting together a solid in-house team that works well together is a massive time and financial investment. Expenses – A successful marketing team uses SEO tools. In fact, this is another reason why an agency is a better idea. SEO training requires consistent CEU clases to keep up with industry trends. In-house marketing departments typically freelancers if your employees aren’t trained in everything you need to accomplish your goals. You can usually count on an agency to have the necessary tools already at their disposal, so you don’t have to fund them independently. Capability and Scalability – When putting together your team, you are limited to the skills found within your applicant pool and the resources you have to work with. Assembling your dream marketing team can be a long and costly process. In-house teams often have less access to specialized skill sets. Similarly, any employee turnover can offset the balance of your team and lead to setbacks. This puts pressure on the remaining staff, which could lead to lagging performance. Compare this to an agency, where there is no risk of your strategy being put on hold.   At Silesky, we pride ourselves on being an outside agency with an in-house attitude. Want to learn more about what that means? Give us a call.

How to Find and Define Your Brand Voice Across Every Channel

Suppose you’re sitting at a dinner table with a group of friends, and the lights go out, and the room is pitch black, and you cannot see anyone. What are the chances you can recognize who is speaking simply by hearing their voice? Odds are pretty good you know each person by voice. Even without a visual element, you can recognize their distinct cadence, inflection, and tone. When you create a brand voice, the goal is exactly the same: a distinct voice that is unmistakably yours. Your customers should be able to identify your brand simply by hearing or reading your branded materials. What’s a good example of a strong brand voice? How about Coca Cola? It’s brand voice focuses on positivity and friendliness. All of their marketing is full of examples of happy lives made better with a drink of Coke. This consistent brand voice helps them to build a strong connection between their product and good times. Choosing a voice is rooted not only in the brand persona you’re trying to present, but also in what would be best received by your target audience. Start by asking yourself a few questions: Who is your target? What kind of voice will they hear? What do you want them to remember? Once you’ve thoroughly analyzed your target audience, you can begin determining your brand voice. A brand voice can be humorous or serious, casual or professional, instructional or emotional. What would your brand’s personality be if it were personified? How would this personality change from one platform to the next while remaining cohesive? Think about which brand elements of your business you want to be immediately understood by your audience and how you can accomplish that with your messaging. What is your brand promise? Your brand promise is the commitment to your customers that really matters to them and differentiates you from your competition. The following are a few brand promises you will recognize: GEICO – “15 Minutes Or Less Can Save You 15% Or More On Car Insurance.” FedEx – “Peace of mind.” Apple – “Think differently.” BMW: “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” Walmart: “Save money. Live better.” The best brand promises go big, challenge the status quo, and connect with consumers on a deep emotional level. They also stay the course for years at a time. Facts tell the analytical side of our brain what the company does, but the brand voice tells the creative side of our brain what the company feels like to engage with. Consumers un-follow brands on social for many reasons. Irrelevant content is one of the top reasons, as well as too many posts (or ads),     Knowing your voice and being true to it is important because, over time, your brand voice becomes what you’re known for. What is the best advice we can give you? Find your voice and stick with it! Need some help? Give us a ring. We are branding professionals.

Kiki DeVane

Marketing Operations Manager

Kiki started her career wanting to change the world through policy, then discovered that a well-built website could be just as powerful. That pivot led her through event marketing, federal communications, and sponsored content for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. She came out the other side a marketing utility player, skilled across strategy, design, development, and copywriting, allowing her to support client campaigns from the front and behind the scenes.

At Silesky, she’s the connective tissue, keeping projects moving, clients informed, and the team empowered to focus on what they do best. What sets Kiki apart is her ability to move fluidly between the operational and the creative without losing momentum in either direction. Whether she’s architecting a workflow, shaping a campaign, or jumping in on a deliverable, she brings the kind of range that elevates every project and strengthens the team around her.

A systems thinker with a creative soul, Kiki brings order to complexity and a genuine investment in seeing the work land the way it should.

Aizaz UI Hassan

Web Developer & Graphic Designer

Aizaz has been the driving force behind Silesky’s web development for over five years. As both a graphic designer and UI/UX developer, he brings a rare mix of technical precision and creative clarity to every project.

What sets Aizaz apart is his ability to understand and interpret the assignment—no extra hand-holding, just sharp instincts and calm professionalism. When timelines are tight and expectations are high, Aizaz is the teammate you want in your corner.

Creative and detail-oriented, Aizaz builds clean, modern websites that marry style with substance. From intuitive flows to scalable layouts, his work consistently delivers digital experiences that perform as well as they look.

With every project, Aizaz ensures the design feels effortless for users and does the heavy lifting for the brand.

Sue Hilger, MBA

Chief Growth Strategist

As Chief Growth Strategist at Silesky Marketing, Sue plays a key role in expanding the agency’s client base while cultivating long-term partnerships grounded in trust, collaboration, and measurable success. She works closely with organizations to help them meet their business goals—and then go beyond them—through smart, scalable marketing strategies.

With an MBA and deep expertise in both B2B and B2C environments, Sue bridges the gap between strategic planning and hands-on execution. She guides clients through Silesky’s end-to-end process, beginning with in-depth discovery and needs assessments and continuing through branding, messaging, digital advertising, and campaign rollout.

Sue is focused on long-term impact. Many of Silesky’s client relationships span decades, which speaks to her ability to integrate seamlessly, think strategically, and consistently deliver results. For Sue, every engagement is more than a project—it’s a partnership.

Mya Stengel

Content Developer & Video Editor

Mya brings the heart of a storyteller and the precision of a screenwriter to every project. With a background in Hollywood scriptwriting—particularly in the horror genre—she understands how to build intrigue, capture attention, and deliver a message that lands with impact.

A lifelong book lover turned brand storyteller, Mya has a gift for finding each client’s voice and shaping it into something authentic and memorable. Whether she’s writing SEO-driven blog content, editing silent video loops, or cutting together a punchy hero reel, she focuses on what makes a brand distinct and brings it to life with clarity and emotion.

From blog posts to behind-the-scenes edits, plot twists to punchlines, Mya’s work helps brands connect more deeply and tell stories that resonate.

Ashelin Walker

Digital Marketing Strategist

Ashelin is a digital marketing strategist who blends technical know-how with creative insight. At Silesky Marketing, she turns strategy into results—helping clients attract the right leads, connect with their audience, and strengthen their online presence.

She designs high-converting landing pages, launches targeted email campaigns, manages CRM platforms, and creates on-brand video content that performs. From big-picture planning to the freckles of a campaign, Ashelin brings cohesion to the chaos and keeps every piece pulling in the right direction.

What sets Ashelin apart is how seamlessly she connects the tactical to the strategic. She doesn’t just check boxes—she makes sure every effort ladders up to a larger goal. Her work helps clients show up in the right places, with the right message, at the right time.

Susi Silesky

Founder & Brand Architect

As the founder of Silesky Marketing, Susi brings more than 30 years of brand strategy and marketing expertise to the table. Her experience spans ambitious startups, global enterprises, nonprofits, and household-name retailers.

Susi is most energized when she’s helping business owners find their voice, shape their story, and build a brand that reflects their vision and gets the results they deserve.

What sets her apart is her deep understanding of entrepreneurs. She’s built a career not just on strong campaigns, but on building genuine relationships. That blend of empathy and expertise is what makes her work both effective and meaningful.

Susi has led successful marketing initiatives across industries—from healthcare and legal to real estate, B2B tech, and pharma. She’s fluent in French, conversational in Spanish, and skilled at translating complex ideas into clear, compelling brand stories.