Reach Your Audience With Digital Advertising
August 6, 2021
 Digital advertising can help you be more successful online. In order to drive the right traffic to your brand and increase sales, you first need to define what a qualified audience is for you. From curiosity and validation to choice and advocacy, you want to know who they are, what they value, and how they utilize each channel at different phases of their engagement journey.
 
 
  
So where do you start?
 
 While there are so many online options to choose from, reaching your intended audience will still require a little bit of work. Luckily, using digital advertising to get your message across is easier than you think and conversions are easily tracked. 
 
  
Pick the right Platform
 The digital advertising platform used by a new business seeking brand awareness has a significant impact on its growth and success. The general idea is to place ads where your target audience hangs out and where your campaign's objectives are met, resulting in a significant Return on Ad Spend (ROAS).
 
 
  
 But finding the right 
  advertising platform in this digital age is easier said than done. There’s a myriad of possible options, the digital marketing best practices continue to evolve, and the internet/social circles are crowded with all sorts of suggestions.
 
 
  
Know your Audience
Knowing your target demographic is undoubtedly one of the most beneficial tools in your advertising toolbox. Why? First off, not only does it give you a leg up for reaching the most likely people to buy your product or service, but it also helps to pick the appropriate platform and technology to deliver your message. But be warned. Once you have their attention, there’s still plenty of work to do!
To push all the right buttons, advertisers need to know exactly what to say. Great content moves people—and in turn, products. It keeps audiences engaged, entertained and coming back for more!
Make sure you send any advertising clicks through to a highly converting landing page!
Try many platforms not just the ones you are used to as these may be higher converting and provide better quality clicks.
Get Interactive
As the internet continues to advance, media is consumed differently. More and more people are getting their entertainment and news from streaming options such as Netflix, Roku, Hulu and YouTube. So what does this mean for digital advertising? Interaction! Interactive ads get a higher clickthrough rate of around 6 percent, whereas most digital ads remain at a fraction of the percent.
Good advertisements tell a story that engages the audience. If you’re a recruiter or even a restaurant owner, enticing future customers with a snappy ad no longer cuts the mustard. But when you intrigue potential buyers with an eye catching video, a hilarious one-liner or a captivating call to action, you give them autonomy. Don’t tell customers what to think, but instead show them why buying your product or service is the best decision.
Keep it short and sweet
Don’t say too much! Short messages that pack a wallop and avoid cliches go a long way in the digital advertising world. Hook readers in with a memorable joke, a one liner, or a quick play on words.
 
Tug at their heartstrings
When Coca Cola launched their Remove Labels campaign it gave audiences a friendly reminder not to judge someone by their looks, but by their words. And whether your message is sensitive or funny, at its core it should come across as authentic.
 
Today’s audiences are smart and expect more than basic pandering. They want engaging content that scratches beyond the surface of a product and relates to them on a meaningful level. That’s why today’s most memorable campaigns reject tradition in exchange for something more sincere.
 
While traditional word of mouth will always impact local business, the trick is to give them something positive to talk about. The most important thing about your digital advertising campaign should be about connecting with your audience. A little passion goes a long way.
 
Successful digital advertising plucks viewers’ heartstrings and entices with humor. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster by conjuring up feelings of forgotten memories and nostalgia. Most importantly, whatever your approach, be sure to make an emotional connection with your audience—leave them breathless and standing in awe, or contemplative with the warm fuzzies. Make your digital ad memorable and appealing, and thereby your brand. Remember, if you think your message is fun and entertaining, so will your audience!
Good luck with your digital advertising, there are so many opportunities.

 By Nicole Clarke 
 • 
 October 28, 2025 
 
 How to Track Your LinkedIn Leads (and Finally See What’s Working)                                                                                                  Most recruitment agencies post regularly on LinkedIn, but few actually know what’s working. You might get great engagement, but how do you know if those likes and clicks are turning into new clients or candidate enquiries?                                                             If you’re not tracking your leads, you’re flying blind. The good news is that it’s incredibly easy to fix. You just need a simple setup using                                          UTM tracking                                           and                                          Google Analytics (GA4)                               .                                                                                                  Here’s how to do it properly so you can see exactly which posts, people, and campaigns are driving real results.                                                                                                  Step 1: Add UTM Links to Every LinkedIn Post                                                                                                  Whenever you share a link on LinkedIn, whether it’s to a job, a blog, other content or a “book a demo” page etc you should add a little bit of tracking code at the end of your URL.                                                                                                              This code is called a                                          UTM                               , and it tells you exactly where your traffic came from once people land on your website.                                                 Example:                                                                                                  https://www.xyzrecruitment.com/book-demo?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=demo_launch&utm_content=post1                                                                                                  Here’s what each tag means:                                                                                                              utm_source=linkedin                                               → tells you the traffic came from LinkedIn                                                                  utm_medium=social                                               → identifies it as an organic social post                                                                  utm_campaign=demo_launch                                               → labels your specific campaign                                                                  utm_content=post1                                               → helps you see which post or person shared it                                                                                                                                     You can use Google’s free                                          Campaign URL Builder                                           to generate these in seconds.                                                                                                             Step 2: Use Tagged Links in Every Post and Profile                                                                                                  Once you’ve created your UTM-tagged links, use them everywhere you share links from LinkedIn:                                                                                                              Company updates                                                      Recruiter and consultant posts                                                      LinkedIn articles or newsletters                                                      Comments and DMs                                                                                                                         If multiple people in your team are posting, give each person their own                                          UTM content tag                                           (for example:                                            utm_content=sarah_post                                             or                                          utm_content=liam_article                                 ) so you can easily see who’s driving the most traffic or conversions.                                                                                                  Step 3: Track the Results in Google Analytics 4                                                                                                  With your UTM links live, it’s time to see what’s working.                                                                         In                                          Google Analytics (GA4)                               , go to:                                                                                Reports → Acquisition → Traffic Acquisition                                                                                                  Filter by:                                                                                                  Source / Medium = linkedin / social                                                                                                  Now you’ll see:                                                                                                              How many visitors came from LinkedIn                                                      Which pages they viewed                                                      Whether they filled out a form, booked a demo, or applied for a role                                                                                                             That’s how you finally connect your LinkedIn activity to actual business outcomes.                                                                                                  Step 4: If You Run Paid Ads — Connect LinkedIn to GA4                                                                                                              If you’re also running                                          LinkedIn Ads                                           , connect your                                          LinkedIn Campaign Manager                                           to                                          GA4                               .                                                            This gives you the complete picture, not just clicks and impressions, but which ads and audiences are driving conversions.                                                                                                  Step 5: Create a Simple Dashboard                                                                                                              Once you’re tracking everything, pull it together in a                                          Google Looker Studio (Data Studio)                                           dashboard.                                                                        You’ll get a clear visual of:                                                                                                              Traffic from LinkedIn (organic + paid)                                                      Conversions by campaign                                                      Which recruiters generate the most leads                                                      Your overall ROI from LinkedIn                                                                                                             It’s simple, visual, and finally gives you proof of what’s working.                                                                                                  Why This Matters for Recruitment Agencies                                                                                                  Without UTM tracking, your LinkedIn traffic shows up in Google Analytics as “direct” or “referral”, which tells you nothing.                                                                                                  With proper tracking, you’ll know:                                                                                                              Which campaigns or posts bring in new client leads                                                      Which recruiters or consultants drive the most engagement                                                      What content types actually convert                                                                                                             It’s not about guessing, it’s about growing with real data.                                                                                                  Quick Recap                                                                                                   Step 1:                                           Add UTM links to every LinkedIn post — Tracks traffic accurately                                                      Step 2:                                           Use consistent naming — Keeps your data clean                                                      Step 3:                                           Check GA4 reports — See conversions clearly                                                      Step 4:                                           Connect LinkedIn Ads — Measure full ROI                                                      Step 5:                                           Build a dashboard — See what’s working at a glance                                                                                                             Final Tip                                                                                                  Consistency is key! One untagged link can throw off your data.                                                                                                             Once you start tracking properly, you’ll quickly see which content drives leads and where to focus your marketing energy next.                                                 If you’d like help setting up UTM links or building a simple LinkedIn-to-GA4 dashboard, contact the team at www.shazamme.com we can show you exactly how to do it right!
 

 September 29, 2025 
 
 The trick with AI is not simply using it but using it intelligently.                                                                             This means understanding AI's limitations and using it to complement, not replace, human expertise. While proper use of AI is essential for everyone, it’s especially critical for agencies that rely on efficiency for survival and prosperity. Falling behind in AI adoption can lead to missed opportunities and reduced market relevance.                                                                             Therefore, staying informed about AI advancements is crucial for marketing agencies. As AI tools evolve rapidly, agencies must continuously update their knowledge and integrate the latest innovations.                                                                             This blog post compiles key resources to help agencies stay informed and proficient in AI marketing.                                                                             Marketing AI Institute Blog                                                            The                               Marketing AI Institute blog                                is a premier resource that covers all aspects of AI in marketing. It offers insights into AI tools, trends, and practical applications, helping marketers understand how to integrate AI into their strategies effectively. The blog features articles on AI-powered marketing automation, customer personalization, and AI-driven content creation. It has the option to filter by marketing agencies to get a few articles tailored for marketing agencies on interesting topics like how to win more business with AI. Think of it as a one-stop shop for foundational knowledge on how to integrate AI into your marketing strategies effectively.                                                            Digital Agency Network Blog                                                            Digital Agency Network's blog                                is a great resource for marketing agencies in general. It is also one of the best resources for getting informed about AI for agencies (especially its                               AI Marketing                                category). If you’re wondering what an AI agency is or whether you’d like to become one, this is the place to read about it. It’s also the place to discover how AI is transforming digital marketing and advertising, offering insights into successful AI-driven campaigns and strategies.                                                                                           Jasper AI Blog                                                            Jasper AI’s blog                                focuses on leveraging AI for content creation. Therefore, it is particularly useful for agencies seeking to improve their content marketing strategies using AI. Each month, quite a bit blog posts are published, which is pretty fitting for a blog belonging to an AI content generation company like Jasper AI. Here, too, you can filter by “Marketing Strategy” for a more specific, marketing-like point of view.                                                            HubSpot Blog                                                            HubSpot’s blog                                needs no introduction, but I’ll introduce it anyway. Widely recognized as one of the leading B2B content hubs in the marketing industry, HubSpot’s blog serves as a comprehensive resource for marketers, sales professionals, and customer service representatives, presenting both introductory content for beginners and advanced strategies for experienced professionals. In short, this is one of the biggest resources for everything B2B. Its                               Marketing sub-blog                                is the perfect place to stay updated with marketing insights, ideas and inspirations, and the lobby page features some great AI marketing articles under the AI category. HubSpot excels at breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand pieces, making them a great resource for agencies at any stage of their AI journey.                                                            Shane Barker’s blog                                                            Shane Barker's Blog                                is a prominent resource for marketers seeking insights and strategies on digital marketing, influencer marketing, SEO, social media, and AI applications in marketing. Known for its practical advice and actionable tips, the blog is recommended for marketing professionals. Shane Barker frequently shares case studies and data-driven insights, making his blog a great resource for agencies seeking to implement tangible AI marketing strategies.                                                            Jounce                                                            Jounce is a company dedicated to providing AI-driven solutions to enhance marketing strategies.                               Their blog                                provides useful insights into AI-driven marketing strategies, focusing on how AI can optimize various aspects of marketing, including content creation, customer engagement, and marketing automation.                                                            AdWeek                                                                             AdWeek's AI category                                is a key resource for staying informed about how AI is impacting the advertising industry. The publication features articles on the latest AI innovations, trends, and case studies, highlighting how top brands are using AI to enhance their marketing efforts. Their focus on industry news and case studies makes it a valuable resource for staying on top of the latest advancements in AI advertising.                                                            AdExchanger                                                            AdExchanger is a leading publication that covers data-driven marketing, advertising, and technology.                               The site AI category                                features deep dives into AI and its implications for digital marketing and advertising. It provides valuable insights into how AI technologies are being used to optimize ad spend, improve targeting, and enhance customer experiences.                                                            MarketingProfs                                                            MarketingProfs                                is a well-established resource that offers a wealth of information on marketing strategies, tools, and best practices. The site includes a dedicated section on                               AI in marketing                               , providing insights into how AI can be leveraged to improve various marketing functions. With a mix of articles, webinars, and training programs, MarketingProfs helps marketers stay informed about the latest AI trends.                                                            Spiceworks                                                            Spiceworks is a network that connects technology professionals with the resources they need to make informed decisions.                               Their dedicated section on AI in marketing                                offers insights into how AI technologies are transforming marketing strategies. The blog covers topics such as AI-driven analytics, personalized marketing, and the integration of AI in various marketing platforms.                                                            Influencer Marketing Hub                                                            The Influencer Marketing Hub’s AI Marketing section                                is an excellent resource for understanding how AI is shaping influencer marketing. It features articles on AI tools for influencer identification, campaign optimization, and performance tracking. This blog is particularly useful for agencies focusing on influencer marketing and looking to integrate AI into their strategies.
 

 September 29, 2025 
 
 If you haven’t already, it’s time to expand your horizons and take a look at agency directories.                                                            I know you’re so used to referrals that you’re pretty skeptical about any other lead-generation channel. But hear me out: while referrals are undoubtedly valuable (90% of agencies cite them as their top source for new leads,                               according to HubSpot’s Agency Pricing and Financials Report                               ), diversifying your client acquisition strategy is crucial for growth.                                                            That’s where agency directories come into play, offering your agency access to a vast pool of potential clients, actively searching for services like yours.                                                            However, with so many directories to choose from, there are many factors to consider. For instance, you’ll need to think about audience relevance, search rankings, and the specific features each directory offers to help your agency stand out.                                                            In this article, we’ll provide you with a rundown of the top agency directories, reviewing their unique features, audience reach, and how they can help you differentiate yourself from the competition. We’ll explore directories that cater to a range of industries and services, from digital marketing and SEO to creative design and web development, ensuring you find the best platforms to showcase your agency and win clients.                                                            1. Digital Agency Network (DAN)                                                            DAN                                was created with the goal of connecting digital marketing professionals, agencies, and clients by providing a platform where agencies can showcase their work and expertise.                                                            With impressive numbers such as 146,000+ monthly visits, it’s fair to say that DAN has a lot to offer to its 3,300+ member agencies, operating in 122 cities worldwide.                                                            One of the standout features of DAN is its curated list of member agencies, ensuring that only high-quality, reputable agencies are showcased. This selective approach boosts the credibility of the platform and helps clients find trusted partners for their digital needs. The directory also includes an extensive blog section (which we enjoy reading) where agencies can contribute thought leadership content, share case studies, and promote their services.                                                            As for the agencies' profiles, they are quite detailed, allowing agencies to showcase their services, portfolios, client testimonials, and team bios to demonstrate their capabilities. This translates into the advanced search mechanism. Businesses can easily search and filter agencies by location, industry expertise, agency size, and more to find the perfect fit. The “Get Quotes” system simplifies this process even further, allowing brands to submit project details, needs, and budgets, making it easier to connect with the most suitable agency.                                                            DAN offers both                               free and paid listings                               . While the free listing provides basic exposure, agencies looking to maximize their visibility can opt for paid membership plans, which offer enhanced features such as priority listing, access to exclusive leads, and opportunities for content promotion on DAN’s blog and social media channels.                                                            2. Spona (formaly Top Digital Agency)                                                            Spona                               , formerly known as Top Digital Agency (TDA), primarily functions as a directory aimed at connecting businesses with digital agencies. However, it offers more than just a standard directory service. Spona functions as an all-in-one digital project collaboration platform. The platform combines management, financing, and project collaboration in one place and provides tools and features that enhance the matchmaking process between businesses and agencies.                                                                             One of the key features is their matching algorithm, which helps pair businesses with agencies that align with their specific needs, making it easier for businesses to find the right partner. Additionally, Spona has a project posting feature, where businesses can describe their project requirements and allow agencies to bid on them. This feature adds a layer of interaction beyond a simple directory listing, turning Spona into a more dynamic platform.                                                                             The agency listings are relatively detailed compared to other directories. Agencies can showcase their services, case studies, and expertise, along with information about their team, client testimonials, and contact details. The platform also allows agencies to categorize their services, making it easier for businesses to find agencies specializing in particular areas.                                                                             Spona offers both free and                               paid options                                for listing agencies on their platform. Paid options often include benefits such as priority placement in search results, enhanced profile customization, and the ability to bid on projects with more visibility, which can help agencies attract more clients.                                                                             3. AdForum                                                                             AdForum’s                                strong focus on advertising, branding, and design makes it a great platform for agencies looking to connect with clients interested in creative services. It has built a reputation as a premier directory, particularly for those in the creative industry.                                                            One of the coolest things about AdForum is its                               Creative Library                               , showcasing an extensive collection (235,000+) of global advertising campaigns and case studies, a major attraction for clients and industry professionals.                                                            Additionally, AdForum provides industry news, insights, and a dedicated awards section, which helps keep both agencies and clients informed about the latest trends and developments in the advertising world. The inclusion of a job board also makes it a versatile platform for agencies looking to expand their teams.                                                            Agencies can create detailed profiles, highlighting their services, case studies, and portfolios, with options for both                               free and premium listings                               . The premium option enhances visibility with priority placement, a more comprehensive showcasing of creative work, access to leads and RFPs (Request for Proposals), and analytics tools to track profile performance.                                                            4. Winmo (formally REDBOOKS)                                                                                           Unlike traditional agency directories,                               Winmo                               , formerly known as REDBOOKS, positions itself as a sales enablement tool, offering a unique blend of agency listings, brand information, and decision-maker contacts, making it particularly valuable for agencies looking to proactively generate leads and identify new business opportunities. Another thing to know about Winmo is its integration capabilities with CRM systems, allowing agencies to seamlessly incorporate Winmo's data into their existing sales and marketing workflows.                                                            One of Winmo's unique features is its predictive intelligence capability which focuses on analyzing historical data and industry trends to forecast potential business opportunities, allowing agencies to identify and pursue new clients before they even start an official agency search.                                                            The platform offers an impressive database covering over 36,000 brands and 150,000 decision-makers, mainly focusing on the North American and UK markets. This wealth of information allows agencies to not only find potential clients but also to understand their marketing spend, agency relationships, and key decision-makers.                                                            As for                               pricing                               , Winmo’s services are premium, reflecting the value of the intelligence and tools they offer. It is an investment that works for agencies with a strategic focus on large-scale client acquisition.                                                            5. Agency Spotter                                                            Unlike some directories that allow anyone to leave a review,                               Agency Spotter                                is known for its client-verified reviews. The review mechanism includes a review authentication process to ensure the validity of reviews. This may include verifying the reviewer's relationship with the agency, which adds another layer of trust to the system. In addition, it’s quite comprehensive, allowing clients to rate agencies across multiple categories such as quality, cost, schedule, and willingness to refer. These reviews directly impact an agency's ranking and visibility on the platform. Agencies with higher review scores and more recent reviews tend to appear higher in search results.                                                                             Another thing to note about Agency Spotter is its advanced filtering capabilities. Clients can search for agencies based on specific criteria such as location, agency size, industry expertise, service offerings, audience specialty, martech, or other technologies used, and more.                                                                             As for                               pricing                               , and much like most agency directories, Agency Spotter offers both free and paid options.                                                                             6. Clutch                                                            Clutch                                is a highly regarded directory for B2B service providers, with a strong reputation among businesses specifically looking for agencies. What sets Clutch apart is its strict vetting process: a dedicated team of analysts conducts in-depth client interviews or evaluates posted reviews to ensure quality and reliability. This provides detailed insights into an agency's performance, making it a preferred choice for businesses seeking in-depth, verified feedback. This focus on authenticity is a significant driver of Clutch’s popularity.                                                            Compared to platforms like Agency Spotter, which offers shorter, more concise reviews that are easier to scan across multiple options, Clutch goes deeper, making it better suited for businesses looking to make more informed, research-backed decisions.                                                            Beyond its comprehensive reviews, Clutch features its                               Leader Matrices                               , a unique tool that visually ranks agencies based on two axes: their ability to deliver results and their specialization in specific services. This matrix simplifies the search process, enabling businesses to quickly identify top-performing agencies within their desired niche.                                 Just note that Clutch’s                               paid sponsorship model                                can influence how agencies are ranked or highlighted. While rankings are based on a combination of client feedback, market presence, and expertise, paying for premium placement can give agencies more visibility, which may affect how clients perceive their options.                                                                             7. Credo                                                                             With                               Credo                               , it’s quality over quantity. While its pool of agencies is smaller, it has built a reputation for itself as meeting one of the highest quality standards in the industry, mainly due to its personalized agency matchmaking service in various categories, including SEO (which gets quite a bit of focus at Credo), PPC, content marketing, social media marketing, web design and development, and more. When a business submits a project request, Credo doesn't just provide a list of agencies. Instead, they take the time to understand the business's specific needs and then personally match them with the most suitable agencies from their network.                                                                             For agencies considering Credo, it's important to note that the platform is selective. Not all agencies will make the cut. However, for those who do make it through the vetting process, Credo can provide access to high-quality leads from businesses serious about investing in digital marketing.                                                                             As for costs, here’s what Credo                               has to say                                on their website:                                 “Leads in the Network, if not on the Agency Growth subscription, cost from $50-$150 per lead depending on amount of contact information and if Credo has spoken with them and verified the project. You can reduce your cost per lead by approximately 75% with an Agency Growth Network subscription ($249/mo paid quarterly or $329/mo paid monthly).”                                                                             8. TopSEOs                                                            Despite its name suggesting a focus solely on SEO services,                               TopSEOs                               , founded in 2002, has evolved to cover a wide range of digital marketing categories as the digital marketing industry expanded. Today, the platform evaluates and ranks 280,000 digital marketing companies in its directory across more than 100 categories, including PPC management, social media marketing, content marketing, web design, and many more. Rumor has it that TopSEOs’ rankings are refreshed monthly, ensuring that the information remains current and relevant.                                                            TopSEOs has a free membership option that provides a basic profile and inclusion in the directory. The paid membership option, however, provides an enhanced profile with branding options and the ability to get leads and contact information of those trying to contact your agency.                                                            9. Puddding                                                            Pudding’s                                forte is case studies. It simplifies the process of finding an agency by matching companies with agencies based on real case studies and proven results rather than relying on reviews or referrals.                                                            Each case study is analyzed, indexed and used to identify matches and agency recommendations.                                                            Another thing to note about Puddding is it allows businesses to quickly get a shortlist of agencies tailored to their project, with the option to request proposals or schedule meetings in as little as 24 hours.                                                            Puddding’s                               plans and pricing                                allow for a free and paid listing. The paid options offer additional benefits such as access to public RFPs, private invitations to submit proposals, and more extensive promotion across Puddding's platform                                                                                           10. DesignRush                                                                                         What truly sets                                          DesignRush                                apart is its dedication to staying ahead of industry trends and building an active marketplace. The platform consistently publishes industry insights, trend reports, and educational content, positioning itself as more than just a directory—it's an important resource for both agencies and clients.                                                 Additionally, a Google search for "digital marketing agencies" will place DesignRush on the first page, alongside DAN and Clutch, highlighting its broad reach and visibility.
 







