Forge & Spark Media

We’ve tested AI. You’ve tested AI. Here’s what works and what SO does not in marketing. PLUS .... we just launched our new Brand Content Kit Service—at 20 percent off! Learn more in this edition of our newsletter.

In content marketing, your audience is your north star. ✨ Knowing who they are—and who they aren’t—can transform your strategy. The key? Emotional resonance. When you deeply understand your audience’s needs, dreams, and challenges, you can create content that connects authentically. So, where should you start? 1️⃣ Define Your Audience: Start with demographics (age, job, location) and dive deeper into their emotional world. What are their goals, challenges, and values? 2️⃣ Identify the Problems You Solve: How does your content make their lives better? 3️⃣ Get Clear on Who You Don’t Serve: Repel mismatched audiences so you can focus on the right fit. 4️⃣ Use Intentional Language: Tailor your tone to your audience’s needs and expertise. The right audience isn’t everyone—it’s the people who feel like you’re speaking directly to them. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/e8Ck6fAn #ForgeAndSpark #ContentMarketing

🔍 Trust-Building Tip Alert!    Want to strengthen your audience connections? Start by auditing your existing content!    Creating new content is important, but refining what you already have can build even deeper trust with your audience. Here’s how to get started:    1️⃣ Review your current content for alignment with your purpose and values.  2️⃣ Identify opportunities to solve real problems for your audience.  3️⃣ Ensure your tone and messaging are consistent across channels.  4️⃣ Add authentic elements, like personal stories or real-world examples.  5️⃣ Track performance and refine further based on engagement.    Trust isn’t built overnight—it’s about showing up authentically, consistently, and with purpose.     Ready to take the next step? Head to the link in our bio for more trust-building strategies. ✨

People don’t connect with perfection—they connect with when something is real and relatable.    Brands that thrive aren’t the ones trying to appear flawless. They’re the ones that show up, share their journey, and engage with their audience as real people.    💡 As our founder, Shannon Emmerson, puts it:  "People aren’t looking for perfect brands. They’re looking for relatable ones—brands that show up, own their story, and connect with real humans."    How is your brand showing up?  ✔️ Are you sharing stories, along with driving sales?  ✔️ Are you engaging with your audience in a meaningful way?  ✔️ Are you being open about the truth of your journey, along with the highlights?    Authenticity builds trust. Relatability creates connection. And honestly, perfection is pretty darned dull. 💛    #AuthenticBranding #ContentWithPurpose #BuildingConnections #MarketingThatMatters

That's right: romance, shmomance!     Isn't Valentine's Day really about love, in all of its powerful forms?     It is for us.     And for that, we say thank you.     To our partners and besties and pets: for being our rocks, our champions, our support systems, and our cheerleaders.     To our amazing clients: for your kindness, collaboration, and your kickass work in the world.     To our kids: for giving us hope (along with heart attacks).     And to those we've yet to meet on our journey, may love and gratitude find their way to you today, and always.     ❤️ The Forge & Spark Team

✨ What Does It Mean to Create Authentic Content? ✨    Authenticity isn’t just about honesty—it’s about resonance. When your audience feels truly seen, understood, and valued based on something genuine you've said or shared, that’s when real connections happen.    💡 As our founder, Shannon Emmerson, writes in her upcoming book, Content With Purpose, authentic content isn’t just about honesty; it’s about resonance—helping your audience feel understood, seen, and valued.    So, how do you create content that resonates?  ✔️ Share stories that reflect your audience’s experiences.  ✔️ Speak to their challenges with empathy and insight.  ✔️ Offer value beyond promotion—educate, support, and inspire.    Sharing authentic content on your own channels isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection based on what's real. 💛    Sign up for Shannon's Content With Purpose Substack for tips, tools, and process for creating your own high-integrity messaging and marketing.     https://lnkd.in/gsZEiQ5k    #ContentWithPurpose #AuthenticContent #B2BMarketing #BuildingConnections

Our dedicated team including Lara Kroeker, Colby Spencer, Lisa Manfield and Carlos Fetherstonhaugh (not to mention Bronwyn Wilson behind the scenes) were up and at 'em early this past Saturday to capture some incredible student stories for University of the Fraser Valley ... 🤩 It was a privilege to have the chance to capture the stories of some inspiring students in UFV's Continuing Education program this week. Thank you so much Carolyn MacLaren, MA, CPHR, and Jessica Cottrill (Peakman) for working with us to put this shoot together. We can't wait to share the results in your upcoming campaign! 🙌

Meet Christina T.—our brilliant Graphic Designer & Illustrator! 🎨✨    From crafting custom branded assets to designing layouts that perfectly balance fun and professionalism, Christina brings a unique spark to everything she touches. She even recently designed her first book cover, for our founder and CEO. 💛    She’s passionate about trinkets, too (as in, they’re everywhere in her workspace 😆), which adds to the creative magic she brings to our team. We’re so lucky to have her! 🙌     Stay tuned for more team spotlights.     #ForgeAndSpark #MeetTheTeam

We’ve all been there: scrolling past content that feels empty, irrelevant, or downright uninspired. But the best kind of content? It stops you in your tracks, sparks curiosity, and leaves you thinking: wow, they really get me. That’s the magic of having a clear purpose behind every post, blog, or campaign. It's not just what you say, but why your audience should care. 💡 Learn all about the Content Value Proposition (CVP)—a framework for defining and creating content that engages, builds trust, and drives real results, from F&S CEO Shannon Emmerson. 👉 https://bit.ly/4gqpHEz #ForgeAndSpark #PurposeDriven #ContentMarketing #PurposeDrivenContent #MarketingFramework

We are SO pleased and proud to celebrate the promotion of our one and only Lara Kroeker to VP, Creative Strategy for Forge & Spark. Congratulations Lara! 🙌🙌🙌