Don’t look now, but soon brands may be able to purchase in-car ads.

Ford has just a filed a patent to introduce ads into their infotainment centres.

And, hey, we get it. Ad blockers and paid subscriptions are making it harder than ever to reach audiences. And being able to target people based on their conversations and physical location is pretty epic. But is bombarding them with ads every time they get into their F-150 the answer?

In today's newsletter:

• Ford hopes to begin serving in-car ads (is this a huge opportunity for brands or a disaster waiting to happen?)

• Should you start a blog? (no, they're not dead!)

• Trend plug - WTF?

• Ask the Editor - How do I grow my new brand account faster?

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

How to go viral:

Step 1: Join The Cohort

Step 2: Get your content critiqued by our team

Step 3: Learn to create viral content for your brand

Here's what people inside the Cohort community are saying:

It’s quite refreshing to have someone tell me my ideas are 'sh*t and no one cares' and then give me the tools to create something better. - Jennifer MacLeod, The Wee Smokehouse

Learning marketing psychology as a cohort is really valuable and super fun. The no-bullshit approach of The Attention Seeker team really works for us. -Erin Leigh Todd, Managing Director of Baron Hasselhof

The team's feedback was always on point so I knew exactly where to level up. And the best part? Being part of an awesome community that keeps my momentum going. Pri Mills, Hapori Co-Founder

Want in?

Picture this: you’re driving to work during your morning commute.

You’re playing your favourite chill vibes playlist, maybe even a podcast reminding you that health is wealth and mindfulness will save you from the incessant 9-5 grind.

You sip your coconut latte. You’re feeling calm, energised, ready to take on what the day has to offer.

And BAM. You’re hit with an unskippable ad on your car’s infotainment screen for what deals are on offer at the nearest Texaco.

Annoying – maybe even infuriating. Lucky it’s just a story, right? Right??????

For now, yes.

However, Ford has recently filed a patent to do exactly that.

On paper, this might sound like a clever way for brands to connect with consumers. But in reality, it kind of feels like a moment ripped straight out of Altered Carbon: everywhere we turn, there’s a screen, and every screen has something to sell.

And so, begs the question:

Are these potential in-car ads an innovative advertising channel? Or is this just another example of an industry running out of places to capture our attention?

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Writer

Should You Start a Blog? (no, they're not dead!)

Many marketers think of blogs as relics of the early internet.

The BEBO and Tumblr days were some of the best of my life – but those are long gone, along with my youth.

With our incessant use of social media, and video content steadily on the rise, the idea of starting a blog might sound, well, outdated.

But here’s the thing —blogs are far from dead.

Done right, blogs can be an invaluable asset for brands that want to build authority, connect with audiences, and control their narrative.

Don’t underestimate the power of this (almost) forgotten form of media. Some of the most renowned creators like Gary V and Tim Ferriss started out as bloggers.

Google still values quality written content.

And blogs provide consistent material for search engines to index. Unlike social media posts, which are fleeting, blog posts offer lasting visibility.

Well-crafted blog posts are perfect for nurturing leads through education. They're a way to build trust before asking for a sale. A strategic blog can be a powerful part of your lead-gen funnel.

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Writer

Trend Plug - WTF?

TikTok's latest phenomenon is none other than @DaltonTrey. 

He's known for his bizarre ranking lists, from mouths he'd kiss to simpler things like chores. 

One of his latest videos saw him ranking random flavours. The very first flavour he has to rank is sausage-flavoured TicTacs and he goes, 'What the f*ck?!' And the sound has gone viral.

This sound is super versatile and has been used in a multitude of ways. We've mainly seen it used for scenarios where the creator is excited for something, but then are quickly let down by that exact thing.

Examples include '*finally getting a bf* he's sassier than me' and '*taking a quick nap* waking 4 hours later.'

How you can jump on this trend:

Start with this sound. Describe a scenario, then use onscreen text to tell about your own WTF moment that messes everything up.

A few ideas to get you started:

• 'Scheduling everything for the week ahead' 'New viral meme'

• 'My calendar perfectly booked up' 'Client pushes our meeting back an hour'

• 'Drinking 5 coffees to keep me up' 'The jitters'

-Abdel, Social Media Coordinator

Today on the YAP podcast…

Want even more ‘YAP’ing? Check out the full podcast here.

Ask the Editor

Q - I've made a few posts about my new social media business on Instagram, but how do I grow my account faster? - Sershia

Hey Sershia!

If you want to grow your account, you should try to create as much content as you can. Especially as a social media manager, your accounts are your chance to show potential clients you know how to grow a following!

If you're serious about this new business venture, you should be putting everything you can into your content. It may take some time to figure out what content style works best for you.

So until you figure that out, you should be spending a lot of time on IG looking at what other people are doing. Ask what is working for them and how you can learn from it as you create your own content.

The key here is to fail fast. Instead of overthinking every piece of content, just start posting. Look at your numbers. Make tweaks as needed. But the more you post, the faster you'll figure out what performs and the faster you'll find your audience.

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

For the group chat

😂 Yap’s funniest home videos: POOR BOY
✨Daily inspo: appreciate YOUrself
🎧Soooo tingly: Threading ASMR
🍝What you should make for dinner tonight: LAZY GIRL DINNER ✨ 

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.

Wondering what the heck we do at The ATTN Seeker? Check us out.

Heard about a cool case study we should feature? Hit reply and tell us about it!

Got a question about social media strategy OR marketing? Reply to get it answered in an upcoming newsletter.