DOWNSTAGE MEDIA BLOG
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY, MESSAGING, AND EMAIL MARKETING TIPS
What Is a StoryBrand Certified Coach? (And Why the Title Changed)
Name changes are so 2025! StoryBrand Certified Guides are now StoryBrand Certified Coaches. If you're wondering why, what changed this post clears it all up.
Why Blogging Is the Most Important Part of Your SEO Strategy
Blogging isn’t just another marketing tactic; it’s the backbone of a successful SEO strategy. Learn why consistent, strategic blogging can make or break your search engine rankings and overall online visibility.
What It Takes to Clarify Your Message for a Shark Tank-Sized Moment
High-stakes moments don’t give you time to clarify what you meant. When a message isn’t sharp, even a strong idea can lose the room. This post breaks down what happened in the Tank, the messaging work History By Mail did with Downstage Media ahead of the pitch, and what founders can learn about preparing their message before the pressure hits.
The Email Signup Experiment Wrap-Up:
I set a simple goal: get 10 new email subscribers by March 31. No ads. No big campaigns. Just smarter placement, clearer messaging, and a system that could run while I focused on client work. Here’s what worked, what didn’t—and what I’ll try next time.
Downstage Media’s Client History By Mail Tests Its Brand Message on Shark Tank
When Ari Siegel, founder of History By Mail, landed a coveted spot on Shark Tank, he turned to Downstage Media for help crafting a pitch that would resonate with both the Sharks and millions of viewers. Here’s how we shaped the message, rehearsed every word, and got ready for a once-in-a-lifetime moment on national TV.
Follower Count Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think
You don’t need a massive following to grow your business—you need a smart content strategy and the right systems. In this post, Annie Figenshu breaks down why email marketing still outperforms social media, how to build trust with a smaller audience, and what to focus on if you’re ready to stop chasing followers and start seeing results.
A Week of Zero Conversions: Week 8
This week’s Email Signup Experiment took an unexpected turn—zero conversions despite steady traffic. What went wrong? We break down the data, analyze possible causes, and outline next steps to get signups back on track.
Signs of Progress Email Signup Experiment: Week 7
This week’s Email Signup Experiment revealed a surprising boost in signups, with the pop-up and sticky footer leading the way. But high-traffic blog pages still aren’t converting. See what’s working, what’s not, and the next steps to optimize our strategy.
Expanding What We Track Email Signup Experiment: Week 6
Tracking the right data makes all the difference. This week, we uncovered signups from unexpected sources, proving that expanding what we measure is just as important as optimizing how we capture leads.
The Numbers Don’t Lie The Email Signup Experiment: Week 5
The Email Signup Experiment just hit a turning point—our latest numbers are at zero signups for the week. If you neglect your own marketing, your results will suffer. In this update, we analyze why conversions have stalled and what needs to change immediately to turn things around.
No Changes, No Progress? The Email Signup Experiment: Week 4
This week’s Email Signup Experiment proved that doing nothing leads to… well, not much. With no changes made, our pop-up maintained its underwhelming conversion rate, and high-traffic blog pages still didn’t deliver signups. Next week, we’re adjusting timing, refining our CTA, and rethinking form placement to finally break through.
Lessons Learned and Next Moves: The Email Signup Experiment, Week 3
The Email Signup Experiment continues, and this week’s data reveals some unexpected shifts. While the home page saw its first signup, the pop-up’s conversion rate dropped significantly. Are visitors tuning it out? We’re making key adjustments to timing, messaging, and placement to improve performance. Read on to see what worked, what didn’t, and what we’re testing next.
The Email Signup Experiment: What’s Working, What’s Not, and What’s Next
The Email Signup Experiment is in full swing, and this week’s results revealed both progress and challenges. While adding the form to high-traffic blog posts didn’t generate signups, the pop-up saw a 5.9% conversion rate—better than nothing, but still below the industry average. With a combined conversion rate of 2.3%, it’s clear we need to refine our approach. The focus now? Improving visibility, tweaking messaging, and driving more traffic to high-converting pages. Can these adjustments push us closer to our goal of 10 new subscribers by March 31? We’re about to find out.
Wins, Woes, and What’s Next: The Email Signup Experiment, Week 2
Join Annie Figenshu and her AI assistant, Betty Bot-ley, as they dive into this week's Email Signup Experiment results. Discover insights from Newsletter Form 5 2, including a solid 7.7% conversion rate but low traffic challenges. Learn actionable strategies to boost visibility and engagement while working toward the goal of 10 new subscribers by March 31. Ready to optimize your own signup forms? Let's explore together!
Building a Better Email Signup Form: My Experiment to Get 10 New Subscribers by March 31
Discover the art of crafting effective lead capture forms in this real-time experiment. Follow along as I implement proven strategies, track progress, and share actionable insights to help you build your email list and turn visitors into loyal subscribers.
Annie Figenshu: the Marketer formerly known as Annie Schiffmann
I’ve returned to my maiden name, Annie Figenshu. If you’re searching for Annie Schiffmann or wondering what the name change means, here’s the clear answer and what hasn’t changed about my work.
Start Prepping for 2025: How to Build a Marketing Strategy That Works for You All Year
Get your business ready for 2025! In this post, you’ll learn a streamlined, five-step plan designed for small teams. From choosing your top focus to setting up automations and tracking the right metrics, each step is crafted to help you make an impact with clarity and confidence. Let’s start the new year with a marketing strategy that’s both manageable and powerful.
Is Tilt Publishing Right for Your Book? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Tilt Publishing isn’t just about getting your book on the shelves—it’s about giving authors the control, reader data, and engagement they deserve. As the publisher of The Content Entrepreneur and Simple Social Media, I chose Tilt for the same reasons you might: meaningful connections, long-term growth, and turning a book into a true brand-building tool. Discover how Tilt’s unique approach can transform your book from launch day to lasting impact.
StoryBrand for Blog Posts, Videos, and Emails
You like how StoryBrand makes your customer the hero, but applying that same thinking to blog posts, videos, and emails is a little murkier. This post shows how to use the StoryBrand framework as a jumping off point for your content marketing efforts. The result is customer-focused content that’s easier to create and more effective at building relationships.
Why Taking Action After a Conference Is Key
After attending a retreat or conference, your head is full of fresh ideas and strategies that could drive your business forward. But without a plan to act quickly, those sparks of inspiration could fade. In this post, we’ll cover why it’s crucial to block time for implementation right after an event and offer practical steps to turn those ideas into long-term growth.