Author: Kashish Jain

Social media is the favorite marketing strategy for companies of every size. Posting consistently makes you feel productive—you’re active, you’re responding to followers, and your brand is staying out there, right?

But the reality is: Most companies are wasting their time on social media.

At 7thGrowth, we tend to tell clients to cease posting blindly—not because social media doesn’t work, but because haphazard, inconsistent posting seldom incites true business growth.

The Flaw with Spontaneous Social Media Posting

• It’s Time-Consuming with Minimal ROI
• Writing daily posts, engaging with comments, and pursuing algorithms lead to hours wasted.
• Unless you have a strategy, you’re probably not turning followers into buyers.
• Organic Reach Decreases
• Facebook and Instagram prefer paid content.
• Even with high-quality content, your posts can reach only 2-5% of your followers.
• It’s Not Always the Best Lead Gen Tool

Social media is fantastic for awareness about your brand, but if lead generation guaranteed is your objective, there are superior methods.

What to Do Instead

1. Concentrate on SEO & a High-Converting Website

Rather than seeking likes, put your investment in an SEO-optimized website that drives quality traffic.

• Optimize for local searches (e.g., “professional website development near me”).
• Create blog content that ranks on Google, bringing in consistent leads.

2. Run Targeted Paid Ads

• If you’re going to spend time on social media, make it count with pay-per-click advertising.
• Laser-target your ideal customers instead of hoping organic posts reach them.
• Retarget website visitors to maximize conversions.

3. Build an Email List

• Social media platforms can change their rules overnight—but your email list is yours forever.
• Offer lead magnets (free guides, checklists) to capture emails.
• Nurture leads with automated email campaigns.

4. Use Social Media Strategically (Not Spastically)

If you do use social media:

• Post only high-value content (educational, entertaining, or promotional).
• Use it to drive traffic to your website or landing pages.
• Outsource to a social media growth agency if engagement is important.

Final Thought: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Social media posting without strategy is shouting into a void. Rather than wasting effort, concentrate on lead-generating activities—SEO, paid advertising, and email marketing—that actually build your business.

At 7thGrowth, we assist businesses in making the transition from random posting to data-driven marketing that produces real results. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start producing consistent leads, let’s talk.

Having an e-commerce store in Canada is fraught with its own list of challenges—expensive shipping, border holds, and cutthroat competition from giant retailers. But while numerous store owners think that logistics and price are their biggest challenges, there’s one very important mistake that’s quietly murdering conversions and sales.

And no, it’s not shipping.

The biggest blunder? Overlooking website speed and user experience.

Why Website Speed is the Silent Sales Killer

You may have great products, low prices, and even free shipping—but if your site loads in longer than 3 seconds, 53% of visitors will abandon it before they even get to see what you have to offer (Google Research).

For Canadian online stores, this is particularly devastating because:

Mobile shoppers are impatient – More than 60% of e-commerce traffic originates from mobile devices, and slow-loading sites annoy consumers the moment they hit them.

Slow sites are penalized by Google – Page speed is an algorithm ranking factor. Slowly loading your store is giving away organic traffic to competitors.

Slow checkout = deserted carts – 1 second slower page load can cost a 7% decline in conversions (Akamai).

Why Slow Loading Matters for Your Business

Missed Sales – Customers won’t wait. If they don’t have a smooth browse experience, they will go with the speedier competitor.

Lower Google Rankings – Slower sites are bumped down on search results pages, making it more difficult for new customers to find you.

Poor Brand Perception – A slow website makes your business appear dated or untrustworthy.

How to Fix It (Before It’s Too Late)

The best news? Speed optimization isn’t as difficult as you might suppose. Here’s what works

✅ Optimize Images – Large, unoptimized product images are the #1 cause of slow loading. Compress them without losing quality.

✅ Use a Fast Hosting Provider – Cheap shared hosting slows down your store. Upgrade to a dedicated or cloud-based solution.

✅ Minimize Plugins & Scripts – Too many apps and tracking codes bog down performance. Keep only what’s necessary.

✅ Allow Caching & CDN – A Content Delivery Network (CDN) makes it load quickly for customers throughout Canada.

Last Thought: Speed = Revenue

If your Canadian online store is not converting as much as possible, test your website speed to begin with. A quicker site equates to:

✔ More traffic from Google

✔ Increased engagement & reduced bounce rates

✔ Greater sales & less abandoned carts

Don’t let a slow site ruin your growth. Test your speed now (with tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights) and act before your competitors do.

Struggling to speed up your store? 7th Growth is an expert in fast-loading sites for lead generation and Google ranking services to grow Canadian businesses. Let’s get your site working harder for you.

Marketing is supposed to push boundaries. If it doesn’t make you a little uneasy, you’re probably playing it too safe.

At 7thGrowth, we’ve seen businesses stick to the same old strategies—comfortable, familiar, and… ineffective. The truth? Real growth happens outside your comfort zone.

Here’s why discomfort is a sign your marketing is working—and how to embrace it.

Why Comfortable Marketing Fails

Most businesses fall into a routine:

• Posting the same type of content
• Relying on the same lead-generation tactics
• Avoiding bold messaging because it “might not resonate”

But here’s the problem—safe marketing blends in. If your campaigns don’t challenge you, they won’t challenge your audience either.

The Psychology Behind Discomfort

Discomfort means you’re trying something new. It could be:

• A bold lead-driven content strategy that directly addresses pain points instead of vague industry tips.
• A high-converting landing page that cuts fluff and focuses on hard-hitting benefits.
• A paid ad campaign with a polarizing message (because neutrality doesn’t convert).

If your marketing feels risky, that’s a good sign.

3 Ways to Make Your Marketing Uncomfortable (And Effective)

1. Stop Hiding Behind “Professional” Tone

Corporate jargon doesn’t build trust—it builds boredom.

Instead of:

“We offer comprehensive digital marketing solutions to enhance your brand’s online presence.”

Try:

“Most marketing agencies waste your money. We don’t.”

Why it works: It grabs attention, sparks emotion, and filters out uninterested leads.

2. Double Down on What’s Working (Even If It Feels Repetitive)

Found a lead-generation tactic that converts? Good. Now scale it aggressively, even if you worry about overusing it.

Example:

• If case studies bring in clients, publish more—even if competitors aren’t.
• If a specific ad angle works, run variations instead of abandoning it too soon.

Uncomfortable truth: Most businesses quit right before a strategy hits its peak.

3. Charge More (Yes, Really)

Undervaluing your services attracts the wrong clients. If your pricing doesn’t make you hesitate, it’s too low.

• Higher prices = Higher perceived value
• Better clients = Fewer headaches

Test it. Raise your rates on your next proposal. The right customers will still say yes.

Final Thought: Discomfort = Growth

If your marketing feels easy, you’re not pushing hard enough.

At 7thGrowth, we help businesses break out of stagnant strategies with:

✅ Lead-driven content that converts (not just fills a blog calendar)
✅ High-speed, high-converting websites (because slow sites kill leads)
✅ Google ranking strategies that actually work (not just keyword stuffing)

Ready to make your marketing uncomfortable? Let’s talk.

A/B testing is an incredibly valuable tool in digital marketing—if executed correctly. It enables companies to refine landing pages, emails, and ads by comparing two options and determining which one performs better. But what can be done when your A/B test goes awry?

Sometimes, the data lies. Or rather, misinterpretation, flawed setups, or external factors skew the results, leading to poor decisions. If you’ve ever run an A/B test that backfired, you’re not alone. Let’s explore why A/B tests fail and how to fix them.

Common Reasons A/B Tests Go Wrong

1. Testing Too Many Variables at Once

Testing multiple variables (such as headlines, images, and CTA buttons) in one test will make it unfeasible to identify what has resulted in the variation in performance. Test each variable individually at all times to gain clear information.

2. Inadequate Sample Size

If your test is not being run for an adequate amount of time or receiving sufficient traffic, the results won’t be statistically significant. Use tools such as sample size calculators to get the appropriate amount of time and audience size.

3. Omission of Outside Variables

Did your test fall during a significant holiday, Google algorithm change, or technical issue? Outside influences may skew results. Always investigate outliers before reaching conclusions.

4. Misinterpreting Statistical Significance

An insignificant conversion improvement is not necessarily a champion. Verify your results are statistically significant (typically 95% confidence level or higher) before implementing changes that stick.

5. Testing the Wrong Things

A/B testing a small button color variation won’t be important if your landing page messaging is poor. Prioritize high-leverage items such as headlines, value propositions, and lead forms.

How to Rectify a Failed A/B Test

1. Review Your Hypothesis

Was your test driven by a solid hypothesis, or was it an arbitrary change? Begin with user behavior insight (heatmaps, surveys, or session recordings) to inform your tests.

2. Segment Your Data

Rather than considering overall performance, segment data by traffic source, device, or user demographics. A losing variation may win with a particular audience.

3. Run a Follow-Up Test

If results are ambiguous, tighten up your test and repeat it. Occasionally, seasonal trends or user behavior changes necessitate multiple rounds of testing.

4. Combine Qualitative & Quantitative Data

Numbers do not always speak for themselves. Use heatmaps, user feedback, and survey data to determine why a variation did not perform as well.

5. Document & Learn from Failures

Each failed test is an opportunity to learn. Document what went wrong and modify future tests based on that.

Final Thoughts

A/B testing is a science, but it’s not infallible. Misconceived configurations, hasty conclusions, and outside influences can produce deceptive data. By embracing best practices—testing one thing at a time, maintaining statistical significance, and marrying quantitative and qualitative findings—you can sidestep expensive errors and make informed decisions that truly drive your business forward.

At 7th Growth, we assist companies in maximizing their marketing efforts through data-driven insights. If your A/B tests continue to send you around in circles, call us for expert advice.

At 7th Growth, we’re all about lead-driven content strategies and marketing solutions for business growth. But sometimes, the best way to learn is by experimenting—so we decided to run a TikTok campaign with $0 to see what organic reach could do.

No ads. No influencers. Just pure content.

Here’s what happened—and what we learned.

Why TikTok?

Before diving in, we asked ourselves: Is TikTok even worth it for B2B marketing?

The short answer: Yes.

TikTok isn’t just for dance trends and viral challenges. It’s a powerful platform for brand awareness, lead generation, and engagement—especially if you’re targeting younger entrepreneurs, startups, or digitally savvy businesses.

Since we specialize in fast-loading websites for lead generation and Google ranking services, we wanted to see if TikTok could drive traffic without spending a dime.

Our $0 TikTok Strategy

1. We Focused on Value-Driven Content

Instead of pushing salesy messages, we created content that:

• Explained lead generation tips in under 30 seconds
• Showed behind-the-scenes of how we optimize websites
• Answered common questions about SEO and Google rankings

2. We Used Trends (But Made Them Relevant)

We didn’t force trends—we adapted them. For example:

• Used a trending sound to explain “Why Your Website Isn’t Converting”
• Hopped on the “Before & After” trend to show website speed improvements

3. We Engaged Relentlessly

Since we had no ad budget, engagement was our currency. We:

• Responded to every comment (even the funny ones)
• Followed relevant business accounts
• Collaborated with micro-influencers by duetting their videos

The Results After 30 Days

• 12,000+ views on our top-performing video
• 350+ new followers (mostly small business owners)
• 27 website clicks (not massive, but all organic)
• 3 leads who later booked consultations

Not bad for $0, right?

Key Takeaways for Businesses

1. Organic TikTok Works—If You’re Consistent

You won’t go viral overnight, but consistent, valuable content builds trust.

2. Short-Form Video is a Lead-Gen Tool

Even without direct sales, TikTok warms up audiences for other channels (like email or Google searches).

3. Engagement > Followers

A small, engaged audience is better than 10K passive followers.

Should You Try It?

If you’re a business marketing agency in Canada (or anywhere else), TikTok is worth testing—even without a budget.

It won’t replace Google ranking services or fast-loading websites, but it’s a powerful supplement for brand visibility.

Have you tried TikTok for business? Let us know in the comments!

Influencer marketing has emerged as a force to be reckoned with for brands seeking to increase their visibility, establish credibility, and generate sales. With social media giants such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube commanding consumer attention, companies tend to rely on influencers to market their products or services. Yet, while influencer partnerships can reap massive rewards, there is a shadowy side that most brands ignore—one where viral stardom goes awry, destroying reputations and squandering marketing budgets.

At 7thGrowth, a Canadian business marketing firm, we subscribe to the idea of utilizing digital means that generate lasting growth. While influencer marketing may be great, it is also important to recognize its traps in order not to make expensive blunders.

1. Fictitious Followers and Engagement Fraud

One of the most dangerous influencer marketing risks is working with influencers who have bought their way into being popular with fake followers or bought engagement. They might look popular, but since their followers aren’t real, your ads won’t reach actual potential buyers.

How to Avoid It:

• Utilize analytics tools to review engagement rates (likes, comments, shares compared to followers).
• Watch for real interaction—actual followers leave deep comments.
• Collaborate with micro-influencers (10K–100K followers) who tend to have better engagement than mega-influencers.

2. Incongruity with Brand Values

Not all viral influencers are suitable for your brand. Certain influencers might have a shady past, indulge in questionable activities, or espouse conflicting values. If they become embroiled in controversy out of the blue, your brand might find itself in the firing line.

Example: A beauty brand partnering with an influencer who later faces scandal for unethical behavior risks damaging its own reputation by association.

Solution:

• Research influencers thoroughly—check their past content and public perception.
• Ensure their audience aligns with your target demographic.
• Have a crisis management plan in case things go wrong.

3. Overdependence on Short-Term Virality

Influencer marketing can create fast buzz, but virality usually doesn’t last. If you’re doing an entire marketing plan with influencers with no long-term strategy (such as SEO, email marketing, or lead-gen content strategies), you may have a temporary increase in traffic with no lasting growth.

The Fix:

• Integrate influencer marketing with evergreen strategies such as SEO and content marketing.
• Use influencer content in advertisements or reuse it in other campaigns.
• Emphasize creating your own audience instead of merely borrowing an influencer’s.

4. Inauthenticity and Consumer Skepticism

Consumers today are smart—they can recognize forced or artificial promotions from a mile away. If an influencer endorsement comes across as scripted or fake, it can boomerang, making your brand appear untrustworthy.

How to Stay Authentic:

• Allow influencers to use your product organically before promoting it.
• Encourage genuine reviews instead of overly produced ads.
• Select influencers who already adore your niche—their enthusiasm will translate.

5. Legal and Compliance Risks

Most nations, such as Canada, have stringent advertising regulations mandating influencer disclosure of paid collaborations. If an influencer doesn’t comply, your brand may be subject to legal action or penalties from regulatory agencies.

Remain Compliant By:

• Clearly defining disclosure expectations in agreements.
• Tracking posts to ensure accurate labeling (e.g., #Ad or #Sponsored).
• Staying current with FTC and ASC (Advertising Standards Canada) regulations.

The Bottom Line: A Balanced Approach Wins

Influencer marketing isn’t necessarily evil—it’s a highly effective tactic when done properly. However, using only influencers in a non-diversified marketing plan can mean throwing money down the drain and PR catastrophes.

We at 7thGrowth assist companies in executing lead-based content strategies, quick-loading websites to generate leads, and Google ranking services to gain long-term success. When you think about influencer marketing, we suggest using it with other tested strategies to have a balanced approach.

Looking for more sustainable, safer marketing solutions for business expansion? Let’s talk today about a strategy fitted to your brand.

The Experiment: Allowing AI to Control Our Ads

Being a digital marketing agency specializing in lead-driven content marketing strategies and business growth solutions, we’re constantly experimenting with new tools to optimize performance. Recently, we set out to test an experiment: allowing AI to control our ad campaigns for a week.

No human touch—only AI-optimized targeting, ad copy, and optimization. What happened? Honestly, they were eye-opening.

Why We Experimented with AI-Driven Ads

We’ve been employing AI tools for Google ranking services, speedy website optimizations, and even content generation. But advertising is different—it involves real-time tweaks, audience feedback, and creative messaging. Could AI actually beat human know-how?

We experimented with a widely popular AI ad management platform (no names to sound sales-y) that made claims:

• Automated audience targeting
• AI-created ad copy
• Real-time bid optimization
• Performance-based optimizations

The Setup: AI vs. Human Campaigns

In order to make this fair, we set up two campaigns at the same time:

• Human-Managed Campaign – We did everything, from keyword research to ad placement.
• AI-Managed Campaign – The AI tool did it all, relying on machine learning for real-time optimizations.

Both campaigns used the same budget to target the same audience—business owners in need of marketing solutions in Canada.

The Results After 7

Here’s where it got exciting.

1. Cost Per Lead (CPL) Reduced by 32%

The AI campaign produced leads more cheaply than our human-run one. It kept tweaking bids constantly, halting underperforming ads and amplifying winners—something we typically do manually.

2. Increased Click-Through Rate (CTR)

The AI-created ad copy carried a 17% bigger CTR. It tried out various variations and held onto the top-performing ones, whereas our crew worked with gut instinct.

3. Improved Audience Targeting

The AI also pointed out new high-intent audiences we hadn’t thought of, such as niche groups looking for quick-loading websites for lead generation.

4. One Major Downside: No Brand Voice

While the AI optimized for performance, some ad copies sounded generic. They lacked the personal touch we typically add when writing messages for our business marketing agency in Canada.

Key Takeaways: Should You Use AI for Ads?

• ✅ Yes, for Optimization & Efficiency
• AI is great at real-time bid optimization and audience testing.
• It can minimize ad spend waste by rapidly pausing underperformers.
• ⚠️ But Maintain Human Oversight
• AI has no brand voice and emotional resonance.
• Certain audiences react more positively to human-created storytelling.

Final Thoughts

This test demonstrated that AI can be a valuable partner in digital advertising, particularly for lead generation and cost savings. But it shouldn’t be used to completely replace human creativity.

At 7thGrowth, we currently employ AI for automated optimizations but still have our team handle strategy and messaging. The optimal outcomes result from marrying AI efficiency with human expertise.

Did you ever test AI for ads? What was your experience? Share with us in the comments!

About 7thGrowth: We’re a Canadian business marketing agency specializing in lead-driven content strategies, fast-loading websites, and Google ranking services. If you’re looking for data-backed marketing solutions, let’s talk.

The digital marketing world is buzzing with one big question: Is SEO dead? With Google’s latest AI-powered search updates, many marketers and business owners are wondering if traditional SEO still matters.

The short answer? No, SEO isn’t dead—but it’s evolving.

Google’s AI-driven search (like Google SGE – Search Generative Experience) is changing how people find information online. Instead of just showing a list of links, Google now provides AI-generated summaries, direct answers, and interactive results.

So, what does this mean for businesses relying on lead-driven content strategies and Google ranking services? Let’s break it down.

How Google’s AI Search is Changing SEO

1. Less Clicks on Traditional Search Results

With AI-generated answers, users may get the information they need without clicking through to websites. This could reduce traffic for businesses that rely on organic search rankings.

What Should You Do?

• Focus on long-tail keywords and question-based queries.
• Optimize for featured snippets (position zero) since AI pulls from these.
• Create in-depth, expert-level content that AI can reference.

2. Rise of Conversational & Intent-Based Search

People are no longer just typing keywords—they’re asking full questions. Voice search and AI assistants like Google Bard prioritize natural language.

What Should You Do?

• Structure content in a Q&A format (like FAQs).
• Use semantic SEO—target related terms, not just exact-match keywords.
• Optimize for local intent (e.g., “best marketing agency in Canada”).

3. AI Prefers High-Authority Sources

Google’s AI pulls data from trusted, authoritative websites. If your site lacks E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness), you may lose visibility.

What Should You Do?

• Build backlinks from reputable sites.
• Showcase credentials, case studies, and testimonials.
• Keep content updated and fact-checked.

SEO is Not Dead—It’s Just Different

While AI search changes the game, SEO is still crucial for business growth. Here’s why:

✅ AI Still Needs Sources – Google’s AI pulls from high-ranking pages. If your site is optimized, you’ll be referenced.
✅ Local SEO Matters More – For queries like “business marketing agency in Canada”, Google still shows local results.
✅ User Experience is Key – Fast-loading websites and mobile-friendly designs rank better, even in AI search.

How to Adapt Your SEO Strategy

1. Focus on Quality Over Quantity

AI rewards deep, valuable content. Instead of churning out generic blogs, create comprehensive guides that answer user intent.

2. Optimize for AI & Voice Search

• Use natural language (how people speak).
• Target longer, conversational queries.
• Structure content with clear headings and bullet points for easy AI parsing.

3. Leverage Multimedia

AI prefers diverse content formats—videos, infographics, and podcasts can improve engagement and rankings.

4. Speed & Technical SEO Still Matter

If your site is slow or broken, AI won’t prioritize it. Ensure:

• Fast-loading websites (under 3 seconds).
• Clean site structure with proper internal linking.
• Schema markup to help AI understand your content.

Final Verdict: SEO is Evolving, Not Dying

Google’s AI search is a shift, not an extinction event for SEO. Businesses that adapt—by creating high-quality, user-first content, optimizing for conversational search, and maintaining technical SEO best practices—will still thrive.

At 7th Growth, we help businesses stay ahead with lead-driven content strategies and Google ranking services tailored for the AI era.

Need help future-proofing your SEO? Let’s talk. 🚀

With the fast-paced digital age, companies are now relying more and more on marketing automation to automate lead nurturing efforts. Automation reduces time and increases efficiency, but with it comes the danger of losing the human touch—the personal relationship that gives rise to trust and loyalty with possible customers.

For Toronto businesses, Vancouver businesses, Montreal businesses, and all Canadian businesses, finding the correct balance between personalization and automation is the trick. Whether using targeted email marketing for businesses, Vancouver lead generation services, or hiring a content marketing agency in Canada, it’s always about the same: effectively nurture leads while maintaining an authentic touch.

How to Nurture Leads with Automation—While Keeping It Human

1. Segment Your Audience for Personalized Experiences

Automation is most effective when it’s personalized. Rather than sending generic emails, utilize segmentation to provide targeted content. For instance:

• New subscribers receive a welcome series that introduces your company.
• Active leads are given case studies or product demos.
• Cold leads are re-engaged through special deals or quality content.
• A business-targeted email marketing strategy guarantees your messages resonate with leads, getting them to feel heard and understood, not another contact in your CRM.

2. Leverage Dynamic Content for Increased Personalization

Dynamic content adjusts according to user behavior, location, or previous interactions. For example:

• A Vancouver lead generation services business can personalize landing pages according to the industry of the visitor.
• An e-commerce company can suggest products similar to previous purchases.

This degree of personalization maintains the human touch even in an automated system.

3. Balance Automated and Human Touchpoints

While chatbots and autoresponders address initial questions, make sure a real human steps in when necessary. For instance:

• Automated: A lead downloads an eBook and receives a follow-up email.
• Human: If they interact further, a sales representative contacts personally.

A Canadian content marketing agency can assist in developing automated workflows that smoothly hand off to human interaction at the best time.

4. Utilize Behavioral Triggers for Real-Time Engagement

• Automation is best at reacting to user behavior in the moment. Some examples are:
• Offering a promo code when a user leaves their cart behind.
• Suggesting blog articles based on history of navigation.
• Soliciting a follow-up call if a lead views your pricing page more than once.

A Montreal local SEO firm can combine these triggers with local content, which increases relevance.

5. Write Authentic, Conversational Messaging

Automated emails must sound as if written by a human being. Tips:

• Don’t get too salesy.
• Write in a friendly, conversational tone.
• Personalize subject lines and salutations (e.g., “Hi [First Name], we thought you’d like this”).
• Toronto digital marketing firms tend to highlight A/B testing to determine the most compelling style of messaging.

6. Blend Automation with High-Value Content

Automation is no better than the content it dispenses. Whatever it is:

Blog posts

• Webinars
• Case studies
• Interactive tools

A Canadian content marketing agency can help your automated processes provide value at each phase of the buying journey.

7. Monitor & Refine to Constant Improvement

Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates and make adjustments to improve. Using:

• Google Analytics
• HubSpot
• Mailchimp

Help determine what’s working—and where you may need a human touch.

Final Thoughts: Automation + Humanity = Winning Strategy

Marketing automation is a valuable tool, but it must not replace true human connection. By combining targeted email marketing, intelligent segmentation, and personalized content, companies can cultivate leads cost-effectively while staying authentic.

Whether you’re a startup in Vancouver utilizing lead generation services, a Toronto brand benefiting from digital marketing services, or an e-commerce site optimizing with a Montreal local SEO company, the secret to success is equilibrium.

Automate the mundane—personalize the valuable. That’s how you cultivate leads without forfeiting the human element.