First on the list, Cacao 70. After all, there is nothing like a cup of hot chocolate to warm up on a cold winter’s day. With four locations in Montreal, this cafe has built a legendary status in the city for their incredible hot chocolate, and we can attest to the rumours, it is that good! With a lengthy list of hot chocolates comprised of cocoa varieties from around the globe, there is a flavour to match all taste buds: bitter, sweet, or spicy. Our company favourite is the Mexican hot chocolate.

Photo credit: Cacao 70

Finding motivation to exercise is often harder in the chillier months. Unless you head out to the slopes, regular outdoor activities like running, cycling, and tennis prove difficult during a blizzard! Take the workout indoors at Dita Pilates. Located in NDG, this studio has a variety of courses that cater to all skill levels, offering pilates and ballet barre, as well as private and semi-private sessions. We can attest, you definitely feel the heat after one of these classes. Grab your water bottle; we’ll meet you there!

Photo credit: Dita Pilates

We firmly believe that being warm and facing the elements does not have to mean sacrificing style. These mittens from Kinsu prove just that. The Montreal-based brand has found a way to blend eco-friendly practices with fashion, crafting their mittens from pre-loved denim. Locally handmade, we love the variations in styles and colours, as well as the range of linings to help tackle even the coldest days.

Photo credit: Kinsu

One of our favourite comfort dishes this time of year is a hearty bowl of soup. Leave the canned varieties on the shelf and head over to Soupesoup for the real deal. Their soup offerings, made with local fresh ingredients, change daily. In the vast rotation of flavours, you’ll find carrot, cauliflower, yam & lime and beets, just to name a few! This restaurant-café hybrid has six Montreal locations, a cookbook full of recipes to re-create at home, as well as soups available in to-go packaging at select IGA grocers. No matter what part of Montreal you call home, you’ll be able to try a bowl almost anywhere.

Photo credit: Soupesoup

Let’s face it. On some blustery days, we’d rather stay home, snowflakes falling outside, curled up under a warm blanket. All that’s missing is a scented candle. Ville-Marie Mtl has a large selection of soy candles ranging from fresh to woodsy fragrances. We love their packaging that blends contemporary wood and glass. Made right here in Montreal, their candles are perfect for a peaceful day embracing the comforts of home.

Photo credit: Ville-Marie Mtl

After reading our list, we have a funny feeling that winter will soon become your favourite time of year.

The post Top 5 Things to Do in Montreal this Winter to Stay Warm appeared first on Suite 203.

With only one month left in 2016 many of us have thoughts and aspirations for what 2017 will bring. As we reflect on past resolutions, both solved and unsolved, we consider what could be improved upon, or accomplished in the New Year ahead, personally and professionally. Business owners, in particular, should take the opportunity to map out resolutions for their company/brand. Here’s a resolution that may be on your list: hiring a marketing agency.

There are numerous advantages to outsourcing marketing to an agency including creative expertise and the financial benefits. Here, we’ve outlined five benefits of hiring a marketing agency and why it deserves a place at the top of your New Year’s resolutions list.

Expertly speaking

With years of experience working with a variety of clients, some agencies (like Suite 203), have a rich understanding of marketing solutions and branding strategies, all of which will be available at your disposal. From tried and true programs to innovative, disruptive ideas that will get you noticed, a reputable agency will help you to develop and reach your goals with thoughtful, advice based on solid experience.

It makes $ense

The bottom line in most business decisions lies within the cost-benefit analysis. Expanding your in-house marketing communications team means the addition of salaries, systems and space (when is desk-space not at a premium!). Hiring an agency allows you to pay one source and save on salaries, overhead, and benefits. Plus, you get to take advantage of costly marketing tools that are shared amongst a firm’s clients.

Time is on your side

While a truly great campaign always looks effortless, the reality is it takes time. The experience an agency holds allows for them to accomplish a variety of projects quickly, with little management and direction. By leaving this area to the experts you will save a lot of time and energy, all of which can be put to better use in your day-to-day tasks and in focusing on overall business growth.

An outside perspective

In any role, it is important to keep an open mind and think outside the box, however, sometimes this is easier said than done. The ideas and methods a company uses in pursuing their marketing strategies often become second nature to employees, leading to a fogged vision of how their company may appear to the outside world. With an agency, you can balance your brand identity with an outsider’s perspective, with the added bonus of competitor knowledge to develop a plan that is targeted and in line with the brand vision.

So you may not get to the gym as often as you’d like, and that desire to learn a foreign language might only last a few months, but if you can accomplish one resolution in 2017, it should be hiring a marketing agency. Get in touch to learn more about how Suite 203 can add value to your marketing and communication efforts and make that resolution a reality.

The post New Year’s Resolution List: Five Advantages of Hiring a Marketing Agency appeared first on Suite 203.

For the foodie

We are ambassadors of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution campaign, which celebrates the importance of cooking with healthy fresh ingredients and getting kids involved in the kitchen. Jamie’s new cookbook Super Food Family Classics is an extension of that message, featuring healthy twists on family favourites. With recipes including squash mac ‘n’ cheese and smoky dressed aubergines & peppers, these dishes are sure to be new-found dinner time staples for the foodie on your list.

Available at Indigo for $37.99

Photo Courtesy of JamieOliver.com

For the advocate

Usher is a supporter, and so are we. Help raise awareness for type 1 diabetes with The Human Trial + OBEY® Awareness t-shirt. Made from an extra soft, lightweight cotton, these limited-edition t-shirts feature Shepard Fairey’s artwork and 100% of the profits support the making of The Human Trial, a feature-length documentary raising awareness for T1D. Find out more about this cause and how to get involved, here.

T-shirts are available online at The Human Trial $30.00.

Photo courtesy of The Human Trial

For the busy bee

You know the person who always has 10 things happening at once; the one whose agenda is filled through the next 6 months, and has an inbox bursting with important emails? Help take a load off their list this holiday season and give them the gift of Concierge Montreal. This unique company has a list of over 100 personal concierge services including everything from shopping and vacation planning to dry-cleaning pickup and event management. The options for gifting your busy bee with an item to remove from their to-do list are endless.

Find out more at Concierge Montreal.

Photo courtesy of Concierge Montreal

 For the fashion rebel

The fashion lover on your list will be eternally grateful for a pair of A.S.98 boots. Made of Tuscan vegetable leather and designed in Verona, Italy, your giftee will get more than a simple boot, but a work of art! With a wide array of shoes for men and women, as well as a beautiful collection of leather handbags, there is a design fit for all the fashion rebels on your list.

This studded heeled boot has an edgy, romantic feel ideal for a lady who loves street style and treats her work commute as a runway to showcase her style. Available in store or online for $400.00

Photo courtesy of A.S.98

For you…

With the hustle bustle of this holiday season, don’t forget to pamper yourself a little too. Call up your girlfriends and treat yourselves to a little R&R, with a facial and mani-pedi session. Annie Young has a wide array of services offering over 10 different facials and a selection of manicure styles, all performed with fine, high-quality products. Visit Annie Young Cosmetiques to book your appointment, and don’t forget to say hi to Sharleen for us!

Photo courtesy of Annie Young

For the altruistic

There is no greater gift than helping a child in need. Donate in your recipient’s name to the Just for Kids Foundation in support of their A Vision for the Future Campaign. Funds will support the Montreal Children’s Hospital by purchasing high priority medical equipment. Donations will provide the hospital with the best technology and quality equipment possible and ensure the highest standard of care for the kids now and in the future. Make a donation via the Just for Kids Foundation’s website here.

Photo courtesy of Just for Kids Foundation

The post Our Favourite Things – Holiday Gift Edition appeared first on Suite 203.

1.   Humanize/Familiarize your Brand

Videos are a great way to give your customers a behind-the-scenes look at your business. Hearing a person’s voice and seeing them live brings a whole new level of familiarity to an audience. Whether, using Instagram Stories, Snapchat or Facebook Live, showing the steps of a regular day at the office, the way a product is designed and built, or live video snippets at an event, the customer gets a true sense of the people behind your brand and the passion and dedication that goes into your work. By providing an unfiltered real time look at your company, videos also help to humanize your brand and highlight its authenticity.

2. Gain Followers

Using tools such as Instagram Stories, gives you exclusive content for the relevant channel. You can let followers on your other social networks know that you will be sharing a contest, an early product reveal, or special announcement exclusively on your Instagram account. Since your story will only be visible for 24 hours, your customers will be more inclined to follow and check out your account to ensure they don’t miss any special updates.

3. Real-time Conversations with your Customers and Clientele

Ever wish you could respond to your customers’ inquiries in real time? Or get consumer feedback before a product hits the shelves, with video tools your wish has been granted! With Facebook Live, your video remains on your page indefinitely, however, the filming process allows you to broadcast live to your customers and receive their comments and inquiries instantaneously, thus creating an excellent platform for Q&A’s, demonstrations and in the overall building of relationships with your customers.

Instagram Stories only stay live for 24 hours, but also allow for viewers to send direct messages from within the video. This too helps in developing that real-time, direct response, personal rapport with your customers.

Snapchat has also changed the course of customer service by introducing a new way to interact face-to-face with your customers and provide them the help they need. By using Snapchat your customers can directly show you what problems they’re having and within a matter of minutes, they will receive your video response detailing what solutions need to be applied.

4. Embrace Short-Lived Content

At a special event, tradeshow, or even a particularly eventful day at the office it can be tempting to share every moment with your audience/customers. Unfortunately, if we always gave in to these temptations, we’d be left with over saturated accounts and frustrated followers with a flood of content hitting their news feeds. This is where short-term video tools become an ideal alternative for sharing timely news and images. You can share snaps and updates throughout the day and followers can watch, rewind, and pause within the allotted 24 hours. Your posts will also gain maximum exposure on tools like Instagram Stories, where videos remain at the top of followers’ news feeds, requiring minimal scrolling.  And, in an added bonus, your page will also benefit and retain a visually pleasing aesthetic, by not displaying an overload of photos from one specific day or event.

Have more questions? Don’t know where to start with your business’ social media strategy? Suite 203 can help. Contact us to start boosting your presence in this increasingly social world.

The post Lights, Camera, Action… Bringing Video into your Social Media Strategy appeared first on Suite 203.

Photo by @harleyplays

1. Gibeau Orange Julep

Every true Montrealer has been to this place to grab a late-night snack (poutine) and that infamous green cup of secret recipe orange juice. Open 24 hours all year round, the giant orange ball and colourful flags blowing in the wind have become a must-shoot photo for adding a touch of orange to your feed.

Photo by @Montreall

Photo by @foodguymtl

2. Mount-Royal Observatory (The Lookout)

Whether passing by on a mountain run or swarming to this hotspot with tourists alike, the renowned lookout point never gets old. The best place to get a view of downtown Montreal and beyond; with this beautiful skyline shot, no selfies are required.

Photo by @camille_dg

Photo by @missferreira

3. La Diperie

Not an official landmark, this turquoise brick wall has been all over Instagram for quite some time now. You can’t call yourself an ice cream lover without stopping by La Diperie and devouring a dipped icy treat. Whether you choose nuts, pretzels or candy as the final layer, you know it will be one photo-worthy cone.

Photo by @sarahcout

Photo by @tashadeane

Photo by @eatdrinkbcarrie

4. Le Palais des Congrès

The gorgeous multi-coloured windows of this well-known building are synonymous with Montreal. No matter the weather, you’re sure to find a rainbow in the heart of the city to sprinkle some colour into your day and on to your feed.

Photo by @benmulroney

Photo by @hey.maca

5. Bota Bota

Paradise on earth: a floating spa on the edge of the city. The contrast between modern design and sheer relaxation is one of the many reasons why people love taking pictures here. Between the pools, the waterfalls and the hammocks, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect shot (or two or three).

Photo by @chloedumont

Photo by @jennabel91

Photo by @aniklacasse

6. Farine Five Roses

An iconic Montreal landmark, this flour factory has a sign that can be seen from the Lachine Canal. While it may look industrial from a distance, when paired with the perfect sunset, this shot epitomizes our city.

Photo by @saradiamondmusic

Photo by @montreal_gallery

7. Mandy’s

Mandy’s proves that salads need not be boring. Quickly becoming one of Montreal’s top healthy lunch destinations, Mandy’s draws in locals as well as tourists with their colourful mixes of fresh ingredients and iconic salad bowls. Whether you decide to enjoy one of their bestselling salads (or soups or smoothies) or create your own custom mix, you’re sure to have a delicious meal and a stunning Instagram photo.

Photo by @mademoisellejules

Photo by @samanthacutler

Photo by @tanyakupelian

The post Montreal Social Media – 7 instagrammable places appeared first on Suite 203.

Tote-ally perfect
Photo credit: The Stowe

A tote is our go-to style for long days when meetings and mingling are on the agenda. This style allows you to look polished while having room for EVERYTHING you need: whether it’s an extra pair of shoes for a quick day-to-night transition or your beloved accessories. Plus, this deep, rich burgundy colour is what fall is all about.

Backpacking beauty
Photo credit: Opelle

Here’s a grown up version of the backpack, elegantly adorned with a chic gold zipper. It’s stylish yet practical, and frees up your hands for carrying your Grande Skinny Mocha and your iPhone. Style tip: dress up a classic black bag with a silk colourful scarf or a faux fur pompon keychain.

Get the message
Photo credit: Matt & Nat

A sleek and modern vegan messenger bag gets even better in a deep royal blue. This colour is a new neutral that looks great with a suit or your tee + denim uniform. Plus, you can stash your prized possessions in style with the multitude of interior pockets. Fashion score!

Park pack
Photo credit: Parkland

For fun-days (with kids in tow) or a super casual office ensemble, store your stuff in a colourful backpack like this one. We love the clashing colour-combo of merlot, raspberry and orange, but if it’s not your style there are 16 other options to choose from. This bag is fully loaded with a fleece-lined laptop sleeve, digital accessories organizer and a mesh bottle holder.

What’s your go to tote? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Back to reality: Find the perfect purses for fall appeared first on Suite 203.

Whose Instagram accounts are you into these days?

It always changes but I tend to follow a lot of local influencers like @samanthaecutler, @cynthia_conciergerie and @caroelie, as well as brands who inspire me when it comes to social media strategy, content and branding. Companies that push the envelope creatively speaking and who have well thought-out ideas always impress me.

What social media tips do you have to share?

Engaging with your followers is key. Listening to what they have to say and taking the time to engage with them is very important because it brings richness to your brand by creating a special connection and it makes them feel like they are a part of what you’re doing.

What is the daylong Montreal itinerary you would plan for out-of-town guests?

One day is definitely not enough! I would want them to see Montreal in all of its beauty, so we would hit up the Old Port to enjoy the rustic feel and eat great food (a classic poutine from Joverse) along with a stunning view. After a nice walk near the water and a stop at Place Jacques-Cartier for some entertainment, then downtown would be next. Not only is it perfect for shopping (Bestseller is my favorite new boutique), we also have gorgeous museums like the Musée d’Art Contemporain. Then off to experience the vibrancy of St-Laurent and St-Denis streets. I would end the day on a high note by bringing them to the Mount-Royal observatory that is well loved by tourists as well as locals since it showcases an amazing view of the city with bright lights and breath-taking skylines.

(Photo: Tosh Muniz)

When you’re not at work with Suite 203, you can be found….

In a restaurant with friends enjoying delicious food at Kyo Bar or Jatoba or venturing through the vibrant nightlife the city of Montreal has to offer. I also have a couple of favorite spots on the island where I like to unwind and appreciate the nice peaceful view over the water like at the Ile de la Visitation park and Lac aux Castors.

(Photo: Kyo Bar Japonais)

Yasmine’s photo: Monique Weston

The post Meet Yasmine: our social media & PR agency Montreal coordinator appeared first on Suite 203.

Here are some of the key points we covered, based on the questions we received from the audience:

What is earned content?

Earned content or media is publicity generated via a 3^rd party. It is based on sharing information and includes reviews, social media mentions and interactions, and published mentions in other formats like print or broadcast. It is an integral part of today’s marketing mix, along with paid content (like advertising) and owned content (self-generated content like a blog or social media posts). Take note, the lines between earned and paid have become blurry as some media and influencers require payment to report on a brand or company.

Why would a company or brand want to execute a media/influencer campaign?

The wide range of influencers and media options provide a huge opportunity for a brand to get its story told. Brands need to leverage all types of media to get key messages across to targeted, engaged audiences in an authentic way. Benefits include:

• Increasing your website’s search ranking and credibility on search engines via backlinks (SEO)
• Expanding your reach to new audiences and then migrating the followers to your brand
• Gaining social media shares, likes and followers
• Building your reputation via trusted opinion leaders
• Driving traffic online or to a store front
• And… influencing sales

How do you choose which influencers to target?

There are hundreds of influencers in every industry. They include the traditional media (broadcasters and journalists) plus bloggers, experts, celebrities and people who have a large social media following. But, they do not all offer the same value to a brand. Here’s what we at Suite 203 evaluate when matching an influencer with a client:

We executed an influencer campaign, now what?

Once you have earned some content, you need to use it to your best advantage. Recycle it, and share it back with your audiences in the form of a blog entry, social media post, video, testimonial or newsletter. And don’t forget to always tag and thank the influencer who created it!

Looking to generate some buzz for your brand via a media or influencer outreach campaign? We can match you with the most impactful influencers to get your message across. Get in touch to learn more.

The “How to Market Content Like a Pro” presenters
(Karin Eldor, Dayna Lapkovsky, Sean Surkis, Na’eem Adam)

The post Gain Earned Content with an Influencer Campaign appeared first on Suite 203.

At Suite 203, the holiday season is a time to look back and celebrate our Client’s successes. In this increasingly social world, we need not look further than our Instagram account to tell the story of the year gone by. As we present a few of our favourite 2015 memories, we hope that your projects are part of our future feed. We look forward to working with you in 2016!

Memory #1:

Main & Local made headlines on Montreall with their whimsical, locally-themed accessories, home furnishings and clothing. #poutine #depanneur #montreal #PR

Launching Main & Local’s first public relations campaign, Suite 203 garnered buzz online, in print and on live TV for the Montreal-centric brand.

Memory #2:

The “Just for Kids” Foundation wowed audiences while raising funds to purchase urgently needed equipment for the NICU at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Congratulations! #forthekids #fundraising #JFKDWTS

Suite 203 is proud to support JFK’s high-profile events, keeping the cause in both social and media spotlights throughout the years.

Memory #3:

PR done right! Mixit.ca was featured on La Presse as the new must-have cereal of your dreams. #granola #breakfast #ondejeune #clientlove

A Suite 203 success story, this Montreal-based public relations and social media campaign garnered  over 3 million impressions upon launch.

Memory #4:

The rekucci.com website is live! This new fashion label caters to a modern woman’s on-the-go lifestyle. Make rekucci.com a part of your everyday style story. #fashion #onlineshopping #ecomm

From product assortment to website copy to photoshoot management, Suite 203 was involved in every step of the creative process to launch the Rekucci Collection website.

Memory #5:

Fashion for a cause. @obeygiant’s limited edition t-shirt with all proceeds benefiting the making of the film The Human Trial for diabetes awareness. #thehumantrial #obeyawareness #type1 #diabetes

Suite 203 created an Instagram presence for this soon-to-be released documentary while recruiting celebrity ambassadors for the t-shirt
campaign.

Memory #6:

What an honour to be nominated for a JCC People’s Promie @federationcja. We loved rubbing shoulders with Montreal’s rising stars. #jccpromies #award #entrepreneurs.

Memory #7:

Kids getting in the kitchen lies at the heart of @jamieoliver’s message for #foodrevolutionday. This past May, we partnered with @sofitelmontreal to get a few future chefs cooking up a storm.

As the Montreal ambassadors for Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day, Suite 203 continues to promote food education to our local community each year.

Memory #8:

New office, same reliable, professional service with the friendliest staff in town. TGO Ortho definitely has something to smile about this holiday season. #orthodontics #westmount

For the past two years, Suite 203 has been sharing smiles with TGO patients by brightening their days with engaging Facebook content.

Memory #9:

#Branding done right. A high-end concierge service merits sleek #marketing material. A piece we are certainly proud of, exclusively created for @conciergemontreal.

From concept to creation, Suite 203 developed a customizable brochure, catering to each prospective client’s needs.

We love crafting memorable campaigns for our clients. Get in touch to make your 2016 marketing plan one to remember!

The post Suite 203’s Instagram Memories 2015 appeared first on Suite 203.

Business owners and novice social-butterflies are quickly realizing there is more to managing successful social business accounts than posting a few photos and announcing a sale to followers. It’s all about creating a succinct social media strategy that complements your marketing plan and key messages while engaging your target market.

Here are five common social media sins and a few tips and tricks to get brands back on track.

Sin #1:

Choosing the wrong network for your business

Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google+… It seems like every few months a new “it” network emerges. Don’t worry; your brand doesn’t have to be on all of them. Find the channel(s) that best conveys your message to your target audience and start there. It’s better to have one solid group of engaged followers than to try to manage too many pages that may not be well suited to achieving your goals.

Tip: Make sure your company Facebook page is a Brand Page and not a personal profile. They are designed for unlimited Likes, are public and provide tools to promote your page and posts to your followers and target market.

Sin #2:

Posting without a plan

Sure, your cat wearing a hat may get a lot of likes on your personal social page, but when posting to your customers you shouldn’t be throwing up photos on a whim. The biggest difference between a personal and business social media page is strategy. Your business content is an extension of your branding, an opportunity to share your story and brand essence. A structured outline of what to post and when to post it is needed.

Tip: While your social platforms may allow for a more casual approach to your messaging, proper spelling and grammar are a must. Proofread your posts!

Sin #3:

Not being present

Being consistent with your social media strategy and engagement tactics are crucial. It is an ongoing process and marketing commitment that needs to be cultivated for growth. Sporadic posting and not responding to followers’ questions and comments are considered to be bad form and bad customer service. It’s called SOCIAL media for a reason!

Tip: Designate a team member to be responsible for keeping your pages up to date by liking and responding to comments in a (pre-determined) timely manner.

Sin #4:

Ignoring or deleting negative comments

Social media pages have become a public forum for customer service issues. While you may not like having a negative post appear on your page, it is an opportunity to showcase your amazing customer service skills. It is always appropriate to validate the comment and ask the user to discuss the issue by phone or email to better understand how you can resolve their problem.

Tip: Post a customer testimonial to bring light to things you are doing right!

Sin #5:

Posting without visuals

On personal social profiles, it isn’t necessary to accompany every thought or statement with a photograph but on business platforms, visuals are almost always required. It helps to engage followers and make your posts stand out from the sea of content on each platform. Take advantage of the opportunity to show, as well as tell, the meaning behind your message.

Tip: There are many cost-effective digital image resources available online with exceptional photographs for purchase. Download a few favourites and keep them on-hand for content inspiration.  

Have more questions? Don’t know where to start with your business’ social media strategy? Suite 203 can help. Contact us to start boosting your presence in this increasingly social world.

The post 5 sins of a social media strategy (and how to fix them) appeared first on Suite 203.