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What is Algorithmic Content Engineering (ACE)?
Algorithmic Content Engineering (ACE) may be a mouthful to say, but it’s a strategy that delivers. Developed by owner Max Hofstetter during his graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering, ACE started as a passion project while Max balanced being a student and full-time software engineer. It wasn’t until after his graduation in May 2024 that ACE was fully tested and refined.
ACE has taken clients from averaging 500 views per video to viral hits, including one Instagram reel that surpassed 50 million views. By merging data, algorithms, and creative content, ACE has become a valuable tool driving the recent success of TradesMark.com in digital media.
Going Viral Isn’t For Everyone
While having your business go viral sounds like a dream from an outsider's perspective, it isn’t always a good thing for every business. The founding team of TradesMark.com quickly realized it was hard to justify the benefit of viral fame for local businesses who couldn’t capitalize on newfound national attention. “If you’re a local home service business,” explains Max, “views outside of your service area might help grow the name of your brand, but we've found they can sometimes be distracting.”
Recognizing that going viral isn’t for everyone, TradesMark.com has developed new strategies for businesses aiming to build recognition within local areas and specific demographics.
The Development of a New Strategy
After months of targeted testing, hiring digital marketing veterans, and consulting advisors, TradesMark.com developed a new strategy that leverages targeted paid ads to attract new followers and engagement within defined areas, nurturing those relationships until they convert into customers. They believe their new strategy is going to change the game for their clients.
“We used to avoid questions about the ROI of a viral approach because it's not easy to calculate” says Max, “But now with a more data-driven and strategic approach, I actually welcome those questions.” TradesMark.com’s new strategy positions them as a leader in marketing innovation and strategy for the years ahead.
A Balanced Approach
After developing their more targeted strategy, TradesMark.com recognized the benefits of combining ACE with a lean ad campaign. This led to more experimentation and a balanced approach, allowing businesses to reliably target their ideal customers while still having the potential to reach millions.”
Key components of this balanced approach include:
- Engineered Creatives: Whether strictly adhering to ACE or building upon its framework, creatives are carefully constructed and designed to maximize engagement.
- Strategic Ad Spend: Once successful ads are identified, campaigns are built around high-performing content, and ad spend is gradually increased to maximize the efficiency of marketing resources.
- Retargeting and Repurposing: Paid ads enable TradesMark.com to re-engage users who interacted positively with the content and to build ad campaigns around content that performs well organically.
A Hunger for Continuous Growth and Innovation
“We could sit back and justify the use of existing strategies with past success,” says Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder Sam Hofstetter. “But that would be naïve. Relying on any single strategy—no matter how successful—exposes us and our clients to serious downside. To truly deliver, we need to have a robust set of strategies that can work in a multitude of environments.”
Max and Sam continue to innovate, now training in-house AI models they plan to introduce to their clients in the near future.
Interdisciplinary Expertise
Neither of TradesMark.com’s founders has traditional marketing backgrounds. Max was a Rachel Carson Scholar at Duke University, graduating with distinction with a major in biology (concentrating in marine biology) and minors in economics and music. However, he participated in Duke’s highly publicized “Influencer” class and played in the pop duo W4VE known for the singles “Darkside” and “Sad Boy.”
Sam graduated magna cum laude from Boston College, where he studied economics, finance, and journalism. During his time at Boston College, Sam worked behind the scenes at the NBA Draft and NBA Finals, among other ESPN productions.
The Future of Advertising
Drawing inspiration from the iconic “Eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg” billboard in The Great Gatsby, Max Hofstetter explores how advertising has evolved over the past century. In Fitzgerald’s classic, businesses relied on static ads with little to no targeting—much like the symbolic billboard that loomed over the novel’s characters.
“While billboards have their place, we now have tools to create engaging content that strategically tracks and retargets positive engagement,” says Max. “If your only marketing strategy is something that’s been around for over a century, it might be time to reconsider whether it’s truly the best approach for your business.”
Empowering B2C Businesses for Digital Success
TradesMark.com’s new balanced approach is designed for B2C brands looking to elevate their social media strategies and achieve measurable results. By focusing on algorithmic optimization, audience engagement, and strategic paid ads, the company delivers tailored solutions that help clients outperform competitors and drive sustainable growth.
Through its innovative approach, TradesMark.com helps businesses to navigate the challenges of today’s digital landscape, ensuring every campaign is both efficient and impactful.
About TradesMark.com
TradesMark.com specializes in helping B2C businesses enhance their social media strategies through its cutting edge methodologies, like Algorithmic Content Engineering (ACE). By focusing on both algorithm-optimized content creation and paid ad strategies TradesMark.com delivers sustainable growth and measurable results for its clients. Owned by Max and Sam Hofstetter, the company leverages their extensive expertise in creative strategy, technical innovation, and digital marketing to transform how brands connect with their audiences.
Website: https://tradesmark.com/
Media Contact
Max Hofstetter
Owner, TradesMark.com
Email: max@tradesmark.com
Website: https://tradesmark.com/
Contact Info:
Name: Max Hofstetter
Email: Send Email
Organization: TradesMark.com
Website: https://tradesmark.com/
Release ID: 89147513
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