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Marisa Malts

Director of Account Services
Marisa started as an IOI client and officially joined the team in 2020. Her perspective as a client makes her role as an Account Manager that much more crucial. Marisa a straight-forward, tell you like it is type of person who speaks fluent sarcasm, but is also one of the most passionate and loving people you’ll meet. Marisa's favorite sports position is on the sidelines, but that doesn’t stop her from cheering on the Edmonton Oilers. She’ll probably be the one heckling the opposing team.
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Superlative

Most likely to drop an "F" bomb.
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Motto

I hate inspirational quotes -Marisa Malts
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Articles by Marisa

IOI Insider

Clear is Kind

Recently I was interviewing a candidate for a position and we got to talking about standard operating procedures (SOPs). This candidate said something to me that shed new light on why having good SOP’s are essential for a growing business. “Clear is kind!”, she beamed. “When you are clear with me I can provide my best for you.”

If you are looking to grow your business at scale, embracing SOPs is an absolute must for success. Here are my top 5 reasons why:

Consistency and Efficiency: SOPs provide a clear and concise set of instructions for employees to follow, ensuring that tasks are completed consistently and efficiently. When everyone knows what is expected of them and how to accomplish their tasks, there is less room for error and miscommunication, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.

Training and Onboarding: SOPs are an essential tool for training new employees and onboarding them into your company’s culture and processes. When you have a standardized set of procedures in place, it is easier to bring new employees up to speed quickly and ensure that they are following the same guidelines as the rest of the team.

Quality Control: SOPs are critical for maintaining quality control standards within your business. When everyone is following the same procedures, it is easier to identify potential issues and address them before they become significant problems. This ensures that your products or services are consistent and meet the expectations of your customers.

Scalability: SOPs are essential for business scalability. When your business is growing, it can be challenging to maintain consistent processes and procedures. By having standardized procedures in place, you can easily scale your business without sacrificing quality or efficiency.

Continuous Improvement: SOPs are living documents that should be updated regularly to reflect changes in processes, technology, or best practices. By regularly reviewing and updating your SOPs, you can identify areas for improvement and implement changes to optimize your business processes.

Currently, my favorite tool for creating SOPs effortlessly is www./scribehow.com.

It’s a super easy Chrome plug-in that can make SOPs based off of what you are already doing on your computer. 

The bottom line is, utilizing Standard Operating Procedures is crucial for business growth and success. SOPs provide consistency, efficiency, training and onboarding, quality control, scalability, and continuous improvement. By implementing SOPs, you can streamline your business processes and set your company up for success. #worksmarternotharder

Get in touch with our team to learn more about utilizing SOP’s!
IOI Insider

So You’ve Set Goals…Now What

Achieving a business goal can be a challenging task, but it is essential for the growth and success of any organization. Here are some tips on how we at IOI set ourselves up for success and hold ourselves accountable.

Define your goal clearly: The first step towards achieving a business goal is to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. (SMART Goals)

Break down the goal into smaller, achievable tasks: A big goal can seem overwhelming, breaking it down into smaller tasks makes it much more achievable. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will also make it easier to track your progress.

Set deadlines: Deadlines help you stay on track and ensure that you are making progress towards your goal. Make sure you set realistic deadlines for each task and hold yourself accountable for meeting them.

Measure your progress: Track your progress as you work towards your goal. This will help you see how far you have come and identify any areas where you may need to make adjustments.

Stay motivated: Achieving a business goal requires dedication and hard work. Staying motivated helps to keep you excited about your progress along the way. Reward yourself and your team as you accomplish smaller goals along the way.

Seek help when needed: If you need help achieving your business goal, don’t be afraid to seek out resources or ask for assistance. 

In conclusion, achieving a business goal requires clear planning, dedication, and hard work. By following these tips and seeking out resources when needed, you can manufacture success and bring your business to the next level. 

Need help achieving your goals in 2023, let’s chat and see how we can help.
IOI Insider

Soccer Marketing 101: Score Big on Social Media & Grow Your Club

Social media isn’t just an add-on for youth soccer clubs—it’s your most powerful play for growth. Whether you’re looking to recruit more players, secure sponsors, or strengthen your fan base, mastering social media can take your club to the next level

Let’s break down the fundamentals of soccer marketing on social media and how your club can level up.

Why Instagram?

Instagram isn’t just another social platform—it’s where your audience is.

🔹 Massive Reach: Over 2 billion monthly active users, with young athletes, parents, and sports fans highly engaged.
🔹 Higher Engagement: Instagram has 4x the engagement rate of Facebook and 10x higher than Twitter—perfect for connecting with your community.
🔹 Recruitment & Growth: Active clubs see increased player sign-ups, stronger sponsor interest, and deeper community ties.
🔹 Revenue Opportunities: 60% of sports fans follow brands on social media, meaning sponsorships and monetization opportunities are huge.

👉 Bottom line? If your club isn’t leveraging Instagram, you’re leaving growth on the table.

Building a Strong Social Media Presence

Success on social media doesn’t happen by accident—it’s all about strategy. Here are some quick wins to boost your club’s social media presence:

1. Make the Most of Your Bio

Your Instagram bio is your digital handshake. Make sure it includes:
✅ Your club name and handle (@yourclubname)
✅ A properly sized logo
✅ Your business category (e.g., sports club, youth sports)
✅ Relevant info like location, website links, and key updates
✅ Cover images for videos and reels

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your bio clear and informative—make it obvious who you are and what you do.

2. Content That Drives Engagement

Not all content is created equal. Here’s what works best for soccer clubs:

⚽ Game Highlights – Share key plays, goals, and celebrations.
🎥 Behind-the-Scenes – Training clips, coach insights, player interviews.
🌟 Player Spotlights – Feature standout players to build team morale.
📸 Fan & Parent Engagement – Re-share user-generated content.
📊 Instagram Stories & Reels – Stories see 50% more engagement, and Reels get 22% more interaction than regular posts.

👉 Action Tip: Post at least 3-5x per week to maintain visibility. Best times? 8-10 AM & 6-9 PM—when parents and athletes are most active.

3. Optimize for Growth

📈 Boosted Posts & Instagram Ads – 70% of Instagram users say they discover new brands through ads. Promote tryouts, camps, and events.
📲 Live Streaming & Takeovers – Let coaches or players take over the account for a day.
📍 Collaboration Posts – Partner with sponsors or apparel providers to expand reach.
🔄 Consistency is Key – Pick a posting schedule and stick to it.

💡 Remember: Engagement drives visibility! Reply to comments, DMs, and encourage interaction.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

🚫 Inconsistent posting schedules.
🚫 Ignoring comments and DMs.
🚫 Low-quality images or videos.
🚫 Not using Stories or Reels (major growth tools!).

✅ Instead, focus on:
✔ Setting clear social media goals (growth, engagement, recruitment).
✔ Delegating a social media manager or maintaining a content calendar.
✔ Optimizing your bio and including relevant links.
✔ Using social media to build a community, not just promote events.

Final Thoughts

Social media is an incredible tool for soccer clubs looking to grow, connect, and drive engagement. Whether you’re looking to recruit more players, secure sponsorships, or strengthen your community, a well-planned strategy on Instagram can make all the difference.

Need help executing? That’s where IOI comes in—we specialize in youth sports marketing and know what it takes to win online. Let’s connect and make your club stand out!
IOI Insider

Speed Matters: Why Fast Email Responses Drive More Conversions

In the world of digital marketing and sales, timing isn’t just important—it’s everything. If email is part of your lead generation strategy, how quickly you respond to a prospect can make or break the deal.

The 5-Minute Rule: Why Every Second Counts

Research shows that responding to a prospect’s email within 5 minutes makes you 100x more likely to connect compared to waiting an hour. That’s a massive difference, and it highlights a key truth: speed wins deals.

📩 Why Fast Email Follow-Ups Matter:
✅ Speed = More Conversions – The sooner you respond, the fresher the lead’s interest.
✅ Quick Follow-Ups = More Sales – Fast replies show professionalism and increase trust.

According to a study by InsideSales, 78% of customers buy from the first company that responds. Yet, the average email response time from businesses is 42 hours—far too slow to capitalize on a hot lead.

Are You Optimizing Your Response Time?

If you’re not responding within minutes, you could be losing out on potential customers. The faster you engage, the higher your chances of converting a lead into a sale.

Drop a ⏳ in the comments if speed is a priority in your email strategy! Need help optimizing your lead response time? IOI can help—let’s chat! 🚀