The world of social media is rapidly evolving, and it is important for consumers and business owners to keep up with the trends. It was not that long ago the now almost defunct MySpace ruled the social media universe — then came Facebook and Twitter to disrupt the marketplace and change user expectations. Facebook and…
For all the wonderful things that can be said for social media’s role in small business marketing, there’s still something to be said for a well-written blog. Even if you already have a blog up and running, it doesn’t hurt to spruce things up now and then. Remember, the purpose of a business blog is…
A strong online presence is important for blogs and businesses alike. One of the best ways to establish yourself in the online world is through the magic of social media. Most of the time, posting on sites like Twitter or Facebook isn’t enough to spread word about your blog, business, or website. The best way…
The world of marketing and advertising has seen massive changes over the past decade. Developments in technology and changing consumer habits are two of the main reasons for these changes, and businesses need to understand and react to what’s happening. Consumers are less likely to read newspapers and magazines, so print advertising is no longer…
Even in the age of automation, efficient customer relationship management (CRM) software solutions, mobile web, big data, smart wearables, and the Internet of Things, a human touch still remains relevant and crucial in customer service interactions. In fact, a Gartner study estimates that by 2017, one-third of all customer support communications will still need a…
For too many companies, marketing takes place in a bubble. The marketing plan is created and approved by management, the money is distributed and each department fights for its little piece of the pie. While this approach to marketing is common, it is rarely effective. Your customers do not live in a bubble, and neither…
If you’re one of the 15 million businesses on Facebook, you’ve already made the first step towards establishing a presence on social media. However, managing your brand page takes time and effort, and you’ll need to be committed for the long term lest your page fade into obscurity. Growing your audience on the world’s largest…
Just because there’s a feature you can add to your website, doesn’t mean it’s something that’s going to appeal to customers. In fact, there are some website features that could be the reason for your lack of conversions and website traffic. Put yourself in the place of your potential customers and ask yourself, “Would I…
If you’ve been blogging for any length of time, you understand just how fun and exciting writing for an audience can be. Maybe you have a blog attached to your company website, or perhaps you just blog as a hobby. Either way, one of the most important things any blogger needs to do is work…
When most business owners think of advertising on the Internet, they think of reaching a regional or national audience. For businesses that rely on local customers, the idea of reaching out to customers miles away seems like a waste of time and money. There are millions of people around the world who use the Internet…