Archive for the ‘Internet Marketing’ Category

Working With Influencers

Tuesday, May 30th, 2023

What do Richard Simmons, Ron Popeil, George Foreman, and Kim Kardashian have in common? Many readers may not have even heard of the first three names, but they do share something in common with Kim Kardashian: They are early examples of influencers.

While influencer marketing often seems to be a factor of the digital age, it’s a concept that has been around for decades—ever since people began selling products and looking for ways to spread the word. In the digital environment, influencer marketing can be both more challenging and riskier. Marketers have only to do a search for “influencer marketing lawsuits” to learn about thousands of lawsuits that have been filed against influencers—and the companies that have used them. (more…)

Best Practices for Leveraging Content Across Multiple Social Media Channels

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023

There are a wide range of social media channels available to today’s marketers. There are so many that it can be challenging to decide which to use—and how to use them most efficiently and cost-effectively. Yes, there are costs involved in posting to social media, even if you do it yourself. Time is money, and, especially for do-it-yourselfers, time spent on social media means an inability to spend it on other potentially higher-value activities that uniquely require your expertise. Let’s take a look at some best practice recommendations from social media experts and business owners who have learned how to juggle posting across multiple channels. (more…)

AI for Content Creation

Tuesday, May 16th, 2023

A Facebook headline reads, “How to Generate Blog Posts in 1 Minute Using AI.” It’s a sponsored post from Jasper (more about this later), and while the concept is certainly intriguing and tempting—especially when facing a mountain of blog posts to create for various clients—there’s a certain amount of skepticism that goes along with it. Is the hype too good to be true? (more…)

The Power and Potential of Local Search

Thursday, November 17th, 2022

Think about how you use search engines (most likely Google) to find information about goods and services you are planning to purchase. Chances are, in most cases, your searches are local. Sure Amazon is a top consumer site when purchasing things, but since the pandemic and in a tight economy, there’s a growing interest in “buying local.” (more…)

Digital Marketing and the Small Business: A Perfect Match

Thursday, November 10th, 2022

Most small businesses don’t have the big budgets that big brands have. Yet they need to make an impact through their marketing and communication efforts. That, obviously, can be a challenge.

Digital marketing, though, represents significant opportunity for small businesses.

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Are You Making Your Customers Work Too Hard? They May Just Give Up.

Thursday, August 25th, 2022

Sometimes I think the most simple thing that we can do as businesspeople and marketers is “put ourselves in the shoes” of our prospects and customers. Are we making it easy to buy? Or are we setting up unintentional barriers, however slight, that may interfere with—or obliterate—the purchasing process?

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Avoiding Paralysis by Analysis: How Much Research Do You Really Need To Do?

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022

Moving forward with communication tactics without a good understanding of the target audience, their current attitudes and beliefs, and the drivers that might lead them to positive action relative to your product or service is never a good idea.

On the other hand, many companies—particularly small companies—don’t have the time or resources to invest in expensive research activities.

It’s a conundrum—but one that can be addressed (more…)

You’re Using LinkedIn the Wrong Way—Here’s What We Recommend Instead

Tuesday, June 7th, 2022

social media marketing, how to use linkedin, twitter, facebook and other channels to achieve marketing results

I’ve had a LinkedIn profile since 2009. It has become the top source of referrals for my content marketing and marketing consulting services. Not because of the “brilliant” posts I share. Not because I get tons of likes and shares. Not because I write clever copy.

So how have I successfully leveraged LinkedIn to generate leads—and new clients—consistently? (more…)

How Can You Find the Right Focus For Your Marketing Messages?

Friday, May 13th, 2022

A prospective client contacted us recently wanting to produce a white paper to serve as a promotional tool. The white paper needed to include: a focus on the new national campaign theme, a focus on the new local campaign theme, a focus on the areas served, a focus on the organization’s new direction for the coming year, a focus on…OK, hopefully, you get the point.

If you focus on everything, you’re focused on nothing!

It’s tough to focus. Any organization has multiple objectives and messages that need to be conveyed and there can be a tendency to try to “do it all” in one message. The trouble with that, though, is (more…)

Brand Ambassadors vs. Influencers – What’s the Difference?

Friday, February 11th, 2022
We hear a lot about influencers in today’s digital marketing environment, especially related to such channels as Instagram and YouTube. Influencers leveraging these sites include well-known names (in certain circles) like MrBeast, Jake Paul and others who not only have massive followers but are making a massive amount of money from those who want to leverage those followers.
While most small businesses aren’t likely to either build or gain access to these top influencers, they do have the opportunity to leverage another powerful group– brand ambassadors.

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