We all dread the necessary-but-boring tasks. Mowing the lawn, waiting in line at the DMV...writing your LinkedIn Bio. You know you should write it, but it's so easy to just copy and paste your resume. I see your fingers hovering over Ctrl + C. Before you settle on "good enough," try these LinkedIn bio writing tips. The beauty of a LinkedIn Bio is … [Read more...] about How to Write an Effective LinkedIn Bio
How To
Inbound Marketing Cheat Sheet
Marketing doesn't come naturally to us at BizzyWeb. Yes, we know it - we live it, we breathe it, we occasionally dream about it - but like any other skill set it requires diligent learning and years of study. If you've done any marketing or research on your own, you've probably come across some terms that, frankly, seem like another language. Our … [Read more...] about Inbound Marketing Cheat Sheet
Review: Inbound Organization by Dan Tyre and Todd Hockenberry
Written by Dave Meyer, President of BizzyWeb You may have noticed a subtle shift in the way B2B companies engage with their clients. The days of “coffee is for closers” and hard-sell tactics are over, along with “smile and dial” canvassing of cold leads. Taking its place is a softer-touch approach of educating clients using online resources: … [Read more...] about Review: Inbound Organization by Dan Tyre and Todd Hockenberry
How to Use the Buyer’s Journey to Land More Sales
Thanks to the internet, the landscape of sales has changed forever. Consumers have more power than ever over their purchasing decisions and actively seek out businesses. You can't expect a customer to choose you simply because you offer a service they need - they have an endless variety of options to choose from. You now have to offer them more in … [Read more...] about How to Use the Buyer’s Journey to Land More Sales
How to Create an Inbound Marketing Strategy
Have you heard about the latest sensation sweeping the nation? Ok, well maybe inbound marketing isn't exactly "sweeping the nation" but it is definitely the best new approach to handling your marketing strategy. Inbound marketing focuses on creating relevant and helpful content instead of interrupted content. Think about the difference between a … [Read more...] about How to Create an Inbound Marketing Strategy
How to Prioritize Your Inbox [Infographic]
Show of hands: who has at least 20 unread emails sitting in their inbox right now? We all know that stressed, overwhelmed feeling of opening your inbox an avalanche of unread emails. Did you know 28% of the workweek is spent managing emails? That's a lot of valuable time wasted. Use these tips from NetCredit to get your inbox to the coveted … [Read more...] about How to Prioritize Your Inbox [Infographic]
17 Funny Out-of-Office Emails for the Holidays
Note: This blog was originally published 12/24/2015, updated 12/22/2017. As 2017 winds down, lots of people (us included) will be out of the office celebrating the holidays with family and friends. Here are some really funny, clever and snarky out-of-office messages sent this year, courtesy of HubSpot Blogs (full article here). By the way, … [Read more...] about 17 Funny Out-of-Office Emails for the Holidays
How to Write a Catchy Headline [Infographic]
1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...are you still here? Viewers typically leave a website within 10 to 20 seconds. With that kind of time crunch, you need to use every tool at your disposal to ensnare attention and keep your visitors around longer. One way to grab attention is with a snappy headline. Even if you have the most compelling blog … [Read more...] about How to Write a Catchy Headline [Infographic]
How to Make Videos for Social Media
Video on social media was once a novelty, but is now an integral element in most social media platforms. In fact, one-third of all online activity is spent watching video. Between Facebook Live, YouTube and other video platforms a whopping 85% of the US internet audience watches video online. Now is the time to get started with video. Take a few … [Read more...] about How to Make Videos for Social Media
SEO Truths and Lies
Does your SEO strategy feel like you're running and running...only to look back and see that you've barely moved? It's no secret that SEO is tricky, but if you're still bogged down in common SEO misconceptions then you're doing more harm than good. Lie: You Set up SEO Once and Forget About It A common misconception about SEO is that you only … [Read more...] about SEO Truths and Lies
How NOT to Respond to Negative Reviews
It's no secret how important online reviews are to businesses - 88% of customers rely on them to decide whether or not to do business with a local company. But many business owners are so laser-focused on getting reviews that they don't consider responding to reviews. It's inevitable - if you're actively soliciting reviews, you're going to get a … [Read more...] about How NOT to Respond to Negative Reviews
How to Create Gorgeous Social Media Pictures in Seconds
We've said it before and we'll say it again: images are the bread and butter of social media. On Facebook, posts with pictures on average see 37% more engagement than text posts alone. Instagram and Pinterest are almost exclusively photo content, with very little text. To compete with the big boys, your social profiles need high-quality images. But … [Read more...] about How to Create Gorgeous Social Media Pictures in Seconds
60 Ways To Grow Your List in 60 Seconds [VIDEO]
Earlier this week, Dave shared 60 tips for growing your email list. It's a fantastic resource (if we do say so ourselves) but there's only one problem...it's a little long. We decided to give it another try, without any pesky things like "slide transitions" or "pausing to breath" eating up precious time. We try to be efficient. We had to tap into a … [Read more...] about 60 Ways To Grow Your List in 60 Seconds [VIDEO]
How to Make Your Website and Email Work Together
It's no secret that we're a little obsessed with Constant Contact. Alright, maybe more than a little obsessed. Can you really blame us? Constant Contact makes it easy to streamline your online marketing with emails, promotions, events, surveys and more. One other important feature of Constant Contact: you can sync it with your website. Today, we're … [Read more...] about How to Make Your Website and Email Work Together
3 Simple Steps to Finding the Right Words to Use in Your Marketing
By now, you're probably sick of hearing us talk about Search Engine Optimization, but there's a reason we bring it up so often: it really is that important. Dave recently walked through the basics of SEO and he stressed the importance of keywords. But how do you identify the right keywords for your business? Natalie Denyse over at Constant Contact … [Read more...] about 3 Simple Steps to Finding the Right Words to Use in Your Marketing
What Type of Website Does Your Business Need?
From Facebook to Forbes, the web allows for seemingly endless complexity. When it comes to building your business's website, however, it's best to start simple. Almost every business will fall into one or two of only three major categories: B2C, B2B and/or eCommerce. Those acronyms probably look familiar to anyone exposed to online marketing, but … [Read more...] about What Type of Website Does Your Business Need?
Dive Into Facebook With These 4 Videos
Facebook has been online for over a decade, but it remains the go-to social media platform. Facebook business pages let you target your specific markets with targeted content that they care about. We frequently talk about Facebook and social media marketing in our weekly BizzyWebinars. Below, we've rounded up 4 videos to show you how to generate … [Read more...] about Dive Into Facebook With These 4 Videos
The What, When, and Who of Successful Emails [Infographic]
Jason Fidler, Constant ContactHere at Constant Contact, we’re always uncovering new data to help you create effective email campaigns.Whether it’s providing the best time to send emails based on the industry you’re in, or taking a look at what types of content result in the best click-through rates, we work hard to ensure that small businesses and … [Read more...] about The What, When, and Who of Successful Emails [Infographic]
15 Last-Minute Holiday Email Ideas to End 2015 with a Bang
by Ryan Pinkham, Constant ContactLet’s face it.No matter how hard you try, it’s difficult to ever be completely prepared for the holiday season.Hopefully you’ve prepared your store or office to make sure you’re providing the best experience to customers.But what about your marketing?A tool like email marketing makes it quick and easy to promote … [Read more...] about 15 Last-Minute Holiday Email Ideas to End 2015 with a Bang
3 Ways to Automate Your Email Marketing this Holiday Season
Bria Sullivan, Constant ContactThe holidays are a busy time for your business.And with so much to do, you may be wondering how you’re going to keep up with your growing list of marketing responsibilities, while also keeping your business running smoothly.When it comes to your email marketing, one of the best ways to save time while still driving … [Read more...] about 3 Ways to Automate Your Email Marketing this Holiday Season
5 Ideas to Make This Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Yet
Ryan Pinkham, Constant ContactIf the holidays are a busy time for your small business, you know how important the next few months will be.Consumers are expected to spend big this holiday season. If you want them to shop small, you need to plan ahead.Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to set your business up for success.Here are five … [Read more...] about 5 Ideas to Make This Your Most Profitable Holiday Season Yet
How a Small Business Made $67,000 from One Cyber Monday Email
Miranda Paquet, Constant ContactWhen Heath Bowman, owner of Southeastern Underdeck Systems, sent out an email last year on Cyber Monday, he wasn’t expecting anything groundbreaking. “Our Cyber Monday offer was our first email with Constant Contact,” Heath explains. “To be honest, I really wasn’t expecting anything from it. I had never run a … [Read more...] about How a Small Business Made $67,000 from One Cyber Monday Email
The Best Time to Send Black Friday Special Offers
Black Friday is one of the most profitable shopping holidays, and retailers are busy planning their social media and email strategy. To help retailers make informed decisions about last-minute social media and email campaigns, Yesmail analyzed the performance of 50 top retailers’ email and social promotions in the week leading up to Black … [Read more...] about The Best Time to Send Black Friday Special Offers
Make Google Work For You With These 4 Videos
Oh Google, my Google. What would the internet be without that trusted blue G? Since its launch, Google has moved beyond its impressive title as the most frequently-used search engine to a suite of applications, marketing tools and social networks. Plain and simple: pleasing Google is good for business. If your potential customers can't find you … [Read more...] about Make Google Work For You With These 4 Videos
28 Ideas to Jumpstart Your Holiday Email Marketing
Ryan Pinkham | Constant ContactIs email marketing part of your holiday marketing plans? If not, you could be missing out. Here’s why:Last year, Constant Contact customers sent 1.3 billion emails in the week leading up to Cyber Monday.Email marketing was the #1 driver of online sales on Black Friday 2014.Constant Contact customer Southeastern … [Read more...] about 28 Ideas to Jumpstart Your Holiday Email Marketing
Back to Basics: 4 Videos to Watch Before You Build Your Site
The internet is awash with tips and tricks on how to build the "best" website. Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to what makes a website truly fantastic, but nearly ever expert will say that a successful website is:Easy to useEngaging Accessible to as many users as possible Current and regularly updatedEven if you already have a … [Read more...] about Back to Basics: 4 Videos to Watch Before You Build Your Site
10 SEO Mistakes You Can Avoid [Infographic]
Rank Better in Search - Avoid These 10 SEO Mistakes Did you know the top three search results 61% of all clicks? Or that 75% of search engine users never look past page one search results? Search ranking continues to be a vital component of any online marketing strategy. To improve your ranking through organic search, avoid making any of these … [Read more...] about 10 SEO Mistakes You Can Avoid [Infographic]
Get to Know WordPress With These 4 Videos
Posts, pages, menus, oh my! And what the heck is a widget? Sorting through all of the features WordPress has to offer can be overwhelming. Fortunately, WordPress is easy to use once you know the basics. The trouble is figuring out what those basics are. You may have already seen some of our tutorial videos, but are looking for a bit more context … [Read more...] about Get to Know WordPress With These 4 Videos
Email Marketing Myths and Misconceptions
by Ryan Pinkham, Constant Contact Email has never played a more prevalent role in our day-to-day lives. With today’s mobile technology, most people are never far from their email inbox, which is exciting news for businesses and organization trying to stay in touch with current and potential customers. But even in today’s hyper-connected world, … [Read more...] about Email Marketing Myths and Misconceptions
4 Ways to Make Your Call-to-Action Buttons More Effective
by Dan Shewan, Constant Contact Whether you’re preparing to send an email blast or running a paid search campaign, your calls to action can make or break the success of any digital marketing initiative.A persuasive, compelling call to action (CTA) can convince even the most hesitant prospect to convert, but there’s more to it than just a tempting … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Make Your Call-to-Action Buttons More Effective
4 Videos That Will Amp Up Your Online Marketing
Online marketing is a strange new beast. Customers expect their online advertising to behave a certain way, and become frustrated and unresponsive when it doesn't. It isn't as simple as transferring your print marketing into an email newsletter – you need to build your online marketing strategy from the ground up.We've rounded up 4 videos from our … [Read more...] about 4 Videos That Will Amp Up Your Online Marketing
Making Sense of Google Analytics: 10 Tips for Small Businesses
by Jeremy Taylor, Constant ContactGoogle Analytics offers a truly extensive range of actionable data. It will show you who’s browsing your website, how they’re using it and how they found you. Without analytics, you rely on guesswork (and guesswork is a terrible business model).The problem is that it can be tricky to identify the metrics that … [Read more...] about Making Sense of Google Analytics: 10 Tips for Small Businesses
Master Campaigns With These 4 Videos
You need more than just money from your customers. You also need their support, their time, their engagement and their feedback. Your relationship with your customers isn't a simple exchange of goods – it's a never-ending stream of back-and-forth interaction. Campaigns are a simple way to tease what you need out of your customers, while also giving … [Read more...] about Master Campaigns With These 4 Videos
10 Tips for Handling Unsubscribes
In this informative article, HigherVisibility blogger Amanda DiSilverstro offers a variety of tactics to try to make the most out of "unsubscribe" requests.* * *10 Ways to Optimize Your Blog’s Unsubscribe ProcessFinding new readers to subscribe your newsletter or email marketing campaign is a top goal for any company, but it’s important to remember … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Handling Unsubscribes
4 Videos To Get You Started In Email Marketing
Despite the rise of texting and social media, email remains the go-to method of communication for most online users. The Radicati Group reports that by the end of 2015 there will be nearly 2.6 billion email users worldwide. That's a number impossible to ignore. Sending out emails – whether it be newsletters, event invites, press releases, surveys … [Read more...] about 4 Videos To Get You Started In Email Marketing
Can Your Customers Trust Your Website?
We're hearing more and more frequently about hackers breaking into a company's back end systems and stealing customer information. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to protect and secure customer information and keep hackers at bay. How confident are you that your business's website is protecting your most important asset - your … [Read more...] about Can Your Customers Trust Your Website?