Summer is the time for pool parties, outdoor grilling and watching the clock until the end of the work day. It's hard to stay motivated through the summer when business typically slows and your mind is elsewhere. But it's important to keep your momentum going through the summer, instead of falling into the dreaded summer slump. HubSpot asked three … [Read more...] about Avoid the Summer Slump: Grow Your Marketing with Growth-Driven Design
online marketing
What Is Growth-Driven Web Design? (And Why You Should Care)
Traditional web design is broken. The struggle with traditional design is that almost immediately after a site is launched, the design and content begins to grow stale. The internet is an ever-evolving beast, and when your site doesn't evolve along with it, it ages quickly. A whopping 94% of visitors reported they closed out of a website … [Read more...] about What Is Growth-Driven Web Design? (And Why You Should Care)
How to Create Inbound Marketing Campaigns that Convert
Anyone can slap together an inbound marketing campaign. But a campaign that actually works? One that consistently brings in high-quality leads? That's a challenge. Creating inbound marketing campaigns that convert requires more planning and maintenance than just throwing everything on the wall and seeing what sticks. But high-converting marketing … [Read more...] about How to Create Inbound Marketing Campaigns that Convert
What is a Buyer Persona? (And How Do I Make One?)
Do you have a clear picture of who your ideal customer is? Do you know what they like? What they do in their free time? How many children they have? If not, it's time to start building buyer personas for your business. What is a Buyer Persona? Buyer personas are fictional, generalized representations of your ideal customers. They have a name, an … [Read more...] about What is a Buyer Persona? (And How Do I Make One?)
How to Set SMART Marketing Goals in 5 Steps
It pays to be smart - SMART about your goals, anyway. If your current marketing goals are just "I want to make money," it's time to sit down and come up with some tangible goals. Defining goals is the best way to track your marketing success and get the most bang for your buck. And the best type of goals are SMART goals. What Are SMART … [Read more...] about How to Set SMART Marketing Goals in 5 Steps
The Only Inbound Marketing Campaign Checklist You’ll Ever Need
Are you ready to get started with inbound marketing, but aren't sure what your first step should be? It's ok - take my hand. Follow me through this easy checklist of what you need, and you'll have your first inbound marketing campaign off the ground in no time. What Is Inbound Marketing? Inbound marketing is customer-oriented and … [Read more...] about The Only Inbound Marketing Campaign Checklist You’ll Ever Need
What is Inbound Marketing and Why You Should Care
Show of hands: who likes being told what to do? In the age of information, customers have more power than ever before to educate themselves and make their own informed choices. Traditionally, marketing was a spray-and-pray method: you told as many people as possible why your business was awesome through marketing pieces like fliers and … [Read more...] about What is Inbound Marketing and Why You Should Care
Google+ Is Shutting Down – Here’s What You Need to Do
It's been on the horizon for months, looming for years, but now it's finally time - Google+ is no more. Google announced a few months ago that its struggling social network would finally be retired, but a recently-revealed security breach moved their final days from August 2019 to April 2019. Here is everything you need to know and do now that … [Read more...] about Google+ Is Shutting Down – Here’s What You Need to Do
Why Email is More Important Than Ever in 2019
Q: Is email still relevant in 2019? A: Yes. Well that was easy! See you all next week, folks. ... Alright, I guess I should go into more detail. It's easy to defend email as a lasting power when email marketing continues to be one of the marketing channels with the biggest return on investment. Email allows you to reach people in a … [Read more...] about Why Email is More Important Than Ever in 2019
How to Use Clickbait (Without Being Annoying)
He pressed "publish" on the blog post. What happened next will shock you. In an age where attention is a valuable commodity, clickbait is the currency of the internet. You've certainly seen clickbait titles while scrolling through Facebook: "Can we guess what [Character From Popular TV Show] you are based on you order at [Fast Casual … [Read more...] about How to Use Clickbait (Without Being Annoying)
5 Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Ideas
By now, the holidays are in full swing - it's time to make your list and check it twice: Baked cookies ✓ Hung the stockings by the chimney with care ✓ Set up a holiday marketing plan ✖ Oops! Don't put yourself on the naughty list just yet - there's still time to pull together some last-minute holiday marketing. 1. Use Your … [Read more...] about 5 Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Ideas
Create Stunning Marketing Videos Using Your Phone (In Less Than 5 Minutes)
Lights...camera....action! Online video isn't going away anytime soon - a staggering one-third of all online activity is spent watching video. If you're still struggling with incorporating online video into your marketing, now's the time to jump in. Many marketers are too intimidated to try video for themselves. They think online video demands … [Read more...] about Create Stunning Marketing Videos Using Your Phone (In Less Than 5 Minutes)
15 Marketing Clichés Your Clients Want You to Stop Using
Searching for ways to be more efficient in your off-the-wall marketing? Let's put a pin in that, and loop back to it at our synergy meeting. With the whole wide world of marketing at everyone's fingertips, marketing clichés stick out like a sore thumb. It's easy to fall back on certain phrases, but if you want your content to really shine here … [Read more...] about 15 Marketing Clichés Your Clients Want You to Stop Using
5 Easy Holiday Marketing Ideas for B2B
Bah humbug. Struggling on mustering up some holiday cheer for your B2B? Holiday marketing seems to go hand in hand with e-Commerce since November and December are big spending months, but there are still ways to market during the holidays even if you aren't trying to sell candy canes. Give these actionable holiday marketing ideas a try. 1. Use … [Read more...] about 5 Easy Holiday Marketing Ideas for B2B
How to Get Your 💩 in a Group with Automation
We love digital marketing, but we can't deny how frustrating it is to have to juggle dozens of different tools. Your website, your email marketing tool, your independent social media accounts, your Google Analytics, your Google My Business Listing, and that's just the bare minimum! If you also have to toss a CRM and other programs like Eventbrite … [Read more...] about How to Get Your 💩 in a Group with Automation
5 Simple Ways to Show Your Customers You Care
Everyone wants to feel appreciated, your customers included. Often as business owners, we're so focused on driving new business that we take our current customers for granted. Your current customers are your foundation, but beyond that a happy customer is more likely to recommend your business to others and to keep coming back for more. There are … [Read more...] about 5 Simple Ways to Show Your Customers You Care
5 Tips for Marketing to Generation Z
The generation after Millennials, the generation born to modern technology, "those darn kids" - whatever you know them by, Generation Z is a powerful slice of the upcoming American workforce. Born in in the mid-1990s to early 2000s, Generation Z makes up a whopping 25% of the US population. That's a larger piece of the population than the more … [Read more...] about 5 Tips for Marketing to Generation Z
What is Google My Business?
If you've spent any time online, you've probably stumbled across Google My Business, even if you didn't recognize it right away. Ever search online for a service and then a map pops up or a little card appears at the side of the screen? That's Google My Business in action: We've talked a few times before about Google My Business, but with each … [Read more...] about What is Google My Business?
How to Get Customer Feedback
Customer feedback isn't just important - it's essential to keep your business afloat so you can improve and adapt to your customers' needs. If you aren't currently gathering customer feedback beyond reviews, there are many ways you can solicit customer feedback with minimal effort. Email Feedback This is one of the most common ways to receive … [Read more...] about How to Get Customer Feedback
Do You Know What Your Clients Really Think of You? [Quiz]
Do you know what your clients think about you? Do you really know? Client feedback can literally make or break a business. There's no point to digital marketing at all if your clients don't like what you're laying down. Take the quiz below to see how in touch you are with your clients, and what you can do to get on the same wavelength. How … [Read more...] about Do You Know What Your Clients Really Think of You? [Quiz]
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
Inbound Marketing in 5 Easy Steps [Infographic]
It's no secret that we think inbound marketing is the bee's knees. It's an approach that adapts to the ever-shifting world of online marketing to create the best possible funnel for warm leads. And, it's also simple enough that you too can do it in just 5 easy steps. This infographic from The Whole Brain Group breaks down Inbound Marketing so you … [Read more...] about Inbound Marketing in 5 Easy Steps [Infographic]
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
SEO Myths to Leave in 2017
Bye, Felicia! There are some SEO strategies that once were useful but now are...well...pretty useless. Kick these out-of-date SEO tactics to the curb once and for all in 2018. Multiple Keywords in a Page Title Many business owners know that having your keyword in the title of your page is important for SEO. If one is good, more must be … [Read more...] about SEO Myths to Leave in 2017
How to Track Digital Marketing ROI
One of the most common - and most blunt - questions our clients ask us is "how do I know all this digital marketing stuff is worth it?" Digital Marketing, like all types of marketing, can be a little nebulous and difficult to attach a dollar amount to. However, there are a few ways to attach a return on investment (ROI) to your digital … [Read more...] about How to Track Digital Marketing ROI
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]
10 Digital Marketing New Year’s Resolutions to Live By
Wahoo! We all made it! 2018 Is finally here. Do you have your New Year's Resolutions picked out? Now's the perfect time to set some actionable goals for your business. Today we'll give you some easy-to-follow Digital Marketing New Year's Resolutions that will help guide your marketing and improve your ROI. 1. Evaluate Your Current Strategy You … [Read more...] about 10 Digital Marketing New Year’s Resolutions to Live By
Digital Marketing Trends to Watch in 2018
Digital marketing is changing thanks to widespread ownership of smartphones, ever-increasing data and video streaming, combined with a cultural desire for digestible and personalized content. Do you know which trends will impact YOUR organization in 2018? How can you jump on some of these trends to get an edge on your competition? Trends to … [Read more...] about Digital Marketing Trends to Watch in 2018
How Long Should Your Videos Be? [Infographic]
We don't need to tell you how important videos are for social media, considering that 85% of the US internet audience watches video online. A few weeks ago we walked you through everything you needed to know to start creating your own videos. Now that you've got a feel for creating online videos, it's time to talk about length. This infographic … [Read more...] about How Long Should Your Videos Be? [Infographic]
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]
Where to Find Free Images For Blogs and Social Media
You've just finished crafting the perfect blog post, but you know that images are key to making your content pop. No problem: just run to Google and find a picture, right? Wrong. Repeat after me: Google images are not free to use. Google images are not free to use. Many business owners fall into this trap and find themselves at the end of a … [Read more...] about Where to Find Free Images For Blogs and Social Media
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
10 GIFs to Get You Through Black Friday
Black Friday is soon upon us. Are you ready? Whether you're shopping for yourself or running a promotion for your business, we all need a bit of a boost. Use these GIFs to help you get through the busiest retail holiday of the year. 1. Gathering all your energy Just keep the coffee coming, thanks. 2. Running through your … [Read more...] about 10 GIFs to Get You Through Black Friday
What’s Your Digital Marketing IQ? [Quiz]
Pop quiz time! Do you have your number 2 pencil and eraser on hand? Just how much do you know about digital marketing? With all the buzzwords and conflicting information floating around on the internet, it's easy to lose your path. Take our quiz to find out if you're going the right direction (don't worry - this test won't count towards your … [Read more...] about What’s Your Digital Marketing IQ? [Quiz]
Why Your Marketing is Scaring Your Customers
Hey you! Yeah, you! Come here... BOO! Did I scare you? Halloween is right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to scare your customers - as long as you intend to scare them. If your marketing is making them flee in fear, that's probably not the response you're hoping for. There are some common mistakes that business owners make that … [Read more...] about Why Your Marketing is Scaring Your Customers
Marketing Lessons From Stephen King’s It
There are many things to be learned from the latest adaptation of Stephen King's It: everyone floats in the sewer, the power of friendship makes anything possible and never, under any circumstances, trust a clown. It wasn't just an entertaining movie, it was also a massive financial success and full-on cultural phenomenon. There are many ways you … [Read more...] about Marketing Lessons From Stephen King’s It