Category: Digital Marketing

Looking for marketing advantage? Just do the right thing. I just read a recent NFIB newsletter piece titled “How Congress…

Constraints are a good thing. It happened at a major industry trade show, the kind where companies spend tens of…

Want to know how I doubled my sales? I finally started tracking them. Not just hoping and guessing and scribbling…

Here’s why I use Zoho websites to make money for my business. Your website isn’t broken—it’s just not doing its…

You can have the best product, the slickest logo, the catchiest tagline—and still hear crickets. That’s not a marketing problem.…

Ever wonder why some emails get clicks — and others get crickets? Here’s how to analyze ads and get the…

A handwritten sign at a local deli reads: “Cash is king. Credit cards cost us 3%.” You’ve probably seen something…

If you’re a small business owner using AI to write emails, handle content, or improve customer service, you’ve probably asked…

Remember being in school and spending hours and hours studying, getting tutoring for that ONE class that you just couldn’t…

Here’s something that might surprise you: if you want to reach more people, you don’t go broader—you go narrower. It’s…

This isn’t a cute story with a happy ending. It’s a red-alert wake-up call wrapped in a confession. Because if…

My Lead Generation System Meltdown (And Why It Matters) Well, I just deleted more than 2,500 emails from my lists—and…

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like you’re “doing marketing” but nothing is actually happening. *raises own hand* You’re…

Let me guess. You were getting solid email open rates — 20%, maybe more — and then overnight, they tanked.…

Nobody tells you this when you start a business: your biggest growth strategy isn’t a sales and marketing funnel. It’s…

Every couple years, everything goes to hell—and your marketing system takes the hit. Sales stall. Campaigns flop. Ads burn cash…

Most business owners treat referrals like a bonus. A happy accident. A pleasant surprise when a client says, “Oh, I…

Building a referral network is a lot easier with the right automation tools You already know referrals are gold. But…

AI is moving fast, and as an entrepreneur, keeping up isn’t just a good idea—it’s a necessity. But let’s be…

Collecting customer feedback can feel like pulling teeth. You know you need it to grow your business, but the process?…

Running a local business today is like trying to host a party in a crowded marketplace. There’s competition everywhere, consumer…

Choosing a online course builders feels like picking the perfect avocado. You think you’ve found “the one,” but then, surprise!…

There’s a reason coffee shops are packed with entrepreneurs tapping away on their laptops—caffeine and creativity go hand in hand.…

You’re the boss, the marketer, the salesperson, and the janitor (because who else is gonna take out the trash?). But…

Let’s talk about networking groups. If you’ve ever felt like running a business is a little too much like shouting…

Running a small business is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle—you’ve got to keep everything moving, avoid disaster,…

What if we’ve been doing strategic planning all wrong? It’s a bold question, but hear me out. As entrepreneurs, we’re…

Nailing down your brand feels a little like trying to describe yourself on a dating app: You want to be…

Remember a long, long time ago when business owners were asking “Do I need a website?” or remember when you…

Let’s get one thing straight—your business isn’t suffering because you don’t post enough on Instagram or because your website isn’t…

I’ve been a happy Zoho One user for more than 5 years.  While I’ve moved marketing, meetings, calendars, and more…

Do you want leads? Of course you do. In fact, I’ll bet that 80% of your thoughts are consumed with…

Social Proof is a thing.  Call it testimonials, call it people talking about how awesome your business is.  Call it…

You want holiday sales tips, but you don’t want to sell. Listen, I get it. You’re sitting there watching everyone…

If you’re like most small business owners I talk to, you’re probably torn between TikTok and YouTube Shorts. And I…

If there’s one conversation that makes small business owners break out in a cold sweat, it’s the “how much should…

Remember when email marketing was as simple as “spray and pray”? Well, 2025 is shaking things up in ways that…

The holidays are a magical time of year for businesses and shoppers alike. But in 2024, things feel a bit…

Small business owners are no strangers to tight budgets, especially when it comes to deciding how much to spend on…

One of the best ways to save time and money on marketing is to set a marketing theme. Great idea!…

Bet you’ve got at least one of these in your town – a location where restaurants come and go.  For…

Entrepreneurs with ADHD are more common than you think. But a lot of entrepreneurs see ADHD as a disability, but…

As a seasoned entrepreneur, you know staying ahead of the curve is everything in today’s digital age, especially when it…

When you’ve been managing websites for as long as I have, you instinctively know which hosting platforms are worthwhile and…

You’re probably not thinking about how to choose a web host, but you should. Web hosting is an often ignored…

If there’s one thing that has always fascinated me, it’s the idea of personalized customer strategy. I remember walking into…

It’s time we have an honest conversation about Twitter and marketing. So many small business owners ask if they should…

Twitter analytics. This phrase might make you think of confusing spreadsheets or feel intimidating if you’re not a data expert.…

What does small business branding have to do with business growth? Everything. You probably haven’t given much thought to branding…

Let’s be real. Most business owners today understand the importance of keeping a finger on the pulse of customer sentiment.…

Imagine transforming your business simply by telling captivating stories. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, we’re here to…

You need this buyer persona generator to create a buyer persona and get your marketing juices flowing. Do you have…

You might be thinking, “Do I really need a graphic designer when I can just use Canva or Visme?” Well,…

Let’s talk about perceived value. It’s something that might seem obvious at first, but many business owners find it difficult…

Remarketing can be an extremely effective digital marketing tool for small businesses to recapture lost customers by targeting your ads…

I get it. You need someone to handle your content marketing – but figuring out what kind of content marketing…

Let’s be honest: most solopreneurs didn’t get into business to spend hours sifting through spreadsheets and analyzing data. I know…

Let’s face it.  Advertising is expensive. But for certain businesses—think financial planners, lawyers, restaurants, salons, or service providers—it can be…

Let’s be real. Most business owners today understand the importance of keeping a finger on the pulse of customer sentiment.…

Before you can avoid marketing scams, you need to recognize that not every flashy tool or pitch with bold promises…

Are you confused between a mission statement and a manifesto? They seem like the same thing, but used in completely…

Guess what your customers want to do on their birthday? They want to treat themselves! Translation? They want to spend…

Ready to uplevel your networking skills? Here are some conversation starters for your next trade show. It’s conference season and that…

Marketing frustration is real; it’s normal and pervasive. Ultimately, when you’re frustrated by marketing that means you’ve somehow lost focus…

Have you seen the Constant Contact commercial where business owners crowd around the computer to watch their email results come…

I’m always on the lookout for SEO AI writing tools to streamline my content creation process and help my content…

In the fast-paced world of marketing, capturing the attention of your audience is more important than ever. Your brand story…

When you collect customer feedback, what’s the deal with testimonials vs reviews? Which should you use where and when? When…

Introduction to Digital Storytelling In the digital era, digital storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool that blends traditional storytelling…

I’ve been using both Buffer and CoSchedule since both platforms were babies for different aspects of social media management. Each…

Imagine having a lineup of customers who already love what you do—raving about your services to their friends, family, and…

Caught between Buffer and CoSchedule? For small businesses juggling it all, picking the right social media tool could be the…

Personalized marketing works. But I’m not talking about the lame basic stuff like addressing someone by name in an email…

Why is it that some entrepreneurs are so much more successful than others? Is their product? Maybe they have a…

Have you ever wondered how to search and find words in videos — without having to watch and listen to…

When was the last time you took a fresh look at your brand and your marketing message to define your…

How would you like to get competitor’s website traffic and customer’s they paid to attract? It’s easier and faster than…

Every small business owner I speak with tells me that most of their best customers come from referrals. Having your…

We marketers love power words.  We love to use them in emails, subject lines, and landing pages. As marketers and…

Have you heard of effective video sales letters (VSLs)? It’s exactly what it sounds like, a sales letter created on…

You’re scrolling through LinkedIn, half-reading posts, when something catches your eye—a competitor just announced a new product that looks suspiciously…

So, you’re an entrepreneur, huh? No MBA? No Problem. What’s the next step? Who needs fancy degrees and mountains of…

Have you been thinking about writing a book? Then you want to know how authors make money. Well, get ready…

We’ve been talking about voice search for several years now. And, like most trends, small business owners aren’t keeping up.…

Why slow down your marketing? The answer is counterintuitive but logical. Stop.  Just stop.  Before you pour another dollar into…

I admit it. I was an advertising basher. I thought that paying for advertising a small business was a waste…

What would happen if you put employees first? I’ve been in marketing for almost 40 years. So, it wouldn’t surprise…

Let’s talk about dynamic pricing. You either love it or hate it depending on whether you’ve got your entrepreneur hat…

An opportunity analysis is a great way to determine whether or not your next business opportunity can be profitable. By…

Hiring a virtual team sounds like a great idea! And it is a great idea. But I’ve been part of…

Can cleaning your email list increase sales? Yep. Email cleaning is a thing. Bet you never thought about cleaning your…

Digital marketing is a fantastic way to connect with your customers, and social media is an essential component of digital…

More and more of you have been looking for a simple way to run your business on a budget –…

These link building ideas are ideal for content marketers who don’t have the resources or the inclination to run around…

We all get it; email marketing statistics can feel overwhelming. Do any of these questions keep you up at night?…

You’re not selling a product or service, you’re selling your customers’ desired outcome and helping them accomplish it. Once you…

Want to increase sales and conversions? Create a pricing page that makes it easy for customers to buy. Creating a…

Want to know how to manage a marketing team? We asked marketing and product managers and they told me what…

Should you hire a graphic designer? YES. you should. In this article, I’m going to give you 7 reasons to…

As a small business owner or solopreneur, you might think that market research basics are only for big corporations with…

Let me ask you – have you ever been frustrated by the lack of responses you receive when sending out…

Are you trying to compete on price? Forget about it, there’s a better way. I just read this piece in…

If you’re actively using LinkedIn to boost your job search, you’ve probably considered ways to make your profile stand out.…

Crisis marketing is about adapting your marketing strategies to overcome challenges like economic downturns or disasters. It helps maintain customer…

These days, it feels like everyone and their dog is clamoring to “learn digital marketing”. And for good reason: It’s…

Let’s talk about marketing materials for your small business. Believe it or not, potential customers still want printed marketing materials…

Marketing is a long game, but outbound marketing strategies are your fastest path to cash.  Outbound Marketing: What It Is…

In the beginning, marketing was expensive. If you wanted to look like a real business you had to throw money…

The summer season has started in my storybook town of Medina, Ohio and that means our local retailers and restaurants…

Using AI for marketing is filled with minefields, so let’s dig into some typical privacy concerns with AI, and how…

I think a lot of folks have given up on social media lead generation. I get it, it’s not as…

Try These Local Marketing Ideas to Grow Your Business As a small business owner, you pour your heart into your…

Hiring a marketing team isn’t as overwhelming as you think. Here’s all the stuff no one tells you about how…

Have you ever noticed how small business email marketing tools are sold like exercise equipment. There are hundreds of types…

Email newsletters are HOT HOT HOT. But I’m not talking about those lame, boring newsletters that get deleted without even…

Want to know the secret to crisis marketing success? It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s…

Ever feel like you’re throwing money into a black hole with your marketing efforts? I’ve been there. But guess what?…

If you’re looking for a cool pricing strategy that will help you increase profits without selling more stuff, I’ve got…

Are you measuring what matters in your content marketing strategy? One of the traps we content marketers fall into is…

Big brands aren’t using slogans and taglines anymore.  Why?  And should you ignore developing slogans, taglines, and a unique selling…

If you’re considering expanding your professional network and uncovering new business opportunities, you may be evaluating BNI as a potential…

Bet you didn’t know that QR codes have been around since 1994! Then in 2010 or 2011, they hit the…

The other day on LinkedIn, I came across a terrific discussion about the “Book a Demo” call to action. Now,…

Want to know how to turn a single sale into a bigger profit without being pushy? That’s where upselling techniques…

Looking to navigate the world of Gmail ads? This guide provides a no-nonsense approach to creating, managing, and optimizing your…

You know that you have to find your ideal customer, but this often fells like you’re searching for a needle…

Wondering how to elevate your multimedia presentation from good to great? An engaging multimedia presentation requires a tight integration of…

There’s a marketing myth out there that you don’t want to have any competition. Not so. For entrepreneurs, no competition…

I’m a master procrastinator.  Give me 5 minutes of downtime, and I’ll figure out a way to distract myself from…

Calling all introverts! You know who you are. If you dread the idea of going to networking events, walking up…

This is the week that the world shut down in 2020. We skipped April Fools that year, and the following…

Searching for the best apps to edit YouTube videos can be overwhelming. I tend to prefer written content over video,…

It’s been a while since I’ve seen some simplified counterintuitive marketing advice and so I thought I’d get out there…

Goal setting is necessary but, let’s face it you’re always setting the same types of goals; sales, profits, and brand…

There are dozens of new and affordable AI video generators out there. Each one claims to do it all, but…

Ah, high maintenance customers— you know who I’m talking about, the folks that can make your heart sink the moment…

Video AI tools are everywhere. Honestly, it’s overwhelming. Personally. I’m looking for something that’s affordable, easy to use, and has…

The price of everything has gone up.  And, I’m sorry to say, value hasn’t been keeping up. Consumer habits have…

These are the perfect ways to say thank you to your team if you don’t have a lot of money.…

Yep. Gratitude marketing strategies are a thing, here’s how you can make it work for you. Picture this: you’re at…

I’m starting to think that handwritten thank you notes are a lost art. I grew up sitting down at the…

There are real business threats out there, but which ones are worthy of your attention? This is the time of…

Where are you on Small Business Saturday? I don’t know about you, but I’m never ready for the holiday rush.…

Let’s be honest, your brand identity isn’t really doing anything for your business. I mean if you asked a handful…

20 SEO strategies from small business experts. These will help your customers find you, choose you and buy from you.…

20 powerful tips on how to start mobile marketing for your business! One of the things that drives me nuts…

20 oproductivity tips to balance holiday hustle with time management tips and gift ideas for entrepreneurs. As the holiday season…

Distracted? I hear you. This book review of Indistractable, you’ll be inspired to stay focused and get more done. As…

Boost your freelance success with top LinkedIn strategies Like a lot of people, I started my business as a solopreneur…

Discover how nostalgia marketing tactics are being reinvented to charm and engage modern audiences, blending nostalgia with innovation. Remember the…

Goodbye, social media frenzy; hello, smarter marketing in the AI revolution. Lately, I’ve noticed my social media feed isn’t buzzing…

Entrepreneurs are betting on these 2024 marketing trends and strategies for 2024 — and I’m scratching my head. Every morning…