Keyword Research: 5 Common Mistakes Local Businesses Should Avoid
Keyword research is one of the essential building blocks of effective SEO. If you seek organic traffic or even if you want your PPC ads to work, you need to be spot on with the choice of keywords, it’s that simple. You’re going to need to weave those keywords into the content, and possibly weave…
Read MoreHow to Differentiate Your Brand from the Competition
Standing out in a competitive industry is one of the most challenging tasks facing today’s business owner. With the rise in social media, online presences, and reviews from customers, it can be more challenging than ever to create and maintain a strong brand presence that appeals to customers while standing apart from the sea of…
Read MoreAvoid These Cringe-Worthy Content Mistakes
When you write content for your business or nonprofit, you may be focusing on professionalism and accurate information to build and retain credibility. But what if you’re unintentionally turning off customers with your copy? A recent study from Bospar (a PR firm in San Francisco) revealed that marketing clichés repel—not attract—constituents and customers and that…
Read More7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Considering Franchising
If you’re considering franchising as an alternative to your 9-to-5, you’ve come to the right place. But wait! Before you make any rash decisions, like quitting your job, there are a few things you should consider first. Yes, franchising is a great way to own your own business because it’s a concept proven to work,…
Read MoreWhy the Integrity of Your Brand is at Risk of Being Destroyed (and What to Do About It)
How much importance do you place on your brand? Let me play Devil’s advocate for a moment… I bet it’s not enough. An inconsistent representation of your brand creates confusion and can even reduce your ability to expand your business. Research by Interbrand shows a strong correlation between the consistency of branding and the revenue a company earns.…
Read MoreHow to Monitor Employee Internet Use at Work
To ensure that your employees are productive, you have to find ways to minimize time wastage at work. Although monitoring internet usage might seem draconian, it will increase employee productivity. You could track the sites that your employees visit and block certain websites but this might not prevent wasted time. The Problem of Wasted Time…
Read MoreHow to Use Twitter Audiences
Built your Twitter campaign but stuck on how to best tailor your audiences? Look no further! Tailored audiences on Twitter can help you create more successful remarketing campaigns. In order to make sure users engage with your brand, you need to learn how to set up tailored audiences and make them work for your website…
Read More5 Proven Ways to Make Your Culture More Innovative
84% of leaders consider innovation to be very important for their future success but far fewer are able to succeed in it. No matter how you look at it, innovation is very difficult and often highly unpredictable. To succeed at it, you simply have to get a lot of things right at once. However, the…
Read MoreIn Praise of Pushy Sales People
I probably should come out of the closet. I’m a pushy sales person. Perhaps some will recommend a 12 step program or some other therapy to make me less pushy. But, to be honest, I like being pushy. My customers and clients, for the most part, appreciate it too—though at some times my pushiness makes…
Read MoreAre You Wasting Money Filing Patents?
I’ve been working with early stage companies and their intellectual property protection plans for years. But only recently did I read a clear document on the risks and rewards of patent strategy. Thanks to Russ Krajec, a patent attorney, for the quick improvement in my education, here are some important points to consider when thinking…
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