Let me start by saying –not every business needs to be on Instagram. I think we have a tendency nowadays, with all of these different social networks, to try to be everywhere, everyone, and everything. Instagram is slightly different than your average social media platform and, when used for marketing, it’s really used to show your business’ creativeness, humor, passion, etc. If you’re considering an Instagram account as a marketing tool for your business, ask yourself if your target audience is active on Instagram and, if so, have any of your competitors been successful with it? If so, then you should definitely jump in. There are a few basics that you should be sure to check on your list. Like any social platform used for marketing –you’ll have to take a step back and work out a plan, understand there is going to be some sort of testing and tracking phase, and expect a few kinks as you’re learning your way.

Blogging has come a long way from the days of telling people what you ate for breakfast. Your website’s blogging capability is an indispensible marketing tool. Are you using it to its fullest?

Want to know the Number One item necessary for a successful event marketing plan? Actually making one! You would not believe how many companies and organizations are just winging it. Take a look at these real-life examples and see if you’re guilty of these planning omissions.

Social media management can turn into a total time suck if you let it.  Now, I'm not saying that you should stop spending time on your social media marketing, I'm saying that you should plan your time to work more efficiently.  Work smarter, not harder. We've all been sucked into the abyss that is Twitter.  We scroll, then click and read, click and read, click and read, look up and found that 4 hours have gone by and you're still sitting there in your pajamas.  That was a waste of time...

Whether you hire a big company to build your new website, do it yourself or find a solution in between, you will cut costs and launch quicker if you prepare before getting started. Gather your thoughts and content with this Website Checklist.

No, email marketing is not dead.  In fact, email marketing is kind of huge right now.  I can tell you that with Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Crazy Holiday Deal Madness behind me -I did most of my online shopping based on email marketing campaigns sent from a few stores I frequent online.  I can also tell you that I am a repeat shopper at most of those places online not only because I love their products, but also because they continually send me emails that hit the nail right on the head.  What are they doing right?  I'm glad you asked...

If you have a brick-and-mortar location you already know how important maintenance is. You either hire a service or pay a fee to your landlord so that the snow gets plowed and the windows washed. So why should it be a surprise that your website needs maintenance services, too?