Content Strategy 101: Everything Has a Purpose

Most business owners don’t do anything for no reason; in fact, to be successful, every step you take or decision you make should have a purpose and should help you achieve a bigger goal. You hire specific employees to complete tasks or contribute knowledge. You rent or designate an affordable, ample space to do work […]

What is Your Website Trying to Tell You? And Are You Listening?

Today, most business owners understand that having a website is vital to their survival and growth. Your website is your company’s virtual storefront, inviting current and potential customers to learn more about you and your products or services, place orders, schedule appointments, get directions, or even leave a review. It’s a multipurpose, multitasking, multifaceted marketing […]

Pitch Perfect: Mastering the Art of the Elevator Pitch (Part 1)

Fun fact: The average elevator ride lasts about 118 seconds. Why does this matter? Imagine this scenario… You step onto an elevator and there, right there just inches away from you, is the CEO you’ve been trying to get in front of for months but could never quite connect with. He will be trapped in […]

5 Exceptional Reasons to Hire a Business Consultant

Here’s a question for you small to medium-sized business owners: Have you ever seriously considered hiring a business consultant? If your answer is no, I’ll bet I can guess at least some of your objections: They’re too expensive  We can solve our own problems in time I could just hire another employee with that expertise […]

RIP Grammar: Are Proper Spelling, Punctuation and Structure Dead and Gone?

Grammar nerds everywhere are worried that we’re witnessing the demise of the English language as we know it. And for good reason. There’s no denying that the English language has evolved dramatically since the advent of social media and instant messaging.  Textspeak, or textese, is practically a new, separate language, cursive writing is disappearing from […]

Interactive Press Releases

Press releases are funny things. You’re running a business or having an event, and you want to make sure the world knows about it, right? Many times, sending out a press release to folks in the media is exactly the right thing to do. You call them to follow up, keep your positive relationship in […]

A Former Journalist Explains How to Get Your Press Release Noticed

It’s a question many of us in the publicity and marketing worlds struggle with: How to get your press release, likely one of dozens a working reporter receives in a day, noticed in a very crowded field. Local newsrooms are often understaffed, which can mean time for those working their beats is extremely limited. I […]

Marketing Plan Template: Writing Marketing Plans for Small Business

  In 2011, my former business partner and friend, Chris Gattis, and I published our first book together. The title of our book was “Marketing Plan Template”. I had never worked on my own book before, so I had no clue where to start. The good news, Chris had written books before, and knew exactly […]

Content Strategy

Having a content strategy can turn insights and information into stories that genuinely connect with your audience.   The 3 Objectives of Content Marketing for brands are: 1.) Advance brand’s awareness and visibility 2.) Obtain customers and create leads 3.) Amplify significance and influence   An Ad Age content marketing study stated that “more than of […]