American adults spend more than 11 hours per day listening to, watching, reading or otherwise interacting with media content. We’re talking videos, podcasts, news articles and blogs, social media, email – you name it. Clearly, we can’t get enough of it.

Topics: Social Media Management, Marketing Strategy, Creating Content/ Copywriting, Branded Content

 

Many sources date the first press release back to 1906, following a Pennsylvania Railroad accident. The agency staff released coverage about the event before journalists could cover it on their own. It's rumored that some newspapers re-published the release nearly verbatim – a brilliant success for the Railroad's PR team.

Topics: Marketing Strategy, product marketing, Branded Content, Target Marketing, Digital Strategy, Traditional Marketing, Messaging, Tips From the Pros, content management

 

There are few things as disappointing as sitting down to your computer, downing your third cup of coffee as you sit there late into the night cranking up content piece after content piece, only to have it hit the internet to a chorus of crickets. What happened? You put everything you had into that content, poured out your heart, as well as all the information you know about a particular topic. What more could people want? The truth is, a lot more.

Topics: Marketing Strategy, Branded Content, Brand Evangelism, Marketing Methodology, Target Marketing, Presentations and Pitches, Tips From the Pros, content management

 

The rebrand. It's not a term for the faint of heart, and it's certainly something you can't just walk into willy-nilly. Not if you want good results, anyway. When you're staring down a rebrand, there's a lot to consider. Whether you're just excited to get going or unsure where to start, it's easy to jump the gun in your process and skip some essential steps. Before you begin, you've got to hit the pause button and ask the important question—are you prepared?

Topics: Branding, Branded Content, Brand Evangelism

 

By now, we all know that they say content is king, and we're here to confirm, whoever "they" are, they're right. Content marketing is the foundation of a healthy marketing strategy. And while it isn't the end-all-be-all, it's pretty close. But not all content marketing efforts are created equally. Just like anything in life, you get out what you put into the process. Indeed, throwing some words on a page and thinking that customers and leads will magically start pouring in is a little naïve. That's why today, we're breaking down the four major steps to a killer content marketing strategy, starting with your audience.

Topics: Creating Content/ Copywriting, Branded Content, Marketing Methodology, Target Marketing, Tips From the Pros, content management

 

There's an old saying in marketing called The Rule of 7. Discovered by former advertising executives of the 1930s, the Rule of 7 is the average number of times a person must be exposed to your messaging before taking any action. Luckily with a solid social media strategy planned out, this becomes much easier. But it only works if your potential buyer recognizes your brand every single time they see it. For this to happen, your brand needs to be consistent across various topics, no matter the location or situation.

Topics: Branding, Social Media Management, Brand Growth, Branded Content, Marketing Methodology, Digital Strategy, Tips From the Pros

 

Whether you're a budding freelancer burning the midnight oil in your shared apartment or a well-versed firm of developers, choosing what CMS (content management system) to work with can be daunting. Without a full understanding of what each one offers, and more importantly, requires of its users, you could end up making a decision you regret down the road. Similarly, if you are a business owner, trying to make the best decision about your upcoming web project and are trying to understand what the best platform will be, this is the article for you.

Topics: Web Design, Branded Content, Freelance Economy, Tips From the Pros, Working From Home

When it comes to marketing, we all know that infographics are essential. It's like knowing that you need a chain on a bike to make it go. Visuals should be a significant part of your marketing arsenal, sitting holstered, and waiting to be deployed at any time.

Topics: Web Analytics and Tracking, Branded Content, Presentations and Pitches, Design Forward Thinking

Since our beginnings, man has been a fan of the pump-up. Waring tribes mixed warpaint to smear on their faces and smatter horse’s haunches. Pre-game rituals fuel the moment of execution, whether you are Brian Urlacher, would eat two chocolate chip cookies (while listening to country music) before each game, or Frida Kahlo, who liked to garden before touching paint to paper. The Ecuadorian national soccer team uses a witch doctor before their matches, and Michael Phelps listens to EDM after his breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, and four energy shakes.

Topics: Web Design, Branded Content, Digital Strategy, Presentations and Pitches, Design Forward Thinking

As long as people have kept written records, they have been using intricate designs to accent their words. The art of beautiful penmanship and decorative letterforms are prevalent in Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese art. It doesn't take a Master Penmen to look at our country's Declaration of Independence or the Constitution to see the unique brilliance of hand-drawn excellence. While ink and quill are not as commonplace today, pen and ink and Apple Pencil and tablet have become the new mediums for that hand-lettered touch.

Topics: Branding, Branded Content, Digital Strategy, Design Forward Thinking