Internet Marketing

Pointers on Hiring a Marketing Firm for Your Small Business

By Diane Helbig - May 20, 2012 - 12 Comments

I’m not here to tell you which marketing firm to use. Rather, I’d like to offer you some pointers on what to look for when hiring a marketing firm. I believe the search starts with you. Ask yourself some foundational questions to get a handle on what you are looking for. Those questions … Read More

How to Pump Up the Volume on Your Online Marketing – Twitter Chat

By Anita Campbell - May 18, 2012 - 9 Comments

Save the date! In honor of Small Business Week, we’re holding a Twitter chat on May 23 at 3:00 pm Eastern time, on the topic of online marketing. I am thrilled to partner again with Stephanie Chandler on this event. We’re going to cover some of your favorite topics – from email … Read More

The “Belong Subscribe And Engage” Marketing Plan

By Deborah Shane - May 17, 2012 - 4 Comments

A sound and holistic marketing plan has always combined these areas: Advertising: any paid form of communication through mass communication Sales promotion: any short term incentive to encourage trial purchase Events and Experiences: sponsored events or activities Public … Read More

9 Great Online Credibility Builders

By John Follis - May 10, 2012 - 14 Comments

Whatever your business, product, or service, credibility is key. It’s also true with your personal reputation. On that note, the information that appears, or doesn’t appear, whenever your name is searched on the Internet is a litmus test of your personal and professional credibility. It’s … Read More

How to Choose the Right SEO Tactics for Your Small Business

By Tom Demers - May 9, 2012 - 22 Comments

When it comes to SEO, many business owners are overwhelmed. There’s so much information out there, much of it conflicting, making it nearly impossible to drill down to the right strategies you should be employing. In this post I’ll try to walk through several of the considerations you should be … Read More

Niche Communities, Social Media and Community Attitude Adjustments

By Jamillah Warner - May 3, 2012 - 3 Comments

No matter the physical location of your business, when it comes to being interactive — we have options. We can dive into social media and start building our fan pages, attracting our Twitter follows, pinning our boards, etc. We can build a thriving email list that keeps us in front of clients and … Read More

Affiliate Tax Law Struck Down: 3 Problems With The Laws

By Geno Prussakov - Apr 27, 2012 - 7 Comments

Nine months ago the Performance Marketing Association (PMA), filed a lawsuit against the State of Illinois over a newly-passed law requiring out-of-state retailers that sell to Illinois residents to collect and remit sales tax. The theory behind the law is that by advertising through affiliate … Read More

Why You May Not Want To Do Content Marketing

By Raj Sheth - Apr 16, 2012 - 5 Comments

There is a lot of constant talk about content marketing. I am doing it right now. But please ask yourself the following questions before you kick start a blog or outsource your words to a content army. I have asked myself these questions because I have made the mistake of giving birth to a mediocre … Read More

Email Remains King For Promotional Messaging

By Lisa Barone - Apr 10, 2012 - 6 Comments

So sometimes social media gets all the attention for being a shiner medium, but that doesn’t mean email is dead. Not by a long shot. In fact, according to a new survey from ExactTarget [pdf], its email NOT social media that customers seek out most for promotional messages. Interesting, … Read More

The Total Package: A Marketing Message That Resonates

By Jamillah Warner - Apr 1, 2012 - 5 Comments

Your company focus and marketing message should be so clear that it’s driven home in every opportunity you get. When clients experience: your print media (business cards, posters, flyers, etc.) your online media (websites and social media sites) your office space There should be a … Read More

Day Two Live Blog Recap: Affiliate Management Days West 2012 #AMDays

By Geno Prussakov - Mar 22, 2012 - Leave a Comment

Small Business Trends covered a number of sessions from the Affiliate Management Days conference, which ran from March 8th through March 9th, 2012, in a nine article series of live coverage and recaps that featured information and advice on affiliate programs. The AM Days conference assisted … Read More

Day One Live Blog Recap: Affiliate Management Days West 2012 #AMDays

By Geno Prussakov - Mar 13, 2012 - 3 Comments

A number of sessions from the Affiliate Management Days conference, which ran from March 8th through March 9th, 2012, were covered here at Small Business Trends. The seven article series of live coverage featured topics of interest to businesses that offer affiliate programs. The AM Days … Read More