Lets get to the down and dirty truth. Anyone who runs a marathon can tell you that the training before the race is not the most memorable aspect of participating. Pulling off the goal at the end of all that training is the reward for all that hard work. This is also true for any business owner looking to host an event, training or workshop. While planning might not be your favorite part, the prep work needed to successfully execute your event is the most important piece of the whole thing. The Checklist With so many... Read More

Events have really grown in popularity over the last five years. I attribute it to the fact that there is a lot of noise right now, and to build trust with your audience it helps to connect with them in person. However, a poorly planned or executed event wont do you much good. Lets chat about what goes into picking the right event for you and your business. Examine Your Timing Timing can make or break your event. There are actually two aspects to consider when scheduling your event. Date of Your Event I... Read More

Analytics is kind of like getting on the scale after cheat day. No one REALLY wants to know how much that two-and-a-half-pound burrito set them back. Still, having the numbers can be useful. Just like getting on the scale is important when youre trying to lose weight, keeping up with analytics is important when youre trying to gain an audience. Theyre so important, in fact, that you should check them once every 30 days. Why? Because social media is ever-changing. Algorithms change, rules and regulations change, and even your... Read More

Weve talked a lot recently about the importance of creating an editorial calendar and using automation tools. And now that back-to-school is here, I HIGHLY recommend implementing both. Trust me, your sanity will thank you. Lets face it: Between packing lunches, helping with homework, shuttling back and forth to sports, AND running a business, youre going to be very short on time. The only way youll be able to get any marketing done at all, frankly, is through the use of the tools weve discussed. Breaking it down into edible... Read More

Looking to boost your online marketing? Content creation is the way to go. But, let me tell you: No matter how cool you think you are by yourself, your content is nothing without the right tools! Writing content is hard. Thats a fact. It can be difficult to come up with fresh ideas. Writing takes an enormous amount of time and creating graphics and images can feel impossible if thats not your forte. Luckily, there are tools that make it easier. Graphic design and photos Coming up with social media graphics doesnt have to... Read More

New brand, who dis? One of the most frustrating (and sometimes unanswerable) questions in business and in life is, Who are you? Unfortunately, its also one of the most important. Knowing who you are in business (and in life) makes it a lot easier for others to understand what youre all about. And people want to do business with people that they like, right? So, knowing WHO YOU ARE is also why potential customers might choose to do business with you instead of the next guy. If you stammer and sputter every time someone asks you why... Read More

Ever wonder why so many small business owners fail at their content marketing plans? Its because they dont actually HAVE a plan. They just come up with some vague goal like, Im going to blog once a week, or Im going to post to Facebook twice a day, and thats it. When they do manage to put something out there, its typically not researched or thought out in advance. Its just some spur-of-the-moment words, tossed together on a whim. More noise on the radar that their target audience is just going to ignore. Im here to tell you... Read More

This month is all about getting your s#@t together! You might think you have it all together, but trust me, you dont. Until you have a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, there is absolutely no way you can be 100% organized. I know I tried to do it the old fashioned way for years. Spreadsheets, file folders, Rolodex. I thought I had it down. But then I got a CRM and oh my God! I realized that my system was a complete mess. Once you see your entire business laid out like that right in front of you, all of your... Read More

Did you know that more than half of Americans have scrapped a planned purchase because of poor customer service ? Its no wonder more businesses are choosing to invest in customer relationship management or CRM . CRM software is a set of tools that allows you to keep track of your clients' personal information, past purchases, contact preferences, and much more. It not only gives you some much-needed insight, but it allows for your entire sales team to be on the same page anytime they speak to a customer and that makes for... Read More

Have you tried online dating? Downloading the apps, crafting the *perfect* bio, digging through dozens of photos trying to find just the right one . Its exhausting. And, inevitably, you end up on a super awkward coffee date with a total weirdo. Luckily, finding the right CRM is so much easier than finding the right man (or woman) without any embarrassing small talk. So, this Valentines Day, forget about finding the perfect partner. Lets find the perfect customer relationship manager instead. Heres how: What Are Your... Read More