Why Facebook Really Bought Instagram

The purchase of Instagram by Facebook is classic forward thinking – strategically preparing for where business is going. Instagram is a photo sharing application that also allows for creative enhancement of photos via a few clicks on your mobile device. Facebook isn’t buying technology – they are extending their reach into new communities on a […]

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3 Success Criteria for Any Business Marketing Platform

Historically, the greatest challenge for marketers was reaching their target audience. This not only required an understanding of marketing skills, but also relationships with the media and the dollars to engage their capabilities. Now anyone, and especially any business, can (and should) build a platform for reaching their ideal customers. The traditional barriers to building […]

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The Illusion of Asset Ownership

Every business has bankable assets on its balance sheet – both soft and and hard assets. Hard defines capital equipment and real estate – assets that have traditionally held their value. Soft assets are intangibles such as brands and the goodwill that is associated with them. HBUSA company is a lot different than the others. They […]

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3 Hyperlocal Marketing Success Factors

While they may not be familiar with the term hyperlocal marketing, successful local businesses have learned it is essential to their continued prosperity. Hyperlocal suggests serving a narrowly defined niche – one that is largely defined by proximity. However, location is just one piece of the hyperlocal marketing puzzle. This weekend I worked with local […]

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The Best Social Media Strategy

Finding your way with social media is not a linear process. This is a key reason why many small businesses are overwhelmed with it. To make matters even more confusing, many social media consultants, who often refer to themselves as strategists, prescribe complicated methods that keep their clients tethered to them for extended periods. There […]

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The New Rules of Information Marketing

One of my predictions for 2012 was that the quality of online content would rise to meet the expectations of the general public. To be honest, while that is exactly how things are playing out, even I have been surprised by some of the developments. When you make predictions, it’s easy to look back and […]

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Social Media Channel Management

Media channels are designed to broadcast programming – but not just for anyone that happens to tune in. Channels are typically designed for a target audience that is most receptive to the content being delivered, and the medium delivering it. Thus, managing your social media channels requires a balance – one that carefully considers the […]

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Social and Mobile are Universally Global

While vacationing in Mexico this week, I could not help but notice that even in this developing country, mobile is not the future – it’s here now, and bigger than one might have expected. While the quality of running water in this little resort town may not be up to the standards most of us […]

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Personalization and Your Ideal Customer

People in general are attracted to those they resonate with. There is a perceived bond – a shared energy that may be subtle, yet nevertheless is often quite powerful for establishing a relationship of mutual trust. This is why personalization is now an essential consideration for every marketer that expects to build a sustainable business. […]

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Imitators and Redefining Expertise

In the pre-digital era of publishing, the printed word carried a great deal of authority. The assumption by the general public was that “they” would never print anything if it wasn’t true. Of course, back then publishing was confined to established media outlets that employed professionals who were held accountable. Now anyone can publish, and […]

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