Pop quiz: What social media platform has the most influence on consumers as they make purchase decisions? What’s your guess? Facebook, with its billions of likes and massive user base? Twitter, with its immediacy and concise messaging? Maybe Pinterest, with its emphasis on the visual? The answer is YouTube. According to a study by Ogilvy,…
Let’s talk about you for the next few minutes, about your “Personal Brand,” the “Brand of You.” There’s real value in identifying your personal brand, giving yourself a recognizable voice, and then leveraging it appropriately. It can also be a very challenging, introspective, and yet rewarding process. We’re going to find out more about you,…
Consumer reviews pack a punch. And it’s no wonder—word of mouth has long been one of the most effective and reliable forms of advertising. Online consumer reviews? Well, those can deliver a knockout punch. The internet, combined with social media, can blast consumer comments into the “social-sphere” more widely and rapidly than ever before. Every…
Color plays an important role in our daily lives, and over time, we’ve developed specific emotional reactions to different colors. These reactions have been shaped since birth and can vary based on geographical location, age, and gender. Color has a direct effect on our mood and how we feel. Research suggests that color can even…
On assignment with SmallBizClub.com, I had the pleasure to visit one of Atlanta’s newest breweries, The Burnt Hickory Brewery. And for rather obvious reasons, let’s just say it was one fun trip! I was introduced to Burnt Hickory by SmallBizClub.com’s righteous video dude (Director of Video Production), Dan Fontaine. So we arranged a trip out…
The marketing plan is a critically important part of the business plan for a new business owner. Even if you don’t include a detailed marketing plan in the business plan, you absolutely need to complete one before formally beginning your new business. There are many elements of a good marketing plan, and you’ll want to…
When you start your business, you will probably be competing with a number of other companies. Why should customers come to you instead of them? The trick to setting your business apart is creating a Unique Selling Proposition. The Unique Selling Proposition, or USP, informs your entire marketing and operational strategy, and is key to…
One of the principal shortcomings of businesses is their failure to establish a recognizable brand. The easiest way to remedy this issue is to capture the attention of consumers by distinguishing your business from the competition. Here are a few ways to demonstrate uniqueness by implementing personality into your brand along with examples of companies…
Diamonds and guns… Hmm. This combination seems as strange as Paula Deen giving a lecture on how to prevent diabetes or hiring Kim Kardashian as the next host of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader ®.” The two just don’t seem to work together. Or do they? In 2012, an Atlanta jewelry chain, D.…
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