Do you embrace personas for your business? They're effective if you're looking for better customer engagement to drive more business, and should be part of your marketing efforts.

If you're looking for a reason to focus on customer personas for your business, I recommend that you read Everything that's wrong with retail summed up in one question. The article makes a strong case for personas as a means for connecting with profitable customers.

Granted, the article focuses on retail. However, it applies to all businesses including a small business. Here's why.

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Topics: inbound marketing, customer loyalty

Have you heard about pillar content (also called cornerstone content)? Are you wondering how it helps you get found in search and what it takes to develop content pillars for your own website?

Let's explore.

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Topics: inbound marketing, content marketing

Have you created your own Marketing Technology Stack? If you haven't, I strongly encourage you to do so.

And, then, make a point to submit it to the annual Stackies because each submission generates a donation to a great technology-focused cause.

In this article, I share with you my latest stack and the journey to submitting my very first one in 2016, as well as references from the years in between to inspire you to think about your marketing technology stack, how you might visually represent it, and how you keep evolving it.

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Topics: Digital Marketing, Marketing Technology

The question "how do I get more business?" comes up frequently when I speak with small and medium business owners.

They find that many tried and true marketing tools aren't as effective as they used to be and many new social and digital tools are confusing. What, then, to do to get more business? Here are 13 tips to start the ideas flowing! I bet you have more!

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Topics: B2B Social Media, Get Found, lead generation, How Do I Get Started?

Have you assessed your B2B business social media presence? Why or why not?

B2B-focused businesses stand to benefit from Social Media. And, yet, many shy away from it. Possibly because of the complexity associated with getting started and navigating through all of the business unknowns. Definitely, because they perceive that social media will take too much of their precious time, and don't see the value.

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Topics: B2B Social Media, Assessment

Have you checked whether all of the pages on your website have meta descriptions? Are any missing? Are some duplicated?

If you've not checked, this article will take you through the process, starting with what a meta description is, how to find one on your website, and how to make edits.

This article is part of the website housecleaning series.

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Topics: content marketing, SEO & Search Tips

Do you know what a 'landing page' is and have you implemented one yet? 

If you haven't, let's explore what a landing page is, how it works and what your options are for getting started with them.

After all, landing pages are a valuable tool for lead generation and one that ~67% of medium-sized companies regularly implement.

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Topics: inbound marketing

Have you launched a blog for your business? If not, what are you waiting for? If it's justification you need, then look no further. Here are 31 benefits associated with blogging for business to help motivate you.

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Topics: Blogging, content marketing

Do you have a 'Welcome Readers' article on your blog? It's ideally the first article or post you write on your business blog.

I consider the Welcome blog article a must-have for a blog. Not only does it welcome readers to your blog, but it also sets expectations for you and for them as you go forth publishing articles on a regular and ongoing basis.

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Topics: Blogging

Have you set up SMART marketing goals for your business?

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. SMART goals are possibly the most effective way of focusing attention and making things happen in your business.

When combined with inbound sales & marketing principles, SMART goals are a sure way of delivering on ROI. They force you to think deliberately about your actions and how they relate to the results you're trying to achieve. SMART goals help banish delusion-driven marketing.

>> See The State of Inbound Marketing: Banish Delusion-Driven Marketing!

Let's explore why SMART marketing goals are so effective and why you need them.

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Topics: inbound marketing