Bridging the divide... Removing silos between PR and SEO is the key to developing stronger integrated marketing plans.

Content + linkbuilding = powerful SEO strategy.

And the key? Creating something that people will find and link to when they’re in need of sources to cite.This puts you in a good position to earn a lot of passive links.

This article describes the content types most likely to satisfy people in need of sources and tips on how to execute these content types.

Don’t be fooled - a high number of followers does not equal social media success. Although “likes” and follows are where prospective customers begin their journey, these numbers aren’t meaningful as standalone snapshots. Companies typically track “likes” and retweets, but they can also track qualified leads coming from social, a company’s share of a conversation, and even the amount of revenue generated from an individual social marketing initiative.

It’s the age of big data, so marketers need to make data-driven decisions about when, how, and why you produce content. Content marketing metrics tend to fall into one of two distinct categories: engagement metrics and growth. Chances are, you’ll need to track both.

There are important lessons here, for ALL brand owners, regarding Social Media's power and requirement for timely response.

Sure, you can "design" a Facebook cover or social media image using one of the many tools available (Canva, PicMonkey, inDesign, Adobe...). And they all make "good design" seem easy.

But don't be deceived. Be sure you consider "professional" design services where it really counts. Website, branding materials, and other places where you need to make a long-lasting impression.

We're firm believers in using Google Analytics, but years ago we identified the problem with relying only on Google Analytics to inform our marketing decisions. (Read about our Call Tracking case study here.)

We’ve said it time and again, but it’s worth repeating. SEO is a long-term strategy. Anyone who promises something different is not the right SEO firm for your business.  In fact, in the recently released “How to Hire an SEO” video, Google explicitly mentions how long it takes for a site to see improvements due to SEO changes. Read more and watch the video here.

According to recent research from Ascend2, marketers say creating relevant content is the most effective search engine optimization (SEO) tactic. Results also show that it's the most difficult to execute.

Get more out of your content creation efforts - whether you're doing the writing or have hired a writer - by creating a companion "upgrade" or bonus (tip sheet, checklist, video, slideshow) that you can promote and give away for the "cost" of an email address.

The key to retention marketing -  the efforts your store takes to get customers who have bought from you in the past to buy more from you more often - is understanding the metrics. Metrics give you a deeper understanding of your customers and their behaviors, allowing you to build experiences that turn one purchase into multiple purchases. This article looks at three of the most impactful retention metrics and how other companies have used them to build thriving brand loyalty: repeat customer rate, purchase frequency, and average order value.

There are many variables at play in an SEO campaign, and key performance indicators (KPIs) allow you to identify what is working — and often, more importantly, provide an early warning system if something is not moving the needle as expected. Learn some of the most useful KPIs in terms of connecting SEO outcomes to business objectives in this article.

Online marketing is about serving messages and media to your audience at the right times in the right places with one single goal: to move them through the customer journey and drive conversion.

What makes social different from other channels is the personal referrals by sharing, liking, and commenting. Learning what types of content resonate most with your audience at each point in the customer journey will help you use content to increase conversions.

Online reviews - love 'em, and hate 'em.

According to BrightLocal’s 2016 Local Consumer Review Survey, most people (91%) regularly or occasionally read online reviews. What’s even more striking is that 84% of people said they trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation. Online reviews have become the new word-of-mouth marketing.

An established Reviews program is critical for any business. From requesting reviews to addressing negative comments, having a clear strategy will help you get the most out of this powerful marketing tool. Read this article for some good advice, then contact Sales Renewal to help.

If you ever need an easy-to-understand example of why good design matters, this is it!

Subtle changes to your pricing strategy can yield big changes to your bottom line.

Content marketing - your blog, downloads, white papers - is quite often one of the biggest marketing expenses, and one of the most difficult to measure.

Adwords and email gives the satisfaction of seeing immediate, measurable results. But your investment in "content"? It's often a big unknown.

The goals in this article help put that investment in context: Invest in content, and you invest in your business. Consider: building trust and rapport with your audience; attracting new prospects; deepening loyalty with existing customers; helping with SEO; and even attracting strategic partners.