Internet Marketing / 3191 posts found
How To Add YouTube Annotations (Cards and End Screen)
As a youngster, way back in 2010, I remember watching a YouTube video that fascinated me. I was learning to play the keyboard at the time and came across an upload by MysteryGuitarMan that lets you play a song by clicking on piano keys displayed on the screen. My song of choice? “Mary had a little lamb,” a classic for beginners. This interaction was possible due to YouTube annotations, a feature that opened up novel avenues for creativity and conversions on the platform. Although no longer available today, other tools have come to the fore. In this article, I’ll cover: […]
How a Bottom-Up Budget Can Transform Your Company From Bottom to Top
The first time I managed a marketing budget, I was handed a dollar figure and asked to accomplish X, Y, and Z with it. The following year, I was asked to do more with a slightly smaller budget. Sound familiar? While this top-down approach is common, it isn’t the only way to budget. The opposite approach is a bottom-up budget, where each department and team proposes a budget according to their needs and goals. This is common in large organizations and startups alike. Had I played a more active role in creating that first marketing budget, our strategic approach and […]
Consumer Confidence: What It is & How It Works
Every time I visit my favorite coffee shop, the barista gives me a smile, nods, and brings my go-to order in a few minutes. It’s a relationship built on trust and loyalty. Imagine if all your customers felt the same about your brand. In crowded markets where buyers are spoilt for choice, gaining consumer confidence can help you become a trusted name. This confidence will ultimately influence buying decisions and drive business growth. In this article, I’ll explain consumer confidence and provide actionable tips for increasing this index for your business. We’ll cover: What is consumer confidence? How is consumer […]
5 CMO Communication Strategies to Secure CEO Buy-in
As I‘ve moved up in my marketing career, I’ve realized how important it is to be on the same page as the CEO. In this recent episode of Marketing Against the Grain, we explore this topic and offer tips for enhancing your communications with executive leadership. Here are five actionable insights that CMOs and marketing leaders can use to improve their communication with executive leadership and secure buy-in to transform their marketing results. Why CEO-CMO Communication Is Critical for Success The relationship between a company’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is pivotal for steering marketing strategy, […]
How Four Brands Won Gen Z Through Memes, Authenticity, and Community-Building
Building brand awareness isn’t just about making noise today — it’s about laying the groundwork for generating consistent demand tomorrow. Also, by reaching a broader audience, your brand can target customers from various backgrounds with different behaviors. Increased brand visibility means more eyes on your products or service, which translates into heightened interest and curiosity. By expanding this starting point, you’re casting a wider net, and scooping up more potential leads who might just turn into loyal customers. The Importance of Captivating Gen Z Audiences This is the era of the tech-savvy and socially conscious Gen Z. They represent a […]
7 Google Alternatives for Search
For decades, search engine optimization (SEO) has been a critical component of any modern marketing strategy. But SEO doesn’t just mean Google: To the contrary, there are a number of alternative search engines worth exploring. I learned this first hand when I was working for a company with operations in China, where Google wasn’t accessible. While my team had been almost exclusively focused on optimizing for Google, it quickly became clear that we had to invest in SEO for platforms like Bing, Baidu, and other widely-used tools. Moreover, as generative AI has rapidly progressed, a wave of new AI-powered search […]
14 LinkedIn Banner Examples to Inspire Your Own
Recently, I came across the LinkedIn page of an unfamiliar brand. And as usual, my eyes went straight to the banner section first. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. But to my surprise, nothing was there. This business didn’t bother to upload a customized LinkedIn banner. And just like that, I lost interest and left, without checking out other sections of their page. If you created a LinkedIn company page without a customized banner, this is not good enough. Why? Because it lowers your credibility and can discourage people from following and engaging with your brand. To […]
How to Write a Budget Proposal (+ Free Template)
The first time I was assigned to write a budget proposal, I stared anxiously at a blank spreadsheet, wondering where to begin. What was a budget proposal supposed to include? Was there a specific structure to follow? How could I ensure it met all the necessary criteria? My early attempts at writing a proposal taught me the challenges of building a convincing plan that turns rough ideas into fundable projects. I had to learn to align proposal details with business objectives and articulate the potential benefits in a way that resonated with stakeholders. It was an overwhelming task at times […]
I Tested 6 AI Tools for Graphic Design, Here Are My Favorites
Graphic design has come a long way since I started in the arts nearly a decade and a half ago. Improvements in tools like Photoshop or my personal favorite, Procreate, from then to now have helped remove creative roadblocks and speed up the design process. Then, user-friendly design tools like Canva have made design more accessible to non-specialists. Now, it’s 2024, and we find ourselves in the throes of the “AI revolution.” We’re met with a ton of AI tools for graphic design that promise to streamline our creative workflows and more. But is the juice really worth the squeeze […]
How to Leave the Best Possible Negative Review for a Local Business
Consumer feedback is an essential gift to local businesses, helping them continuously improve customer satisfaction, but it can be both effectively given and gratefully received with a little extra care for civility on both sides.