Generally we just post 20% of an article and a link to the original data that is relevant to the user of this site, but this information is so important, I figure I have about 25%, so I will note the source and link to the original content on Mashable. Look though the following information, tons of great links here. Again, I have removed a lot of the content as not to violate copyright law, but suggest is you find this information helpful that you visit the source at the bottom of the post.
Social Media
- HOW TO: Poll Consumers on Facebook
We collected some simple ways to poll your consumers on Facebook, as well as a mini-list of best practices. - HOW TO: Set Up a Foursquare Special
There are now seven types of specials available on Foursquare — here’s an explanation of each special, along with some tips to help you get started. - 10 Proven Strategies for Greater Likeability on Facebook
Here are 10 universal laws for brand likeability in social media. - 14 Best Practices for Long-Term Social Media Success
Following these best practices will prevent your brand from falling victim to the coming wave of customer unlikes and unfollows. But more importantly, focusing social channels and investing in the value of each will improve the customer experience and encourage greater engagement. - HOW TO: Start Marketing on Foursquare
The most recent iteration of the location-based app, Foursquare 3.0, expanded the features and made it much easier for businesses to jump on the bandwagon and start marketing. Get started here. - Social Media for Small Businesses: 6 Effective Strategies
Many small business owners are either too busy for social media, or they don’t truly understand Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter. So they choose to delegate these tools to interns or specialists. This may not always be in the best interest of the company. - How Small Businesses Can Use Social Media for Customer Service [INTERVIEW]
Customer relationship management isn’t just the domain of big brands, and these days, more and more companies are offering free online tools to make it easier for SMBs to keep track of and reach out to their customers. - HOW TO: Start Marketing With HootSuite
As social media increasingly becomes optimized for brands, marketers are finding themselves juggling multiple accounts across a variety of networks. With so many statuses to update and so little time, keeping yourself organized is key. - 5 YouTube Marketing Tips for Better Engagement
In addition to its incredible success as the de facto portal for video uploads and viewing, YouTube is itself a community. For brands, it provides an additional viable opportunities to spark discussion with followers. It’s a place to build relationships and create a space for users to converse with each other about branded content. - How The Pros Measure Social Media Marketing Success
The notion that marketing costs can’t always be understood is an ancient one. John Wanamaker, a department store mogul who died in 1922, once mused, “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.” Here are some tips to help you figure it out. - HOW TO: Get the Most Out of Facebook and Twitter Promotions
As social media has worked its way into every aspect of our lives, we as a culture have come to expect that our favorite brands — from “Big Gay Ice Cream” trucks to national airlines and fashion houses — are easily accessible on the most popular social networks. - 9 Digital Marketing Lessons From Top Social Brands
Big brands have already blazed trails in the digital marketing world. We spoke to social media and marketing experts at MTV, American Express, Xbox, NBA and AT&T to get the scoop on how they learned to hit the mark. - 6 Common Email Marketing Mistakes Small Businesses Make
For small businesses, email still represents a cheap, effective way to establish or maintain a relationship with clients. But the content has the power to either attract or repel — check out these tips before you hit “send.” - 5 Excellent Small Business Blogs To Learn From
Here are five small businesses that are using a blog to reach local communities and showcase the company’s experience and expertise. We’ve outlined exactly what they’re doing right as a guide for other small businesses to improve their own blogging activities. - 10 Tips for Posting on Your Brand’s Facebook Page
Once your brand is on Facebook, the question becomes: How you engage those fans and sustain a meaningful online dialogue with your customers? - Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your Company Blog
Corporate websites are often little more than interactive brochures that display basic information and describe what the business offers. But if you’re looking to do more, then a company blog is a much better choice.
Marketing & Advertising
- Why 5 Big Brand Marketing Campaigns Are Betting Big on Social Gaming
In 2011, U.S. gamers will spark $653 million in revenue solely from purchasing virtual items. That figure is expected to reach $792 million in 2012. - 5 Marketing Jobs Worth Paying For
Now, if you’ve started your own company, chances are you’re the type of person who is willing to roll up your sleeves and get things done yourself. But there are some areas of marketing in which the experience of a professional — administered at the right moment — can really make the difference between a polished, awesome product and a complete mess. - The 5 Qualities of Highly Effective Community Managers
Today, the role of community manager is common at companies of all sizes — from startups to multinational corporations. Despite their ubiquity, there is still a lot of confusion around what a community manager actually does and what employers should look for when hiring one. - 5 Digital Marketing Trends to Watch
Small businesses plan to increase spending on inbound marketing in 2011, allocating money to initiatives such as Facebook campaigns and location-based advertising, but businesses will also experiment with a handful of new (and not so new) strategies. - HOW TO: Get the Most Out of Google AdWords
Often, small businesses set up a campaign and load it with relevant phrases, only to see little traction. Or worse, they get clicks (which cost money) but aren’t converting them into sales. - Top 5 YouTube Marketing Mistakes Committed by Small Businesses
We’ve spoken to three top experts in the video marketing arena to get professional advice about the common mistakes that small companies make on the video-sharing platform so that you can avoid making those same errors. - 4 Innovative Ways to Use Web Video for Small Business
How does a small business compete with disturbingly low attention spans and a whole Internet of viral videos? Read on for five ways that small businesses can take advantage of web video without blowing their budgets. - 4 Inspiring Small Business Video Successes
Looking for inexpensive PR? We spoke to some PR pros to find out how to tap into the online media and get your biz a little exposure without breaking the bank.
Dev & Design
- Top 5 Web Design Mistakes Small Businesses Make
If you’re a small business owner, your website is the central hub of your company, and it’s a pivotal part of your marketing and branding.