Category: Digital Marketing

When I graduated with a marketing degree over a decade ago, I hit the scene thinking that marketing would always…

You’ve heard it before — forms are the gold standard for capturing leads, tracking industry trends, or gathering customer feedback.…

I‘ll be honest: I don’t know anything about an “AI target audience” or finding an audience via AI. However, I…

For marketers, AI-generated imagery tools open up new possibilities for content personalization and campaign engagement…but only when applied in strategic,…

IM_Ep 58_How to build an LGBTQ+ inclusive brand.pdf2Sonia:And you’ve learned the things to say and not to say and all…

In business, reputation is everything. It can decide whether someone gives you their attention or, even more significantly, their sale.…

Conventional wisdom might tell you that video views are a vanity metric, but I think they’re actually a good indicator…

As a startup founder or marketing leader, you’ve likely heard the mantra “distribution is everything.” But what does that really…

I recently purchased an adorable cable-knit sweater on TikTok Shop merely because I saw an influencer post about it. The…

I have a confession: I’m a chronic review reader. I start every purchase with a Google search. I rely on…

Coming up with effective lead generation ideas is tough — and I’m the world’s worst at putting off this aspect…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

More than 300 marketing pros told us whether their worst fears or wildest dreams have come to fruition since the…

If you rely on SEO and information-based content to grow your audience, it’s time to rethink your approach with personality…

Despite my tendency to let my email inbox bloat with unanswered emails (I just got a warning from Gmail that…

Mid-June, 2024. A full page of indecipherable glyphs runs in The Seattle Times, with the only clue a typewritten-style note…

Good marketing is always about the customers, period. That’s the most important lesson I’ve learned from all my wins and…

On a recent Marketing Against the Grain podcast episode, HubSpot founder and CTO Dharmesh Shah sat down with hosts Kipp…

While I’m not a business owner and haven’t branded my own business, I’ve been an employee at companies that have…

If you’ve followed the news or opened X this fall, you’ve probably seen Polymarket. It’s that prediction market for politics…

HubSpot recently conducted a video marketing survey and found that 73% of respondents agreed that video marketing has been effective…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

You can have the best product, the most data, and the biggest advertising budget, but if you can’t tell a…

Everyone on your team should understand the difference between a goal and an objective. I know it sounds simple, but…

Promoting a local business can be challenging these days. Whether it’s because of oversaturation or complicated search engine algorithms, it’s…

Before Anna and I started contentki, we went to a cafe, pulled out a notepad, and began brainstorming all the…

The 2023 We❤️NYC campaign was intended to encourage New Yorkers, still pessimistic in a post-pandemic world, to show love for…

The irony doesn‘t escape me that I’m currently writing a how-to guide on … how-to guides.

With how quickly the internet changes, people can argue all day about how often to post on social media. Which…

Marketers are often asked to do more with less. I’ve been there too.

“An obsession with quality” is what I wish 12-year-old me had… but alas, I ended up with boatloads of Forever…

Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented…

As a video marketer, you know there’s no cookie-cutter approach to crafting engaging videos, but you should always ensure you‘re…

Several months ago, I tested several AI logo generators and documented my experience. Then my friend Michael Randall, a graphic…

The future of conversion rate optimization is here — and it’s driven by AI. From personalized video to scalable email…

When I think back to my school days when we were asked to complete research papers using good old-fashioned books…

Between shifts in technology, the economy, and consumer behavior, 2024 has brought marketers a new level of uncertainty. I’m right…

Welcome to “I Tried…,” the series where I try different marketing tools and strategies so you don’t have to. In…

Creating videos for Instagram has to be one of my favorite marketing tasks.

Tackling marketing without a solid plan is like putting together a puzzle without all the pieces — I know this…

Price, shipping, and reviews are all factors I consider when making a purchase. But there’s another factor that can tip…

When I started working with freelancers, I’d experience a sinking feeling when a first draft hit my inbox. Would this…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

Over the course of my career as a marketing executive, I’ve found that landing page templates can be a vital…

Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented…

As a content writer in the digital marketing space, I spend a lot of time breaking down industry terms, concepts,…

If you need a refresher — or a first-time lesson — on the new product development process, you’ve come to…

We marketers know that creating a marketing strategy is essential to effectively nurture our customers, improve our business’s bottom line,…

It’s no secret that live streaming took off during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. It proved a valuable tool for forging…

I wrote my first blog about 10 years ago. I started on the Blogger platform and tried (and failed) at…

At the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, my previous employer was just weeks away from its annual conference, and our…

Since I first signed up for an account in 2008, Facebook has changed quite a bit. Back then, a large…

Our master this week once led 40,000 people in one massive virtual dance party for Oprah. (Oprah!)

I love LinkedIn. It’s one of the best tools for my B2B business. Truly, I think everyone working in the…

Twitter, now rebranded as X, stands out from all other social media platforms. At least, that’s what my experience of…

Developing a consistent brand starts with creating a brand style guide. These branding rule books help graphic designers, marketers, web…

The future of brand tracking is here — and it’s powered by AI.

Easy, fast, and unified. We’ve talked to a lot of customers about what they need from their tools to grow,…

More companies than ever are using Instagram for business — over 200 million businesses, to be exact. 

April Sunshine Hawkins is a StoryBrand workshop facilitator, keynote speaker, and co-host of the Marketing Made Simple podcast (which has…

A few months after starting a former job, I attended a workshop in which we discussed our brand promise.

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

I work in and around SEO on a daily basis. And although I’m on the content creation side of things,…

Here’s a real story. Upon writing this piece, I tried to set up a PPC campaign on a whim with…

As the cofounder of a boutique B2B marketing agency, I’m always looking for the best AI tools for B2B marketing…

As someone who has experimented with different AI marketing tools, I can confidently say that embracing AI can benefit marketing…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

Processes are mission-critical for businesses, especially when it’s time to document and scale a proven process.

Happy fall, MiM-ers! Grab your pumpkin-spiced latte, settle in with Noah Kahan’s Stick Season, and get ready to hear from…

I’ve got good news for you: Spotify is the go-to destination for podcasts, commanding 35.8% of all listeners and over…

Over the last decade, I’ve helped set and track marketing goals for B2B businesses of all kinds — And I’ve…

When most people start implementing inbound marketing, they’re primarily worried about getting enough new leads in the funnel.

When I first heard how HubSpot’s YouTube team bumped one channel’s views up by over 400%, I begged for permission…

The biggest topic on everyone’s minds this year at INBOUND was the same as last year: AI. But the nature…

Before becoming a marketer, I was a journalist who loved the opportunity to tell stories about my community and share…

B2B social media marketing often gets a bad rap.

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

AI is better at guessing at scale than humans — but how do you integrate it into your growth marketing…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

When considering a new venture, you must understand: “What is market size?” More specifically, you need to know your venture’s…

When you already have a well-established business and need a business plan, it’s usually not difficult because you know everything…

Creating a project timeline where everyone involved knows what they‘re working on (and when it’s due) can help ward off…

This is the guide for you if you’re creating a request for a proposal (RFP) for the first time or…

You might know your Instagram content is good, but imagine how much better it will seem if it looks like…

On my fridge, I’ve got a magnet my parents gave me that says, “Hold on… Let me overthink this.” So…

Are people still using Facebook? Is BeReal still next big thing? And is TikTok still just for Gen Z?

  I’ve been in content marketing for about eight years, and I’ll tell you this golden nugget of truth for…

Whenever I think about social video platforms, the first ones that come to mind are YouTube and TikTok, but those…

To be candid, I have a love-hate relationship with social media.

When most people see memes pop up, they don’t think much about them.

Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

No matter how much I love my job, at the end of the day, it’s still a job. It will…

When I started my journey as a freelance writer, I struggled with writing introductions. I’d often find myself diving into…

Are you hoping to bypass overcrowded channels and engage your audience at the perfect moment? If your answer is yes,…

Marketing is all about meeting people where they are — and more often than not, they’re on social media. For…

The wild ride of AI is still on, and industries across the globe are riding it for growth. But concerns…

If you asked whether technology could replace marketing a few decades ago, most would look at you like you hit…

Let’s play a game: Tell me how old you are without telling me how old you are.

When I asked today’s HubSpotter to share an SEO tactic, he asked if he could share a cautionary tale instead.

Just about anyone can start a business … but what does it take to run a successful business? Through my…

Team black or team green?

Growing a following on TikTok can feel daunting. Trust me, I know. I first created a TikTok to promote my…

Sometimes, it feels like Instagram looks different every time I open the app—IGVT is long gone, and Reels and Shopping…

It’s been an interesting year in the marketing world. Advancements in AI and constant changes in Google’s algorithm have all…

In late 2023, I collaborated with an organization to increase its visibility and donations.

Like a tree falling in the woods, if you plan a product launch without spreading the word — will anyone…

The pivot table is one of Microsoft Excel’s most powerful — and intimidating — functions. Pivot tables can help you…

As AI reshapes marketing, the next generation of decision-makers is placing more trust in creators than in brands. Here’s how…

I remember first starting my business. At that time, I knew the basics of marketing and a little about sales.

Shopping trends have drastically changed over the past few years. While most of us previously browsed retail stores on a…

You don’t have to be in marketing to know what it means to “go viral,” but the dream of saying,…

Today, I’ve got a special treat for you, something most companies won’t share: a peek at one of our losses.

Everyone can have influence, but not everyone can be an influencer. And I say this as someone who has participated…

You open your computer on a Monday morning, and you have a few Slack messages about a campaign you’re launching…

Email marketing is integral to any marketing strategy because it’s a great way to generate leads and convert audiences.

When prospects first come to your business page, they probably won’t just click and buy your offering immediately.

In the world of search engine marketing (SEM), I’m seeing a growing number of marketers turn to PPC campaigns. That’s…

Developing a consistent brand starts with creating a brand style guide. These branding rule books help graphic designers, marketers, web…

I was one of those Zillennials who avoided getting started on TikTok for as long as possible. It’s not that…

A memo is the best way to share news when you have a significant update or important win within your…

I’ve worked in digital marketing and SEO for over a decade. Five years ago, I committed entirely to SEO. I…

Do you take a good, hard look at your team’s marketing strategy every year?

At HubSpot, we are optimistic about the future of SEO, but we’re also preparing for many major shifts over the…

Our CRO team made a change that lifted the performance of our paid ads by almost 11% — and they…

I’ve been editing videos for almost a decade, both professionally and for my passion projects. So, believe me when I…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

In a Mint Mobile commercial, Ryan Reynolds reads from a script written entirely by ChatGPT. His prompt was simple (include…

Short-form video is revolutionizing the way that businesses approach primary lead generation. But do you know why — and how…

Think about all the times you’ve signed up for things in your life. Did you once download Evernote? Dropbox? Spotify?…

A majority of businesses use marketing automation tools nowadays — in fact, studies cite around 56% of businesses currently use…

One of my favorite things to do on my personal website is to dig into web analytics. I don’t consider…

There’s no doubt that in the last few months, you’ve run into Google’s new AI search tool. Often, the tool…

As a millennial marketer, I can tell you quite a bit about the internet—we practically grew up together!

I talked to the pros — including an SEO expert at HubSpot and the senior product director of AI Overviews…

Let’s be honest: SEO is going to be disrupted by AI. Plain and simple.

Olympic ads don’t make as big a splash as Super Bowl spots, but the Games are still a reliable display…

“I’m excited but exhausted by so many changes,” Victor Pan wrote in a HubSpot Slack channel just before dropping half…

One of the most underrated skills you can have as a marketer is marketing research — which is great news…

When I first started my small business, the thought of advertising seemed daunting. With a limited budget, I couldn’t fathom…

Effective media planning is crucial for any business to succeed today.

You’re sitting around a conference room, trying to figure out how to best engage your leads and customers, sell more…

Sometimes, Excel seems too good to be true. All I have to do is enter a formula, and pretty much…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

On TikTok, anyone can go viral. You don’t need to be a videographer or social media expert to get traffic…

Understanding your audience is a hard job, but decoding the Gen Z, Gen X, Boomers, and Millennial shopping habits is…

It may sound weird, but I can’t think of AI media planning without thinking of the 1999 Robin Williams movie…

“Our business is absolutely flawless and we have nothing to improve upon” — said no business owner ever. Instead, we…

As people, we all have big goals — both personal and professional. I’ve been asked in countless interviews about my…

Digital marketing quotes are an invaluable source of insight and direction to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of…

If you‘re a business owner looking to build your start-up from the ground up, you’ve likely read plenty of blogs…

Us marketers know that marketing according to data points alone isn’t enough to get meaningful engagement—that’s the job of a…

Like most of you, I have fallen down countless rabbit holes in Google searches. “How to make a latte?” turns…

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

Welcome to “I Tried…,” the series where I try different marketing tools and strategies so you don’t have to. In…

Video continuously evolves as an impactful form of marketing – and now is considered more important to consumers now than…

In a report from May 2023, Google states that “with Consent Mode in place, Air France’s visible conversions rose by…

Recently, I noticed that every time I Google a product or service I want to buy — let’s say, available…

When I started my career as a content writer, one of my biggest mistakes was underestimating the importance of systems…

AI-generated video content is turning the marketing world on its head. But what trends should marketers be focusing on to…

Wondering how to use Medium and how to make money on Medium? You’ve landed at the right place.

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Though Mike Tyson meant that literally, his wise words…

Advancements in artificial intelligence have transformed content creation from a tedious chore into a smooth and efficient process.

Without planning, marketing can get messy. It’s hard to estimate budget for projects, hiring, and outsourcing over the course of…

When considering who to learn from in the marketing space, one brand stands out: Liquid Death.

Graza. Fishwife. Brightland.

IM_Ep 114_What is normal anyway?PDFPage 6 of 7Sonia Thompson shared this file. Want to do more with it?IM_Ep 114_What is…

Business budgets are a source of truth for your income and expenses. That includes all the money you spend —…

Once upon a time at university, I used flowcharts to map out my research processes so they could be clearly…

I’ve written hundreds of blogs as a content marketer, but I’m still susceptible to the amateur mistake of thinking about…

Video is an effective and ever-growing form of marketing. 64% of marketers credit marketing videos on Instagram with the highest…

Everyone knows that ChatGPT can generate content on nearly any topic you can imagine (some information might be made up,…

When I sat down at my laptop to update this article, I thought I had at least a fifth-grader’s grasp…

As of 2024, 86% of social media marketers say building an active and engaging online community is critical to a…

The headlines tell us SEO is dead. The podcast bros tell us AI will make blogs obsolete. Google tells us,…

Years ago, I had an idea to launch a line of region-specific board games. I knew there was a market…

A few years ago, I had to manage a Facebook community for a TV station I was working for as…

The concept of managing communities may seem straightforward.

Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow…

Kieran and I conducted an experiment with ChatGPT to brainstorm an unconventional marketing plan.

It’s one thing to have good website copy — it’s something entirely different to ensure your site has great copy…

The first time I was assigned to write a budget proposal, I stared anxiously at a blank spreadsheet, wondering where…

Confession: I’m squatting on probably 10 different blogs and even more URLs. What can I say? This marketer gets a…

From P&G’s “Thank You, Mom” to Dos Equis’s “Most Interesting Man in the World,” marketing campaigns have a way of…

Whenever I think about brand awareness, I think of companies like Apple, Nike, and Trader Joe’s. Have you ever heard…

While many landing pages look different and use a variety of strategies to pull in audiences, they all serve one…

Imagine the leaders that inspire you. Each is likely unique, with a different style they use to meet goals, motivate,…

Google’s firm grip on the search engine market is a marketer’s dream — and nightmare.

As a content marketer, my top-performing channel for getting new clients is LinkedIn because: a) LinkedIn has over 1 billion…

Starbucks recently shifted from a global to a regional marketing structure. Kieran and I believe this is the worst thing…

Adobe Illustrator is a popular tool for designing vector graphics, logos, icons, and more. I personally love using Adobe Illustrator…

Knowing about copywriting is great, but nothing beats excellent copywriting examples at your fingertips.

In a sea of short-form content, webinars are a breath of fresh air to content marketers like me who want…

In April 2024, HubSpot asked 537 email marketers across industries in the U.S. if email marketing was inbound or outbound…

Almost a year ago to the day, I found myself job hunting for the first time in a decade. It…

It’s no surprise you want to become a paid Instagram influencer, but the idea of getting your posts sponsored might…

If you want to find the best time to post on Instagram, you’re probably trying to get the highest engagement.…

(Un)fortunately, content creation is still a very manual job, but on the bright side, there are some great content writing…

Imagine you have hundreds of files in a folder labeled “Important Files.” Some of the files are named by date,…

I’ve been helping people create letters of recommendation for jobs they want, internships, promotions, and more, for over ten years.…