Writing about Life in the digital age

When we published the new laws of visual content in March 2015, brands were just waking up to the power of visual content. Unfortunately, far too many good brands were getting it wrong. Yes, they were experimenting and learning through trial and error, but we wanted to remove the guesswork. So, we put together the …

I’ve heard people talk about content now being king anymore, especially on those social media platforms we all use, however in my opinion content and by that I mean

To run for president, you need to possess a certain je ne sais quoi when it comes to communicating messages that can provoke people to take action.

So regardless of which side of the aisle you sit on, your brand can take a lesson from each of the master marketers who remain in the race. The candidates clearly know how to engage their base.

Below are some of the top strategies and tactics of Decision 2016, which can be applied easily to your organization’s social channels to gain traction and win over some very loyal constituents....

Unlike more sales-oriented strategies, content marketing is a great way to educate existing and future customers about your industry in relevant ways. While eBooks and guides are useful long-form content marketing types, case studies are unique in the way they combine storytelling with providing information relevant to your business.

Our content marketing infographic series covers three challenges that most marketers face today: scaling content production, creating a distribution strategy, and earning your audience. 

This infographic, “Earn Your Audience,” details how to reach your target audience through engaging content. Marketers understand that they need to provide tangible value in their customers’ lives, and content is one of the last mediums left to effectively do this. Instead of allocating a large portion of marketing budget to traditional advertising, successful marketers are opting to think like consumers and deliver engaging content that creates a two-way conversation with their audiences. 

Take a look at the infographic below for more on how to build and retain meaningful relationships with your audience

How do successful authors engage their fans on social media? And what can authors post on social media besides links to their own books?

Below you’ll find 23 ideas, along with examples from successful authors. Many of these tactics can help promote a book, but in more creative and engaging ways than simply posting a link to a book’s retailer page.

Publishers and agents, this post is written for authors. We encourage you to share it with your authors to help them build more engaging profiles.

Authors, we hope hope you find the list useful — and please share your great ideas in the comments!...

Millennials age 14-25 now spend more time streaming online video content than watching live television, according to a recent report from Deloitte. The report was based on data conducted in November 2015 of 2,205 consumers in the United States.

The researchers examined the media consumption habits of four generations: Millennials (born between 1983 and 2001); Generation X (1966-1982); Baby Boomers (1947-1965), and Matures (prior to 1947). More than half of all US consumers, and three-quarters of Millennials, watch movies and TV shows via streaming on at least a monthly basis, the researchers found.

Other key insights from the report: 

- 70% Americans binge-watch television content, viewing an average of five episodes at a time.

- 90% of US consumers say they multitask while watching TV.

- Nearly three quarters of Millennials age 19-32 say they are more influenced in their buying decisions by social media recommendations than TV ads.

- Social media sites have surpassed television as the most popular source of news for Millennials....

AAt CreativeLive, I'm constantly seeking out new business leaders to introduce to our audience. For me, this translates into a high volume of cold emails to people who are extremely busy.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve perfected my email approach and have had the privilege of opening up doors with people like Rand Fishkin, Tim Ferriss, Brian Dean, and more.

However, it didn't happen overnight. In fact, it wasn't until I had my own active blog and community of people reaching out to ask for help that I realized how poorly some of my emails must have come across. After hundreds of emails and countless hours of real-world practice, here are my top ten tips for emailing -- and getting a reply from -- really busy people. ...

The sale of the first GoPro camera didn’t begin when the customer walked through the retailer’s door. It didn’t even begin with the huddle of engineers in the tiny innovation department at the factory. The first sale began in the lineup, as the surfers waited to catch a wave.

A marketer’s story typically starts with her idea—with the thing she has to sell. But if you look at any business that has taken off, you will notice that there is a step before the creation of a remarkable product, which lies at the intersection of what the potential customer really wants and what the market doesn’t offer.

Sales and marketing are less about persuasion and more about understanding. The trick is to know who is in your lineup and what they care about.It’s far easier to succeed at making things people want, than it is to make people want things....