Three Reasons Why Your Content Should Speak to Humans, Not Bots Sometimes small business marketers publish content with the sole intention of ranking on search engines like Google and Bing. After reading a couple of articles about search engine optimization (SEO), they try their hand at keyword-optimized content hoping to outrank their competitors. If you write content just for bots, it is time to evolve. After all, the year 2000 called, and they want their SEO strategy back! Instead, publish

Chances are you got fired up at CMC. Don’t let that fire fizzle out when you return to your home and job. Use the first few days after you return home to apply what you learned and build relationships with the people you met. Congratulations on recognizing the importance of content in today’s marketing environment! By attending CMC, you invested yourself in producing excellent content. We hope the insights, techniques, and ideas you encountered at CMC will help you reach the next step in your c

We’ll let you in on a secret, content planning is essential to successful content marketing. Your content takes your audience members on a journey. The difference between well-planned and unplanned content is like the difference between a planned road trip and just driving. You’re more likely to get where you want to go with planning. At the 2019 Content Marketing Conference (CMC), we have amazing workshops covering the latest content planning methodology, trends, emerging technology, and more!

As a content creator, do you lay awake at night wondering how to hook your audience’s attention? In today’s crowded content field, you have less than ten seconds to catch and hold the reader’s attention. Don’t worry, we’ve got you! Join us at the Content Marketing Conference (CMC) in April to learn real-world techniques that will give you the edge you need to stand out among the sea of mediocre content. During five actionable sessions, learn the art and science of creating content that transfor

Spring means a new quarter and new opportunities for your small business. Here’s how to refresh your marketing strategy for the season of growth. For many people, spring signifies new beginnings. It’s also a chance to refresh and declutter their homes and lives. Your small business marketing may also benefit from a little spring cleaning. For small business marketers, spring marks the end of Q1 and the start of Q2. So, now is the perfect time to evaluate your online branding and messaging. Tak

Does your small business or organization find social media puzzling? You are not alone! Words By Sam offers affordable social media services for clients in Corvallis, Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Today’s consumers spend time on social media connecting with friends, family, and their community. Social media offers an opportunity to promote your brand and build relationships with customers.

The social media world is always changing as our favorite channels battle to grow their share of the market. September is no exception! Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest all unrolled changes that may lead to a better user and creator experience. Have you ever struggled to express yourself within Twitter’s 140 character limit? If you use Twitter, of course, you have! How about making a meaningful statement that also happens to include an image? Great news! Twitter is amending their 140 character

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all made some recent changes. For February 2017 we offer another installation in our Social Media News. Instagram expanded your storytelling capabilities, Facebook is giving LinkedIn a run for their money, and Twitter strengthens their efforts to curb bullying. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But sometimes one picture is not enough. Instagram now lets you share up to ten posts with the same caption.

YouTube announced their new YouTube TV service that will offer live television streaming from over 40 channels. The new service will cost subscribers $35 per month. According to YouTube, subscribers will stream ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC & YouTube Red. Subscribers may add premium channels to their base subscription. The service also includes an unlimited cloud-based DVR service for those who cannot catch the live broadcast of their favorite shows.

Microsoft isn‘t satisfied with sticking with LinkedIn, Yammer, and Skype. They move further into the social networking and communications world with the launch of their new iMessage app Who’s In. Who’s In is a social event planning app. Are you planning a dinner out? Chose a local option, time and poll your friends to see “who is in.” Will this app make it easier to plan your next social outing? Or is it easier to text or use Facebook’s chat? The Who’s In app only works through iMessage. If yo

Google aims to bring virtual reality to the mainstream. Speak To Go with Google is a new browser based 360-degree VR image platform. Visitors use voice search to find an attraction then view it with a VR headset. Since Speak To Go is browser-based, the user doesn’t need to download any special apps. Although Speak To Go with Google is intended for use with VR headsets, you can enjoy it on your desktop computer. You simply launch the website, follow simple directions and Google randomly presents

Get ready Hulu and Netflix! You may soon compete with top social media channels. Twitter, Facebook, and even Snapchat may produce unique, original video content to stream through their channel. If you follow technology news, most likely you heard of the cord-cutting trend. In a 2016 report from market research company GFK, 25 percent of homes do not watch cable television. This ratio decreases among younger adults aged 18-34, 40 percent do not subscribe to cable. Many subscribe to streaming ser

Your online presence is fundamental to your professional brand in your region and the world. Blogging and article writing are tools you can use to position yourself as an expert, influencer or thought leader. It is easier than ever to publish your content. Options include creating your own blog, contributing long-form articles on LinkedIn, or to established blogs and online publications. Before you dive in, it is crucial that you decide why you are blogging. “Why blog?”, You may ask. The

One thing I have learned is a content writer cannot be all things to all people. We also cannot be all things to all search engines, social media networks or ranking algorithms. There is so much noise in the field of content marketing. Sometimes we just need to get down to basics and focus on the things that matter. Usually, we want to share an inspiring idea or useful information. The best content speaks to a particular person and makes that person’s life easier or better.

Your personal brand positions you as a thought leader, expert or valued professional in your field. Every professional has a brand identity whether it is intentionally cultivated or accidental. You have the power to create your brand to reflect your talents and your strengths. Once you strategize and plan your brand, there are countless ways to build it. This is a brief overview of ten ways you can develop and reinforce your brand. In addition to LinkedIn, other social media channels are perfe

Social media is not just for fun anymore. Your social media activity makes or breaks your personal brand. Personal brand building through social media is a key to success for many professionals. Facebook and Twitter are the most popular channels for personal branding on social media. Since LinkedIn is the largest professional social network, it is also essential. This article will focus on how to build your professional and personal brand through social media. You may choose to use Facebook str

Social media is a powerful tool to build your professional brand. It is also an excellent way to keep in touch with friends and family. People use social networking activities in every aspect of their lives. They use it to build friendships, find romantic partners, and even find professional opportunities. What happens when the line between the personal and professional blur? How can you enjoy using social media without damaging your professional brand? How you can use your social media account