January 13, 2020
Learn how to set up a customer loyalty program so that both your business and customers can experience the benefits.
August 17, 2018
This post was written February 23, 2016 and updated August 27, 2018
July 28, 2018
Whether you’re just starting out or trying to rebuild, your brand image is one of the more important elements to your business and should be handled […]
July 19, 2018
Good branding isn’t accidental. It’s largely driven by intention, although some of the elements that make up a solid brand may be discovered by chance. Whether […]
July 16, 2018
As a small business owner, you want to stand out from the pack. Having a well-known brand or business name is important in finding and retaining loyal customers. […]
May 27, 2018
Instagram is a great marketing tool, but not knowing how to use it properly can lead to a lot of effort with little result. Here’s a […]
February 23, 2018
In the world of marketing, branding is everything, and in the world of branding, it all comes down to tone. You most likely already know this, […]
January 30, 2018
Successfully siphoning the power of personality for your brand requires thought, planning, and consistent effort. It means appealing to your target audience’s needs and values, showcasing […]
August 28, 2017
To succeed as an entrepreneur in today’s economy, you must have a brand that resonates with your target audience. The key to resonating with your target […]
August 22, 2017
Your brand is a collection of all the thoughts and emotions that come to mind when a person thinks about your business. From your logo to […]
August 16, 2017
Your business logo is something that many people see on a day-to-day basis, but that has more of an impact on them than they make think. […]
August 13, 2017
Buyer personas are an essential part of marketing your business. They allow you to enhance your relationship with your target audience, further hone your brand identity, […]
August 11, 2017
No matter the quality of your products and services, no matter how much you spend on advertising, and no matter how much you post to social […]
August 3, 2017
As a small business owner, you are always looking for the next unique idea or trend to send you over the edge and stand out from […]
July 28, 2017
Branding is more than a recognizable logo or an ‘about us’ page on a website. Instead, it is a well-thought out business plan that considers the overall […]
July 25, 2017
While maintaining a positive business reputation has always been a very professional task, the trends and technology of the twenty-first century have added a personal element to […]
June 26, 2017
June 26 for Propel Marketing represents a very important day in our story. As of this day, Propel Marketing is now ThriveHive! Our change in name, look, […]
June 7, 2017
Branding is very important to companies big and small. It defines who they are and depicts a literal image and message to not just their customers, […]
May 29, 2017
June is upon us and we’ve got a new batch of 10 ways to promote your business through creative marketing and blog ideas. Round out the […]
May 22, 2017
Customer loyalty is worth its weight in gold to your business. With the convenience of the Internet, consumers have more access to your competition now than […]
May 10, 2017
Promotional merchandise, also known as swag, is everywhere: on pens, magnets, key chains, mugs, frisbees, backpacks, T-shirts, and the list goes on. Even though promotional items […]
May 9, 2017
Branding is a staple in marketing for all businesses, no matter how established or new, big or small. Your brand is not just what makes your […]
April 18, 2017
Brand awareness plays a major role in the growth of your business, so it is a crucial element to pay attention to. However, it’s not as […]
April 13, 2017
Social media marketing has a general set of tips and tricks that apply to most platforms: Make sure your content is high quality and in front […]
December 22, 2016
Growing your business requires you to be constantly learning about it and making necessary adjustments. However, you can only grow and improve so much when you […]
September 16, 2016
With the rise of blogger and social media “celebrities,” influencer marketing campaigns have become increasingly common across all types of business industries. We know that customers today […]
September 7, 2016
A niche market strategy serves to help you to find a profitable niche for your business, to properly serve and market to that niche, as well as to maintain other aspects and values of your business. This article provides some guidelines to consider when forming your niche market strategy.
August 30, 2016
Business owners know the power of online reviews. In this post we’ll cover the basics of online reviews, the benefits of online reviews, and negative reviews.
August 22, 2016
Bloggers and social media influencers are trusted and respected voices who can help get your product, service, or brand in front an untapped (and potentially large) […]
August 5, 2016
For many businesses, particularly ones whose sales tend to peak in the summer, back to school season means lower sales and lower traffic online and in-store. […]
August 4, 2016
August is upon us, which means we’re only a few days away from one of the biggest events of the year—the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. The […]
July 26, 2016
While guerrilla marketing for small business has many benefits, it also has its risks. The elements that make up a successful guerrilla marketing tactic can just as easily create negative experiences for your customers. Follow these tips to ensure your guerrilla marketing strategy is a success with both satisfying and growing your target audience.
July 22, 2016
If you’re already running a Yelp page for your business, you’re taking advantage of an outlet that can drastically increase your visibility and reputation. If you […]
July 22, 2016
With a niche strategy, you leverage your expertise in one area to stand out from your competition. You may provide other products or services, and you may serve a broader audience, but specializing in one area helps you to distinguish your business and stand out in your market.
July 19, 2016
Guerrilla marketing for small business involves finding unique ways to achieve common objectives. Nontraditional, memorable, and unexpected will look different from business to business. The key to coming up with effective guerrilla marketing tactics is to know both your business needs and your audience, and to take your thinking out of the box.
July 7, 2016
Competition can be an effective tool for growing and improving your business. Here are 10 reasons why it is important for companies to have competitors.
June 21, 2016
Snapchat is quickly becoming a popular social media platform for small businesses. The real-time platform provides a means for small businesses to put the customer in […]
May 23, 2016
On average, small and medium sized businesses spend about $400 / month on marketing. During this time, you’re constantly staying up-to-date on the latest market trends and adjusting your SEO, pay-per-click, and retargeting to match. But how much time and thought have you actually put into your logo design, and what it means to your customers? As you work through the process, keep the following design elements in mind....
April 11, 2016
Hashtags are a common marketing tool that small business owners are starting to take notice of. You’ve probably noticed hashtags not only on social media but […]
February 22, 2016
Facebook is a must-use platform when it comes to creating events. It’s a free and effective way to get the word out on any event your business […]
January 28, 2016
Your customers don’t ask for much. All they want - and expect - is for you to personalize and tailor your messaging specifically to them, no matter what channel or device they are on. Despite this somewhat lofty request, “people-based marketing” is quickly becoming a hot topic for 2016, as brands try and utilize customer data to create seamless experiences and stay ahead of their competitors....
December 18, 2015
As business owners know, no business is static. Constantly changing, growing, and digging their own “niche,” businesses seem to take on a spirit of their own. […]
October 23, 2015
In today’s day age of email marketing is of more importance than ever. We’ve swapped phones for Facebook and pen and paper for a keyboard. That’s […]
October 22, 2015
In this digital age, the realm of marketing is no longer reserved to professionals in the field. Today, anyone can market their business—regardless of funds or […]
October 20, 2015
The current marketplace is oversaturated with products similar to yours. So unless what you have is a groundbreaking product, it is very difficult to stand out […]
October 15, 2015
Visual marketing is a key component of marketing your small business. Photos attract and engage customers through email newsletters, blog, and social media posts. Many small […]
August 20, 2015
With the rise of social media, Customer Engagement is quickly becoming synonymous with Customer Service. Now, in order to ensure your business is effectively serving your clients, you have to talk to, relate to, and engage with your customers on a conversational level. Social media has become the primary method when it comes to customer engagement, and rightly so. By becoming part of the conversation, you are better-equipped to serve your customers, able to see what they are saying about you, and most importantly, build mutual respect that extends beyond just the product....
July 22, 2015
Think the color of your logo doesn’t matter? It does. Don’t believe it? Just ask Spotify. The company's logo changed overnight from its original green color to a more vibrant bluish variation, causing quite the stir among Spotify users. What’s the big deal, you ask? A logo plays a major role in creating - and maintaining - brand identity. Make yours memorable! ...
June 23, 2015
Sometimes it seems like companies change logos and names as often as their CEO’s change shirts— and sometimes the change is disorienting for the customer or […]
May 12, 2015
Your logo is a great way to brand your business and make it easily recognizable in your community and beyond. Starting with a basic logo is great! However, when you are ready to grow your business, having consistent branding throughout your marketing materials is key. But how do you even begin to design or decide on what makes a great logo?...
March 12, 2015
If you’re starting a business or are looking to improve your company’s brand identity, you might want to start by making a logo. Logos are a critical aspect of your brand helping customers identify you. So we came up with this step-by-step guide that any business owner, regardless of your artistic skills, can use to make a text logo in 9 short steps! ....
February 17, 2015
These days, different marketing platforms are more interconnected than ever, which means it’s time to think about your company’s online presence holistically. Take a page out of LEGO's Branding Bible and you're well on your way to developing a consistent, integrative approach to branding. Much like your physical storefront, there are 3 primary elements that will shape the way consumers perceive your brand:...
January 28, 2015
GoDaddy is in the dog house over a SuperBowl commercial. The epic marketing flop caused outrage among animal lovers after GoDaddy released their planned SuperBowl XLIX “Journey Home” television commercial on […]
July 17, 2014
What's the purpose of a logo? What goes into its design? How do you take your brand to the next level once you've got a quality logo to promote? Your logo should speak volumes for who you are and what you do...
July 8, 2014
Why is brand loyalty important? People are far more likely to choose a brand off the shelf that they are familiar with. Globally, more than 60% of consumers would prefer to try a new product from a familiar brand than switch to a new brand. How do you become that known-and-loved brand?...
June 24, 2014
As the need for small businesses to have an online presence increases, it’s essential that small business owners learn the best practice for building a website […]
June 16, 2014
Starting a business can be overwhelming- you have to set up everything from your business’s finances to optimizing the day-to-day operations to help your business thrive. […]
June 6, 2014
There is no shortage of companies asking small businesses to shell out hundreds if not thousands of dollars to promote themselves. But if you’re like most […]
May 23, 2014
Sometimes, bigger isn’t always better. Tiny digital marketing tools affectionately known as “microsites” bring branding power to individual products or markets to focus attention and build interest. In addition to offering an uncluttered path to the information clients are searching for, microsites also bring a number of other important benefits to a business...
May 7, 2014
Why does your business need a logo? What makes it effective? A logo is your brand's calling card, in person, on the street, and online. It identifies you to customers, inspires confidence and trust, and represents your business’ personality and vision....
March 6, 2014
Many brick-and-mortar businesses encounter the same struggle when creating an online website for their offline brand: How do you translate the quirk and charm that’s made your business successful in person into the online space? The answer is simple: identify your brand...
October 15, 2013
Many small business owners have been struggling to stay afloat in the quickly changing digital marketing world. Many small business owners make the mistake of creating an online space that is not consistent with their physical store. And if your customers can’t recognize your brand from your website, you haven’t transitioned to the web successfully....
July 13, 2012
Tone of voice. It’s not just something your mom scolds you for using improperly. Your business has a tone of voice, and, just like when talking to your mother, you need to be aware of how you’re using it and whether it’s conveying your message appropriately.
June 22, 2012
Recently, Ad Age caught our eye with a post about a cool new tool which combines brand research with customer engagement and practical functionality in the form of a Captcha.
May 15, 2012
With so many different avenues to display your small business, it can be easy for your messaging to become inconsistent across things like print, online and TV advertisements. In order to help potential customers recognize your business, it is important to maintain your branding. Consistency is an important aspect in marketing your company because it helps others remember who you are and recognize you later. If potential clients and customers can distinguish your name and logo...