January 13, 2020
Customer Retention and Loyalty Programs- What You Need to Know

How to Run a Customer Loyalty Program

Learn how to set up a customer loyalty program so that both your business and customers can experience the benefits.
January 21, 2019
How to Manage Your Online Reputation

How to Develop and Manage Your Online Reputation

August 17, 2018
How To Find Hashtags For Your Business

How To Find Hashtags For Your Business

  This post was written February 23, 2016 and updated August 27, 2018
August 6, 2018
How to Write Your Company's Mission Statement

How to Write Your Company’s Mission Statement

July 28, 2018
how to improve your brand image

How to Improve Your Brand Image

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 23, 2018
Ways to Increase Awareness of Your Brand

20 Effective Ways to Increase Awareness of Your Brand

July 22, 2018

10 Reasons to Brand Your Small Business

July 19, 2018
How to Brand Your Small Business

How to Brand Your Small Business

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
How to Increase Brand Awareness and Name Recognition in a Local Market f

How to Increase Brand Awareness in Your Local Market

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
7 Essential Instagram Marketing Tips (1)

7 Essential Instagram Marketing Tips

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
What Should the Tone of My Brand Be?

What Should the Tone of My Brand Be?

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
Tips for Developing Your Brand's Personality

How to Develop Your Brand’s Personality

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
How to Develop Your Brand Message

How to Develop Your Brand Message

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
How to Come up with an Effective Brand Strategy

How to Come up with an Effective Brand Strategy

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
What Makes a Good Business Logo

What Makes a Good Business Logo?

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
How to Create a Buyer Persona

How to Create a Buyer Persona

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
What is Brand Awareness

How to Build Brand Awareness: Definitions, Steps, and Examples

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

5 Small Businesses That Went Viral

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
5 Ways to Build Your Business Brand

5 Ways to Build Your Business Brand

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

Millennial-Style Marketing: A More Personal Approach

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

Propel Marketing is Now ThriveHive

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
6 Tips for a Successful Rebrand

6 Tips for a Successful Rebrand

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 Marketing and Blog Ideas

10 Marketing & Blog Ideas for June

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
6 Ways to Build Brand Loyalty

6 Ways to Build Brand Loyalty

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 Company Swag Advantages Tips

Promotional Merchandise: Why and How to Use Company Swag

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
How to Personalize Your Brand

Why and How to Personalize Your Brand

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

How to Measure Brand Awareness

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
Pinterest Marketing Tips for Business

Pinterest Marketing Tips for Business

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

5 Things You Should Know About Your Competitors

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
3 Types of Influencer Marketing Campaigns to Promote Your Small Business

3 Types of Influencer Marketing Campaigns to Promote Your Small Business

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

Forming a Niche Market Strategy

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

The Power of Online Customer Reviews

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

How To Reach Out to Bloggers & Social Media Influencers

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

23 Back to School Marketing Ideas

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

Olympic Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

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

7 Tips for Successful Guerrilla Marketing Tactics

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
How to Stand Out on Yelp

How to Use Yelp for Your Small Business

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

7 Benefits of Niche Marketing

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

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

Why Is It Important for Companies to Have Competitors?

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
How to Create a Snapchat Geofilter for Your Business-3

How to Create a Snapchat Geofilter for Your Business

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 […]
June 14, 2016

Running a Successful Booth at a Craft or Trade Show

Whether you’re at an expo with hundreds of vendors or a small local craft fair, the strategy behind running a successful booth is the same. When […]
June 9, 2016

Using Snapchat to Build Your Audience

Snapchat is no longer just used for quick selfies among friends—it’s evolved into a real-time marketing tool for small businesses. Many businesses are now using Snapchat to […]
June 1, 2016

How to Build an Audience

In order for your small business to succeed and flourish, you have to be able to build your audience. Building an audience allows you to save […]
May 23, 2016

The Meaning Behind the Masterpiece – What Makes an Effective Logo?

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

How to Create a Business Hashtag

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

How to Promote a Facebook Event

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

The Power of Personalized Marketing

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 21, 2015

DIY Holiday Photo Booth

Photo booths are a great way to get more customers to engage with your business during events, parties, and special occasions. They’re also perfect for holiday marketing. In just a […]
December 18, 2015

Creating a Brand Identity

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. […]
December 15, 2015

Business Branding Ideas to Help You Stand Out

In a crowded marketing it’s difficult to stand out. Between websites, social media, and paid advertisements, what are the things that are going to work for […]
October 23, 2015
Email Subject Lines Best Practices

Email Subject Lines Best Practices

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
examples of guerilla marketing tactics

Guerrilla Marketing Tactics for Small Businesses

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
What is Brand Loyalty and Evangelism Marketing

What is Brand Loyalty and Evangelism Marketing?

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
smartphone photography tips

Smartphone Photography Tips

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

Building Your Business Through Customer Engagement

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?

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! ...
July 13, 2015

How to Connect with Bloggers and Influencers in Your Niche

Growing your online presence is essential if you want to build your brand. It not only provides increased access to potential clients, but it gives them an opportunity […]
July 10, 2015

Marketing Tool of the Week: How to Use PicMonkey

Producing captivating visual content is a large challenge for small businesses when it comes to marketing. We understand that Photoshop is pricey and difficult to use, […]
July 7, 2015

5 Tips for Using Instagram for a Small Business

Instagram is a photo-oriented social media platform that can be an effective means of promoting your business and brand without money. In a sea of so many […]
June 23, 2015
rebranding process rebranding a company

Rebranding Process: Considerations for Rebranding a Company

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 […]
June 22, 2015

Marketing Tool of the Week: Mention for Social Media Monitoring

If you’re like most people, you want to know when people are talking about your company or things that are relevant to you. But with all […]
May 12, 2015

Logos: Branding and What Makes Them Great

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

Step-by-Step Guide: Create a Text Logo in 9 Short Steps

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

LEGO My Brand: 3 Elements of Branding

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 puppy

Lessons from GoDaddy's SuperBowl Controversy

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 […]
January 12, 2015

How to Create Cool Graphics for Your Business

Being a small business doesn’t mean that you can’t have great visual marketing graphics. But unless you’re a graphic designer, you might be intimidated by the thought […]
July 30, 2014

Blogging Etiquette for Small Businesses

Social media encourages society to embrace the constant publicizing of one’s opinions, beliefs, and experiences. These networks have evolved into personal cyber megaphones for everyone to […]
July 17, 2014

Who Are You: Make an Impression With Your Logo

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

Brand Loyalty and Logos: A Match Made in Marketing

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

How to Choose a Domain Name for Your Business

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

Logo Design Tips: Give Your Logo Some Mojo

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

Free Marketing Tool of the Week: Canva

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

The Might of the Microsite – 10 Tips to Build a Better Brand

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

What’s in a Logo?

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

Identifying your Brand

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

Matching Your Place to Your Online Space: The First Handshake

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

What you need to know about your brand’s voice

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

Brand research in the form of a Captcha

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
tips for maintaining brand consistency

Tips for Maintaining Brand Consistency

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...