How It Differs From Email Promotions & What Brands Can Learn from Independent Producers
If you’re like me, you only open a small fraction of the (dozens? hundreds?) email newsletters you’ve subscribed to. So I set out to find what those really good newsletters, the ones you open on the regular, have in common.
27 Steps, Tips, & Examples to Get Your Brand in the Spirit
You know how I know I’m in the right field? While most people are excited about holiday decorations, foods, music, parties, and deals this time of year, I’m excited about — holiday marketing.
What Is a CMS and Why Should You Care?
When I first started exploring website-building options, I quickly encountered a flurry of acronyms: SEO, FTP, SERP, CDN, and CMS.
Scheduling Instagram Reels: The Complete Guide
It’s frustrating when I intend to post an Instagram reel on a certain day and time and simply forget. Life happens, and posting to social media isn’t always the priority. However, it’s devastating if the reel is particularly culturally relevant…
What Is a Risk Assessment? My Complete Guide [+ Free Template]
No matter what you do for a living, you deal with all kinds of risks daily — whether it’s operational hiccups, financial uncertainty, or potential reputation hits.
How to Humanize AI Content So It Will Rank, Engage, and Get Shared in 2025
I still remember my first taste of artificial intelligence (AI).
How Brands Can Act Responsibly During a Crisis
It’s been 53 days since Hurricane Helene devastated my hometown of Asheville, but I’m going to level with you: I showered in a FEMA trailer this morning, so it’s still really hard to care about send rates and conversion optimization.
Conducting B2B Market Research the Right Way — Here‘s Everything I’ve Learned
Few things bring me joy like diving into a Wikipedia rabbit hole for a few hours. I relish the chance to research topics and ideas and discover the unexpected ways they connect. And while I may relax that way in…
Setting Your Influencer Budget — Here’s Everything I Learned About Working With Influencers
As a content marketer, I‘ve always been ready to team up to boost a brand’s vibe and reach. When one of my freelance clients needed some brand growth on a budget, I was pumped to jump into the influencer marketing…
How To Make Engaging Videos: 6 Psychology-Backed Hacks
What do you think makes for an engaging video? I used to think that any video under 10 minutes couldn’t offer real value or be truly engaging. Short videos? Those were for people with short attention spans. Then, I stumbled…
What’s Below the Line Marketing Anyway? I Dove Deep Into BTL Marketing to Find Out
I cringe whenever I look at how many unopened emails live in my work inbox. I’m lucky if I open maybe ten percent of them — including anything promotional. But, of those ten percent, what convinced me to open and…
Holistic Marketing Works — Here’s How You Can Apply It to Your Campaigns [+ Expert Tips]
When I graduated with a marketing degree over a decade ago, I hit the scene thinking that marketing would always be its own thing. Something like “holistic marketing” seemed unnecessary to me. Marketers had their swim lane; I’d stick to…
The 11 Best Form Builder Tools for 2025
You’ve heard it before — forms are the gold standard for capturing leads, tracking industry trends, or gathering customer feedback. But to create that conversion or feedback, you need a form builder tool. I’ve reviewed the 11 best online form…
Here’s How I Write a Resignation Letter That Makes a Good (Last) Impression
I’m all too familiar with that uncomfortable feeling in your stomach when you have to hit send on a resignation letter to your manager. (I’ve written four over the course of my career.) I always try to tell myself that…
What I Learned [+ Tools to Try]
I‘ll be honest: I don’t know anything about an “AI target audience” or finding an audience via AI. However, I want to learn because I recently started working with a local pole fitness studio in my neighborhood. I want to…
3 Missteps with AI Image Generation and How You Should Be Using Them
For marketers, AI-generated imagery tools open up new possibilities for content personalization and campaign engagement…but only when applied in strategic, targeted ways.
8 Inclusive Ecommerce Website Examples That Drive Growth
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 that good stuff.Hank:And I mean, this is the beauty of your podcast, Sonia, like the fact that just week after…
I Tested the 5 Best Free Social Media Monitoring Tools — Here’s How They Stack Up
In business, reputation is everything. It can decide whether someone gives you their attention or, even more significantly, their sale. However, with more than 5 billion people worldwide using social media to produce a constant flow of information, interaction, and…
8 Noteworthy Examples of Corporate Social Media Policies
Like it or not, social media is ingrained in our everyday lives. People use it to share their happy moments and grievances, ask questions, and even find jobs while employers market themselves and connect with their buyers.
Top 6 Video Marketing Metrics Your Boss Actually Cares About
Conventional wisdom might tell you that video views are a vanity metric, but I think they’re actually a good indicator of how well your video, especially its hook, performed. I also think that view count, as a metric, has its…
Why You Need One and How to Build It
As a startup founder or marketing leader, you’ve likely heard the mantra “distribution is everything.” But what does that really mean, and how do you put it into practice?
My Comprehensive Guide to Micro-Influencer Marketing
I recently purchased an adorable cable-knit sweater on TikTok Shop merely because I saw an influencer post about it. The pull influencers of all followings have on social media users today is strong. After all, 63% of consumers will likely…
Level Up Your Content Marketing Funnel — Here’s How I Make the Right Content for Each Stage
I have a confession: I’m a chronic review reader. I start every purchase with a Google search. I rely on content — both from reviewers and from companies themselves — to make my final decision. So, here’s what I know…
21 Creative Lead Generation Ideas to Try (& Why Marketers Recommend Them)
Coming up with effective lead generation ideas is tough — and I’m the world’s worst at putting off this aspect of my marketing strategy. Sending cold emails and scraping together lists for lead generation can be difficult because — let‘s…
How I Shifted My Focus from Visual to Emotional Branding
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
Web Strategists Predict How AI Overviews & Other Search Changes Will Impact Traffic [New Data]
More than 300 marketing pros told us whether their worst fears or wildest dreams have come to fruition since the launch of Google’s AI Overviews (formerly SGE) in May 2024.
Strategies for Creating AI-Proof Content
If you rely on SEO and information-based content to grow your audience, it’s time to rethink your approach with personality content.
22 Email Best Practices That I Live By as an Email Marketer
Despite my tendency to let my email inbox bloat with unanswered emails (I just got a warning from Gmail that my inbox is 90% full), I’m actually pretty well-versed in email marketing.
Running a Website Audit? I Talked to SEO Pros to Help You Make the Most of It
As a content marketer, a website audit is vital to my work. An analogy I like to use is that optimizing an existing website for search engines without conducting a thorough audit is akin to steering a boat without a…
40 Best Buyer Persona Questions I’d Ask During Customer Interviews
Good marketing is always about the customers, period. That’s the most important lesson I’ve learned from all my wins and losses as a marketer. To launch successful marketing campaigns, you must know every detail about your audience — their goals,…
Are AI Agents Worth It? HubSpot’s CMO and VP Weigh In
On a recent Marketing Against the Grain podcast episode, HubSpot founder and CTO Dharmesh Shah sat down with hosts Kipp Bodnar and Kieran Flanagan to discuss the rise of AI agents.
The Ultimate Guide to Successfully Rebranding in 2024
While I’m not a business owner and haven’t branded my own business, I’ve been an employee at companies that have undergone large-scale rebrands. Most recently, Nickelodeon, where I work full-time in marketing, pulled off a rebranding strategy in 2023 for…
How to Start Using Video in Your Marketing
HubSpot recently conducted a video marketing survey and found that 73% of respondents agreed that video marketing has been effective in reaching their marketing goals.
How to Use Storytelling Techniques for Your Marketing
You can have the best product, the most data, and the biggest advertising budget, but if you can’t tell a compelling story, none of it matters.
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I Discovered 9 Experts Tips for Creating a How-To Guide [+ Examples]
The irony doesn‘t escape me that I’m currently writing a how-to guide on … how-to guides.
Goals vs Objectives: The Simple Breakdown
Everyone on your team should understand the difference between a goal and an objective. I know it sounds simple, but terminology confusion is one of the biggest causes of misalignment in business strategy. Whether you use the OKR model, the…
60 Best Online Local Business Directories & Listing Sites
Promoting a local business can be challenging these days. Whether it’s because of oversaturation or complicated search engine algorithms, it’s all too easy to feel like no one will find your business in the local search results. It’s even more…
What They Are and How to Use Them
Before Anna and I started contentki, we went to a cafe, pulled out a notepad, and began brainstorming all the services we could offer given our skills and experience. We came up with content writing, SEO optimization, and content strategy….
One Question That Will Reinvigorate Your Approach to Marketing
The 2023 We❤️NYC campaign was intended to encourage New Yorkers, still pessimistic in a post-pandemic world, to show love for their city.
How Often to Post on Social Media for Business? A HubSpot Experiment
With how quickly the internet changes, people can argue all day about how often to post on social media. Which networks should you use? How frequently should you post? And does the time you post really matter?
How Marketers Save Time and Make Data-Backed Decisions with AI Reporting [+ Expert Insights]
Marketers are often asked to do more with less. I’ve been there too.
How An Obsession With Quality Led Emily Kramer to 48k Newsletter Subscribers and Counting
“An obsession with quality” is what I wish 12-year-old me had… but alas, I ended up with boatloads of Forever 21 T-shirts.
Jade Walters is Creating Opportunities for Students of Color on LinkedIn, Here’s How [+ Pro Tips for Gen Z]
Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn how they’ve grown or scaled their businesses, explored entrepreneurial ventures within their companies, or created…
6 of the Best Video Formats for 2025
As a video marketer, you know there’s no cookie-cutter approach to crafting engaging videos, but you should always ensure you‘re using the best video format for your content, regardless of the kind of video you’re creating.
The Pros, Cons and What it Means for Designers [+ Expert Insight]
Several months ago, I tested several AI logo generators and documented my experience. Then my friend Michael Randall, a graphic designer, read the post, and I‘ll just say he wasn’t thrilled about it.
How AI Is Transforming CRO Strategies
The future of conversion rate optimization is here — and it’s driven by AI. From personalized video to scalable email outreach, learn how to maximize conversions with AI CRO.
What Are the Best Alternatives to Google? How Brands Can Succeed Off Google Search
When I think back to my school days when we were asked to complete research papers using good old-fashioned books from the library, and I genuinely don’t think I could do that today.
How to Nail First-Party Data Strategy According to a Google Director of Product Management [+ New Data]
Between shifts in technology, the economy, and consumer behavior, 2024 has brought marketers a new level of uncertainty. I’m right there with you, and I’ve bought stock in Pepto Bismal.
13 Tips for Creating Videos for Instagram Like the Brands You Love [+ Examples]
Creating videos for Instagram has to be one of my favorite marketing tasks.
The 9 Best Marketing Frameworks You Need to Know
Tackling marketing without a solid plan is like putting together a puzzle without all the pieces — I know this firsthand.
Key Principles & How to Leverage It [+ Examples]
Price, shipping, and reviews are all factors I consider when making a purchase. But there’s another factor that can tip the scales for me, and that’s sustainability.
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How the HubSpot Blog Built a Freelance Writing Program That Actually Makes Great Content
When I started working with freelancers, I’d experience a sinking feeling when a first draft hit my inbox. Would this piece be any good? Or, would I be rewriting an entire article myself to get something usable?
How I Built a 7-Figure Business While Staying True to Myself
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
25 Top-Notch Product Landing Page Templates
Over the course of my career as a marketing executive, I’ve found that landing page templates can be a vital resource. After all, a landing page is a great way to turn traffic into conversions — but not all pages…
My Advice for People of Color Looking to Break Into Tech
Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn how they’ve grown or scaled their businesses, explored entrepreneurial ventures within their companies, or created…
Understanding B2B2C Marketing: A Comprehensive Overview
As a content writer in the digital marketing space, I spend a lot of time breaking down industry terms, concepts, and strategies, some of which can be more confusing or difficult to grasp than others.
Everything You Need to Know
If you need a refresher — or a first-time lesson — on the new product development process, you’ve come to the right place.
How to Create a Complete Marketing Strategy in 2025 [Data + Expert Tips]
We marketers know that creating a marketing strategy is essential to effectively nurture our customers, improve our business’s bottom line, and increase the ROI of our efforts.
How to Use Facebook Live: The Ultimate Guide
It’s no secret that live streaming took off during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. It proved a valuable tool for forging and maintaining human connections as I saw personally hosting webinars and virtual meetups at my last company — and it…
The 16 Best Blogging Platforms for 2024 (& How to Pick One)
I wrote my first blog about 10 years ago. I started on the Blogger platform and tried (and failed) at blogging for years. Now, I manage my own successful blog on the WordPress platform, and I love blogging. As an…
The Ultimate Guide to Event Marketing for Business in 2025
At the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, my previous employer was just weeks away from its annual conference, and our event marketing efforts were in full swing.
How to Use Facebook: A Beginner’s Guide
Since I first signed up for an account in 2008, Facebook has changed quite a bit. Back then, a large majority of people were still asking, “What is Facebook?” and my bio literally said, “Check out my MySpace; it’s way…
How to Turn Virtual Teams into Tight-Knit Communities: Radha Agrawal’s Proven Tips
Our master this week once led 40,000 people in one massive virtual dance party for Oprah. (Oprah!)
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How to Advertise on LinkedIn (+ Research, Expert Tips)
I love LinkedIn. It’s one of the best tools for my B2B business. Truly, I think everyone working in the B2B world should be on there.
X (formerly Twitter) Marketing in 2024: The Ultimate Guide
Twitter, now rebranded as X, stands out from all other social media platforms. At least, that’s what my experience of helping dozens of brands with their social media strategy tells me.
How to Streamline This Process With AI
The future of brand tracking is here — and it’s powered by AI.
41 Brand Style Guide Examples I Love (for Visual Inspiration)
Developing a consistent brand starts with creating a brand style guide. These branding rule books help graphic designers, marketers, web developers, community managers, and even product packaging departments present a unified vision of the brand to the public.
How Go-to-Market Teams Can Grow With AI, According to HubSpot’s Head of Product
Easy, fast, and unified. We’ve talked to a lot of customers about what they need from their tools to grow, and it always comes back to these three words. So why does go-to-market feel so hard, slow, and disconnected? Two…
You’re Not The Hero — Your Customer Is
April Sunshine Hawkins is a StoryBrand workshop facilitator, keynote speaker, and co-host of the Marketing Made Simple podcast (which has 2M downloads).
How to Choose a Marketing Team Structure That Doesn’t Just Look Good on Paper
Most things in life are only as good as their foundation. Houses, ice cream sundaes, sand castles … marketing teams.
10 Challenges Marketers Face When Implementing AI in 2024 [New Data + Tips]
As someone who has experimented with different AI marketing tools, I can confidently say that embracing AI can benefit marketing teams looking to become more efficient in reaching their goals.
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The Best 30-60-90 Day Plan for Your New Job [Template + Examples]
I remember my first day at HubSpot. I was so nervous and had a million concerns swimming around in my head. How long will it take for me to get the hang of things? Can I manage my workload and…
Zapier’s Head of Paid Ads on Storytelling, AI-Targeted Ads, and Why He’s All-In on Influencer Marketing
Happy fall, MiM-ers! Grab your pumpkin-spiced latte, settle in with Noah Kahan’s Stick Season, and get ready to hear from a paid marketer who’s all-in on influencers, storytelling, and AI-targeted ads.
The First 5 Things I’d Do if I Were Starting My Business Over Today
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
A Beginner’s Guide to Data Flow Diagrams
Processes are mission-critical for businesses, especially when it’s time to document and scale a proven process.
24+ Every Business Should Be Tracking
Over the last decade, I’ve helped set and track marketing goals for B2B businesses of all kinds — And I’ve come to think of them more as destinations.
How to Use Data to Calculate a Basic Lead Score
When most people start implementing inbound marketing, they’re primarily worried about getting enough new leads in the funnel.
How Cutting Distribution Boosted Our YouTube Views by 420% [Expert Interview]
When I first heard how HubSpot’s YouTube team bumped one channel’s views up by over 400%, I begged for permission to share the story. (I’m not above debasing myself on your behalf.)
10 Stunning Examples to Inspire You
Before becoming a marketer, I was a journalist who loved the opportunity to tell stories about my community and share perspectives that would otherwise go unnoticed.
16 B2B Social Media Marketing Strategies for Any and Every Industry [Social Media Trends Report Data]
B2B social media marketing often gets a bad rap.
How to Embrace Flaws Using the Pratfall Effect
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
How to Use AI Personalization Tactics to Scale Marketing Growth
AI is better at guessing at scale than humans — but how do you integrate it into your growth marketing plan while maintaining a personal touch?
How to Create a Multilingual Content Strategy That Attracts and Converts More Customers
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
The Two Best Methods for Market Sizing Your Business, Plus Expert Tips
When considering a new venture, you must understand: “What is market size?” More specifically, you need to know your venture’s potential market size. But “Why?” I hear you ask.
How to Build a Detailed Business Plan That Stands Out [Free Template]
When you already have a well-established business and need a business plan, it’s usually not difficult because you know everything inside out.
How to Create the Perfect Project Timeline [Template + Examples]
Creating a project timeline where everyone involved knows what they‘re working on (and when it’s due) can help ward off project creep and nail those important deadlines.
The Ultimate Guide to RFPs — All The Tips I Learned From Experts
This is the guide for you if you’re creating a request for a proposal (RFP) for the first time or if you want to improve your RFP process.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Instagram Followers (& What Experts Say to Do Instead)
You might know your Instagram content is good, but imagine how much better it will seem if it looks like 10,000 people agree.
Digital Marketer Jenna Kutcher Thinks You’re Overcomplicating It
On my fridge, I’ve got a magnet my parents gave me that says, “Hold on… Let me overthink this.” So today’s marketing master’s third lesson really hits home for me.
The Fastest Growing Social Media Platforms of 2024 [New Data]
Are people still using Facebook? Is BeReal still next big thing? And is TikTok still just for Gen Z?
The Best Social Media Platforms for Video Content in 2024 [Consumer Data]
Whenever I think about social video platforms, the first ones that come to mind are YouTube and TikTok, but those are only the tip of the iceberg regarding video sharing. There are several more video platforms out there.
41 Instagram Features, Hacks, & Tips Everyone Should Know About
I’ve been in content marketing for about eight years, and I’ll tell you this golden nugget of truth for free: You can’t cheat your way to success in this game.
What Channels See The Most Social Media ROI? [New Data To Inspire Your Strategy]
To be candid, I have a love-hate relationship with social media.
How to Do Meme Marketing, According to Memelord Jason Levin
When most people see memes pop up, they don’t think much about them.
Challenges Faced By Native & Indigenous Entrepreneurs [Data + Expert Tips]
Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn how they’ve grown or scaled their businesses, explored entrepreneurial ventures within their companies, or created…
Product Management vs. Program Management vs. Project Management: Key Differences
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
60+ Core Company Values That Will Shape Your Culture & Inspire Your Employees
No matter how much I love my job, at the end of the day, it’s still a job. It will and should never replace the things about life that bring me the most joy — my loved ones, exercise, travel,…
9 Simple Ways to Write a Good Introduction Sentence
When I started my journey as a freelance writer, I struggled with writing introductions. I’d often find myself diving into the main body of the article and even wrapping up the conclusion before circling back to the beginning.
3 Point-of-Need Advertising Opportunities — and How to Tap Into Them
Are you hoping to bypass overcrowded channels and engage your audience at the perfect moment? If your answer is yes, you may want to learn about Point-of-Need paid advertising opportunities. Too many advertisers stick to the basics — they pour…
How (& Where) Consumers Discover Products on Social Media [New Data]
Marketing is all about meeting people where they are — and more often than not, they’re on social media. For this reason, it’s crucial to invest in social product discovery.
How Creators and Marketers are Using It in 2024 [Data]
The wild ride of AI is still on, and industries across the globe are riding it for growth. But concerns are also mounting.
Why AI Isn’t Replacing Marketers (Or Search Engines) According to Jasper’s Former Head of Enterprise Marketing
If you asked whether technology could replace marketing a few decades ago, most would look at you like you hit your head on concrete. Now, it’s no more a question but an issue that’s sparking industry-wide debate.
The Oops That Proves SEO Basics Still Matter
When I asked today’s HubSpotter to share an SEO tactic, he asked if he could share a cautionary tale instead.
Data-Backed Content Consumption Habits To Shape Your Strategy
Let’s play a game: Tell me how old you are without telling me how old you are.
4 Executive Tips to Improve Your Marketing Success
Learn how to build professional relationships that don’t just open doors — but blow them wide open.
23 Pro Tips for Running a Successful Business — From Building Your Company Benefits to Leading a Team (+ Expert Insights)
Just about anyone can start a business … but what does it take to run a successful business? Through my personal experience, I’ve found that running a business successfully is about a lot more than filling out a few forms,…
How to Grow Your TikTok Following [Expert Insights + Data]
Growing a following on TikTok can feel daunting. Trust me, I know. I first created a TikTok to promote my YouTube channel, blog, and podcast back in 2022. Though I managed to gain over a thousand followers in just a…
The HubSpot Blog’s 2024 Instagram Marketing Report [Data from 600+ Instagram Marketers]
Sometimes, it feels like Instagram looks different every time I open the app—IGVT is long gone, and Reels and Shopping tools are now front and center.
How HubSpot Media’s Head of Audience Development & Distribution Breaks the Marketing Mold
It’s been an interesting year in the marketing world. Advancements in AI and constant changes in Google’s algorithm have all but turned the industry on its head.
Video Marketing Statistics & Insights from Wistia
In late 2023, I collaborated with an organization to increase its visibility and donations.
How to Launch a Product, According to Experts
Like a tree falling in the woods, if you plan a product launch without spreading the word — will anyone use it? Will anyone even want it?
How to Write a Strong Request for Proposal [Example & Template]
If I was reading a post about request for proposals (RFP), I’d want to get to the point … and fast.
How to Create a Pivot Table in Excel: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
The pivot table is one of Microsoft Excel’s most powerful — and intimidating — functions. Pivot tables can help you summarize and make sense of large data sets.
Gen Z, AI, and the Power of Creator Marketing
As AI reshapes marketing, the next generation of decision-makers is placing more trust in creators than in brands. Here’s how to use creator marketing strategies to keep your business relevant.
The Beginner’s Guide to the Competitive Matrix [+ Templates]
I remember first starting my business. At that time, I knew the basics of marketing and a little about sales.
Top Shopping Trends of 2024 & How They’ve Changed [New Data]
Shopping trends have drastically changed over the past few years. While most of us previously browsed retail stores on a Saturday to find great deals, we now turn to Instagram to find discounts offered by influencers.
16 Small Brands That Made It Big (And What You Can Learn)
You don’t have to be in marketing to know what it means to “go viral,” but the dream of saying, “My brand went viral”? — That’s definitely unique to our profession.
The YouTube Growth Strategy Mr. Beast, Cocomelon, & Like Nastya Use to Dominate the Internet (Creator Remixes 2024)
YouTube growth strategies continue to be a hot topic among marketers. In fact, most marketers plan to increase their YouTube budgets this year and say the platform has the highest growth potential in 2024.
How to Build a Plan Creators & Customers Will Love [+ Templates]
Everyone can have influence, but not everyone can be an influencer. And I say this as someone who has participated in several influencer campaigns but would never claim the label.
The Top 4 Roadblocks to Your Team’s Productivity and How AI Can Solve Them, According to Asana’s Head of Corporate Marketing
You open your computer on a Monday morning, and you have a few Slack messages about a campaign you’re launching on Tuesday.
How to Use It Effectively [Research + Tools]
Email marketing is integral to any marketing strategy because it’s a great way to generate leads and convert audiences.
The Template You Need to Personalize Your Marketing
When prospects first come to your business page, they probably won’t just click and buy your offering immediately.
How to Perfectly Manage a PPC Campaign [Template]
In the world of search engine marketing (SEM), I’m seeing a growing number of marketers turn to PPC campaigns. That’s how Google has significantly grown its advertising revenue every year.
21 Brand Style Guide Examples I Love (for Visual Inspiration)
Developing a consistent brand starts with creating a brand style guide. These branding rule books help graphic designers, marketers, web developers, community managers, and even product packaging departments present a unified vision of the brand to the public. The best…
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How to Use TikTok: A Step-by-Step Guide
I was one of those Zillennials who avoided getting started on TikTok for as long as possible. It’s not that I don’t love social media — trust me, I do. It just took me a long time to accept that…
How to Write a Memo [Template, Examples & HubSpotter Tips]
A memo is the best way to share news when you have a significant update or important win within your company. Unlike an email, your memo will go out to your entire department or everyone at the company, so knowing…
What to Know in 2024
I’ve worked in digital marketing and SEO for over a decade. Five years ago, I committed entirely to SEO. I became really passionate about it and have since shared thousands of posts on LinkedIn about all things SEO.
5 Steps to Create an Outstanding Marketing Plan [Free Templates]
Do you take a good, hard look at your team’s marketing strategy every year?
How to Craft the Perfect LinkedIn Profile in 2024: 21 Easy Steps
Let me just say this — my LinkedIn profile has provided me with some excellent results. LinkedIn has helped me secure a job, get four-figure freelance gigs, connect with marketing pros, and appear on podcasts.
What We Didn’t Do Boosted Our Paid Ad CVR by 11% [Expert Interview]
Our CRO team made a change that lifted the performance of our paid ads by almost 11% — and they didn’t have to make any deals with supernatural beings to do it.
8 Best AI Video Editing Tools to Use in 2024
I’ve been editing videos for almost a decade, both professionally and for my passion projects. So, believe me when I say I know how tedious editing even the shortest videos can be.
How Search AI Will Revolutionize the Future of SEO, According to HubSpot’s SVP of Marketing
Let’s be honest: SEO is going to be disrupted by AI. Plain and simple.
How to Use Google’s AI Overviews for Search
I talked to the pros — including an SEO expert at HubSpot and the senior product director of AI Overviews at Google — to answer questions about Google’s AI search you didn’t even know you had.
Why Short-Form Video Is the Future Of Lead Generation
Short-form video is revolutionizing the way that businesses approach primary lead generation. But do you know why — and how to apply it to your marketing strategy?
49 Call-to-Action Examples You Can’t Help But Click
Think about all the times you’ve signed up for things in your life. Did you once download Evernote? Dropbox? Spotify? Maybe you’ve even taken a class on General Assembly.
The 20 Best Marketing Automation Tools Available to You
A majority of businesses use marketing automation tools nowadays — in fact, studies cite around 56% of businesses currently use the technology, and that number continues to grow.
The Beginner’s Guide That I Live By
One of my favorite things to do on my personal website is to dig into web analytics. I don’t consider myself a technical person, but over the years, I’ve learned to love what metrics like pageviews, new visitors, and traffic…
How to Write Content that Generative AI Search Engines Will Cite, According to Experts
There’s no doubt that in the last few months, you’ve run into Google’s new AI search tool. Often, the tool provides a helpful summary (though sometimes it’s laughably wrong).
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Everything You Need to Know
As a millennial marketer, I can tell you quite a bit about the internet—we practically grew up together!
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How It Fits Into Your Strategy, According to Jasper’s Head of Enterprise Marketing
In a Mint Mobile commercial, Ryan Reynolds reads from a script written entirely by ChatGPT. His prompt was simple (include a joke, curse word, mention the holiday promo in his voice), but he calls the results “compelling” but also “mildly…
How to Use Freebies to Optimize Your Lead Generation
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
4 Clever Olympics Marketing Campaigns [+Top Takeaways]
Olympic ads don’t make as big a splash as Super Bowl spots, but the Games are still a reliable display of marketing creativity every two years. As the Paris Olympics come to a close, I’ve collected four ads (plus three…
5 SEO Trends in 2024 and 2025 [+ New Data]
“I’m excited but exhausted by so many changes,” Victor Pan wrote in a HubSpot Slack channel just before dropping half a dozen links to the latest AI news. He’s a product SEO here, and he sounds like he needs a…
9 Best Marketing Research Methods to Know Your Buyer Better [+ Examples]
One of the most underrated skills you can have as a marketer is marketing research — which is great news for this unapologetic cyber sleuth.
32 Free Advertising Tips for Your Small, Large, or Local Business
When I first started my small business, the thought of advertising seemed daunting. With a limited budget, I couldn’t fathom spending thousands on TV commercials or ad campaigns.
Media Planning: The Ultimate Guide
Effective media planning is crucial for any business to succeed today.
How to Create an Email Newsletter People Actually Read
You’re sitting around a conference room, trying to figure out how to best engage your leads and customers, sell more products, or just “stay top-of-mind” for your target audience, and someone decides there’s a solution that can solve all of…
29 Easy Excel Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts
Sometimes, Excel seems too good to be true. All I have to do is enter a formula, and pretty much anything I’d ever need to do manually can be done automatically.
8 Copywriting Hacks Backed By Science
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
13 Best TikTok Tips & Tricks in 2024, According to HubSpot’s Social Team + Marketer Data
On TikTok, anyone can go viral. You don’t need to be a videographer or social media expert to get traffic to your videos.
How Each Generation Shops in 2024 [New Data from Our State of Consumer Trends Report]
Understanding your audience is a hard job, but decoding the Gen Z, Gen X, Boomers, and Millennial shopping habits is where the real challenge lies. All generations shop differently, so you need to do some deep research to find out…
6 Expert Tactics You Can’t Ignore
It may sound weird, but I can’t think of AI media planning without thinking of the 1999 Robin Williams movie Bicentennial Man. OK, fine, I can’t think of artificial intelligence (AI) in general without it coming to mind, but I…
How to Create Detailed Buyer Personas for Your Business [+Free Persona Template]
Us marketers know that marketing according to data points alone isn’t enough to get meaningful engagement—that’s the job of a buyer persona. While demographic survey results are great, many factors of customer behavior are needed to create a well-rounded and…
How To Do One [With Template & Examples]
“Our business is absolutely flawless and we have nothing to improve upon” — said no business owner ever. Instead, we business owners often think of all the ways we could potentially grow our businesses and guard against threats.
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The Ultimate List of 100 Marketing Quotes for Digital Inspiration
Digital marketing quotes are an invaluable source of insight and direction to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital landscape.
The 6 Steps I Use to Create Five-Year Plans I Can Actually Stick To [+ Expert Tips]
As people, we all have big goals — both personal and professional. I’ve been asked in countless interviews about my five-year plan for my career.
Marketing From the Ground Up with Start-Up Expert Annie Katrina Lee
If you‘re a business owner looking to build your start-up from the ground up, you’ve likely read plenty of blogs looking for advice on marketing your business—but I‘m guessing there’s sometimes been a frustrating lack of resources for your particular…
The Best AI Search Engines to Try in 2024
Like most of you, I have fallen down countless rabbit holes in Google searches. “How to make a latte?” turns into “Latte vs. americano?” which turns into “How bad is caffeine for you?” and ends with “Coffee alternatives.”
Instagram Productivity Hacks That Actually Work For Me
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
I Tried 5 AI Logo Generators. Here’s My Favorite
Welcome to “I Tried…,” the series where I try different marketing tools and strategies so you don’t have to. In this series, I document my experience and let you know if a tool or strategy is worth your time. AI…
How Video Consumption Is Changing in 2024 [New Research]
Video continuously evolves as an impactful form of marketing – and now is considered more important to consumers now than ever.
Understanding the Impact of Google Consent Mode For Your Business in 2024
In a report from May 2023, Google states that “with Consent Mode in place, Air France’s visible conversions rose by 9% across Europe” after experiencing a 20% drop in conversions due to recent cookie guidance compliance.
My Tips for Finding the Perfect Fit [+ 5 Campaign Examples]
Recently, I noticed that every time I Google a product or service I want to buy — let’s say, available apartments for rent — I start getting ads on Instagram and Facebook from several companies offering this service.
How I Write SMART Goals and Make Them a Reality [+ Free SMART Goal Templates]
When I started my career as a content writer, one of my biggest mistakes was underestimating the importance of systems and frameworks.
Disruptive AI Video Trends that are Transforming Marketing in 2024
AI-generated video content is turning the marketing world on its head. But what trends should marketers be focusing on to stay ahead of the competition?
How Smart Brands React to Controversy [Expert Interviews]
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Though Mike Tyson meant that literally, his wise words certainly hold true in marketing.
The Top Types of AI-Generated Content in Marketing [New Data, Examples & Tips]
Advancements in artificial intelligence have transformed content creation from a tedious chore into a smooth and efficient process.
6 Steps to Create an Outstanding Marketing Plan [Free Templates]
Without planning, marketing can get messy. It’s hard to estimate budget for projects, hiring, and outsourcing over the course of a year — especially if you don’t have a marketing plan, email schedule, or social media marketing plan template.
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How to Deliver Customer Experiences That Increase Conversions
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 normal anyway?.pdf1What is normal anyway?What does it mean to be normal, really?Is it something we should all aspire to, something…
The Best Free Business Budget Templates in 2024
Business budgets are a source of truth for your income and expenses. That includes all the money you spend — from A/B testing your marketing campaigns to your monthly office rent.
13 Tips on Writing Blog Posts That Rank on Google
I’ve written hundreds of blogs as a content marketer, but I’m still susceptible to the amateur mistake of thinking about writing for SEO only after a blog is already written.
The 22 Best Video Editing Apps for 2024
Video is an effective and ever-growing form of marketing. 64% of marketers credit marketing videos on Instagram with the highest engagement. It seems that users can’t get enough: 91% of people watched an explainer video to learn more about a…
Everything We Know So Far
Everyone knows that ChatGPT can generate content on nearly any topic you can imagine (some information might be made up, but that’s a story for a different article).
Color Wheels, Color Schemes, and Why Everything You Think You Know About Color Might Be Wrong
When I sat down at my laptop to update this article, I thought I had at least a fifth-grader’s grasp of color wheels.
What You Need to Know
As of 2024, 86% of social media marketers say building an active and engaging online community is critical to a successful social media strategy.
How The HubSpot Blog Is Combatting SERP Volatility
The headlines tell us SEO is dead. The podcast bros tell us AI will make blogs obsolete. Google tells us, “It’s Tuesday, so there’s another algorithm update, suckers.”
Community Management Challenges and How to Overcome Them [Expert Tips]
A few years ago, I had to manage a Facebook community for a TV station I was working for as a digital journalist. It was a completely new experience, and there were definitely times I stumbled.
Building a Community Management Strategy That Actually Creates Connection
The concept of managing communities may seem straightforward.
This Writing Technique Turns Your Copy Into a “Mind Movie”
Welcome to Creator Columns, where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.
Four Differentiated Marketing Tactics Using Community and Audience
Kieran and I conducted an experiment with ChatGPT to brainstorm an unconventional marketing plan.
Top 10 Best Rank Tracker Tools of 2024
It’s one thing to have good website copy — it’s something entirely different to ensure your site has great copy (and design) and also ranks well on Google.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Blog in 2024? (A No-Fluff Breakdown From a Serial Blogger)
Confession: I’m squatting on probably 10 different blogs and even more URLs. What can I say? This marketer gets a bit idea-happy — but how much does it cost to start a blog that I can afford this quirky habit?
The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Campaigns
From P&G’s “Thank You, Mom” to Dos Equis’s “Most Interesting Man in the World,” marketing campaigns have a way of sticking with us. Why is that? Campaigns make companies memorable.
The Ultimate Guide to Brand Awareness
Whenever I think about brand awareness, I think of companies like Apple, Nike, and Trader Joe’s. Have you ever heard people refer to themselves as “Apple people,” “Nike people,” or “Trader Joe’s” people?
33 Great Landing Page Examples You’ll Want to Copy in 2024
While many landing pages look different and use a variety of strategies to pull in audiences, they all serve one major purpose — to convert visitors to the next stage in the buyer’s journey.
The 11 Most Common & How to I Found Mine [+ Expert Insights]
Imagine the leaders that inspire you. Each is likely unique, with a different style they use to meet goals, motivate, and animate their teams.
The Top Search Engines in 2024 [Including 17 Google Alternatives]
Google’s firm grip on the search engine market is a marketer’s dream — and nightmare.
The Beginner’s Guide to LinkedIn Marketing & Networking
As a content marketer, my top-performing channel for getting new clients is LinkedIn because: a) LinkedIn has over 1 billion users across the globe, 67 million of which are companies, and b) I have learned to use LinkedIn’s features to…
The Top 3 Challenges Regional Marketing Models Create for Global Businesses
Starbucks recently shifted from a global to a regional marketing structure. Kieran and I believe this is the worst thing you can do to your marketing strategy, resulting in significant, long-term business consequences.
170+ Fun Icebreaker Games & Activities I Love That Your Team Will Enjoy in 2024
As someone who’s been a part of multiple teams throughout my career, I’ve found that it’s often the same drill when introducing yourself. Your manager, head of department, or CEO is likely to ask you to introduce yourself and then…
How to Create a B2B SEO Strategy in 9 Steps
If I were to name one thing that I’ve learned throughout the years as a content marketer, it’s that strategy always comes first.
The Top 13 Paid & Free Alternatives to Adobe Illustrator of 2024
Adobe Illustrator is a popular tool for designing vector graphics, logos, icons, and more. I personally love using Adobe Illustrator to make personalized images for my small business and my website, such as favicons and logos for social media.
Marketing Pros on How to Create Engaging Webinars That Boost Your Brand Authority
In a sea of short-form content, webinars are a breath of fresh air to content marketers like me who want the opportunity to create stronger relationships with prospects and existing customers.
Is Email Marketing Inbound or Outbound? 10 Examples & Top Differences
In April 2024, HubSpot asked 537 email marketers across industries in the U.S. if email marketing was inbound or outbound — 51% said it was inbound, while 49% believed it to be outbound. It’s fascinating to see how opinions differ…
Insight and Tips From My 9-Month Job Hunt
Almost a year ago to the day, I found myself job hunting for the first time in a decade. It was unexpected. I didn’t have a current resume or a writing sample for job applications. Frankly, I was in over…
How to Get Sponsored on Instagram [What 500+ Social Media Marketers Are Looking For]
It’s no surprise you want to become a paid Instagram influencer, but the idea of getting your posts sponsored might seem laughable if you’re just posting pictures of your brunch instead of skydiving pictures in Australia.
When Is the Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2024? [Cheat Sheet]
If you want to find the best time to post on Instagram, you’re probably trying to get the highest engagement. Whatever your specific goal (likes, followers), posting when your content will get the most eyes can only benefit your marketing,…
52 Free Content Writing Tools That Level Up My Workflow [for Writing, Editing & Content Creation]
(Un)fortunately, content creation is still a very manual job, but on the bright side, there are some great content writing apps that can help us — a ton.
A 9-Step Guide to Writing an SEO Proposal [Free Template]
Imagine you have hundreds of files in a folder labeled “Important Files.” Some of the files are named by date, some by subject, and some by author.