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Content Syndication: What it is & how to do it successfully

Content Distribution
September 12, 2025/by
Content Syndication: What it is & how to do it successfully Content syndication is the secret to getting your excellent content in front of more people. Instead of posting your content on your site only, content syndication requires repurposing content across the web. Yes, the exact same content. And no, it’s not a duplicate problem, providing you correctly publish content on secondary websites using canonicals. I’ll get into this in more detail later. Content syndication is something I do for a handful of clients; some don’t need it, others can’t handle the additional workflow. Those who use it can benefit from increased traffic, more eyes on the content, increased brand awareness, and more visits to their website. Plus, a layer of trust is built between the brand and visitors. If another website trusts and values your content to publish, you must be a trusted source. And with trust comes sales. At this point, you might be wondering — what’s the best way to use this tactic, and how can I avoid the drawbacks? In this blog post, I’ll show you the content syndication best practices you need to be aware of to make this tactic work for your business. But first, let’s talk about what content syndication is (and what it’s not). Table of Contents What is content syndication? Content Syndication and SEO: Syndication Without Duplication Benefits of Content Syndication How to Syndicate Content How to Find Content Syndication Partners Content...
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How to create a QR code in 5 easy steps

Marketing
September 12, 2025/by
How to create a QR code in 5 easy steps I love breakfast food and have a few local spots that make incredible skillets. Recently, instead of getting a printed menu, I found a QR code taped to my table. With my phone nearly dead, I struggled to load the poorly optimized link and just ordered my usual from memory. That frustrating moment really stuck with me. QR codes can either create a seamless experience or drive customers crazy — it all depends on how they're designed and implemented. The good news? Learning how to create a QR code is surprisingly simple. When done right, these little codes help your customers effortlessly bridge the gap between physical and digital experiences. I'll show you exactly how to create a QR code that works seamlessly, plus share some best practices to make sure yours actually fulfills your marketing needs. Table of Contents What is a QR code? QR Codes vs. Barcodes How do QR codes work? How to Create a QR Code on Any Device How to Use QR Codes How Not to Use a QR Code Best QR Code Generators QR Code Best Practices What is a QR code? Originally designed in Japan for the automotive industry, a “quick response” (QR) code is an array of black-and-white squares, that can be scanned with a smartphone or laser to interpret stored data. Marketers realized QR codes had large storage...
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How to blend web analytics and digital marketing analytics to grow better

Web Analytics
September 12, 2025/by
How to blend web analytics and digital marketing analytics to grow better When I started in content marketing in 2013, my digital marketing analytics strategy was refreshing Google Analytics to check if page views were up. Traffic climbing meant we were winning; traffic dropping meant panic mode. Over many B2B SaaS roles, I learned that tracking traffic alone can‘t answer the question every exec asks: "Is our marketing actually working?" I’ve sat in countless meetings where no one had a clear answer. Most teams are stuck in the “more traffic is better” mindset, but traffic only tells part of the story. If you want to know what's really driving results, you need to go beyond the basics. In this post, I'll share the digital marketing analytics I rely on to make smarter decisions, prove impact, and confidently answer that executive question. Bookmark this guide and jump to what you need most. Table of Contents What are digital marketing analytics? Digital Marketing Analytics vs. Web Analytics  What is a digital marketing analysis? How to Use Digital Marketing Analytics Effectively Digital Advertising Analytics Digital marketing analytics help you make sense of what your audience is doing online — and whether those actions are helping your business grow. I think of digital analytics as the thing that helps me read between the lines. It’s one thing to know someone clicked or filled out a form — but I want to know what...
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How HTML, CSS, and JavaScript work together in web design

Website Design
September 12, 2025/by
How HTML, CSS, and JavaScript work together in web design Do you need to learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in web design when you can easily create websites with AI-powered tools? That’s a question that stopped me in the tracks because there’s no easy answer. Still, for someone whose first taste of web design was with Macromedia Dreamweaver, I’ll say it helps to know how websites are put together. Even if you’re creating landing pages with advanced tools like HubSpot’s AI website generator, you never know when you’ll need to manually change the font, layout, or animate a particular web element. And knowing the web fundamentals — specifically HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — definitely helps. In this guide, I’ll walk you through each of them, explaining how each web technology works and why it’s important for developing modern websites. Table of Contents HTML, CSS, and JavaScript at a Glance What is HTML? What is CSS? What is JavaScript? How to Use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Together for Web Design HTML, CSS, and JavaScript at a Glance Almost every modern website uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The fact that you’re able to read this blog, presented in an aesthetically pleasing layout, and see a slide-in pop-up after scrolling to a certain depth is due to all three web technologies. The best way to understand each of them is to use the house analogy. HTML provides structure to a website,...
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Brand strategy 101: A marketing pro explains the important elements of a company branding plan

Marketing
September 12, 2025/by
Brand strategy 101: A marketing pro explains the important elements of a company branding plan Whenever I work on branding with companies, I see everyone light up about the tactics. It’s fun to play with logo makers, brainstorm names with ChatGPT, or post their first updates on Instagram. Yes, your product, logo, website, and name are all elements of a strong brand identity. But what’s less flashy (and far more important) is the idea behind those elements: the strategy that guides your choices, shapes your growth, and keeps your brand meaningful in shifting markets. That’s what separates the leaders from everyone else. In this article, I’ll share the core elements of a brand strategy, along with modern branding methods that help you build, reach, and grow an audience that actually cares. Table of Contents What is brand strategy? Elements of a Brand Strategy Branding Methods What is brand strategy? Being memorable used to be enough, but consumers want more from the companies they choose. They expect brands not to woo them with flashy marketing but to earn their attention and trust meaningfully. Your company’s brand strategy is a long-term plan to address that need. It defines how you express your identity and build meaningful connections with your target audience. A detailed plan gives you the roadmap to turning every interaction into an opportunity to earn trust, loyalty, and relevance within a competitive marketplace. Now, I mentioned I’ve seen brand strategies that dump...
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Drowning in a Sea of Sameness: How brands can rise above the AI-generated noise

Loop Marketing
September 10, 2025/by
Drowning in a Sea of Sameness: How brands can rise above the AI-generated noise There’s a challenge brewing for businesses everywhere. Content is becoming virtually indistinguishable online, and it all boils down to the latest industry disruptor: AI. It’s no secret that AI adoption is reaching top speed across many aspects of life and work. Forbes predicts that by the end of this year, 378 million people will be using AI. While these tools are more accessible than ever, this also defines a growing problem — everyone has access to the same resources. The universal ability to prompt ChatGPT or your favorite LLM for the same output, over and over again. Unremarkable AI-generated content is flooding our screens as a result, creating a phenomenon known as the Sea of Sameness — a world where inboxes are full of nearly identical emails, all sites are curating the same portable vacuum cleaners or publishing the same pumpkin bread recipes, the hosts of the videos you’re watching are all selected from a preestablished bench of avatars, and all digital ads start to look the same. To break through the noise, taste and authenticity are everything. Brands that harness their unique value proposition — that X-factor that makes them stand out from the rest — are winning in the AI era. And they’re using AI to help build the foundation. Navigating the Sea of Sameness Business leaders want fast results. Naturally, this makes AI seem like a panacea for idea generation and...
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Social media SEO: 14 social media strategies to boost SEO

Marketing
September 10, 2025/by
Social media SEO: 14 social media strategies to boost SEO Social media SEO is a hot topic right now, as it should be. Conversations around search engines and social media marketing have been happening for years, and it’s about time social media and SEO unite. As an SEO consultant with a boutique marketing agency specializing in search and pay-per-click, the biggest challenge I face in search engine and social media marketing is getting traditional search teams and social media teams to collaborate effectively. There seems to be an uncertainty about who manages search marketing on social media. In this article, I explore the role of search engines and social media marketing. I aim to help marketers understand the role of social media and SEO, the differences between them, what social media SEO entails, and, most importantly, social media strategies that help form a collaborative approach in a way that’s sustainable and efficient for all involved. For the strategy section, I reached out to some of the best social media marketers I know. The strategies section is not to be missed. Important note: This is a comprehensive article, and I conducted extensive research early on to provide context for everything. If you want to skip straight to social media SEO strategies, click here. In this section, I spoke to social media experts who share some top tips. Table of Contents What is social media SEO? Why is everyone talking about search engines and social media marketing?...
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The future of marketing isn’t humans vs. AI — it’s humans with AI

Loop Marketing
September 3, 2025/by
The future of marketing isn’t humans vs. AI — it’s humans with AI Small business owners are all saying the same thing: “My website traffic is tanking, and the stuff that used to work just doesn‘t anymore.” And they’re right. Nearly 60% of searches don’t end in a click — people are getting answers from AI and never visiting your site. But here‘s what’s crazy: The same AI that‘s killing your traffic? It’s also your best opportunity to leapfrog the competition. If you’re like most marketers, you’ve read the subreddits and you know it‘s been pretty bleak. Traffic’s going down, and the same amount of work is getting worse results. HubSpot surveyed more than 500 marketers, and they feel the same way. Customers are wondering, “How do we do marketing when AI is consuming our traffic?” So you’re a business owner, your traffic’s down the drain, and you’re wondering, “What the heck do I do?” If you’re curious and willing to take action, this is the best time ever to be a small business. You have tools at your fingertips that used to require expensive agency contracts. You just need a blueprint on how to use them. HubSpot is calling this new growth playbook, Loop Marketing, and anyone can use it. At the center of this guide is a new kind of partnership that combines AI efficiency with human authenticity to drive growth to your business. HubSpot has given the Loop an extensive test drive. It works. Let’s dive...
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Why creator marketing works for any business [Tips from a creator consultant]

Uncategorized
September 1, 2025/by
Why creator marketing works for any business It’s time to drop the baggage around the word “influencer.” If you’re a maw-and-paw restaurant, and a local foodie with 300 followers agrees to rave about how bangin’ your pot pie is? Mazel tov! You’re doing influencer marketing. “‘Influencer’ is just a general category for anyone that is able to get an audience to take an action,” says creator economy expert Lindsey Gamble. And whether that action is starting your first creator campaign or signing a viral TikToker with 2 million followers, today’s master is gonna influence the crap outta you. In a good way. Lindsey Gamble Creator economy consultant, Creator of the Lindsey Gamble newsletter Fun fact: Growing up, Lindsey’s dream was to play in the NFL. After playing Division 1 for Bryant University, he got a chance to work out with his favorite players at pro day. Claim to fame: Worked as a brand ambassador and lifestyle creator for L.L. Bean, Every Man Jack, and Allagash Brewing. His self-titled newsletter was named one of the best marketing newsletters by Buffer. Lesson 1: Everyone is a creator. “In today’s day and age, everyone is a creator. Even if you don’t call yourself that,” says Lindsey Gamble. Whenever you’re makin’ a Bluesky post or TikTok short on something you care about, you’re creating content. And when that content finds someone else who cares, it creates a community. And, even if that group is small...
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Don’t just grow to grow: Real talk from a serial founder

Uncategorized
August 27, 2025/by
Don't just grow to grow: Real talk from a serial founder There are some lessons you only learn when life hits you hard. This week’s master stared down the loss of his business — “All of Q4 was the biggest punch in the face for me that year. It was the most stressed I’ve ever been in my life.” — and came out the other side with a six-figure agency. Today, he shares the kind of vulnerability and real talk you rarely get from entrepreneurs. And his advice just might help you duck a punch. Ryan Atkinson Founder and CEO at Spacebar Visuals; Host of The UpFlip Podcast Fun fact: In business school, Ryan got the lowest grade in a class called Founders Club. He went on to grow his own six-figure business. Claim to fame: Named to Austin’s 25 Under 25 and the Tippie Young Alumni Board. His podcast about entrepreneurship has hit over 2 million downloads. Lesson 1: Don’t just grow to grow. If you believe the hustle-culture hype that thrives on LinkedIn, the only way to get ahead is to eat and breathe the grind, right? I’d say “eat, sleep, and breathe,” but the grind never sleeps. “I thought when I Spacebar, I wanted to grow as much as possible, hire as much as possible,” Ryan Atkinson says. And his business did grow — second only to his stress levels. “This is...
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