AI market research tools: The top 7 your marketing strategy needs Marketers are known for wearing many hats — writer, designer, psychologist, maybe the occasional raspberry berry — but one that often gets overlooked is researcher. Market research is critical to knowing your audience, connecting with them, and convincing them to take action. Thankfully, today, there are countless AI market research tools to help make completing it easier, faster, and more effective. I’ve tested some of the most popular to see if they really live up to the hype. Here are the seven I’ve found that your marketing strategy can most benefit from, and how to determine if they’re right for you. Table of Contents TLDR: AI Marketing Research Tools What are AI market research tools? Why use AI tools for market research? What are the challenges of using AI tools for market research? 7 Best AI Market Research Tools How to Choose the Right AI Market Research Tool FAQs about AI Tools for Market Research TLDR: AI Market Research Tools AI tools for market research automate consumer data collection, analysis, and insight generation to help marketing and product leaders make better-informed, strategic decisions. Top AI solutions like Breeze and Crayon offer survey automation, competitive intelligence, and consumer insights AI, among other features, to make this possible. However, choosing the right AI tool will depend on your research goals, integration needs, and budget. Many platforms offer free trials...

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...

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...

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?...