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5 Spring Reset Ideas That Don’t Involve a Cleanse or a Rebrand
I’m not doing a “new me” this spring. I don’t have the energy for some full-blown reinvention. And truthfully? I kind of like the old me. She’s really been through it, but still has a few endearing quirks. For example, she has this thing for reality TV, goes to bed weirdly early, and keeps a list of oddly specific notes in her reminder app. (Current favorite: “Organize the pantry, toss the mystery tea bags, and stop pretending the decorative lentils are part of a meal plan.”) Instead, what I am doing is a soft reset. Not a cleanse (been there, done that!). Not a challenge (have enough of those, thank…
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A Quick Guide to Digital Marketing for Creatives
I’m just going to say it: “marketing for creatives” can feel like a four-letter word. You want to be making, not stuck in spreadsheets or trapped in some annoying sales funnel that makes your skin crawl. I get it. But while I am also a creative (knitting is my jam), I am also a digital marketer with more years of experience than I want to say. So I am uniquely qualified to help connect your creative side to your marketing needs. I put this guide together for the makers, the artists, the designers, the multi-hyphenate dreamers who are building something beautiful (and sometimes messy) from the ground up. It’s digital…
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3 Easy SMART Goal Hacks to Make Goals Actually Stick
I’ve set hundreds of SMART goals in my life. I’ve even set a bunch of DUMB goals, dozens of backward goals, a handful of FAST goals, and even a few BHAGs. Heck, I’ve even written dozens of articles (and an ebook!) all about goal setting. So, I guess you can say I’ve done a lot of research into what makes a goal one that is actually achievable. But don’t worry, this isn’t yet another how-to guide for setting goals. This is a realistic look at why some goals stick, and others don’t… even if they follow all the “right” rules. Really Quick Review: What’s a SMART Goal? I know. I…
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When to Trust Data in Marketing… and When to Trust Your Gut
As marketers, we love our data! Data-driven marketing has become one of a marketer’s most powerful tools to make decisions grounded in logic, supported by trends, and optimized for growth. But here’s the thing: not every great marketing decision comes from an algorithm, dashboard, or spreadsheet. Sometimes, instinct just wins. So, when our world revolves around using data in marketing decisions, what happens when the numbers don’t tell the whole story? Well, some marketers lean into the numbers and ignore that nagging feeling that they’re missing something. Better marketers figure out when and how to trust the numbers and when to go with experience. Let’s explore how to strike the…
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What Knitting Has Taught Me About Business and Marketing
I’ve been knitting for many years. It started all the way back before my daughter was born, when I was determined to make her a blanket before she arrived. That was also probably my first lesson in good intentions not always leading to results (or maybe in biting off more than you can chew!). Despite buying all the supplies, picking out the perfect pattern, and envisioning how beautiful the finished product would be, I never actually made that blanket. But I did learn something: starting is easy, but following through is the real challenge. Almost two decades and hundreds of successful knitting projects later, I’ve found my place in the…
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Duo’s “Death” + Gamification + Storytelling = Marketing Genius
By now, you’ve probably heard the heart-wrenching story of the “death” of Duolingo’s owl, Duo. And I’m putting “death” in quotes because, let’s be real… did he really die? Will he be revived? Probably. But that’s beside the point. If you need a recap, check out this article. What’s (slightly) more interesting than the fate of our adorable language coach is the marketing genius behind this moment. Let’s dive into what Duo has to do with marketing, gamification, and storytelling. How Gamification Made Duo’s “Death” So Effective Duolingo didn’t just build an app; it built an experience. And at the heart of that experience is gamification, the use of game-like…
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11 Common Small Business Marketing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Running a small business is no small feat, and with limited resources, marketing can often feel like a daunting task. While many small business owners are eager to take control of their marketing efforts, it’s important to recognize the potential pitfalls along the way. Avoiding these common small business marketing mistakes can help business owners save time, money, and, most importantly, set themselves up for sustainable growth. Here are some of the most frequent marketing missteps I’ve seen in my years of working with small businesses—and how you can avoid falling into the same traps. 1. Lack of a Clear Marketing Strategy One of the biggest small business marketing mistakes…
