Blog

Our latest thinking on issues that matter most in marketing and business.

Reset
Man sitting at table with waiter taking order, representing the most direct cause of customer loyalty

What is the Most Direct Cause of Customer Loyalty? How to Foster Brand Devotion by Merging EX and CX 

The restaurant’s staff was “in the weeds” a lot more than a typical Saturday night and it was starting to overtake the kitchen. A full house of four and six-top tables loaded with hungry guests was starting to get antsy, and the manager knew that her reputation was on the line every time they got slammed like that. But it’s OK. She knew it was coming. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll reveal the most direct cause of customer loyalty. Then, we’ll look at improving the employee experience and how it flows into creating customer loyalty.

Clear the Clog: 3 Types of Bottom-of-the-Sales-Funnel Issues to Fix First

Imagine sitting in a waiting room, watching your car’s oil change when a marble suddenly blocks the funnel, causing oil to spill everywhere. As absurd as this scenario seems, it mirrors a common marketing blunder—focusing on mid-and top-funnel activities while neglecting the clogged bottom of the funnel. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll explore real-world examples of bottom-funnel issues across various sales models and provide insights on how to audit, communicate, and resolve these costly problems.

Google’s Latest Lead Gen Challenge and What You Can Do About It

After Google’s “Helpful Content Core Update” in March 2024 and the recent notification in May that they will be adding AI Overviews to the top of organic search results, you might rightfully be wondering what Google will do next to challenge your ability to drive organic search leads. Well, the wait is over. On July 31, 2024, Google will discontinue the call history and chat features in all Google Business Profiles (GBPs).

PriceWeber PriceWeber
11 min read
Jul 12, 2024

Public Relations, Social Media and AI: The Transformative Impact

Change is a constant in public relations and social media, but the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just another change – it’s a revolution. Generative AI goes beyond automating tasks. It has become a creative collaborator for many communication and public relations professionals, sparking fresh ideas for content creation, building media lists and helping overcome hurdles like writer’s block.

Carly Curry Carly Curry
15 min read
Jun 07, 2024
a cartoon image of a man working on a laptop sitting on a globe

Choosing the Right Demand-Side Platform (DSP)

Over a decade ago, I attended a lunch and learn with RocketFuel to understand programmatic digital advertising. Promising precise ad placement in milliseconds, RocketFuel and MediaMath introduced AI-driven real-time bidding, revolutionizing digital ad buying. Today, there are countless DSPs offering similar capabilities. The question now is not whether to buy media programmatically, but which DSP is right for your needs.

In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll explore demand-side platforms, their selection process, and the best providers for your business.

Local search results in front of letter G, representing Google Business Profile ranking factors

Google Business Profile Ranking Factors: Is Your GBP Set Up for Success or Suspension?

For businesses heavily reliant on leads through their Google Business Profile (GBP) and local SEO, the temptation to boost rankings in the local pack through manipulative tactics is common. However, aiming to gain a competitive edge over rivals in ways that violate Google’s guidelines can end in catastrophe for many companies that try to game the system. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll give an overview of Google Business Profile ranking factors for 2024 and discuss some dos and don’ts for keeping your GBP healthy and thriving.

PriceWeber PriceWeber
10 min read
May 02, 2024

From Starting Gate to the Winner’s Circle: The Kentucky Derby Through Dan Dry’s Lens

Few sporting events rival the Kentucky Derby’s blend of tradition, historical significance and sheer spectacle. For Dan Dry, PriceWeber’s Director of Content Creation and a seasoned photographer with 45 years of experience photographing “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” the Derby is more than just a horse race – it’s a canvas where stories are woven, emotions are captured and moments are frozen in time.

Tristin Schifferdecker Tristin Schifferdecker
10 min read
Apr 30, 2024
Two figures pushing shapes to represent bank redlining risks and fair marketing practices

How To Avert Bank Redlining Through Fair, Inclusive, and Innovative Marketing Practices

Many advantages come from the modern marketing landscape due to the technologies and data that marketers possess. Unfortunately, truly fair lenders can potentially put themselves at serious risk by unintentionally excluding certain populations from their marketing offers as a result of targeting what they view as desirable audiences. In this installment of Compound Interest, we will examine how financial institutions can steer clear of redlining risks from purely a marketing perspective.

Various images such as a search bar and social media profile representing how SEO and social media can work together

How SEO and Social Media Can Work Together: Leveraging One To Boost the Other

The relationship between social media and organic search engine optimization (SEO) has become increasingly intertwined. Social media platforms serve as more than just channels for connecting with friends or sharing cat videos – they have evolved into powerful tools for increasing visibility while driving referral traffic to your website. Couple this with Google serving up social media profiles in search results, and you have a match made in brand awareness heaven. In this edition of Plain Talk, we will explore how savvy use of social media can help increase your SEO rankings.

Alexis Bennett Alexis Bennett
8 min read
Apr 23, 2024
Woman putting coin in folder with marketing symbols hovering above, representing low-cost marketing ideas

6 Low-Cost Marketing Ideas You Can Do Yourself (And One You Shouldn’t)

Whether you are a small business owner or a marketing lead in a larger company, 2024 looks like a pretty sunny year for many businesses. The economy looks set to grow, and businesses that put in the extra effort should have a pretty good year. And the good news is that growth doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll discuss free, cheap, or affordable things you can do to market your business better (and a few that might require extra help).