No digital marketing strategy is an “island.” The days of stand-alone strategies are over as smart businesses realize that meeting their goals requires a more holistic approach. Enter the dynamic duo of search engine optimization (SEO) paired with conversion rate optimization (CRO), two seemingly distinct disciplines that, when united, become a force multiplier for growth.

You know those pop-ups you see when you first land on a website? The ones that say something like, “This website uses cookies, blah, blah…” This little “cookie banner” has become the center of a growing area of digital marketing compliance that brands cannot ignore because this cookie banner and what it represents is at the center of global data privacy regulation. And as regulations are implemented across the world and back home in individual states, the increase in privacy-related litigation has become noteworthy. So, in this edition of Plain Talk, we will dig into the somewhat murky world of “consent management” and what marketers need to know to stay out of hot water.

Generation X (born 1965–1980) was the generation of injuries from plywood bike ramps, latchkey kids, and drinking from the garden hose. Their mostly Silent Generation (1928–1945) parents were anything but helicopter parents. Millennials (born 1981–1996) wore bike helmets, attended aftercare, and drank bottled water. As birth rates dropped from 3.5% to below 2%, their baby boomer (1946–1964) parents became more involved. In this edition of Plain Talk, we’ll look at potential generational changes to the family dynamics of eldercare and insights into the new “sandwich generation”: Generation X and millennials.

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.

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.

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).

We suspect one of the most intimidating challenges marketers face is the prospect of a rebranding effort. We’ve been contacted many times to provide expertise on the topic. This often comes from prospective clients whose business may be experiencing a sluggish period where they suspect their “brand” is the problem. The phone call to the agency goes something like, “I think we need to rebrand.” Then we’ll say something like, “Hmm, tell us more about why you think that,” then the conversation often veers into things like logos, TV commercials, slow sales, and “Brand X who is stealing our share because their branding is way better.”

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.

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.

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.