When was the last time you heard someone say, “I’m going to buy from XY and Z Company because they are on Twitter” or “You should by from ABC Company because they have a Facebook fan page, or a Google+ page”? It just doesn’t happen that way. Platforms and mediums will change and shift, what goes in them is great stories. So it’s important to invest more in your story or message than just in the platform. In today’s highly competitive world, brands are becoming more and more commoditized. How is this different than brand positioning? MORE >>

By Srininvas Rao, Contributing {grow} Columnist. few months ago I was let go from my job heading up the social media efforts for Flightster.  I immediately entered panic mode and frantically searched for a job only to realize that living in Costa Rica was going to severely limit my chances of finding anything. So I decided to table my job search and return to the United States. Over the last two years I’d seen several people use their social media presence to help them find a job. I tried leveraging my blog and my connections to launch a job search campaign. I have hit a wall.  MORE >>

In the next two years, Mobithinking tells us one billion people will have accessed the internet using a mobile device. And in the U.S., 25% of people have abandoned the laptop for exclusive use of mobile devices. Aside from the astounding growth of mobile in the U.S., many countries are witnessing people purchase smartphones first, bypassing PC ownership as their first means of internet connectivity. So how do inbound marketers leverage the power of the mobile device to provide a personalized experience for the user while not intruding in their day-to-day lives? Get Started. Create a test base. MORE >>

by Jon Miller The Marketo Email Marketing Benchmark tracks what’s working – and what’s not – for today’s email marketers and top performers. Here are just a few of the stand-out findings in the report. For even more email marketing findings and best practices, watch my American Marketing Association webinar , where I drill into some of the coolest findings from this innovative benchmark. Top performers use more email marketing tactics and get higher ROI. The most commonly used tactics were Segmentation and Custom Landing Pages.   Trusted emails have lower bounce and unsubscribe rates. MORE >>

Sure They’re on the Web, But They’re Also Out and About on the Streets of Naples, Florida. Imagine my surprise when I pulled up behind this small van on a Naples street. started to get hungry just looking at the back of the van. This is mobile marketing that quite literally whets my appetite. First Watch is a small chain of daytime cafes with numerous outlets in the Naples/Fort Myers area and in many other parts of the country. They are famous for great breakfasts and friendly servers. It’s a pleasure to tuck into one of their omelets or other creative egg dishes. MORE >>