Most people watch movies to escape the real world, especially as a way to unwind after work. But some of the best movies can actually…
The Top Video Marketing Trends
How to Get Through to a Bad Listener
It’s frustrating to work with someone who doesn’t listen. Whether your colleague interrupts you, rambles on, or seems distracted, the impact is the same: You feel ignored, and the chances of misunderstandings increase. But you can encourage your colleague to listen better by emphasizing the importance of your message up front. Before starting a conversation, […]
The 10 Most Watched YouTube Ads of 2017 (And the Agencies Behind Them)
Most pre-roll ads on YouTube are something to be endured, muted, and skipped immediately after the mandatory five seconds have passed. It’s nothing personal –…
The Week on Instagram | 321 News Teen Vogue: How a Food… via #Instagram Blog
The Week on Instagram | 321 News Teen Vogue: How a Food Instagram Turned Into a Dream Job Bustle: What Is Type Mode On Instagram? Your Stories Just Got Even More Creative The New York Times: Hipster Culture and Instagram Are Responsible for a Good Thing Get Involved Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPwithlove. View photos from the last project, #WHPillusion. Around the Community Shifting Perspectives with Los Angeles-Based Brand @nosesso Making Moves with Dancer @yoe.apolinario Peeling Back the Layers with Artist @chebmoha
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPwithlove Weekend Hashtag Project… via #Instagram Blog
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPwithlove Weekend Hashtag Project is a series featuring designated themes and hashtags chosen by Instagram’s Community Team. For a chance to be featured on the Instagram blog, follow @instagram and look for a post every week announcing the latest project. Love is in the air. ? In honor of Valentine’s Day, celebrated around the world on February 14, the goal this weekend is to create photos and videos showing how love inspires you, as in this featured photo from @shibainu.berry. Come together to connect with loved ones. (Humans and furry friends alike!) If you can’t be with them IRL, find a creative way to include them with a printed photo, drawing or meaningful memento. Do you show your love with gifts? We…
The Big Difference Between the Ads People Love and Ads People Hate
Larger-Than-Life Designs for the Biggest Party on Earth with… via #Instagram Blog
Larger-Than-Life Designs for the Biggest Party on Earth with @alexiahentsch To see more of Alexia’s designs, follow @alexiahentsch on Instagram. “I do something in the line between fashion and costume,” explains Alexia Hentsch (@alexiahentsch). The costume designer splits her time between London and Rio de Janeiro, where she was born. For the past two years, she has created custom pieces for Rio’s Carnival celebrations. “I love Carnival. I think it’s difficult not to,” says Alexia. “It’s a celebration of joy, which doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world on such a large scale. The whole country has checked out to go to a party. It’s kind of nuts.”
What Pardot Users Should Know About Accessibility in Email Marketing & Web Design
Accessibility of digital content is something that hasn’t really been on my radar before. Like, at all. Didn’t even know it was a thing. I first heard about it when a client mentioned some corporate requirements related to accessibility for a new website they were building. Cue the lightbulb with the blinding flash of the […]
Seun Adigun is Taking the First Nigerian Athletes to the Winter… via #Instagram Blog
Seun Adigun is Taking the First Nigerian Athletes to the Winter Olympics The Winter Olympics (@olympics) are taking place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, February 9-25. Tune in as we spotlight competing athletes from around the world. Nigerian-American athlete Seun Adigun (@seun_msamazing) and her teammates are making history. They’re the first African bobsled team to qualify for the Winter Olympics. “It feels absolutely amazing,” says Seun, who was born in the U.S. to Nigerian immigrant parents. “It’s surreal on a daily basis.” Seun, the driver on her team of three, found bobsledding through track and field, which she’d competed in at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Years later, after countless hours of training on both dry land and the ice track, she’s taking her bobsled team to…
Mastering the Client Interview: How to Ask the Right Questions and Build Trust with New Clients
You have a new client. They have scheduled a conference call during which you’ll discuss a batch of web content assignments they’re hiring you to complete. You’ve never met the client, but based on a quick search, you have a basic understanding of their business. How will you approach the client interview? The answer to […]
Mastering the Client Interview: How to Ask the Right Questions and Build Trust with New Clients
Questions and Build Trust with New Clients You have a new client. They have scheduled a conference call during which you’ll discuss a batch of…
#ContentWritingChat Recap: How to Find Your Writing Speciality & Pitch Services to Your Dream Clients with Kaleigh Moore
If you’ve ever joined us for #ContentWritingChat, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed that we have a lot of writers joining us each week. It’s amazing having an incredible group of content creators come together for our chat. But sometimes writers need a little help when it comes to niching down and sending out those […]
Future-Proofing for Growth in the Age of AI
AI is all the rage on tech websites, but it can still seem like a pretty obscure, inaccessible tactic for B2B companies.
Are Webinars Dead? How to Make a Webinar that Works in 2018
As an acquisition marketer, I hear questions like this all the time: “Is the PDF dead? Is the webinar dead now too? How should we…
Managers, Make Sure Your Team Takes Vacation
It’s important to encourage your employees to take time off. Make it clear to them that this is a business issue — not just a personal one. Use a few minutes in a team meeting to share some of the research on the benefits of vacation, such as higher productivity and less stress. Then keep […]
Peeling Back the Layers with Artist @chebmoha To see more of… via #Instagram Blog
Peeling Back the Layers with Artist @chebmoha To see more of his work, follow @chebmoha on Instagram. Twenty-five-year-old Cheb Moha (@chebmoha) was born in Iraq, raised in Libya and Canada, then couch-surfed his way across Europe and the Middle East. He’s settled (for a moment) in the United Arab Emirates. “I have never encountered a place that was boring to me,” says Moha, whose first photos were made with an old film camera and a roll of expired film. “The pictures were really bad,” he admits. But he’d found a way of connecting with people around the world. “It’s a very intimate thing to ask someone, ‘Can I take your picture?’ It created a lot of friendships, a lot of relationships and opportunities.” From those…
Inbound Marketing and Content Marketing: What’s the Difference?
Content marketing is a marketing strategy in which a company specifically develops content (i.e. blog posts, social media posts, white papers, newsletters, eBooks, etc.) that people will find valuable and want to consume. Joe Pulizzi, founder of the Content Marketing Institute, sums up content marketing: “Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating […]
The Curious Case of Blendtec’s Viral “Will It Blend” Videos
Infomercials are no longer in the realm of late night network TV that you leave on just so the house isn’t quiet anymore. They’ve found…
FAQ This! What Is PGP?
We live in an age where it seems like privacy comes at a premium.
Ask These Questions to Foster an Employee’s Sense of Purpose
We all want to find meaning in what we do. As a manager, you can help your team members foster this inner sense of purpose by asking them a few simple questions: What are you good at? What do you take on because you believe you’re the best person to do it? What have you […]
How Does Facebook Stories Stack Up to Snapchat?
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. This is a lesson Facebook has perfected over the last year as it continues to launch products to…
What are Google and Justin Timberlake Up To?
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the name “Justin Timberlake,” I instinctively roll my eyes.
Making Moves with Dancer @yoe.apolinario Throughout… via #Instagram Blog
Making Moves with Dancer @yoe.apolinario Throughout #BlackHistoryMonth, celebrated during February in the United States and Canada, we’re highlighting next-generation creatives of color who are shaping the future of their communities. Each of the featured accounts was selected by writer, curator and activist Kimberly Drew (@museummammy). “Yoe Apolinario (@yoe.apolinario) invites you into her creative growth and uses her platform to highlight other dance communities around the world,” says Kimberly of the professional dancer who is based in Los Angeles. “I found a video of Yoe dancing alongside SHEstreet (@sheopatra_jones) on [singer] Diana Ross’ Instagram. In the video, they are both in suits and busting out some of the most fly, futuristic dance moves I’ve seen in a long time. While following Yoe’s account, I was exposed…
What Does Quality Content Mean?
As marketers, we throw around the term “quality content” a lot, but what does that actually mean? Is “quality content” content with a college degree? Is it only the material written by professional writers? Is all quality content 4,000 words long and full of industry jargon? Luckily, the answer might be simpler than you’d imagine. […]
What Does Quality Content Mean?
As marketers, we throw around the term “quality content” a lot, but what does that actually mean? Is “quality content” content with a college degree? Is it only the material written by professional writers? Is all quality content 4,000 words long and full of industry jargon? Luckily, the answer might be simpler than you’d imagine. […]
5 Easy Ways to Make Your Content More Readable
Creating amazing content with lots of useful info and wise insights is a good thing. But it won’t be all that impactful if your awesome…
Introducing New Engage Features: Send-on-behalf-of
Engage Send-on-behalf-of, allows users to send an Engage email from Salesforce using the from address of the lead, contact, or account owner. This allows sales teams to use a consistent point of contact when communicating by personalizing emails from the most recognized contact. With this new feature, sales reps can increase effectiveness of a campaign […]
Should You Let a Bot Write Your Content?
Everyone thinks they can write. Even, it would seem, robots.
Consider Fairness Before Granting a Flexible Work Schedule
When an employee comes to you asking for a flexible schedule, you might be tempted to say yes. But giving one person tailor-made working conditions can easily be perceived as favoritism. Before saying yes (or no), ask yourself three questions: What is the employee asking for and why? If there is a legitimate reason for […]
How to Figure Out the Next Step in Your Career [Quiz]
“Where do you see yourself in five years?” Of all the job interview questions out there, this has always been one of the most difficult.…
Influencer Marketing: When & Why You Should Invest
Influencer marketing is a type of marketing that places focus on influential people rather than the entire market as a whole. It attempts to identify…
Reporting Vs. Analytics
As marketers, we crave good reporting—this is how we know if we are successful in our work, and it’s how we demonstrate the value of our campaigns. Enter Pardot. With the power of Pardot and Salesforce reporting, marketers can track the success of their campaigns, measure their audience engagement and understand the impact of their […]
The Surprising Relationship Between Stress and Creativity
Thomas Edison grossed 1,093 patents over the course of his career. He was also reportedly fired from his first two jobs for not being productive.…
Feedback for Salespeople Should Focus on Behaviors
Busy sales managers tend to deliver a curt message to their reps: “Get better and sell more.” This feedback may work for some salespeople, but not for most. Instead of asking your reps “What’s closing this month, and how can we make those deals happen faster?,” talk with them about the indicators that have historically […]
Express Writers January 2018 Report (Infographic): 1.8 Million Words Written, 3 Reasons We Hit Our Busiest Month, & Policy Reminder
When December of 2017 came to a close, I wrote my goals for the upcoming New Year down on my whiteboard. One in particular was a big, bold goal for Express Writers, which I’ve been running for six years now (seven if you count my first year as a freelancer). I’d never physically wrote this […]
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPillusion Weekend Hashtag Project… via #Instagram Blog
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPillusion Weekend Hashtag Project is a series featuring designated themes and hashtags. For a chance to be featured, follow @instagram and look for a post every week announcing the latest project. The goal of #WHPillusion was to take photos and videos that create optical illusions. Each week, we feature some of our favorite submissions from the project, but be sure to check out the rest here.
Upcoming Webinars – February
It’s February, time to munch your way through several pounds of chocolate, go ice skating, and… go back to school? You read that right marketers – this month’s webinars are kicking off a series: The B2B Marketer’s Study Hall, where we’ll take you through the basics of getting started with marketing automation, to finding more […]
YouTube Will Start Labeling State-Funded News Content, but There’s a Big Problem
Last Friday, YouTube announced it would be work to further curb the spread of propaganda on its channel — this time, by adding a designated…
When Taking a Lower Paying Gig Pays Off
There are certain pieces of advice that are sacred to the freelance writing community. One is: fiercely protect your rate. That is, you should always…
Here's How Featured Snippets Work, According to Google
Friends, I have a confession to make.
The 10 Funniest Parody Twitter Accounts to Follow Right Now
The marketing spoof is one of the best and worst institutions in our industry. Done well, it can result in one hilarious comedy skit after…
How to Be Efficient: 7 Science-Backed Ways to Build Speed as a Habit
My college roommate was the fastest writer I’ve ever met. If he had a 10 page paper due at 9 AM on a Thursday, he…
Solve a Problem by Thinking About the Worst Possible Solution
If you need to come up with a new idea, stop trying to think of the best one. Instead, imagine the worst idea possible: What would be the wrong way to solve this problem? What do our customers absolutely not want? How could we make all of our stakeholders angry? Try to come up with […]
Meet the Tiny Adventuring Companions of @encolhiaspessoas For… via #Instagram Blog
Meet the Tiny Adventuring Companions of @encolhiaspessoas For more stories from the Brazilian community, follow @instagrambrasil. (This interview was conducted in Portuguese.) Some say the world is small. For Renan Viana’s micro characters (@encolhiaspessoas), it’s gigantic. In 2014, the 28-year-old photographer found a box of miniature figures in an antique shop in Belém, Brazil. Renan customized each with paint, glaze and glue then started taking photos of them on wild adventures. “The miniature figures are my companions to discover new places,” he says. “I carry a few around in a little box, and whenever I go out, I set up scenes on my walks. But I plan more specific scenes in advance.” “Taking pictures of such little ‘people’ on the street draws a lot of…
The Week on Instagram | 320 News Fast Company: Instagram ruled… via #Instagram Blog
The Week on Instagram | 320 News Fast Company: Instagram ruled the Women’s Marches on social – and the dudes pitched in, too The New York Times: What if a Healthier Facebook Is Just… Instagram? Adweek: How Brands From Subway to Maserati Are Using Instagram Effectively Get Involved Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPillusion. View photos from the last project, #WHPsmile. Around the Community Celebrating the Grammys with @logic Today’s #WeeklyFluff: Meet Leia, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy @kidsofimmigrants Celebrates Diversity While Inspiring Communities
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPillusion Weekend Hashtag Project… via #Instagram Blog
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPillusion Weekend Hashtag Project is a series featuring designated themes and hashtags chosen by Instagram’s Community Team. For a chance to be featured on the Instagram blog, follow @instagram and look for a post every week announcing the latest project. This weekend, the goal is to take photos and videos that create optical illusions, like this hand-created eye trick from Aakash Nihalani (@aakashnihalani). Here are some tips: Play with scale and move around to find new perspectives within a single frame. For example, photographing a puddle low to the ground can turn it into an ocean. Let props help. A cleverly placed mirror or some sleight-of-hand card tricks can elevate a simple illusion to double take-worthy. Make magic by playing with both…
@kingtutat Shares His Love of Tutting To see more of his moves,… via #Instagram Blog
@kingtutat Shares His Love of Tutting To see more of his moves, follow @kingtutat on Instagram. For more than a decade, Jung SungKap (@kingtutat) has moved and sought inspiration in unexpected places. “I find new ideas the most when looking at kinetic art,” says the 28-year-old from Seoul, South Korea. “After looking at the moves, I think how I could express those with my body.” With a focus on the street dance known as tutting, inspired by drawings of ancient Egyptians, you can find Jung practicing with friends, developing and recording new sequences and sharing his passion by teaching dance classes.
It’s Not You, It’s Your Emails: Breaking Up With Your Bad Email Sending Habits
It’s February, and you know what that means, time for another themed post! In researching some info around Valentine’s day, I learned February 13 tends to be considered “National Breakup day”. So, in light of that (somewhat unsurprising) news, today I figured I’d take some cliched breakup reasons and give them a bit of a […]
How Sephora Turned Reward Marketing into a Winning Brand Strategy
For many brands, reward marketing can be incredibly effective. Beauty giant Sephora is one of the most prolific examples of using a rewards program to…
Build a Better B2B Website in 3 Steps
Today’s B2B buyers rely on digital channels through every stage of their journeys — even long after in-person sales interactions with reps.
Get Over Setbacks by Learning from Them
The next time you feel that you’ve royally messed something up at work, avoid self-flagellation and think about what you can learn from it. Don’t interpret setbacks as “I’m not cut out for this challenge.” Instead, tell yourself, “I haven’t yet developed the required capabilities for it.” Framing the setback this way will not only […]
#ContentWritingChat Recap: The Best Strategies for Promoting Your Content on Social Media with Corina Manea
Social media is a great way to promote the content you share on your blog. However, it’s something that a lot of brands still struggle to do the right way. How do you grab attention and get someone to actually click your links? How can you ensure you aren’t being too self-promotional on your social […]
20 SEO Myths to Leave Behind in 2018 [Free Ebook]
Search engine optimization (SEO) is an evolving science. While some of the core principles may stick around forever, the more nuanced parts of it are…
Facebook Says It's Fixing the Fake News Problem, but This Fake Video Got 16 Million Views
There’s really nothing like a truly spectacular lunar event.
What Is Inbound Marketing?
If you’re well-versed in today’s marketing landscape, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard the term inbound marketing. However, if you’re a marketer who tends to rely on more traditional marketing techniques – like display advertising or paid search ads – or you haven’t delved into the thrilling and complex world of digital marketing yet, you […]
One Product, Different Audiences: How to Keep Everyone Informed
There are many ways successful businesses choose to inform different audiences about a single product. But no matter what you do, a unified marketing strategy…
What Is Strategy? Why It's More Than a To-Do List [Video]
February 1, 2018 1:00 pm Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/rss.xml?tabid=6307&moduleid=8441&maxcount=250 Link: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/what-is-strategy-why-its-more-than-a-to-do-list-video
Why It’s Easy to Market Your Clients But Not Yourself
If a client so much as sneezes an idea in my direction, I’ll have a fully fleshed out strategy in under an hour.
Freelancers, Always Get Terms in Writing
One of the most stressful things about being self-employed is managing your cash flow. It’s especially difficult if clients don’t pay you on time. You can avoid most problems by putting a contract in place before you start an assignment. Don’t believe a handshake will suffice, even if you’re working with friends. Informal agreements are […]
In Seoul, @leekangbin91 Makes Delicious (Drinkable) Art To see… via #Instagram Blog
In Seoul, @leekangbin91 Makes Delicious (Drinkable) Art To see more of Lee’s creations, follow @leekangbin91 on Instagram. Coffee lovers in Seoul, South Korea, are lucky to have Lee Kang-bin (@leekangbin91) taking orders. The barista and entrepreneur started C. Through Café “to meet new people and share good memories” and is determined to expand the horizons of coffee art with simple ingredients like chocolate sauce, chocolate powder and food dye. “I try to break away from the stereotype that it only looks pretty. It’s the most rewarding feeling when customers say it looks pretty and also tastes good.”
How Seasoned Freelancers Can Keep Their Content Fresh
So, you’re not a newbie when it comes to freelance writing. Then you should have no problem producing a steady flow of fresh, engaging content,…
Latest Instagram Update Lets You Schedule Posts in Advance
Although the exact day and time you post content to Instagram matters less than it used to — since your followers’ newsfeeds are now organized…
2 Simple Frameworks That Will Make You a Better Storyteller
As content strategists, we spend a lot of time talking to business people about the importance of storytelling to their business. When the subject comes…
5 Major SEO Content Trends to Expect in 2018
Search engine optimization is going to look waaaay different in 2018. It’s true. We’re forging into the future, and that means search has to change to keep up with technology and user habits/needs. But what do “they” (the Big G) want? And, where is technology going – and how does that tie in to the […]
The Ultimate Social Media Holiday Calendar for 2018 [Resource]
Whether it’s International Cat Day, Pizza Day, or Talk Like a Pirate Day, it seems like almost every day, the internet is celebrating a holiday.…
Today’s #WeeklyFluff: Meet Leia, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier… via #Instagram Blog
Today’s #WeeklyFluff: Meet Leia, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy Follow @leia.staffy on Instagram to keep up with Leia’s daily adventures. Hello, world! Today’s #WeeklyFluff is all about Leia (@leia.staffy), a 7-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier who lives in Sweden. “I would describe Leia as fearless, curious, happy, adventurous and extremely cuddly!” says Leia’s human, Ellie, who teaches children with autism and ADHD, and one day plans to certify Leia as a therapy dog. “Right now, Leia works with me as a school dog,” she says. “She helps the kids stay motivated in school and listens to them when they need to talk.” When she’s not in school, Leia loves romping around in nature. “She LOVES snow,” says Ellie. “She loves to eat, play and run around…
Everything You Need To Know Before Going Live on Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media networks allow users to stream live videos to their followers and the public. If your business or brand…
How to Become an Influencer in Your Industry
Influencer marketing has skyrocketed since it first made its mark. That’s very much due to the way purchasing decisions have changed over the years. You might…
To Keep Your Employees Engaged, Be Curious and Challenging
Leaders play a significant role in helping employees understand why their jobs matter, but it’s not just about connecting their work to a larger purpose. You can also do it by demonstrating curiosity: Explore, ask questions, and engage people on their ideas about the future. Make clear that there is a wide range of possibilities […]
Content Marketing Copywriting 101: The Essential Guide on Writing For Your Online Reader
Two distinct strategies that many people confuse or mix up: Content marketing. Copywriting. They aren’t the same thing, although both intertwine with each other in benefits and results. Think of it like this: Content marketing gets your prospects invested in what you do. Copywriting makes them want to follow up on that investment with action. […]
20 YouTube Tricks, Hacks, and Features You'll Want to Know About This Year
When people talk about today’s most popular social sharing websites, YouTube often gets left out of the conversation in favor of sites like Facebook and…
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPsmile Weekend Hashtag Project is a… via #Instagram Blog
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPsmile Weekend Hashtag Project is a series featuring designated themes and hashtags. For a chance to be featured, follow @instagram and look for a post every week announcing the latest project. The goal of #WHPsmile was to take photos and videos of smiles. Each week, we feature some of our favorite submissions from the project, but be sure to check out the rest here.
4 Financial Management Tips for Freelancers
Freelance work, by its nature, ebbs and flows. When it flows, you have to be diligent about saving. When it ebbs, you use what you’ve…
How to Make Your Customers’ Brains Light Up, According to Science
Storytelling Contently cofounder Shane Snow has been called a lot of things in the press: “maverick,” “wunderkind,” “insanely addicting.” According to these people, he’s apparently the love child of John McCain, Mark Zuckerberg, and a bag of Doritos. But I’ll let you in on a secret: He’s actually just a huge geek. That’s the only […]
3 Steps to Do Your Best Work, No Matter Where You Are in Your Career
I’ve worked at a number of different companies including private businesses, bootstrapped startups, venture round start-ups, and pre-IPO startups. And I’ve worked at these companies…
Don’t Shy Away from Making Friends at Work
Friendships in the office can be tricky. When the boundaries are blurred between the professional and the personal, there’s a chance for feelings and team performance to be hurt. But just because there is potential for messy entanglements doesn’t mean you should avoid chatting with your colleagues. In fact, research shows that people who have […]
TUMBLR Celebrating the Grammys with @logic For more from… via #Instagram Blog
TUMBLR Celebrating the Grammys with @logic For more from Logic, follow @logic on Instagram. Tonight, the 60th annual Grammy Awards (@recordingacademy) are being presented at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Tune in to our story to get ready for the show with rapper Logic (@logic), whose song “1-800-273-8255” has been nominated for two #Grammys.
The Week on Instagram | 319 News Forbes: How To Build A… via #Instagram Blog
The Week on Instagram | 319 News Forbes: How To Build A Thriving Brand Presence On Instagram TechCrunch: Giphy builds transparent GIF library for Instagram Stories Business Insider: Instagram influencer posts doubled in 2017 Get Involved Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPsmile. View photos from the last project, #WHPwindows. Around the Community For @jenibrittonbauer, Flavor is Everything Finding New Limits in the Great Outdoors with @timmatsui Paper Plants Spring @scrinkl’s Remix of Our Logo to Life
What Does The New Facebook Algorithm Update Mean
On January 11, 2018, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made an announcement set to rock how publishers utilize Facebook’s News Feed feature. While the changes are planned to take effect over the next year, they stand to make some serious changes for publishers. Publishers have a legitimate reason to be more than anxious and even upset. […]
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPsmile Weekend Hashtag Project is a… via #Instagram Blog
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPsmile Weekend Hashtag Project is a series featuring designated themes and hashtags chosen by Instagram’s Community Team. For a chance to be featured on the Instagram blog, follow @instagram and look for a post every week announcing the latest project. Say “cheese!” This weekend, the goal is to take photos and videos of smiles, as in this featured photo by Jeremy Cohen (@jerm_cohen). Here are some tips to get you started: Capture moments of pure joy, like a selfie after you’ve finished a craft or a teammate after they scored the winning soccer goal. Think about the different smiles you see in your everyday life, from Mona Lisa smirks to tooth-bearing grins. Take portraits of loved ones and strangers alike whose smiles…
Chasing a Dream with @davizinhoradical To learn more about… via #Instagram Blog
Chasing a Dream with @davizinhoradical To learn more about Davi, follow @davizinhoradical on Instagram. Out on the waves is where adaptive surfing champion Davi Teixeira de Aguiar (@davizinhoradical) feels the most free. “I started falling in love with the sport and competing in world championships,” says the surfer Rio de Janeiro who was born with amniotic band syndrome, a rare condition caused in utero. He has big goals for this year, including becoming a world champion and being a part of a Brazilian Paralympic team. “Everybody should chase the dreams with the biggest amount of faith, determination and will, because in this really short life, we have to give our best and motivate the others,” he says.
What Two Drastically Different Leaders Taught Me About Building Trust
Storytelling I recently interviewed two leaders who have each influenced hundreds of millions of people. Over the course of two days, I spoke to Evernote CEO and former Google[x] executive Chris O’Neill, and General Stanley McChrystal, founder of McChrystal Group and the commander of U.S. Forces in the Middle East under Bush and Obama. O’Neill […]
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Clicks: The Importance of Images and Demo Videos
Not many people remember the days before television or computers. Imagine a family gathering around the radio to listen to the latest “soap opera.” (Yes,…
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Clicks: The Importance of Images and Demo Videos
Not many people remember the days before television or computers. Imagine a family gathering around the radio to listen to the latest “soap opera.” (Yes,…
How to Use Instagram Insights
It’s no secret that we love data.
How to Turn Off Instagram's New "Last Online" Feature
Instagram scrollers beware: your favorite photo-sharing app recently released a new feature that shows friends when you were last online. Similar to the activity status…
Set Up Ground Rules for Your Next Difficult Conversation
Difficult conversations are challenging in part because you don’t know if or when the discussion will go off the rails. To make sure things go smoothly, agree on a code of conduct with your counterpart beforehand. At a minimum, suggest no interrupting, no yelling, and no personal attacks. (Those are basics, yes, but it’s helpful […]
Paper Plants Spring @scrinkl’s Remix of Our Logo to Life We’re… via #Instagram Blog
Paper Plants Spring @scrinkl’s Remix of Our Logo to Life We’re inspired by the ways community members make Instagram’s look come to life. Follow along on #myinstagramlogo and add your own ideas. “I like to work with paper texture and layers,” says Margaret Scrinkl (@scrinkl) of her #myinstagramlogo. “Paper plants give me a sense of spring in the artworks.”
How to Never Run Out of Content Ideas Again
Nothing’s more frustrating than staring at a blank document without a clue what to write. As the seconds turn to minutes, the blank page taunts…
YouTube vs. Vimeo: Which Video Platform is Best for Your Business?
By 2019, video content is predicted to command a hefty 80% of all web traffic. If you haven’t started thinking about how video fits into…
Exude Calm as a New Manager
When you take on your first manager role, people will be watching. What you think, what you say, and how you show up can have a direct impact on those you’re leading. It’s important to project calmness, confidence, and competence, even if you feel stressed out. Recognize that a fleeting moment of anger or impatience […]
9 New LinkedIn Features You May Have Missed Last Year
When you logged into LinkedIn around this time last year, you may have noticed something different. Actually, everything was different, because LinkedIn completely reinvented its desktop…
What the Creative Job Market Can Tell Us About Content Marketers
Digital Transformation My parents have no idea how to define content marketing. They could tell you what I do on a daily basis (write, edit, brainstorm, crunch data, send infinite emails), but the industry itself is a mystery. Same goes for my friends, who still have to ask what Contently does every time I see […]
How to Get More Traffic to Your Contractor Blog
If your business is one of the thousands of construction-based companies in the United States, you probably have a solid understanding of the importance of…
The State of Video Marketing in 2018 [New Data]
It’s the start of a new year, and there couldn’t be a better time to look ahead at what the next 12 months might hold…
Offer Your Stressed-Out Colleague Praise and Assistance
You know the stress case — the one who’s always overwhelmed, overstretched, and overextended. They aren’t easy to work with, but you probably don’t have a choice. Whether you regard your colleague with annoyance or sympathy, you can help them by offering praise and assistance. Your coworker likely feels out of control, so complimenting their […]
When It Comes to Content, Keeping It Simple is Key
Picture this. Someone performs a Google search and arrives at a website with the exact information they seek. This information is presented clearly, concisely, and…
Introducing GIF Stickers via #Instagram Blog
Now you can add fun, expressive GIF stickers to any photo or video in your story. When you tap to add a sticker to a photo or video in stories, you’ll now see a new GIF option. Tap it to open a library full of hundreds of thousands of moving stickers powered by GIPHY. You can browse what’s currently trending on GIPHY or search their extensive collection to find a sticker for just about anything. From bouncing letters and twirling hearts to dancing cats and pizza in space, these animated stickers help you make any photo or video funny, interesting or creative. In the coming weeks, we’re also rolling out the ability to upload photos and videos of any size to your story — so…
5 Social Media Trends to Expect in 2018
It’s the start of another year, which means you’re probably back in the office after vacation, hard at work on your New Year’s resolutions. And…
The Strange Thing That Happens In You Brain When You Hear a Good Story — And How to Use It to Your Advantage
When Leading a Turnaround, Focus on the Future, Not the Past
When you’re brought in to turn around a team or business unit, the deck might feel as if it’s stacked against you. If your predecessor failed, how will you succeed? First off, to effectively lead a turnaround, resist the temptation to emotionally distance yourself from the situation — you are part of this team, so […]
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPwindows Weekend Hashtag Project is… via #Instagram Blog
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPwindows Weekend Hashtag Project is a series featuring designated themes and hashtags. For a chance to be featured, follow @instagram and look for a post every week announcing the latest project. The goal of #WHPwindows was to take photos and videos that highlight and utilize windows. Each week, we feature some of our favorite submissions from the project, but be sure to check out the rest here.
For @jenibrittonbauer, Flavor is Everything Jeni is part of the… via #Instagram Blog
For @jenibrittonbauer, Flavor is Everything Jeni is part of the #CreateCultivate100 list, honoring 100 inspiring women across 10 categories. Founder, chief creative officer, entrepreneur, ice cream maven — meet Jeni Britton Bauer (@jenibrittonbauer). “I quit art school to start my first ice cream business in 1996,” says the 44-year-old behind Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. “It’s been my lifelong pursuit — literally, more than half my entire life has been devoted to ice cream.” Jeni likes to say, “FLAVOR IS EVERYTHING.” “Flavor is what you experience when you eat ice cream, but it is so much more,” she says. “It’s about memory association and that is unique to each person. It’s about gathering knowledge and experience and going deeper. So, for me, ice cream is about…
Should I Convert My Content to an e-Book?
With more than 2 million blog posts written daily, finding a way to stand out is essential for any content marketer who wants to avoid…
When You’re Returning to a Former Employer, Reset Expectations
Returning to a company you used to work for can be a smart career move. But don’t assume you will pick up right where you left off. Reset expectations — both yours and others’. Demonstrate that you’ve grown, and establish yourself as a more senior person in the organization by humbly highlighting what you achieved […]
The Week on Instagram | 318 News Racked: Instagram Ads Are… via #Instagram Blog
The Week on Instagram | 318 News Racked: Instagram Ads Are Basically Infomercials for Millennials Paper: Meet the Woman Photographing the 2018 Golden Globes on Instagram Get Involved Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPwindows. View photos from the last project, #WHPmystyle. Around the Community Making Space for New Heroes and Heroines with @365ken Scenes from Around the Globe with @everydayclimatechange Celebrating Singer Camila Cabello’s Debut Album
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPwindows Weekend Hashtag Project is… via #Instagram Blog
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPwindows Weekend Hashtag Project is a series featuring designated themes and hashtags chosen by Instagram’s Community Team. For a chance to be featured on the Instagram blog, follow @instagram and look for a post every week announcing the latest project. Windows frame the world we see. This weekend, the goal is to take photos and videos that highlight and utilize windows. Here are some tips to get you started: Use a window to frame a specific subject, be it a lone tree outside the office or a ray of light coming into your kitchen. Look at the frame from many angles to find the most compelling one. Focus on the textures and details of a window — the curve of old glass,…
What Separates Good Writing From Bad Writing?
Storytelling The other day, I was struck by a quote I read in a blog post about vulnerability from author and Wharton professor Adam Grant: “Good communicators make themselves look smart. Great communicators make their audiences feel smart.” Grant’s words reminded me of the time I discovered, to my horror, that I write at an […]
How to Transition Out of Your Writing Niche
How to Transition Out of Your Writing Niche A quick anecdote. For nearly a decade, I’ve been a sponsored outdoor athlete and a well-known writer…
Help Overly Eager Employees Slow Down
It’s nice to have fast-acting employees on your team. But some people have such a deep need to get things resolved that they move too quickly and make a mess. They may secure a bad deal just to say they’ve done it, or issue a faulty directive so that they can say they’ve handled a […]
Meet Riley and Killer, Today’s Snuggly #WeeklyFluff Follow… via #Instagram Blog
Meet Riley and Killer, Today’s Snuggly #WeeklyFluff Follow @morileymoproblems to make sure you never miss a moment from these two. Hello, world! It’s time for a very snuggly session of #WeeklyFluff, brought to you by Riley (left) and Killer (right) (@morileymoproblems). This dynamic duo of adopted doggies hails from sunny Los Angeles. “Riley follows Killer around. They play, they nap — it’s the cutest and most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” says their human Alicia. “Killer retained the alpha role as Riley got bigger and still maintains that title to this day.”
Celebrating Singer Camila Cabello’s Debut Album See more from… via #Instagram Blog
Celebrating Singer Camila Cabello’s Debut Album See more from Camila by following @camila_cabello on Instagram. “More fun and less stress” is Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello’s (@camila_cabello) New Year’s resolution — alongside making albums she loves. Tune in to our story to tag along with Camila in Los Angeles as she celebrates her debut album, “Camila.”
Snapchat’s Identity Crisis Will Force Brands and Publishers to Play the Waiting Game
Social When someone tells you they need time to figure out who they are, bad news is on the way. That’s just as true in business as it is in romance. Identities are important because they help us set expectations. When there aren’t any consistent expectations, relationships end. Snapchat is not normally a place for […]
5 Lessons Marketers Can Learn from Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty
Launched in early September, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty makeup line is easily one of the highlights of 2017. In fact, the product line was such a…
How to Write Finance Blogs
The finance industry is one of my favorite topics to cover. I mostly specialize in personal and small business finance, along with FinTech. Learning how to approach this subject matter, the right ways to convey difficult concepts, and the surprising amount of emotional intelligence needed for finance blogging has taken a lot of trial and […]
Use Design Thinking to Solve Your Toughest Marketing Challenges
Modern day marketing is a realm overflowing with data and tests aimed at shedding light on your customers’ true desires. Yet marketing teams still tend…
Talk About Skills When Talking About Promotions
Conversations about promotions can be tense — both for the person asking and for you, the manager. Your first instinct might be to consider whether the employee is a “good fit” for the new role, but it’s better to focus on their skills. Ask yourself, What will the person need to do the job well? […]
INFOGRAPHIC: Internet Marketing Lead Generation Ecosystem via @StraightNorth
This infographic was originally published on Straight North’s site. One of the world’s biggest tech companies likes to say that its technology “just works,” but the truth is there’s still an extremely complicated program behind each of those apps on our phones. That means someone spends hours writing those programs, making sure every bit of […]
Scenes from Around the Globe with @everydayclimatechange To… via #Instagram Blog
Scenes from Around the Globe with @everydayclimatechange To learn more, follow @jameswhitlowdelano and @everydayclimatechange on Instagram. After traveling and documenting the earth for decades, two years ago James Whitlow Delano (@jameswhitlowdelano) launched the collective Everyday Climate Change (@everydayclimatechange) and rallied a global network of photographers to share their images of the planet. His own concern for the environment stretches back almost as far as he can remember. “Rivers were catching fire,” says the Japan-based, American-born photographer, recalling a period in the United States where widespread industrial pollution had created disturbing scenes. “I knew that something was wrong.” In contrast to those memories, James holds optimistic on his journey. “In my lifetime — from rivers that had caught fire from so much oil being dumped into…
Email Newsletters for Restaurants: Are They Worth It?
Email newsletters can be an effective marketing strategy for restaurants of all sizes. An easy way to remind your customers about your restaurant, it can…
Here Are the Top Marketing Design Trends for 2018 [Infographic]
Shutterstock — a familiar name to many creative professionals — released its 2018 Creative Trends Report today, shedding light on the design trends marketers need…
YouTube Has Updated Its Partner Program Requirements — Here's What Marketers Need to Know
YouTube announced yesterday that it has modified the eligibility requirements for its Partner Program (YPP), which will change the ways and ability Creators can monetize…
Say Nice Things About Your Coworkers Whenever You Can
Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly given small opportunities to build up or put down our coworkers. If we’re introducing two colleagues, telling a story about how a meeting went, or sharing a colleague’s project, how we talk about others can make a big difference in how they feel about themselves and […]
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPmystyle Weekend Hashtag Project is… via #Instagram Blog
Weekend Hashtag Project: #WHPmystyle Weekend Hashtag Project is a series featuring designated themes and hashtags. For a chance to be featured, follow @instagram and look for a post every week announcing the latest project. The goal of #WHPmystyle was to make photos and videos that showcase your personal style. Each week, we feature some of our favorite submissions from the project, but be sure to check out the rest here.
Choosing the Right Images for Your Blog Post
You created a masterpiece of a blog post, but its engagement is low. Without the right images in place, your audience may pass right by. Sometimes photos or illustrations get added as an afterthought, but your visual content should get as much consideration as the words you’ve written. Consider Your Brand Voice What kind of […]
Brands Doing Green Marketing Right
More than a century ago, Ralph Waldo Emerson stressed the need to protect the world around us. In today’s digital world, the importance of doing…