Blog

Ways to drive more traffic to your business with Google My Business

We recently talked about the new Welcome Offer feature offered by Google My Business as a way to increase engagement and earn new customers. That is just one way the search engine giant is strengthening its business services. Google My Business is also rolling out additional features that will help drive customers to your web... Read More

How to spot a web hosting scam

One of our clients recently received a letter in the mail that caused some concern. It was a notice of from a web-hosting company informing them that their domain name was about to expire and informing them that they would have to provide quick payment in order to keep it up and running on the... Read More

Facebook updates Messenger feature to improve business interactions

Facebook made some changes recently to help businesses and their customers have more valuable interactions. The updates to the business messenger platform are designed to improve the experience for users and businesses alike. “We constantly test and learn on how to improve Messenger,” said Ted Helwick in the announcement from Facebook. “Simply put, we want... Read More

Facebook turns Business Manager to a true ‘Asset’

Facebook has unveiled another change that can help marketers manage their business pages more effectively and efficiently. The Business Asset Group feature will allow businesses to better organize and manage their social media pages. The feature will help business owners distribute the load of social media marketing, which can be a 24/7 operation. “To support... Read More

Google My Business rolls out the ‘Welcome’ mat

The latest upgrade to Google My Business can help you attract and keep new customers with just a couple clicks. Google unveiled an easy new ‘welcome offer’ feature that allows you to provide special incentives for customers who click “Follow” on Google maps, when they find your business. The option is available through the Google... Read More

Local searches matter! How to improve your odds

Improving your Search Engine Optimization ranking is difficult enough, but when you factor in the local angle, it becomes even more challenging. That’s the goal you’re striving for: to have your business appear to customers in your neighborhood that are looking for your services. Fortunately, Google has made it somewhat easier and there are actions... Read More

Benefits of Facebook Groups for your business

If you haven’t started a Facebook group for your business, now may be a good time to start. Facebook groups can help you build a strong community, build up credibility with your customer base and connect with people who want your goods and services. Facebook Groups are more important than ever, given the ongoing decline... Read More

Facebook upgrades video creation features

Facebook is building on the Video Creation Kit introduced last year to make creating videos even easier for business owners and marketers. New features released in June provide additional ways to customize and automate projects through the video Creation Kit, turning you into a videographer with a few simple clicks or taps. Here’s what the... Read More

Google now lets businesses ‘keep it short!’

Anyone who has tried to have a text conversation with a teenager knows how dated full words and complete sentences are. It’s possible that Google is following this trend. Google now allows verified businesses to create a short url or custom name that will allow customers to find them faster. Now, once you create and... Read More

Facebook tweaks Pages algorithm — again

Facebook is once again trying to think for you. Shortly after announcing a tweak to its newsfeed algorithm, the social media giant has announced another change, this one designed to prioritize the Pages and Groups that users see in their feeds. “We know that friends are not the only reason people come to Facebook,” said... Read More

Hat trick: how a hockey team used content marketing to triple success

When the Carolina Hurricanes broke a 10-year playoff drought this year, its social media team was along for the ride. By capitalizing on content marketing (and with a little help from their friends), the ‘Canes scored a social media hat trick: they increased their base, enhanced their reputation and earned a few extra bucks with... Read More

Who’s behind the curtain? Facebook tweaks Pages info

It can be difficult to tell what’s real and what’s doctored nowadays. When you discuss anything you read online or see in the news, most likely, the response you’ll get is: Well, look at the source. When even the source is difficult to determine, it’s hard to put your trust in any news agency—or any... Read More

How to improve your SEO ranking without new content

Search engine algorithms are always changing, but you don’t have to change your content to increase your Search Engine Optimization ranking for your web sites. There are many things you can do by simply tweaking and organizing the content you already have to increase your ranking and climb up the search engine ladder—and you don’t... Read More

Facebook upgrades allows more control over ad placement

Everyone has seen an example of bad ad placement. Whether it’s an advertisement for a funeral home adjacent to one for a fast food restaurant, a cruise ship/swimming lesson combo or something more risqué, it shows that you can’t always control every aspect of your business advertisements. Business owners double and triple check their advertising... Read More

How important is your email subject line?

Your email marketing is still the best way to reach your customers because it’s the only platform that allows you to control your content and make sure all of your customers receive it. But if your subject line isn’t creative or engaging, your content will sit in an inbox, unread, or simply get deleted. Consider... Read More

How to handle a social media crisis

Into every social media platform, a crisis will fall. It’s inevitable, with human nature the way it is, the relative anonymity of the Internet and the ever-present trolls lurking to pounce on any mistake or perceived sleight. In fact it’s difficult to turn on the television or scroll through someone’s social media feed without hearing... Read More

Can you pay to have bad reviews removed?

Bad reviews are troublesome enough. When scammers or identity thieves get into the act, it can get even worse. We recently had a customer call us after she fielded a call from a company that said her business had a bad review on Google and that he could “get it taken down.” For a fee,... Read More

PISTn featured at national conference

Kevin Steeland, founder and CEO of PISTn digital marketing, will be a featured speaker at the international Car Wash Show this May in Nashville, TN. The conference, billed as the largest gathering of owners, managers and decision-makers from the car wash, quick lube and detailing segments, will take place from May 13-15. “I’m looking forward... Read More

Buying followers: still a bad idea

It’s official: buying followers is still a bad idea. In fact, it’s so bad that selling fake followers and likes is now illegal and Facebook and Instagram are cracking down on the people or companies that do it. The social media organizations filed a lawsuit recently against several of those providers. “Today, Facebook and Instagram... Read More

Facebook launches new ‘Showcase’ service

Facebook is launching a new video service that can help businesses get in front of new audiences. The new premium video ad program, Facebook Showcase, is now available in many markets across the U.S. “Showcase gives online video and TV ad buyers participating in the upfront selling cycle new opportunities to reach their target audiences... Read More