THOUGHT SPARKS BLOG

Content marketing is the Great Equalizer May 15, 2013

Your marketing and branding goals are big but your budget isn’t. It’s a challenge many marketers face. And that’s why so many small businesses are enthusiastically embracing the benefits of content marketing. [READ MORE]

You are invited to the content marketing party April 10, 2013

You’ve probably heard content marketing is kind of a big deal. Everybody’s doing it. So, what exactly is it again? [READ MORE]

Are you connecting your online and offline marketing? March 20, 2013

All too often marketers get stuck creating distinct campaigns and content for print and digital without leveraging the power of both. [READ MORE]

Digital Brochures, eBrochures, Interactive Brochures - however you describe - is it a marketing technique that should be on your radar? February 8, 2013

As we all know, people live the online life these days. They prefer to read news, shop and socialize online. So at MindFire, we’re always looking for ways to spark a connection with peoples’ lifestyles. [READ MORE]

4 things political campaign ads can teach us about marketing October 24, 2012

Elections bring advertising - and especially TV spots - to the forefront, and we can learn a lot from them. [READ MORE]

Managing internal communications during rapid growth May 31, 2012

Internal communications can be a challenge for growing companies. When businesses reach a certain size, it's not uncommon to run into communication roadblocks. [READ MORE]

Are you ready for SoLoMo? May 1, 2012

SoLoMo is the new retail frontier, requiring customer service in new channels. Instead of the actual physical location, retailers must now start paying a lot more attention to their digital footprint, too. [READ MORE]

What kind of New Thinker are you? March 29, 2012

Have you heard of Hyundai's New Thinkers Index? [READ MORE]

Are you setting clear marketing goals? March 27, 2012

If you're executing tactics and strategies willy-nilly and without setting clear goals, then you're doomed to fail. Here's why: [READ MORE]

50 ways to measure marketing success February 29, 2012

In marketing, defining success is a critical component to any campaign. And while it's easy to ask the question, coming up with an answer can often feel like convincing a posse of teenagers to give up their cell phones for a day. [READ MORE]

9 useful tools to make content development easier December 2, 2011

There are countless tools and websites out there that can make it much easier to pull together content in creative ways. We’ve pulled together some that we find particularly useful: [READ MORE]

Content marketing - the art of communicating without selling October 21, 2011

Content marketing is the art of communicating with your target audiences without selling. Yup, WITHOUT selling. [READ MORE]

Are you ready for real-time marketing? August 30, 2011

Just recently, HARO founder and entrepreneur Peter Shankman, was boarding a flight to New York City after a long day of meetings. Shortly before shutting off his phone for the flight, he jokingly tweeted about how much he wished he could have Morton's ste [READ MORE]

As an advertiser, are daily deal sites like Groupon really worth it? June 27, 2011

More than likely, you're one of the millions of people who receive a daily Groupon email full of smokin' hot deals and discounts. From an advertising perspective - are social buying sites like Groupon or Living Social really worth it? [READ MORE]

Decoding QR codes - what are they and can they help your business? May 16, 2011

The hot topic among many marketers these days are QR codes, or quick response codes. In a relatively short time span, they've leapt onto the marketing scene and, as recent stats suggest, they're starting to catch on. [READ MORE]

Will 2011 be the year we get back to our real senses? January 14, 2011

The Kent State Folk Festival created a small ripple in the advertising world late last year when it released its print campaign to promote the annual event. Ads featured headlines like, "Let your memory download the music for a change." [READ MORE]

Be Mine - Customer retention and Cupid February 8, 2010

If you think about it, Cupid is a pretty powerful little fellow. He can aim his bow and arrow at just about anyone and make them fall deeply in love. Don't you wish you could harness that power in your marketing efforts? [READ MORE]

10 Marketing Resolutions for 2010 January 1, 2010

We're feeling a little uninspired by the invariable New Year's resolutions that are popping up these days. Lose weight. Quit smoking. Drink less. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? [READ MORE]

The great debate: Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? December 6, 2009

Like fruitcake and ugly sweaters, it's becoming a tradition for many companies to wrangle over whether their seasonal messaging should include "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays." [READ MORE]

Boo! 13 Marketing tactics that are downright scary October 26, 2009

In honor of Halloween, we've assembled some of the most spine-chilling, hair-raising, blood-curdling marketing tactics we've come across. Bottom line? This kind of marketing is scary. Scary, because of the damage this can do to a companies' brand. [READ MORE]

5 Tips for successful key account mailings September 18, 2009

One of the most challenging aspects of landing a new customer is getting their attention. Over the years of helping clients with this challenge, we've learned that one of the most effective ways to tackle this is to send an engaging key account mailing. [READ MORE]

Has your brand adapted to the new marketing model? April 23, 2009

The traditional marketing and branding model is changing. The standard model was a "one-to-many" proposition, where you try to get your message to as many people as possible. [READ MORE]

MindFire Measurable Marketing Manifesto March 25, 2009

Unless your marketing dollars grow on trees, a big part of your job as a marketing professional is about validating your budget to your superiors - especially in an economy such as this one. [READ MORE]

5 tips for successfully marketing to women March 12, 2009

Did you know that 85% of all purchases are made by women? That doesn't mean you need to create a separate brand or marketing campaign to reach women. What you need is a smarter marketing strategy. [READ MORE]

Five marketing mistakes you can't afford to make February 24, 2009

As budgets tighten, some businesses are looking at ways to cut back on marketing. A better idea is to look at how to make your marketing work better. If you can find a more efficient approach, you may be able to trim your marketing budget. [READ MORE]

Strong connections are critical in a weak economy October 28, 2008

Everywhere you turn these days, you hear dire warnings about the economy. If you advertise, your ad reps are warning you to resist the impulse to cut back on your advertising until the economy improves. [READ MORE]

Spending smart instead of spending big January 28, 2008

Most marketers think their budget is too small - whether it's $50,000 or $50 million. No matter how much you have to spend on marketing, you need to make sure every cent counts. [READ MORE]