Business is getting crowded, which means you have to look for meaningful ways to stand out. You should always be looking for opportunities to create real connections with your customer or clients. 

The inspiration behind this post came from a campaign text I received asking me for another donation. I started considering whether or not I felt compelled to do so. Then I realized, they missed a lot of opportunities to prime me for this question. 

They missed a lot of opportunities to make me want to say yes. Instead, I just asked "Why should I?"

Here's the link to the Twitter thread I sent to the Senator: https://twitter.com/annaruthus/status/1145126442856067073 

I attended an event organized by Startup Grind Baltimore. The topic was pitching competitions, and I learned so much. Aaron talked to us about the differences between the pitching competitions you'll likely come across during research. 

He also talked to us about ways we can make winning more likely, which I thought was very insightful. He knows because he's done it after all. Aaron Hsu is the founder of Clearmask, an innovative company that wants to bring a better surgical mask into the world. One that happens to be transparent. 

We strayed a bit into things like product development and market research as well. Overall, great presentation, and I'm looking forward to putting his recommendations into practice myself!

I attended an event organized by Startup Grind Baltimore. The topic was pitching competitions, and I learned so much. Aaron talked to us about the differences between the pitching competitions you'll likely come across during research. 

He also talked to us about ways we can make winning more likely, which I thought was very insightful. He knows because he's done it after all. Aaron Hsu is the founder of Clearmask, an innovative company that wants to bring a better surgical mask into the world. One that happens to be transparent. 

We strayed a bit into things like product development and market research as well. Overall, great presentation, and I'm looking forward to putting his recommendations into practice myself!

Some people say that you shouldn't use free keyword research tools. I have a different opinion though. I explain in today's podcast why this view isn't in alignment with most business owners' budgets and I give you my favorite FREE keyword research tools. 

Content marketing without keyword research is like shooting around in a dark room. You may occasionally hit something, but it probably won't be what you're aiming for. 

You can start using these tools today to create a more targeted and informed content marketing strategy for your business. 

Some people say that you shouldn't use free keyword research tools. I have a different opinion though. I explain in today's podcast why this view isn't in alignment with most business owners' budgets and I give you my favorite FREE keyword research tools. 

Content marketing without keyword research is like shooting around in a dark room. You may occasionally hit something, but it probably won't be what you're aiming for. 

You can start using these tools today to create a more targeted and informed content marketing strategy for your business. 

Okay, so you're sold on using a blog to attract more business. How do you go about marketing it? In today's episode, I focus on one technique out of many that you can use to market your blog for more business. 

For many small businesses, it's about building relationships. And you can use your blog to do just that. Take a listen as I dive into this subject. 

What do you think? Would you use guest posting to attract more business? Before you discount this method, LISTEN all the way through!

If you still need help creating a strong content marketing strategy, you'll want to take a look at our Blogging for Business Toolkit: http://bit.ly/2YaBUpi

Okay, so you're sold on using a blog to attract more business. How do you go about marketing it? In today's episode, I focus on one technique out of many that you can use to market your blog for more business. 

For many small businesses, it's about building relationships. And you can use your blog to do just that. Take a listen as I dive into this subject. 

What do you think? Would you use guest posting to attract more business? Before you discount this method, LISTEN all the way through!

If you still need help creating a strong content marketing strategy, you'll want to take a look at our Blogging for Business Toolkit: http://bit.ly/2YaBUpi

If you're outsourcing any work, how much you should pay freelancers probably enters your mind a lot. As someone who takes on outsourced work (I'm a content marketer and writer), and someone who outsources, I have a perspective many small business owners don't. 

Short answer? It depends. 

If you listen to this episode, you'll learn that there are a lot of factors that go into pricing freelance work. At a minimum, you'll know how to temper your expectations when you consider your budget. 

If you want to learn how to hire the best freelancers you can afford, check out this blog post: http://bit.ly/2PY7Byy

If you're outsourcing any work, how much you should pay freelancers probably enters your mind a lot. As someone who takes on outsourced work (I'm a content marketer and writer), and someone who outsources, I have a perspective many small business owners don't. 

Short answer? It depends. 

If you listen to this episode, you'll learn that there are a lot of factors that go into pricing freelance work. At a minimum, you'll know how to temper your expectations when you consider your budget. 

If you want to learn how to hire the best freelancers you can afford, check out this blog post: http://bit.ly/2PY7Byy

It seems a bit woowoo, but your business will not succeed if you don't believe in it. In this podcast episode, I reference how Think and Grow Rich altered my perception of my successes and failures. 

Sometimes, I didn't believe enough in a goal for it to succeed. 

Listen to today's episode, and try to push that doubt aside. You've got this!