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How to Set Up an Email Marketing System for Your Small Business

4/25/2025

 
​If you’re just getting started with email marketing, follow these steps:
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1. Choose an Email Marketing Platform
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​Pick one that fits your budget and needs. Some of the top easy-to-use DIY platforms are: 
  • MailerLite helps you design and send beautiful newsletters, promotions, and updates to your customers. It’s super easy to use, even if you’ve never done email marketing before.
  • Mailmeteor works with Google Sheets and Gmail to send personalized emails in bulk. Imagine sending 100 emails, but each one feels like it was written just for that person.
  • Mailchimp is a popular tool that helps you send emails, build websites, create ads, and manage customer lists—all in one place. It’s more advanced but still beginner-friendly.
2. Build Your Email List (Use my favorite Tech Tool HERE)

  • Add a signup form to your website and social media accounts
  • Offer a discount or freebie (% off order, eBook, checklist) to encourage sign-ups
  • Use your phone to collect emails from customers in-person and other ways online

3. Create an Email Marketing Plan
Decide:
  • How often you’ll send emails (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly)?
  • The type of content you’ll share (news, promotions, tips, product recommendations, etc.)?
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4. Execute Email Marketing Plan

​Don't forget to include:
✅ Welcome emails for new form signups
✅ Follow-up emails after an action or purchases on Owned Platforms like your website and emails messages
✅ Abandoned cart reminders to recover lost sales for eCommerce brands
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5. Track & Optimize Your Emails

​Check open rates and click rates to see what’s working, and tweak your strategy accordingly. Statistics by industry are listed below. 
Average Open Rates (Source Mailchimp)
  • Government: 40.55%
  • Media & Publishing: 34.23% 
  • Retail: 35.05%
  • E-commerce: 29.81%

Average Click Through Rates (Source: Mailchimp)
  • Retail: 2.08%  
  • E-Commerce: 17.4%

Top Digital Marketing Tools for Entrepreneurs in 2025

12/10/2024

 
Are you ready to grow your business in 2025? As technology continues to improve, entrepreneurs and business owners have access to more tools than ever to refine their marketing strategies. Whether you are just starting or looking to level up, using the right tools can help you streamline tasks, attract more traffic, and increase conversions.

Here’s a handpicked selection of the greatest digital marketing tools to help you grow in 2025.
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1.SEMrush  HERE

When it comes to SEO, SEMrush is a powerhouse! It offers capabilities for keyword research, site audits, and competitor analysis. With its easy to navigate platform, you can monitor your website’s performance and identify possibilities to improve your position. SEMrush’s content marketing tools helps you to develop optimized content that interacts with your audience!

2.Canva  HERE
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Visuals are a key in catching attention on your website and across social media platforms. Canva provides  design tools that are straightforward to use, even if you are not a designer. With its extensive library of templates and themes for social media, presentations, and infographics, you can create good looking visuals that highlight your business! 

3. Hootsuite  HERE
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managing many social media networks can feel difficult, but Hootsuite simplifies the process. From scheduling  posts to tracking engagement, and measuring results, all from a single dashboard. Its analytics offer useful data to help you change your strategy efficiently.
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4. GMass  HERE
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Email marketing remains a great way to connect with your audience. GMass simplifies email marketing with capabilities to customize messages, track responses, and automate follow ups. Whether you are nurturing leads or maintaining customer relationships, GMass lets you save time while staying organized.
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5. Asana  HERE
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Organization is vital for entrepreneurs, and Asana makes project management simple and straightforward. From managing campaigns ,coordinating content development, Asana’s task lists and collaborative features help you keep on top of your work and fulfill deadlines.
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6. Google Analytics  HERE
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Understanding your website’s performance is key to making informed marketing decisions. Google Analytics gives  insights into visitor behavior, traffic sources, and conversion rates. Use this day to refine your marketing plan and increase your outcomes.
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7. Zapier  HERE
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Automation is crucial in 2025, and Zapier helps you connect your preferred apps to reduce repetitive tasks. Whether its synching data across platforms or automating notifications, Zapier frees up your time to focus on building your business.
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8. HubSpot  HERE
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HubSpot offers a full array of tools for inbound marketing, CRM, and social media management.  It helps you attract, engage, and keep audiences while delivering detailed reports to assist better your methods over time.
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9. Later  HERE
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For managing social media content, Later is a helpful resource. It allows you to schedule posts visually, track performance, and organize media assets. It's especially great for entrepreneurs trying to boost their Instagram approach.
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10. Sprout social  HERE
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Sprout social is a great tool for managing your social media presence. It allows you to plan posts, track engagement, and gain insights into audience behavior through detailed analytics. With its social listening features, you may track mentions and trends to stay connected with your audience. Sprout Social makes managing social media effortless and effective.
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Ready to Transform Your Marketing in 2025?

With the correct business tools, you may optimize your process and gain remarkable outcomes in 2025.  Whether you are focusing on SEO, social media, or email marketing, these tools can help you design a more effective approach.
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Are you ready to refine your marketing approach and archive substantial results? Let's talk how i can help tailor solutions to fit your goals.
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Schedule an appointment with me HERE, I look forward to helping you succeed!​

Top 10 Personal Branding Books to Read in 2025

12/5/2024

 
Looking to strengthen personal brands in 2025?  Building a great personal brand is essential for standing out, getting trust, and earning cash.  Whether you are an entrepreneur, professional, or simply trying to enhance your profile, the appropriate material can guide you on your journey.
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In this article, we will give our 
top 10 recommended books on personal branding that will provide useful insights, tactics, and inspiration to help you develop a memorable and impactful presence. ​

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​1. “Building a Story Brand” by Donald Miller  

This book advices you on how to clarify your message using the art of storytelling.  This book shows you how to construct a brand narrative that resonates with your audience and guarantees your message is remembered.   (Buy Here)
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​2. “You Are a Brand!” by Catherine Kaputa
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Kaputa digs into the necessity of developing a brand that reflects your personality.  This book helps you define and communicate your brand effectively in both personal and professional aspects of life. 
 
(Buy Here)
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3. “Brand You: Turn Your Unique Talents into a Winning Formula” by John Purkiss and David Royston-Lee
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This book shows how to develop your abilities and characteristics into a distinct personal brand that catches attention and stands out from the competition!   (Buy Here)
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4. “Dare to Lead” by Brene Brown  
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Although it doesn't primarily concentrate on personal branding, this book focuses on  leadership and honesty in developing genuine connection.  Brown’s thoughts on authenticity and relational depth might help you develop a personal brand that seems genuine and relevant.   (Buy Here)
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5. “The Brand Called You” by Peter Montoya
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Montoya thoroughly provides a step by step approach to building a solid personal brand.  This book is a great guide for anyone looking to establish a strong foundation and create lasting impact for their personal brand.  (Buy Here)
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6. “Crushing It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk
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Vaynerchuk highlights stories from entrepreneurs that have successfully established their brands using social media
​.  Its a wonderful resource for learning how to use digital platforms to extend your influence.  (Buy Here)

7. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

While not strictly about branding, Covey's principles of effectiveness can help you develop habits that enhance your reputation and professional presence. (Buy Here)
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8. “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini

​This classic book breaks down the science of influence and persuasion. Cialdini’s famous book offers ideas that are invaluable for establishing a brand that connects with and inspires others.(Buy Here)


9. “The Art of Work” by Jeff Goins
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This book focuses on the importance of finding your purpose and aligning your career with passions.  Goins’ perspective can help you shape a brand that reflects your unique values and talents.  (Buy Here)


10. “Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World” by Michael Hyatt

Hyatt provides a roadmap for building a platform and increasing your reach.  This book is perfect for anyone looking to grow their personal brand in a crowded digital space.  (Buy Here)


Take the First Step Toward Building Your Brand!
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These books offer insights and strategies to help you create a personal brand that makes an impact. Whether you are refining your message, exploring with your goals, these reads provide the tools you need to succeed in 2025 

Top Tech Tools For Festive Business Posts

11/24/2024

 
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The holiday season is a perfect time to make your business shine online. With the right tools, you can create festive posts that are both engaging and professional. Here are three standout tools to help you craft content that leaves an impression this holiday season:
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​1.Canva: Simplified Design for All
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Canva is a user friendly platform that makes designing festive content quick and straightforward. with its extensive library of templates, images, and design elements, you can create stunning elements, you can create good looking graphics in no time. Whether its social media posts, flyers, or email banners, Canva has everything you need to bring your creative ideas to life.
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👉Start designing here: https://Canva.com 
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2. Creative Market: High Quality and Unique Design Resources
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For one of a kind design assets, Creative Market is a treasure chest of options. From holiday themed fonts to beautifully crafted templates and illustrations, this platform has tools to give your posts a professional and personal look. No matter your style, you will find elements to make holiday content stand out.
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👉Explore Here: https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-9192788-15736042​
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3. Lightstock: Professional Photos and Videos 

When it comes to images and videos, Lightstock provides a wide selection of high quality , holiday themed content. Perfect for social media, websites, and email campaigns, these visuals will make your posts look polished and professional. With flexible licensing, you can use the content across various platforms with ease.​
👉 Browse visuals here: https://www.lightstock.com/?share=342eea225173c73a6b72a895f958 

With these tools, you will have everything you need to create festive content that grabs your audiences attention and celebrates the season in style. Happy holidays, and happy designing!
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Promoting Your Brand on TikTok: Maximizing Visibility and Sales Through Strategic Marketing

10/17/2024

 
Ready to take your brand to the next level on TikTok? With its massive user base and engaging content, TikTok offers a unique opportunity to reach new customers and boost sales. Studies show that 61% of users find TikTok ads more engaging than those on other platforms, making it a powerful tool for your marketing strategy. By strategically utilizing TikTok's advertising tools and content creation features, businesses can convert engagement into action, driving both visibility and sales. Let's help you make TikTok work for your business.
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​Leveraging TikTok Ads for Product Promotion
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  1. In-Feed Ads:
    • These short videos appear as users scroll into their feeds. They can link directly to your TikTok Shop or product pages.
    • Example: A beauty brand showcases a new makeup line with a  “Shop Now” button, leading directly to the product page.
  2. TopView Ads:
    • These are the first ads users see when they open TikTok, offering prime visibility. They are excellent for launching new products or major promotions.
    • Example: A fashion retailer could use a TopView Ad to highlight a limited-time sale, encouraging immediate action from users.
  3. Branded Hashtag Challenges:
    • Encourage user-generated content by creating a branded hashtag challenge. This involves asking users to create videos using your products and a specific hashtag.
    • Example: A food company might launch a cooking challenge where users create recipes using their products, driving engagement and brand visibility.
  4. Branded Effects:
    • TikTok offers the option to create custom effects (like stickers or filters) that users can apply to their videos. This can significantly boost brand awareness.
    • Example: A sunglasses brand could create a filter that users can apply to “try on” different pairs virtually.
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Optimizing Organic Strategies for Product Visibility

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In today's competitive digital landscape, standing out is more crucial than ever. By focusing on optimizing organic strategies, businesses can enhance product visibility and attract a loyal customer base without relying solely on paid advertising.
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  1. Consistent Posting:
    • Post content regularly to keep your brand in front of your audience. Consistency helps build a loyal following and increases your chances of appearing in the For You feed.
    • Tip: Use TikTok's scheduling tool to plan and automate your posts.
  2. Engaging Content:
    • Focus on creating content that resonates with your audience. This could be how-to videos, behind-the-scenes looks, or showcasing customer testimonials.
    • Example: A tech company might post tutorial videos demonstrating how to use their products effectively.
  3. Collaborations with Influencers:
    • Partner with TikTok influencers who align with your brand. Influencers can introduce your products to their followers in a way that feels authentic and trustworthy.
    • Example: A fitness brand could collaborate with a popular fitness influencer to promote their workout gear.
  4. Using Trending Sounds and Hashtags:
    • Participate in trends by incorporating popular sounds and hashtags into your posts. This can help increase the reach of your content.
    • Example: A home decor brand might use a trending sound to showcase a room makeover using their products.
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Ready to Dominate TikTok?
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Now that you are equipped with a clear strategy for leveraging TikTok's ads and organic content, it's time to take action and start optimizing your brand's growth. As TikTok continues to surge in popularity, early adoption can give you a critical edge over competitors. Don't wait—seize the moment, implement these strategies today, and watch as your brand builds stronger connections, gains more followers, and scales to new levels of success.

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Ready to amplify your brand's presence on TikTok? Schedule a meeting HERE to learn the best ways to get active on TikTok
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    D. Marie Smith

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