Today, with over 1 billion websites on the internet and a new one added approximately every three seconds, breaking through the noise and securing a spot the highly coveted first page of Google search results is the ultimate goal for brands. But here’s the empowering part: you have the tools get there. 

Let's explore the process.

For companies in the garden industry, finding ways to stand out and engage with your community is critical to success. 

One way to achieve this is by taking part in themed months and hyper-specific holidays in the garden niche. These occasions, such as Garden for Wildlife Month or National Weed Your Garden Day, can help your business connect with your customers near and far on a deeper level and also help you increase brand awareness and sales. 

Remember: Don't just jump on the bandwagon; always purposefully and strategically embrace these opportunities to connect with your audience and leave a lasting impact authentically.

-- Read on to explore the benefits of participating in themed months and hyper-specific holidays and the best ways to recognize them. --

In the modern digital age, new social media platforms pop up every other day. And as quickly as they come, they often fizzle out faster than you can say YikYak, ClubHouse, or Vine. It’s a whirlwind for anyone trying to create a digital marketing strategy!

When TikTok came to the stage, many assumed it, too, wouldn’t last. Yet it continues to be the number one downloaded app, and users average 80 minutes a day scrolling through endless videos. We predict it is here to stay.

Read more to learn how this “clock” app works and how your garden brand can use it. 

A headline can be tough to figure out. Yet it is the most important step to capturing your audience.

Think about what appeals to you. What would make you click on an article? What entices you to keep reading? 

We outlined ways to write the best blog title ever. Check it out to see how to brainstorm engaging headlines.

After reading through those, if you're still stuck, Kim Garst provides some sample headlines, using the info above, that are effective and unique.

What is the number one thing that gets clicks to your blog? Headlines. What is the written content that pops up when your blog gets posted on social media? Headlines.

You get the point. Headlines matter!

According to CopyBlogger, “8 out of 10 people will read headline copy, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest."

One of people's biggest complaints about content marketing is that often times the content is confusing. To avoid this negative reaction, write your content as you would a press release. Make sure your purpose is clear, and arrange your content in a logical, simple manner.

And, be sure your headline entices the reader to open the email. Subject lines seem like a small part of your job, but in actuality, they matter more than anything else!

Read on to learn how to create winning subject and headlines.

What do an abacus, a calculator and an iPhone have in common? They all represent a decline in learning everyday practices.

Less real world learning opportunities are offered in school today while more Googling anything continues to rise. The latest internet meme revolves around knowing what mitochondria are, but not how to file taxes – or even how to care for houseplants.

Generations Y and Z are all about YouTube and will look up just about anything from how to boil an egg, change a flat tire or French braid hair. In fact, no feat is too small for YouTube. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that America’s Retailers Have a New Target Customer: The 26-Year-Old Millennial. This age bracket, bigger than any other, is pushing companies to revamp marketing and products, including a lot of remedial education.

Being able to follow step-by-step instruction offers more to its user than assuming they know what to do with the product. Companies that offer how-to content are quickly climbing the ladder to the most influential brands.

REI’s loyal customer base is the leading example; they have over 500 in-depth articles and videos. In addition, they also have a LIVE chat feature and Q&A on their website.

Continue Reading to see how your brand can utilize How-To content.

At a recent Hubspot conference, creative director Katie Dubow learned the importance of getting different perspectives for your idea, brainstorm session or project.

"You can't think in new ways if there isn't diversity of perspective and experience," said Elaine Welteroth, editor-in-chief, Teen Vogue.

The new collaboration between Vogue and Vice is a perfect example of this because as the new Project Vs tagline says, "opposites attract.”

Learn more about Project Vs, set to launch in 2018, and how going outside the box can attract new audiences and strengthen your brand.

We’ve already talked about the controversial Pepsi ad and the factors that contributed to its failure. To do cause marketing the right way, the campaign must be consistent with the brand and relatable to the target audience. Heineken has recently created a great example of a powerful cause marketing ad.

The international beer distributor created a four minute ad with the tagline “Open Your World.” The video shows strangers with opposing views working together and discussing their contrasting beliefs over a beer. The ad has received widespread praise and definitely works to bring people together, instead of tearing them apart.

Let’s examine these two beverage companies with two political ads — why did Heineken’s ad succeed and Pepsi’s ad fall short?

Continue reading to learn more about Heineken’s Worlds Apart experiment.

Top brands know that an engaging blog is another way to cause chatter online. What better way to speak to consumers than through posts that you write?

The best blogs have a clear mission, speak in an unforgettable voice and are updated often.

This infographic from PR Daily shows just how easy it is to create useful blog posts that your followers will want to read.

Read more to learn how to build a top blog.

It’s not often you get to hear a top CEO talk about business and leadership.

That’s exactly what I did at the Millennial Week Unconference in DC earlier this month.

In addition to hearing social media experts and branding mavens talk strategy, I was fortunate enough to hear LearnVest Founder Alexa von Tobel talk about entrepreneurship and what it takes to be a leader in the field you’re in.

Continue reading for a recap of Alexa von Tobel’s Millennial Week Talk.