Getting the best results out of social media marketing requires some concentrated effort and attention to effective practices. Here are three ways you can improve your social media presence and increase your number of followers.

Producing and publishing content on blogs, websites and social media pages helps you to make current and potential clients aware of what you do and what you offer while establishing your expertise in your industry. The most effective online marketing requires the use of keywords and SEO to make sure your content can be found and promoted by the major search engines. This post discusses the roles of keywords and SEO while offering a cautionary message to those who find themselves obsessing over the effort.

With an audience nearing 300 million active users, the Twitter microblogging platform lets you send quick, concise messages to your marketing campaigns, maintain better engagement with your clients and find new leads that can be converted to clients. These simple facts cannot be ignored. If your Twitter stategy is a bit bland, it is time to spice it up with these 10 ingredients.

When was the last time you refreshed your firm's qualifications statement? There are many marketing professionals who view this document as a mere formality to get into the door for a new opportunity or receive a request for proposal (RFP). It is time to rethink your firm’s traditional qualifications statement.

This post offers creative ideas for integrating an inbound marketing approach with your qualifications statement:

Valentine's Day is almost upon us. While this day may represent a time to celebrate romantic love, it is also a perfect time to recognize your fellow marketing professionals. Think about how much value they bring to you and your firm.  Sometimes it is hard to express our feelings in words.  While a marketer’s value seems to be almost limitless, this post provides just 10 of the many reasons why you really should show your marketers the love.

One of the more notable evolutions in electronic communication for businesses and consumers is the increasing reliance on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices. As you plan your email-based marketing and promotion strategies, you must take into consideration how messages are going to be received and read on mobile devices. Here are some ways to maintain mobile-friendly email marketing that will get your customers' attention and ensure your messages are read.

Tis’ the season for planning the future of your business. Along with many other marketing professionals, you are evaluating what worked this year, identifying opportunities for next year, and drafting a new plan for action.  It is also important to gain a clear idea of where you stand in the current marketplace to bolster additional ideas. A SWOT analysis is an extremely useful tool that any business can add to its self-assessment and forecasting toolbox.

When you use social media marketing to its best advantage, it can be a boon to your business. If handled incorrectly or inconsistently, it can be a waste of time and a missed opportunity. Errors can even make it look like you and your company "just don’t get it." Avoid these nine common social media mistakes and you'll be on your way to social media success.