How Can Small Business Owners Budget for Marketing in Times of Economic Uncertainty?
2025 is going to be an interesting year for the nation’s economy. If you look at one report, it says everything’s going to be incredible; glance at another projection, and things are iffy. If you compare 10, you’re going to see guesses that swing wildly across the spectrum. And that’s exactly what they are, for […]
3 New Year’s Resolutions for New Businesses
This blog is for all of the entrepreneurs and startups out there — but, quite frankly, it applies to lots of small businesses that consistently work in startup mode, as well as established businesses that know the smartest way to stay solvent is to always operate like a new business! We wanted to share some […]
2024 Year in Review: Marketing Highlights From Around the Globe
It’s easy to get so caught up in our own work that we lose sight of the bigger picture. As we reflect on the past year, let’s take a look at the marketing landscape from around the globe. Here are a few of the highlights from around the world: Social Media Experimentation The old guard […]
The Best Ways to (Tastefully) Brag About This Year’s Wins
Celebrating your wins at the end of the year should be fun and uncomplicated — but unfortunately, that’s not always the case! If you try to share your good news with the world, it can come off as bragging. In fact, it can create chasms between you and others in your circles if they don’t […]
Do Checkmarks Still Matter? 6 Social Media Verification Pros and Cons
Social media verification, symbolized by the coveted blue checkmark, was once a badge of authenticity. It had a direct impact on a business’s digital presence, indicating that the account was real, associated with the legitimate business it claimed to represent, and could be trusted. Originally introduced by Twitter (now X) in 2009, the checkmark helped […]
Should You Spend More for Your Whole Team to Attend Events?
It’s a question that’s long been debated: Does size matter? You know what we’re talking about, of course! The amount of presence that your company has at industry events. An out-of-town conference can cost your company a pretty penny in travel, hotel, and food. That’s not even counting the cost of attending the event itself. […]
DIY PR: Promote Your Company’s Achievements with the Tools and Team You’ve Already Got
Too demure. Too modest. Too cutesy. Maybe you’ve seen the memes where people post about how sweet, cute, or humble they’re being (sometimes ironically, sometimes not). That’s fine for individuals—but it’s not as great for businesses. When you’re out there winning awards, contributing to your community, and expanding your business in meaningful ways, it’s important […]
Subtle Sells: How to Engage Customers Who Hate Marketing
Customers today are increasingly wary of overt marketing tactics. They prefer authentic and personalized interactions, rather than feeling like they’re just another sales target. At Mad 4 Marketing, we’re often asked if we know how to help our clients achieve their goals if their customers will likely shun them if they suspect they’re being (gasp)…marketed […]
No More Cookie Monsters: How and Why Digital Marketers Should Stop Using Cookies in 2024 (Part 2)
In our last blog, we started a conversation about the end of third-party cookies on Google Chrome. They’ll be phased out starting in, and throughout, 2024. Previously, we talked about what cookies are and how this change might affect digital marketers. Now, here’s a few things you can do in light of this new era […]
No More Cookie Monsters: How and Why Digital Marketers Should Stop Using Cookies in 2024 (Part 1)
In 2024, the digital marketing landscape will shift dramatically as Google Chrome phases out the use of third-party cookies. This move comes as part of an effort to enhance data privacy. This significant change poses challenges and opportunities for marketers who have long relied on cookies to track user behavior and target ads. Here’s how […]