Small Business Marketing on a Tight Budget: What Actually Works?

We’ve been in the biz for over 30 years here at Mad 4 Marketing, and one thing that we’ve heard since the start—and may never stop hearing—is that a small budget is the biggest hurdle for companies trying to market effectively. That doesn’t need to be true (and we’ll say it every day for another […]

The Psychology of Viral Marketing: Why Some Campaigns Explode and Others Flop

“I think, therefore I am.” The quintessential philosophical phrase can also be applied to marketing, believe it or not. But it’s more like… they think, therefore they buy. In other words, understanding how your customers think, and how marketing techniques impact their thinking—it’s the key to success.  And that’s never more true than when you’re […]

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 […]

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 […]

How the Marketing Strategies of Temu and Shein Make Them Plausible Competition for Amazon

In the rapidly evolving world of e-commerce, new players are constantly emerging, challenging established giants. Two such companies, Temu and Shein, have implemented innovative marketing strategies that have positioned them as formidable competitors to stalwart Amazon. Here’s a closer look at how their unique approaches are reshaping the market. Hyper-Personalization Through Data Analytics By analyzing […]

How to Make the Most of a 30-Second Ad, in an Age of TikTok-Length Attention Spans

Capturing and maintaining consumer attention has become a monumental challenge. While a 30-second television or radio spot used to feel minuscule next to a 60-second ad, it seems positively luxurious next to the seconds-long videos popular on social media today. In order to connect with audiences and make a lasting impact, marketers must maximize every […]