The latest and greatest news and information for the inbound marketing community. http://www.patracompany.com https://www.patracompany.com/blog/inbound-2017-recap https://www.patracompany.com/blog/inbound-2017-recap I dont call it failure, I call it feedback. These words from former tennis star Billie Jean King rang through the Boston Convention Center and perfectly encapsulated what seemed to be a common theme throughout the 2017 Hubspot Inbound Marketing Conference embracing failure.Starting from humble beginnings in 2011, Inbound began as a marketing conference run by industry giant Hubspot and has grown to accommodate over twenty thousand visitors from some 90 countries. Featuring a list of speakers and educators made up of some of the greatest minds in the tech and marketing industries - combined with a diverse group of pop culture icons - Inbound is much more of an event than a conference, per se. In the past Inbound has featured icons like Alec Baldwin, Serena Williams, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Michael Strahan, yet even those names couldnt compete with this years star-studded lineup. Names like Pixar CEO Ed Catmull and Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield shared the stage with celebrities such as Michelle Obama, John Cena, Mario Batali, and Judd Apatow. Inbound Marketing Mon, 16 Oct 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/inbound-2017-recap#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/capturing-the-moment-with-live-video https://www.patracompany.com/blog/capturing-the-moment-with-live-video The power of live isnt new. Delivering live experiences has been News TVs biggest draw since television hit the airwaves. In fact, most of the popular shows in the 1950s began as a live medium. Thats why programs appeared at different times across different time zones.So if live isnt new, why is it something todays businesses cant ignore The accessibility of live video and its power of engagement across all channels especially social spaces has created a whole new industry dedicated to creating and capturing key moments now in real time. New tools are making live video accessible to everyone. Inbound Marketing, Video, Photography Fri, 15 Sep 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/capturing-the-moment-with-live-video#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/showcasing-your-resort-through-drone-photography-and-video https://www.patracompany.com/blog/showcasing-your-resort-through-drone-photography-and-video The advent of drones makes the once-prohibitively expensive task of aerial videography much more feasible for a much broader swath of destinations and attractions, says Peter Himler, owner of Flatiron Communications LLC. Why is this important Inbound Marketing, Video, Photography Tue, 18 Jul 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/showcasing-your-resort-through-drone-photography-and-video#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-get-more-contacts-through-your-website https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-get-more-contacts-through-your-website As a business owner, your website is one of your most valuable assets--especially if you want to grow your contact list. However, if youre not getting traffic to your website, its difficult to feel like your website is an asset. Add low conversion rates, and that may deflate your confidence in your website even further. Inbound Marketing, Websites, SEO Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-get-more-contacts-through-your-website#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-google-how-knowledge-gives-marketers-a-successful-perspective https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-google-how-knowledge-gives-marketers-a-successful-perspective No one knew in 1998, the year Google first appeared as a search engine, that it would go from serving a mere 147 million users to a potential 3,739 million. Yet from those small beginnings a giant has emerged. Inbound Marketing,Websites,SEO,Website Secruity Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-google-how-knowledge-gives-marketers-a-successful-perspective#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/patracompany-partnering-with-databox https://www.patracompany.com/blog/patracompany-partnering-with-databox PatraCompany has partnered with Databox. Why Because Databox helps us meet our mission of promoting our clientrsquos business growth with creativity, sound reason, and data-driven execution. Inbound Marketing,Websites Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/patracompany-partnering-with-databox#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hiring-a-maine-web-design-company https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hiring-a-maine-web-design-company Have you ever thought, ldquoIrsquod like more business. Maybe I need a new website.rdquo Your instincts may be spot on. However as beneficial as a new website could be for your Maine business, therersquos much to consider. Gaining ROI demands a clear vision of how to use this as an opportunity to revamp your brand. Inbound Marketing,Websites Fri, 16 Jun 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hiring-a-maine-web-design-company#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/mobile-page-delivery https://www.patracompany.com/blog/mobile-page-delivery Itrsquos NASCAR racing time again and 2017rsquos stock car racing battles are on. You might ask, ldquoWhat does this have to do with online marketingrdquo Far more than you realize. No, you donrsquot have to become a NASCAR fanmdashjust a student of the strategies racing teams use to compete for the winnerrsquos circle. Those strategies are a lot like the tactics successful internet marketers must use on todayrsquos mobile race trackmdashthe Internet. Inbound Marketing,Websites Thu, 27 Apr 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/mobile-page-delivery#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/email-management-vs-marketing-automation https://www.patracompany.com/blog/email-management-vs-marketing-automation Your business could be small enough to not need marketing automation. However, if your business is large enough to use one of the many email marketing platforms, itrsquos time to consider your marketing automation options. Before you can do this, its important to understand the differences between what an email marketing platform offers and what marketing automation offers your business. Inbound Marketing,Email Marketing Mon, 24 Apr 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/email-management-vs-marketing-automation#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/drone-video-production-service https://www.patracompany.com/blog/drone-video-production-service Its no wonder that drone video production has become so popular. It allows you to get shots that deliver a perspective everyone dreams of, yet rarely has the opportunity to experience. However before you hire a drone video production company, there are some things you need to know. You cant just go out and start filming video from the air. Unmanned aircraft systems UASs a.k.a. drones are regulated entities. Thus, there are some basic facts you must know. Video Wed, 19 Apr 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/drone-video-production-service#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/less-is-more-rethink-your-advertising-strategy https://www.patracompany.com/blog/less-is-more-rethink-your-advertising-strategy Who is your audience Itrsquos been the most important question you can ask for effective advertising since the 20th century. However, that question has taken on a deeper meaning in the 21st century. If yoursquore asking why, just take a look at the shift in age demographics and in their technology adoption and media usage habitsge Advertising Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/less-is-more-rethink-your-advertising-strategy#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-php https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-php When you hear the term PHP, do you think programming language Or website builder Itrsquos become both. However, what you see today has changed significantly from its initial purpose. After all back in 1994, Rasmus Lerdorf only conceived of a set of lsquoPersonal Home Page Toolsrsquo that would monitor his online resume. PHP Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-php#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/adwords-mobile-vs-desktop-why-separation-increases-conversions https://www.patracompany.com/blog/adwords-mobile-vs-desktop-why-separation-increases-conversions ldquoPeople often behave differently when browsing on a phone versus a desktop,rdquo says Tim Jensen in his SmashingMagazine.com article Targeting Mobile Users Through Google AdWords. Little has changed in the 2 years since he expressed this opinion except this More people are beginning and ending their searches on their mobile devices. Inbound Marketing Mon, 20 Mar 2017 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/adwords-mobile-vs-desktop-why-separation-increases-conversions#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-choose-social-media-platforms-to-complement-your-business-needs https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-choose-social-media-platforms-to-complement-your-business-needs Facebook. Google Plus. Instagram. LinkedIn. Pinterest. SnapChat. Twitter. YouTube. These are just some of the social media platforms in todayrsquos marketplace. However, unless you know exactly how each platform fits into your overall business strategy, yoursquoll find yourself overspending for the value received. Social Media, Business, Web Marketing Fri, 17 Feb 2017 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-choose-social-media-platforms-to-complement-your-business-needs#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-a-high-bounce-rate-doesnt-tell-you-the-full-story https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-a-high-bounce-rate-doesnt-tell-you-the-full-story Bounce rate - whether youre new or experienced with reading Google Analytics data is easily the most confusing data set anyone with a web presence deals with. Almost everyone assumes high bounce rates are proof youre doing something wrong, while low bounce rates validate success. This isnt supported by the facts. Theres more to the story. bounce rate, analytics, SEO, content Thu, 16 Feb 2017 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-a-high-bounce-rate-doesnt-tell-you-the-full-story#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/three-questions-marketers-should-ask-in-2017 https://www.patracompany.com/blog/three-questions-marketers-should-ask-in-2017 In todays market, your website is the most important marketing tool you have. I doubt we need to convince you of that. You already know you need to be where your customers have easy access to you, and thats clearly the internet. Inbound Marketing Mon, 13 Feb 2017 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/three-questions-marketers-should-ask-in-2017#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/new-hubspot-products-for-2017 https://www.patracompany.com/blog/new-hubspot-products-for-2017 HubSpot was a leading innovator when it introduced HubSpot University in 2009. Providing free training in inbound marketing more than tripled the companys customer base. In fact, free content has been the primary way this company markets itself. So it shouldnt be any surprise that HubSpot announced the release of HubSpot Marketing Free at Inbound16, HubSpots annual Inbound event. Inbound Marketing Tue, 24 Jan 2017 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/new-hubspot-products-for-2017#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-get-more-video-mileage-across-social-media https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-get-more-video-mileage-across-social-media Big businesses like Progressive and Macys recognize the importance of mobile traffic upon video decisions. Do you Are your decisions about video based upon data Or are you still depending upon your instincts If you study what the data says, youll gain insights into how to get more video mileage across social media. Video,Social Media Fri, 13 Jan 2017 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-get-more-video-mileage-across-social-media#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/googles-divided-index-your-website-must-go-mobile-friendly https://www.patracompany.com/blog/googles-divided-index-your-website-must-go-mobile-friendly On November 4, 2016 Google announced it officially - they will index the mobile-friendly version of a page first to build their database, with desktop-friendly pages afterwards. Its a major change and one that reflects the impact mobile devices have made in the marketplace. Inbound Marketing,Websites Fri, 06 Jan 2017 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/googles-divided-index-your-website-must-go-mobile-friendly#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/revisiting-previous-blogs-the-power-of-updating-content https://www.patracompany.com/blog/revisiting-previous-blogs-the-power-of-updating-content Youve heard fresh content is essential for good SEO. Did you realize that Google treats changes to existing content as fresh content as well This means something as simple as adding an image that wasnt there before can help Google and the other search engines rate your website as an active site. Inbound Marketing,Websites Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/revisiting-previous-blogs-the-power-of-updating-content#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-become-a-tool-and-make-your-website-useful https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-become-a-tool-and-make-your-website-useful Every marketing director wants engagement with followers, visitors that return to the company website again and again. Youre seeking brand recognition and conversions. To experience the fruition of these desires, your website must be more than informational. It must be useful Inbound Marketing,Websites Mon, 19 Dec 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-become-a-tool-and-make-your-website-useful#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/brand-refresh-and-the-benefits-of-cohesive-logo-design https://www.patracompany.com/blog/brand-refresh-and-the-benefits-of-cohesive-logo-design When Team EJP Everett J. Prescott Inc. came to us, they had six sister companies in related industries. However, the branding failed to leverage this connection - not one of the sister company logos had an element within it that linked it to the parent company. In addition, the color schemes and fonts were inconsistent with each other, creating an incohesive appearance when presented together. Our first goal before moving forward with developing their inbound marketing platform was to resolve this issue. Inbound Marketing,Branding Thu, 15 Dec 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/brand-refresh-and-the-benefits-of-cohesive-logo-design#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/shock-top-multi-marketing-success-story https://www.patracompany.com/blog/shock-top-multi-marketing-success-story Running your companys first Super Bowl ad is a big investment and a major risk. However, Jake Kirsch wasnt gambling. Hed already hedged the investment with a digital marketing plan. It worked and heres why. Inbound Marketing,Video Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/shock-top-multi-marketing-success-story#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-and-hubspot-lead-nurturing-done-right https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-and-hubspot-lead-nurturing-done-right Youve got a sales lead who isnt ready to commit yet. Thats common. In fact over 50 of the people you connect with are still exploring. Lead nurturing is one of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between interest and purchase, so doing it the proper way is essential. Inbound Marketing Mon, 07 Nov 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-and-hubspot-lead-nurturing-done-right#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/would-a-increase-in-website-traffic-help-your-business https://www.patracompany.com/blog/would-a-increase-in-website-traffic-help-your-business Would a 283 increase in website traffic help your business Thats what a total web design and marketing overhaul did for Wallboard Supply Company, Inc. Here are the assets they had when they contacted us in 2012. Websites,Web Development,Inbound Marketing,SEO,Branding Fri, 04 Nov 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/would-a-increase-in-website-traffic-help-your-business#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-the-computer-bug https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-the-computer-bug Bugs. They invade our cupboards. They make trails through our picnics. They hover in our gardens. One even made history for its power to cause the Mark II, an early mechanical computer, to malfunction. Websites,Web Development,Website Security Thu, 20 Oct 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-history-of-the-computer-bug#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/online-reviews-when-and-why-they-matter https://www.patracompany.com/blog/online-reviews-when-and-why-they-matter With 80 of your potential customers saying they trust online review sites as much as personal recommendations and 75 saying they trust a business more when they see positive reviews, you might be saying, Ive got to get more reviews. However, the audience you cater to also matters. If your market is baby boomers, theyre not quite as trusting of online reviews. Inbound Marketing, SEO, Branding Mon, 17 Oct 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/online-reviews-when-and-why-they-matter#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/youtube-video-ads-start-and-close-buying-cycles https://www.patracompany.com/blog/youtube-video-ads-start-and-close-buying-cycles Recent data from Google highlights a new trend in YouTube video ads. Your video ads are more than a tool for fueling awareness among your potential customers of what youre offering. They actually play a key role in getting your customers to purchase. Here is what Google preferred ads could do for your business. Video Wed, 12 Oct 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/youtube-video-ads-start-and-close-buying-cycles#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/improving-your-marketing-strategy-through-wistia-and-hubspot-integration https://www.patracompany.com/blog/improving-your-marketing-strategy-through-wistia-and-hubspot-integration While YouTube may be the first place most people think of when they think of online video, there are limitations with that platform. For one, your inbound marketing strategy is hijacked by YouTube. You have little to no control over the ads it chooses to serve up with your videos.In addition, your prospective customers may never reach your website. Even if you spend time digging through your YouTube analytics, you know little more than the fact they watched your video. Websites,Inbound Marketing, SEO,Video Thu, 15 Sep 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/improving-your-marketing-strategy-through-wistia-and-hubspot-integration#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/3-vital-reasons-why-you-cant-ignore-the-impact-of-mobile-on-your-customers-shopping-experience https://www.patracompany.com/blog/3-vital-reasons-why-you-cant-ignore-the-impact-of-mobile-on-your-customers-shopping-experience A recent report released by Google states boldly, When people shop, their smartphone is now their go-to advisor and assistant. The search engine giant believes mobile has redefined the way consumers make buying decisions. It rewards websites that are mobile friendly because of its certainty in this fact. This in itself is a reason you cant ignore the impact of mobile on your customers shopping experience. However, there are even more compelling reasons you cant afford to overlook. Websites,Inbound Marketing,SEO Tue, 13 Sep 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/3-vital-reasons-why-you-cant-ignore-the-impact-of-mobile-on-your-customers-shopping-experience#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/website-traffic-declined-over-labor-day-weekend-dont-fret https://www.patracompany.com/blog/website-traffic-declined-over-labor-day-weekend-dont-fret Seriously, theres no reason to twist yourself in knots over reduced traffic to your website over holidays, if youre looking at the right information for your business type. The B2B and B2C markets are such opposites that if youre looking at data for the wrong business type, your decisions could be disastrous for your business.Heres just one example of why you should be careful youre not comparing plums with apricots. Similar fruit. Very different taste and texture. Websites,Inbound Marketing,Branding,SEO Tue, 09 Aug 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/website-traffic-declined-over-labor-day-weekend-dont-fret#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-sell-a-crm-to-your-team https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-sell-a-crm-to-your-team By now you already know the benefits of a CRM Customer Relationship Management software. You have already researched multiple platforms, spoken to representatives, and chances are you have even tried to launch one for your organizations. Why hasnt team adoption successfully happened yet Websites,Inbound Marketing,Branding Thu, 04 Aug 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-sell-a-crm-to-your-team#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-ways-you-will-find-hidden-income-using-cmp https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-ways-you-will-find-hidden-income-using-cmp Saving money. Sometimes your options are obvious, and theyre easy to implement. However, other ways your business could save money, and even increase your business income, may not be as clear. Have you ever felt youre in a holding pattern Youre breaking even, yet youre not breaking through. Websites,Inbound Marketing,Branding Wed, 20 Jul 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-ways-you-will-find-hidden-income-using-cmp#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hotels-resorts-and-inns-do-your-photos-push-business-to-your-competition https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hotels-resorts-and-inns-do-your-photos-push-business-to-your-competition Quality photos make all the difference in marketing your hotel, resort or inn. You never know what device the consumer is viewing your pictures on. Imagine someone who has connected their 32-inch hi-definition TV to their computer. Theyre seeing your photographs near life-size. It better be sharp, providing clear details. If the pics you share are fuzzy or poorly lit, customers may wonder what youre hiding, at best, or they may conclude that youre a low-quality operation. Inbound Marketing,Video Editing,Video,Photography Tue, 19 Jul 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hotels-resorts-and-inns-do-your-photos-push-business-to-your-competition#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/would-tourists-find-your-business-in-a-where-is-waldo-internet https://www.patracompany.com/blog/would-tourists-find-your-business-in-a-where-is-waldo-internet When Martin Handford turned his love for drawing crowds into the Where is Waldo concept, he tapped into an idea that spread around the world. Whether Waldo is known as Wally, Walter, Charlie, Ali, Efi or Willy depending upon the country and language in which the books are published, theres a great deal you can learn from the bespectacled Waldo about marketing your business. Inbound Marketing,Website Security,Websites Thu, 14 Jul 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/would-tourists-find-your-business-in-a-where-is-waldo-internet#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/our-seo-toolbox-7-vital-tools-we-use-and-why https://www.patracompany.com/blog/our-seo-toolbox-7-vital-tools-we-use-and-why Were passionate about many things. We love Inbound marketing because it converts leads into customers. Web design and development reward us by helping you leverage on- and off-line business for more profits. Video production, photography and graphic design turn a visually-oriented audience into customers and followers, while they complement the personal connection with your brand you nurture most effectively through social media. Inbound Marketing,Website Security,Websites Mon, 11 Jul 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/our-seo-toolbox-7-vital-tools-we-use-and-why#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-https-and-ssl-pros-and-cons https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-https-and-ssl-pros-and-cons Hello everybody. Welcome to another edition of Feet Up Friday. Im your host, BrendanGilbert. This week were talking about HTTPS pros and cons. If youre interested in making your site HTTPS, also known as green bar, green padlock, or ssl, were going to discuss the benefits and the hurdles youre going to run into making this switch. Inbound Marketing,Website Security,Websites Thu, 16 Jun 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-https-and-ssl-pros-and-cons#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/turn-your-blog-delicious-with-secret-sauce https://www.patracompany.com/blog/turn-your-blog-delicious-with-secret-sauce From MuscleMeds Secret Sauce for muscle growth and recovery activation, Kathy Terrillrsquos Secret Sauce for eBay Sales, Christine Hasslerrsquos Secret Sauce Mastermind Program and even McDonaldrsquos secret sauce for its Big Mac, you hear about top secret stuff everywhere. Secret sauces are the rage.nbsp Blogging Fri, 10 Jun 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/turn-your-blog-delicious-with-secret-sauce#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-your-email-working-for-you https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-your-email-working-for-you ldquoCompany newsletters can go a long way in educating and persuading your clients and prospects to work with you.rdquo So says Benchmark. They tell you a newsletter increases brand recall and association. They say itrsquos easier to personalize and target your customer communications. It prepares you for quicker and wider market penetration when you introduce something new. Itrsquos cost-effective and even leverages todayrsquos concern with lsquogreenrsquo ways of doing business. Email Marketing Thu, 09 Jun 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-your-email-working-for-you#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/a-hacked-website-equals-revenue-destruction https://www.patracompany.com/blog/a-hacked-website-equals-revenue-destruction You dont have to sell anything to be attractive to hackers. Just have a website.When hackers send out their automated attacks theyre rarely looking for your site deliberately. Theyre just crawling the web for vulnerable sites. If yours happens to be caught in the net they broadcast, theyre going to hack. Automation is the norm in hacking strategies. Websites,Website Security Thu, 02 Jun 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/a-hacked-website-equals-revenue-destruction#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-recipe-for-quality-video-content https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-recipe-for-quality-video-content Have you ever asked someone for a recipe because the dish was so wonderful They shared it with a smile, and you had every expectation that youd soon be enjoying the same delectable dessert or entree in your own home. It soon became apparent the recipe was missing somethingan ingredient or technique that the instructions failed to convey. When you asked about it, you got the, ldquoOhhellip I forgot to tell you, I add a littlehelliprdquo or ldquoI find the recipe works better if I dohelliprdquo Video Editing,Video Thu, 02 Jun 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-recipe-for-quality-video-content#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/interruption-marketing-how-its-like-bad-in-laws https://www.patracompany.com/blog/interruption-marketing-how-its-like-bad-in-laws Pushy. Irritating. Thats just a start. Interruption marketings affinity with bad in-laws is seen everywhere. Yes, even in places you dont find mentioned in the typical definition youll find on Wikipedia and elsewhere. Most say its a traditional marketing model for promoting products and dependent upon someone stopping what theyre doing to pay attention. Inbound Marketing Thu, 19 May 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/interruption-marketing-how-its-like-bad-in-laws#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/text-isnt-enough-your-marketing-needs-video https://www.patracompany.com/blog/text-isnt-enough-your-marketing-needs-video Google likes text, but what about your potential customers Whether were talking about B2B or B2C, the statics for text arent friendly As CEO of Chartbeat Tony Haile reported in a 2014 Time article, We confuse what people have clicked on for what theyve read. We mistake sharing for reading. This may be true of video as well, however, the stats for video are far more positive. More on this later. Video,Inbound Marketing Mon, 16 May 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/text-isnt-enough-your-marketing-needs-video#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/email-marketing-b2b-vs-b2c https://www.patracompany.com/blog/email-marketing-b2b-vs-b2c Has this topic ever confused you Exactly what makes marketing to a business different from marketing to a consumer While there are some common areas such as relationship building, other aspects of email marketing diverge significantly. Understanding these differences is key to successful email marketing. Email Marketing,Inbound Marketing Tue, 10 May 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/email-marketing-b2b-vs-b2c#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/black-hat-seo-a-wicked-way-to-piss-off-google https://www.patracompany.com/blog/black-hat-seo-a-wicked-way-to-piss-off-google Do you want to turn Google into your avowed enemy Play wicked. Use SEO techniques which match the definition of Black Hat SEOignore search engine rules or present different content to the searchbot and the search person. Search Engine Optimization,SEO Thu, 05 May 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/black-hat-seo-a-wicked-way-to-piss-off-google#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/google-removing-side-ads-how-this-change-will-impact-organic-search https://www.patracompany.com/blog/google-removing-side-ads-how-this-change-will-impact-organic-search Everyones asking the question, ldquoWill Googles removing side ads impact marketers organic resultsrdquo According to inbound marketing leader HubSpot, it will. However, theyre still guessing how devastating the change will be. Clearly, placing an extra ad above search results increases the odds an ad is going to take the click rather than an organic result. The real issue is how Google perceives the search term. PPC Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/google-removing-side-ads-how-this-change-will-impact-organic-search#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/social-media-sorting-hat-which-house-are-you-in https://www.patracompany.com/blog/social-media-sorting-hat-which-house-are-you-in Hogwarts House sorting quizzes abound, most of which fail to truly place the quiz taker into a house that reflects the character displayed by that house. Weve prepared a social media sorting hat thats going to identify the house you currently reside within. Lets find out what our sorting hat tells you about your social media style. Social Media Mon, 18 Apr 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/social-media-sorting-hat-which-house-are-you-in#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/have-you-given-your-seo-a-tune-up-lately https://www.patracompany.com/blog/have-you-given-your-seo-a-tune-up-lately Waiting in line at an auto repair shop might not be the place youd expect to find a lesson on SEO, yet thats exactly what happened yesterday. As I listened to the shop supervisor explain why its important to deal with any car problem as soon as it appears, I thought, ldquoThis applies to how I should do SEO.rdquo Here are some the main reasons we should give SEO regular tune-ups, just like we would a car. Search Engine Optimization,Inbound Marketing Wed, 06 Apr 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/have-you-given-your-seo-a-tune-up-lately#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/dont-drain-your-bank-account-with-ppc https://www.patracompany.com/blog/dont-drain-your-bank-account-with-ppc Do you approach pay-per-click PPC as a flat-rate line item in your budget Then youre setting yourself up for draining instead of filling your bank account. Cost-per-click CPC isnt the key consideration. Return on investment ROI must control your PPC decisions. PPC Mon, 04 Apr 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/dont-drain-your-bank-account-with-ppc#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-social-post-dead-end-road-why-you-must-stop-the-redundancy-now https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-social-post-dead-end-road-why-you-must-stop-the-redundancy-now Social posting. Youre told you must do it. Some pundits swear you must do it on every platform. But that takes time, so you turn to tools like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck. Theres only one problem. These tools create redundancysomething you dont want because your loyal following dislikes it, and Google punishes you for it. Inbound Marketing,Social Media Mon, 21 Mar 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-social-post-dead-end-road-why-you-must-stop-the-redundancy-now#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/beware-googles-ides-of-march-awaits-you https://www.patracompany.com/blog/beware-googles-ides-of-march-awaits-you Fact and fiction mingle in Googles world just as it does in the stories of Julius Caesar and his tragic death on March 15 in 44 BC. Shakespeare created a compelling play by taking dramatic liberties. Many SEO firms do the same today. If you truly want to avoid the death of your website during one of Googles algorithm updates, you need to know the facts. Search Engine Optimization,Websites Mon, 14 Mar 2016 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/beware-googles-ides-of-march-awaits-you#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-your-marketing-as-functional-as-a-multi-tool-pocket-knife https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-your-marketing-as-functional-as-a-multi-tool-pocket-knife What does a wildernesscamping survival tool have to do with SEO marketing More than you might realize. Almost every tool on that knife is like a marketing arsenal. Without those tools your marketing loses its effectiveness. Inbound Marketing Tue, 08 Mar 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-your-marketing-as-functional-as-a-multi-tool-pocket-knife#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/dont-leave-your-seo-up-to-luck-this-saint-patricks-day https://www.patracompany.com/blog/dont-leave-your-seo-up-to-luck-this-saint-patricks-day It might seem youve finally discovered that pot of gold at the end of your SEO rainbow. Youve made Page 1. Googles no longer playing the leprechaun. This St. Patricks Day youre lucky.However, Googles algorithms might play tricks on you with the next release. Your SEO is far more like an Irish whiskey at the pub. Its likely to make your feel mighty cheerful before it wears offthen leave you staggering as you try to figure out what to do next. Search Engine Optimization Thu, 03 Mar 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/dont-leave-your-seo-up-to-luck-this-saint-patricks-day#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-real-march-madness-exposed https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-real-march-madness-exposed Did you think March Madness is the tournament of 68 college basketball teams battling it out for top champion in the National College Athletic Association That may be one type of March Madness. The real March Madness is a tournament between marketing strategies Below we discuss the opponents, matchups, and discover which marketing tactic will be the victor. Search Engine Optimization,Inbound Marketing,Email Marketing,Blogging,Social Media,Video,PPC Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-real-march-madness-exposed#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-tale-of-the-3-little-keyword-match-types-and-their-rois https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-tale-of-the-3-little-keyword-match-types-and-their-rois Three little Keywords went to internet market one day with their delicious chocolate fudge. The first was named Broad Match Keyword. The second was Phrase Match Keyword. The last was Exact Match Keyword. Who succeeded in getting the most Google impressions, click-through on their ads and the best ROI Search Engine Optimization,Inbound Marketing,PPC Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-tale-of-the-3-little-keyword-match-types-and-their-rois#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-adwords-setting-you-up-with-bad-valentines-dates https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-adwords-setting-you-up-with-bad-valentines-dates AdWords, AdWords, make me a match. Find me a find. Catch me a catch. Adwords, AdWords, look through your search, and make me a perfect match And what does Google deliver A series of bad Valentines dates. The match is completely offand youre paying for it. PPC Mon, 15 Feb 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/is-adwords-setting-you-up-with-bad-valentines-dates#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-produce-grammy-award-winning-content https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-produce-grammy-award-winning-content When you think of the Grammys, what is your first thought Music Thats common. However, theres so much more to winning a Grammy than music. Talented people are working in the background to put that artist or group in the spotlight. Inbound Marketing,Blogging Thu, 11 Feb 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-produce-grammy-award-winning-content#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/kick-start-your-video-scripts-developing-a-monomyth https://www.patracompany.com/blog/kick-start-your-video-scripts-developing-a-monomyth Monomythif its a word youve never heard before, youre probably more familiar with the phrase ldquothe heros journey.rdquo There is a common theme between the two terms. Universal and eternal popularity.The heros journey appears upon the walls of caves in Lascaux, France. Its the essence of Eve picking the lsquoapple. Its depicted upon the walls of the temples at Karnak. Its recorded in the Iliad of Homer. The journey is repeated in the legend of King Arthur and his round table. The story structure of the quest appeals to every culturefor every heart resonates however secretly with idea of taking risks and discovering newfound wisdom. Video Editing,Video Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/kick-start-your-video-scripts-developing-a-monomyth#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-video-marketing-strategies-to-increase-brand-awareness https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-video-marketing-strategies-to-increase-brand-awareness No marketing tool available to you today has more power than video. The seven types we share here are primed to increase brand awareness. Discover why you should consider using all seven video marketing strategies. And because why loves its companion how, well weave some how-to ideas in as well. Video Editing,Inbound Marketing,Video Mon, 08 Feb 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-video-marketing-strategies-to-increase-brand-awareness#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/6-reasons-why-remarketing-is-2-faced https://www.patracompany.com/blog/6-reasons-why-remarketing-is-2-faced Have your AdWords campaigns been your best friend in the past Then why are they now acting like Two-Face jumped out of Marvel Comics to become your marketing nemesis Why does every campaign now seem as unpredictable as a toss of Two-Faces coin Are you asking yourself, Why are AdWords and my remarketing campaign so schizophrenicThere are six reasons remarketing might not be working for you. That means there are six ways to vanquish Two-Face from Gotham City. Inbound Marketing Wed, 03 Feb 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/6-reasons-why-remarketing-is-2-faced#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-top-super-bowl-videos-that-went-viral https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-top-super-bowl-videos-that-went-viral Were the businesses that purchased advertisements during the Super Bowl in 2011 gambling 3 million per 30 seconds Or were they confident their ads would go viral Almost every one of the top viral Super Bowl videos were launched in 2011. What did these heavy hitters know Video Tue, 02 Feb 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-top-super-bowl-videos-that-went-viral#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/disneys-vault-theory-social-media-and-content-lessons-from-the-master https://www.patracompany.com/blog/disneys-vault-theory-social-media-and-content-lessons-from-the-master Less is more, and Disney knew this long before the saying came into existence. Its the principle behind the famous Disney vault. Besides creating scarcity, the vault ensures the brand doesnt lose its glitterits magic.In an age where almost anything you want to know is a Google search away, what use is the vault theory in social media and content You may be surprised. Social Media Mon, 18 Jan 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/disneys-vault-theory-social-media-and-content-lessons-from-the-master#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/are-your-email-subjects-like-the-drunk-guy-at-the-holiday-party https://www.patracompany.com/blog/are-your-email-subjects-like-the-drunk-guy-at-the-holiday-party Who doesnt love a party Most of us look forward to getting together with friends and family during the holidays. However, youve seen how the fun can drain away rapidly when just one person exceeds his or her personal alcohol consumption capacity. Email Marketing Fri, 15 Jan 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/are-your-email-subjects-like-the-drunk-guy-at-the-holiday-party#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/one-social-media-new-years-resolution-you-should-make https://www.patracompany.com/blog/one-social-media-new-years-resolution-you-should-make Youve made a New Years resolution. I am going to get serious about social media in the New Year. Or youre asking, How do I up my social media game A vague New Years resolution to get serious is going to fade a few weeks in. Upping your game requires a new approach.Yet, both come down to one thing. The most important resolution to make is this. I will get to know the people I want to connect with. Every other aspect of social media hangs upon this and knowing yourself. Social Media Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/one-social-media-new-years-resolution-you-should-make#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-successful-holiday-marketing-campaigns https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-successful-holiday-marketing-campaigns Successful holiday marketing campaigns dont happen by accident. They are carefully planned. When you watch a holiday video such as The Bear and the Hare, you see the main component that drives success is a connection with those things that reach deep into the human heart. The most successful holiday marketing campaigns hinge on one thingstory. Video Editing,Inbound Marketing,Video Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-successful-holiday-marketing-campaigns#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/are-people-running-from-your-emails-like-the-zombie-apocalypse https://www.patracompany.com/blog/are-people-running-from-your-emails-like-the-zombie-apocalypse You cant see your email list, so theres little way to tell if their eyes glaze over when they see your email address. What you can tell is this. The click through rate on your emails is as sluggish as the Zombies in The Walking Dead. Lets face it. Boring emails dont engage anyone. Fortunately, there are ways to resurrect your dull and boring emails. Its a matter of learning how to focus. Email Marketing Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/are-people-running-from-your-emails-like-the-zombie-apocalypse#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/cucumber-and-cat-video-a-website-lesson-in-bounce-rate https://www.patracompany.com/blog/cucumber-and-cat-video-a-website-lesson-in-bounce-rate What could a cucumber and cat video have to do with websites and bounce rates More than you might think. Imagine your website browser is as contented as a cat with its kibble. Theyve entered their search term and the mouse hovers over your website. They click. Your page loads. Then suddenly there it isthe cucumber they didnt expect. Theyre gone.What made your potential customer leap away as quickly as a jittery cat faced with an unexpected cucumber There are several things that may send your visitors scurrying away. And unfortunately, unlike the curious cat, theyre not likely to return. Youve got one chance to engage. So lets shred that cucumber. Websites Mon, 07 Dec 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/cucumber-and-cat-video-a-website-lesson-in-bounce-rate#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/increase-sales-step-up-to-the-plate-like-babe-ruth https://www.patracompany.com/blog/increase-sales-step-up-to-the-plate-like-babe-ruth Babe Ruth is best known for his home runs. He hit it out of the park 714 times. However, the powerful hitter is less known for the way he transformed the game of baseball. Before he came on the scene, baseball consisted of low-scoring strategies where the home run was barely considered important. Once players began focusing on home runs, it transformed the game. It drew crowds.Switching from outbound push marketing to inbound marketing will do the same thing for your sales results as Babe Ruths home runs did for baseball in the 1920s. It will increase your sales success. So lets step up to the plate like Babe Ruth and begin using inbound marketing strategies to increase your sales. Sales Thu, 03 Dec 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/increase-sales-step-up-to-the-plate-like-babe-ruth#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/driving-the-competition-with-video-marketing https://www.patracompany.com/blog/driving-the-competition-with-video-marketing Have you been tagging along, watching what the competition is doing and trying to copy what seems successful. This will never drive the competition. Theyre in control of the marketing car. This can change though, only if you are determined to become a thought leader through your video marketing.According to Shel Israel, ldquoA thought leader is someone who looks at the future and sets a course for it that others will follow. Thought leaders look at existing best practices then come up with better practices. They foment change, often causing great disruption.rdquo1 Are you ready to do this with your video marketing Video Wed, 02 Dec 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/driving-the-competition-with-video-marketing#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-turn-your-blog-into-an-unstoppable-train https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-turn-your-blog-into-an-unstoppable-train What does a train and a blog have in common More than you might think. Step into the shiny Amtrak sitting on your blogs rails, and learn how to make your blog as unstoppable as a train speeding to its destination. Inbound Marketing,Blogging Fri, 20 Nov 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-turn-your-blog-into-an-unstoppable-train#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-questions-to-help-you-find-the-right-balance-for-social-posting https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-questions-to-help-you-find-the-right-balance-for-social-posting Is more better than less According to an article written by Jesse Torres for Entrepreneur, it is. He says, The more times social-media content is seen or heard, the greater the odds of converting a person into a customer.1 However, Brett Relander writes in the same magazine, ... some brands fall into the trap of actually driving away their customers by trying to keep them too close through social media engagement.2 How do you know how much social media posting is too much Social Media Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-questions-to-help-you-find-the-right-balance-for-social-posting#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-email-marketing-helps-you-bring-home-the-bacon https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-email-marketing-helps-you-bring-home-the-bacon The expression bringing home the bacon has been linked to success in earning a livelihood for at least three centuries. How can something less than 40 years oldthe first email marketing campaign launched on May 3, 1978ensure your business hits positive revenue targets What makes email marketing such an important strategy Email Marketing Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-email-marketing-helps-you-bring-home-the-bacon#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/turn-your-landing-pages-into-lead-magnets-with-video-teasers https://www.patracompany.com/blog/turn-your-landing-pages-into-lead-magnets-with-video-teasers You may already recognize the value of video as a customer engagement tool. You may even be using it to provide demonstrations for how to use products you sell. Your prospects may not want to admit they are lazy, but video really is the best way for your prospects to absorb the value you and your products deliver. Somehow, if your prospects learn something, they never feel the time spent watching video was as wasted as that spent on social media. Inbound Marketing,Video Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/turn-your-landing-pages-into-lead-magnets-with-video-teasers#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-ctas-are-like-pumpkin-pie https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-ctas-are-like-pumpkin-pie Imagine your holiday dinner is drawing to a close. Youve saved room for your favorite dessertMoms fabulous pumpkin pie. Theres only one problem. Moms chosen not to make her pie this year. She decided it wasnt really necessary for a Thanksgiving menu. Inbound Marketing,Email Marketing,Websites Fri, 13 Nov 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-ctas-are-like-pumpkin-pie#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/a-hubspot-partner-for-your-marketing-team https://www.patracompany.com/blog/a-hubspot-partner-for-your-marketing-team Lets face it, your marketing team is exhausted. You wear so many hats every day that even the simple tasks get pushed back for months. A large initiative like establishing stronger inbound marketing methods could take your team even longer to execute. With all of that said, your still left asking why a company like yours would ever pay to have an outside marketing partner. What can a Hubspot Partner do for your marketing team Inbound Marketing,Construction Marketing,Hubspot Thu, 05 Nov 2015 00:00:00 EST https://www.patracompany.com/blog/a-hubspot-partner-for-your-marketing-team#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-what-gronk-and-content-marketing-have-in-common https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-what-gronk-and-content-marketing-have-in-common Hello everybody welcome to another edition of Feet Up Friday I am your host Brendan Gilbert. This week were talking about what Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots tight end - we all love him here at the PatraCompany office - has in common with content marketing. To help explain this analogy we will need a team and a game plan. Search Engine Optimization,Inbound Marketing,Blogging Fri, 30 Oct 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-what-gronk-and-content-marketing-have-in-common#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/what-makes-the-best-inbound-marketing-agency https://www.patracompany.com/blog/what-makes-the-best-inbound-marketing-agency So youre entertaining the idea of hiring an inbound marketing agency, but you want an agency who will deliver the best results for your money. This leaves you with the task of finding the right agency to deliver your companys message, products and services to your potential and existing customers in the most efficient and effective way possible. At PatraCompany, we decided to take a deep dive into what you should expect from the best inbound marketing agency. Here are a few aspects that we felt were the most important. Inbound Marketing Fri, 23 Oct 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/what-makes-the-best-inbound-marketing-agency#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-do-i-convert-website-traffic https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-do-i-convert-website-traffic Hello everybody, welcome to another edition of Feet Up Friday. I am your host Brendan Gilbert. This week were going to talk about converting website traffic. This is the convert phase of the inbound marketing philosophy. We want to know who these people are, we want to send them through this machine and pop them out over here to discover who they are, what they have been looking at, and what they might need help them with. Inbound Marketing,Websites Fri, 23 Oct 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-do-i-convert-website-traffic#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-website-good-visitors-vs-bad-visitors https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-website-good-visitors-vs-bad-visitors Jeb Banner suggests that ldquohalf the traffic most sites get could be considered lsquobad.1rdquo What makes that traffic lsquobad Its the fact that the content on the website attracted the wrong visitor. Such lsquobad visitors hurt your ratings with Google because they bounce back to the search engine seeking what they really wanted to find. Search Engine Optimization,Inbound Marketing Mon, 05 Oct 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-website-good-visitors-vs-bad-visitors#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/10-dos-and-donts-of-b2b-social-posting https://www.patracompany.com/blog/10-dos-and-donts-of-b2b-social-posting Weve all heard horror stories of social posts gone wrong. How do you avoid damaging your brand with some careless remark Just what works in B2B social posting, and what sets you up for trouble What creates success, rather than a wasted investment Social Media Mon, 05 Oct 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/10-dos-and-donts-of-b2b-social-posting#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/power-up-your-email-roi-using-marketing-automation https://www.patracompany.com/blog/power-up-your-email-roi-using-marketing-automation The email list in your database is a precious commodity, especially if youve secured it the ldquoold fashioned wayrdquo by ldquoearning it.rdquo Are you leveraging the power of marketing automation to gain the greatest benefit from each email you capture A clear understanding of marketing segmentation will guide you toward an automation strategy which powers up your email return on investment. Email Marketing Mon, 05 Oct 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/power-up-your-email-roi-using-marketing-automation#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/improve-your-marketing-roi-with-video https://www.patracompany.com/blog/improve-your-marketing-roi-with-video According to Vidyard, theres no excuse left for questioning whether video delivers ROI. Their software integrates with marketing automation and CRM tools, and theyre proving every day that video closes deals. Trends also suggest video works. Why else would 68 of marketers and agencies report they expect to increase their spend on video advertising over the next 12 months.1 Video Mon, 05 Oct 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/improve-your-marketing-roi-with-video#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-and-hubspot-7-ways-it-can-benefit-your-company https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-and-hubspot-7-ways-it-can-benefit-your-company HubSpot has been a recognized leader of the inbound marketing movement since 2006. Kissmetrics says, ldquoIf youre a SaaS entrepreneur and need a company to look up to and learn from, HubSpot is one you may want to study. The people at HubSpot maintain steady growth every year, have a great product and an awesome culture, and run a popular conference.rdquo1 The third largest marketing automation vendor, HubSpot was ranked as the single best marketing solution in bringing all the tools together.rdquo2This all-in-one approach means Workflows doesnt always perform as well in some areas as specialized products. Yet this HubSpot automation solutions benefits balance significantly to your favor, especially if your company is smaller. This is a company thats grown from three customers to 10,595 in seven years using their own tools.3Lets look at the key ways turning to HubSpot for marketing automation can benefit your company. Inbound Marketing Tue, 22 Sep 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-and-hubspot-7-ways-it-can-benefit-your-company#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/tailor-video-engage-social-followers https://www.patracompany.com/blog/tailor-video-engage-social-followers Now that Facebook allows page administrators to organize video, its much easier to use video to engage a social following on that platform. Twitter allows users to capture, edit and share right off their smartphones. It only takes a minute to upload video to a LinkedIn profile or company business page. Social media is highly accessible.However, failure to tailor your video to specific audiences could reduce the effectiveness of your video investment. Who wants the time and money devoted to video evaporating without seeing positive ROI And worse, who wants poor video to hurt their brand.As with every aspect of branding and engagement one principle stands outknow who your audience is Then tailor your video to that audience. Video Thu, 17 Sep 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/tailor-video-engage-social-followers#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-best-practices-for-brand-standards-and-logos https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-best-practices-for-brand-standards-and-logos A successful business rests on solid planning. Branding and logo design are too often treated as though their development is discretionary. Yet these two elements have the power to drive business success more effectively than many other business investments.The following five best practices for brand standards and logos outline simple elements which make it easier for your potential customers to recognize you instantly. These principles also guide you toward building rapport with your audience. Inbound Marketing,Branding Thu, 17 Sep 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-best-practices-for-brand-standards-and-logos#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-inbound-plan-use-video-and-boost-results https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-inbound-plan-use-video-and-boost-results If youre already convinced your business needs an inbound marketing plan, your main concern may be how to execute it. What mix will work best Should you emphasize written content, or should your marketing dollars lean more toward videoThe best strategy is to combine the power of multiple media experiences. For example, the stories and examples used to create white papers serve as great foundational pieces for developing video strategies. When you add video to complement your print elements, you boost the results of your inbound plan. Heres why. Inbound Marketing,Video Tue, 15 Sep 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-inbound-plan-use-video-and-boost-results#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-your-inbound-strategy-needs-video https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-your-inbound-strategy-needs-video Visual content gained instant popularity with the motion photography release of A Horse in Motion in 1878. With over 140 years of proof that the whole world is fascinated with watching screens of all sizes, why would any business resist using video as a part of their inbound strategy The benefits are measurable, and it has never cost less to produce.Heres an overview of the primary reasons video must be a part of your inbound strategy, along with tips for how to get started. Video Tue, 15 Sep 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-your-inbound-strategy-needs-video#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/increase-college-admissions-with-inbound-marketing https://www.patracompany.com/blog/increase-college-admissions-with-inbound-marketing Colleges like the University of San Francisco roll out a slick outbound marketing campaigns to increase enrollment. They receive mentioned in SparkRoom as awesome. Clever print media, billboards and posters in bus shelters are effective, yet costly. nbsp There is another option, and it delivers far more for lessinbound marketing. Inbound Marketing Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/increase-college-admissions-with-inbound-marketing#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-do-i-plan-my-social-media-posts https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-do-i-plan-my-social-media-posts Use the 10-4-1 Rule.There are multiple reasons people flock to social mediaconnecting with friends, making business connections, seeking information, staying up with recent events. Planning your social media posts to leverage these motives doesnt have to be difficult. Learn to apply the 10-4-1 rule. It will simplify planning your social media posts. Social Media Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-do-i-plan-my-social-media-posts#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/11-reasons-why-your-business-should-be-writing-blogs https://www.patracompany.com/blog/11-reasons-why-your-business-should-be-writing-blogs Jeff Goins writes, ldquoI waited way too long to start blogging. And that just might be one of the biggest regrets of my life.rdquo nbspThe benefits to your business are exponential. Here are the 11 most important reasons you need to begin blogging now. Blogging Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/11-reasons-why-your-business-should-be-writing-blogs#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-to-get-more-website-visits https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-to-get-more-website-visits Hello everybody welcome to another edition of Feet Up Friday, I am your host Brendan Gilbert. This week we are going to talk about driving more traffic to your website. Inbound Marketing,Blogging,Social Media Fri, 31 Jul 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-how-to-get-more-website-visits#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/photography-in-maine https://www.patracompany.com/blog/photography-in-maine This image of Bass Harbor Lighthouse is one of my favorites. It was taken right after a brief summer storm couple of years ago. I always wanted to get this shot, yet the opportunity had never presented itself before.Its one of the most easily recognizable Maine landmarks today very popular with both tourists and photographers in any season.nbsp As the clouds were moving out eastbound, a very brief sun clearing lit up everything around me with a warm and glowing light. I kept pressing the shutter to catch the right splash on the rocks in front of me.nbsp Just like in all my other images of Maine, Photography Thu, 23 Jul 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/photography-in-maine#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-all-maine-companies-need-inbound-marketing https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-all-maine-companies-need-inbound-marketing Maine companies need inbound marketing regardless of size or market segment. You might ask, ldquoWhy is inbound marketing so important to my company Ive already held successful direct mail campaigns, and radio and TV advertising seem to be going well. Why should I invest in another marketing strategyrdquo Inbound Marketing Wed, 22 Jul 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-all-maine-companies-need-inbound-marketing#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/9-vital-steps-to-evading-website-hackers https://www.patracompany.com/blog/9-vital-steps-to-evading-website-hackers In 2013, the annual Verizon report ldquocounted 621 confirmed data breacheshellip and more than 47,000 reported lsquosecurity incidents.rdquo1 From distributed denial of service DDOS attacks to breaching company networks, these hacking events impacted multiple industries. No one is exempt. Websites Tue, 21 Jul 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/9-vital-steps-to-evading-website-hackers#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-what-is-inbound-marketing https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-what-is-inbound-marketing Hello everybody welcome to Feet Up Friday, I am your host Brendan Gilbert. This week I want to talk about inbound marketing. So if youve heard of inbound marketing you might have a few questions like How can it help my business Can it show me an ROI These are some of the biggest questions we get from business owners and marketing professionals. And we hope to answer them below. Inbound Marketing Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-what-is-inbound-marketing#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-seo-best-practices-to-improve-your-organic-search-results https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-seo-best-practices-to-improve-your-organic-search-results Hello everybody, welcome to Feet Up Friday I am your host Brendan Gilbert. This week I want to talk about SEO best practices to help improve your organic search results. Now, last week I talked about website traffic sources and how people find your website. I didnt really give you a good description on what organic search results are. Therefore, I want to briefly go over that real quick before I get into the SEO best practices. Search Engine Optimization,Inbound Marketing Fri, 19 Jun 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-seo-best-practices-to-improve-your-organic-search-results#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-your-seo-company-isnt-enough https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-your-seo-company-isnt-enough SEO has always stirred up conflicting reports. Some claim you cant achieve online success without it, while others say this was true in the pastthat SEO is obsolete and isnt worth your effort. The truly good SEO companies dont claim theyll have you on the first page of Google within a few weeks. Instead, they point you to strategies that will complement their efforts. Search Engine Optimization Mon, 15 Jun 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-your-seo-company-isnt-enough#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-website-traffic-sources-explained https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-website-traffic-sources-explained Hello everybody, welcome to Feet Up Friday I am your host Brendan Gilbert. Today I want to talk about your website and the traffic sources that bring visitors to your site. Were going to use Brendans Garden Blog as an example in the sections below. Search Engine Optimization,Inbound Marketing Fri, 12 Jun 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/feet-up-friday-website-traffic-sources-explained#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/stop-paying-for-a-crm https://www.patracompany.com/blog/stop-paying-for-a-crm Customer Relationship Management is one of the most important aspects of business. nbspIt is necessary to communicate in a timely manner about current projects, client needs, or follow up on requests. nbspIn todays fast moving business world the answer to organizing these needs is to do it on a cloud based CRM. However, a CRM is a costly and time-consuming tool to integrate into a company of any size. Inbound Marketing Thu, 11 Jun 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/stop-paying-for-a-crm#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-is-professional-video-production-so-cheap https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-is-professional-video-production-so-cheap Why is it that a business can be extremely picky when it comes to their logo, letterhead, business card, brochure, company dress code, etc., but when it comes to producing a video that is most definitely going to populate a lot of first impressions, the business gives the green light on a product of what I kindly call, ldquocraprdquo. What happened to presentation standards when a business decides to use this channel of advertising Maybe my standards are too high Video Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-is-professional-video-production-so-cheap#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/collecting-video-at-art-opening-with-the-sony-a7s https://www.patracompany.com/blog/collecting-video-at-art-opening-with-the-sony-a7s The other week I had the privilege of collecting video at the opening of an exhibit of photography by Yegor Malinovskii. I brought the new, full frame, 12 megapixel Sony A7S with a couple of cannon lenses and a monopod. The show is the first exhibit of this up and coming photographer whose work has been featured in Maine magazine and in collections throughout New England. The event, held at Akari in Downtown Portland, was very well attended. The walls of the upstairs salon were adorned with Malinovskiis stunning, colorful landscapes. The glossy, large metal prints were displayed without nbspframes. The night was a total success for the artist, Yegor, and for the Sony A7S. Not only did the footage look great but the camera was really easy to operate and super flexible. Video Fri, 05 Jun 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/collecting-video-at-art-opening-with-the-sony-a7s#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/what-is-inbound-marketing https://www.patracompany.com/blog/what-is-inbound-marketing With the advent of the internet and social media, a new concept of advertising arose. It proposed that traditional marketing strategies were both expensive and ineffective. Hubspot coined a term for this conceptinbound marketing. What is inbound marketing Simply defined, any strategy which leverages the power of customer search is inbound. It assumes the consumer prefers to look for answers to their needs, rather than having companies tell them what they should want. So instead of running ad campaigns on TV and radio, publishing slick spreads in newspapers or magazines, or cluttering mail boxes with direct mail piecesinbound marketers create content to attract their customers. Inbound Marketing Fri, 05 Jun 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/what-is-inbound-marketing#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-video-can-boost-your-inbound-marketing-strategy https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-video-can-boost-your-inbound-marketing-strategy Visual content is more important than ever when trying to reach busy prospects. In marketing surveys, 71 of professionals reported that their campaigns that use video are more effective than the ones that dont. A few ways to effectively use video in your marketing campaigns Video Editing,Inbound Marketing Tue, 26 May 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-video-can-boost-your-inbound-marketing-strategy#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-for-construction-companies https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-for-construction-companies Everyone loves a method that helps them save time. And, if it allows their marketing methods to be more personal and geared toward specific prospects, so much the better. But, successfully implementing marketing automation into your construction companys efforts online takes some time and understanding of your market. A few tips for effective automation in the construction industry Inbound Marketing,Construction Marketing Mon, 25 May 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/marketing-automation-for-construction-companies#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-importance-of-sales-and-marketing-communication https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-importance-of-sales-and-marketing-communication Sales and marketing departments have, more often than not, had an uncomfortable relationship with one another. In many companies, these departments have felt that they were at odds. Marketing gets frustrated when sales neglects hot leads sales gets annoyed when they feel that marketing hasnt created the materials necessary to properly warm up a prospect. But, in a successful modern business, its more important than ever for your sales and marketing departments to work together to nurture leads and convert them to new business for your construction firm. A few ways to bring these teams together Inbound Marketing Fri, 22 May 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-importance-of-sales-and-marketing-communication#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/modern-online-marketing-avenues-explained https://www.patracompany.com/blog/modern-online-marketing-avenues-explained Just as traditional marketing includes a variety of channels like TV, radio, print and direct mail, modern digital marketing includes a wealth of avenues, as well. To make sure that your construction companys marketing is optimally effective, you need to make sure that you are taking full advantage of every relevant channel. What is effective for one prospect may be a non-starter with another. By reaching out in a number of venues, you can ensure that you have better market penetration. What channels should you use in your digital marketing efforts Some of the most important places to start Inbound Marketing,Construction Marketing Thu, 21 May 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/modern-online-marketing-avenues-explained#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-construction-marketing-checklist https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-construction-marketing-checklist Online marketing is a must in todays construction industry. Overwhelmed trying to figure out what youll need Start by making sure that your online marketing plan includes all of these Inbound Marketing,Construction Marketing Wed, 20 May 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/your-construction-marketing-checklist#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-rebound-from-googles-mobilegeddon-update https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-rebound-from-googles-mobilegeddon-update Did it hit you Many sites found that, overnight, they went from indexing well on Google to invisible in the top ten results. The reason They failed to create mobile-friendly options for their visitors who were coming to the site from tablets or mobile phones. Mobile is especially important for locally-oriented businesses such as construction, since many prospects will use their phones when checking out local companies. Search Engine Optimization Mon, 11 May 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-rebound-from-googles-mobilegeddon-update#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/10-easy-ways-to-promote-your-small-business https://www.patracompany.com/blog/10-easy-ways-to-promote-your-small-business Marketing your small business can seem overwhelming, particularly if you are squeezed for time or cash. But, by adding a few easy habits to your business day, you can reap great rewards. No matter what size your marketing budget, these are tips you can use Inbound Marketing,Construction Marketing Mon, 20 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/10-easy-ways-to-promote-your-small-business#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-internet-construction-maketing-challenges-you-may-face https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-internet-construction-maketing-challenges-you-may-face There are two things every construction company owner needs to know about marketing online. First, it is quickly becoming a dominant marketing channel. And second, it is dramatically different from traditional marketing in dozens of ways. But, by taking time to learn about the potential challenges, you can be ready to face them and succeed in this new arena. A few of the challenges people in your industry face Inbound Marketing,Construction Marketing Fri, 17 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/5-internet-construction-maketing-challenges-you-may-face#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/attracting-customers-with-the-inbound-methodology-process https://www.patracompany.com/blog/attracting-customers-with-the-inbound-methodology-process Todays customers are different. In earlier eras, marketing was a one-way conversation. Businesses would advertise or reach out via methods like cold calling or direct mail. Customers would respond, gather information from the business and make a decision. But now, a customer can do nearly all of their purchasing research passively without making direct contact with a business. According to The Guardian, a customer will engage with an average of 18 pieces of content before finally reaching a purchasing decision. By the time you hear directly from a potential buyer, almost all of their buying decision has been made. To ensure that your company is the one that they buy from, attract them to your site so your content is with them throughout their buyers journey. Inbound Marketing Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/attracting-customers-with-the-inbound-methodology-process#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/customers-you-have-them-now-how-do-keep-them https://www.patracompany.com/blog/customers-you-have-them-now-how-do-keep-them Would you be surprised to learn that you already have your most qualified list of leads in your possession While most marketing campaigns concentrate on bringing in new blood, the real money is in another cohort those people who have already purchased from you. While its still important to bring in new leads, money spent continuing to court the people who have already purchased from you is money well spent. Inbound Marketing Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/customers-you-have-them-now-how-do-keep-them#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-convert-website-visitors-into-leads https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-convert-website-visitors-into-leads Getting traffic to your site is vital. But, its not enough to sustain a business and bring in the revenue that you need to thrive. To get sales, you need a way to convert your website visitors into quality leads. You need to know who is visiting your site and how you can get back in touch. Inbound Marketing Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-to-convert-website-visitors-into-leads#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/closing-the-deal-on-website-leads https://www.patracompany.com/blog/closing-the-deal-on-website-leads Youve gotten visitors and qualified them as leads. Now comes the most important part closing the deal and converting those leads into buyers. Modern prospects are savvy and it takes some work to nurture a lead into a sale. A few tips to help your marketing and sales team close Inbound Marketing Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/closing-the-deal-on-website-leads#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-marketing-and-advertising-tips-for-contractors https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-marketing-and-advertising-tips-for-contractors Is your marketing for your contracting business as effective as it could be The digital arena is, in many ways, very different from traditional advertising venues. Understanding the changes can help you navigate these waters and find better success with advertising both online and offline. A few tips and tricks Inbound Marketing,Construction Marketing Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/7-marketing-and-advertising-tips-for-contractors#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/easy-and-profesional-ways-to-market-your-construction-company https://www.patracompany.com/blog/easy-and-profesional-ways-to-market-your-construction-company Marketing can be intimidating. Digital and mobile can be difficult for people to master, and it can be difficult to keep up with the changes. But, there are still professional and easy things you can do every day to market your construction business. Inbound Marketing,Construction Marketing Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/easy-and-profesional-ways-to-market-your-construction-company#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/value-of-a-giveaway https://www.patracompany.com/blog/value-of-a-giveaway A valuable way to reach more potential customers is through running a giveaway or offering a free sample of your product. This is a great way to get your product or resources out there and talked about. Everyone is more apt to support you after trying your product, or even just being given a chance at trying your product.There are a number of reasons that giving away something is a beneficial marketing strategy. Using the internet for marketing is very cost effective, and a giveaway can be one of the quickest ways to gain clients. Some reasons to offer something for free or to hold a giveaway Inbound Marketing Fri, 10 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/value-of-a-giveaway#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/should-you-be-linkedin-or-not https://www.patracompany.com/blog/should-you-be-linkedin-or-not Social media has made a name and place for itself in every facet of life. It doesnt matter if it is school or work, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are all involved. Businesses rely on the use of social media as a marketing tool and as a way to connect with the public in various ways. Small businesses use LinkedIn as a way to interact with many of their colleagues for many reasons. Reasons that can be beneficial to the business. Inbound Marketing,Social Media Wed, 08 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/should-you-be-linkedin-or-not#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/posting-seperate-content-to-social-media-channels https://www.patracompany.com/blog/posting-seperate-content-to-social-media-channels SO you have decided that allocating some of your marketing energy to social media is important. Now you are ready to start posting content in order to gain a larger target audience. Before you start there are a few things you should know about social media channels, they are not all created equally and different businesses will get more out of some and less out of others.In order to get the best results you should use more than one social media site but each one has different rules and may have different audience personas. Here are a few examples of how to post different content to different social sites. Inbound Marketing,Social Media Mon, 06 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/posting-seperate-content-to-social-media-channels#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/lessons-on-re-directs-for-business https://www.patracompany.com/blog/lessons-on-re-directs-for-business As the term redirection would suggest, redirects are the methods of forwarding or redirecting URLs to other URLs. This is done for various reasons, but redirection is a large part of SEO methodology. This is achieved through three categories of redirects that are simply termed 301, 302 and Meta refresh redirects. Search Engine Optimization Fri, 03 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/lessons-on-re-directs-for-business#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/ins-and-outs-of-paid-and-organic-search-traffic https://www.patracompany.com/blog/ins-and-outs-of-paid-and-organic-search-traffic When you are looking for ways to make the most money from your website, you need to make sure that your website traffic is as high as possible. These search hits come from organic searches, but they also come from search ads that come up on search engines. You need to know what is going to be most effective, and you need to target users based on what you think you can get them to read. Search Engine Optimization Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/ins-and-outs-of-paid-and-organic-search-traffic#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/6-blogging-ideas-you-should-be-using-already https://www.patracompany.com/blog/6-blogging-ideas-you-should-be-using-already Starting and running an effective blog is essential for any business. If a business wants to expand their online brand, it is important to improve page ranking. To receive traffic from the search engines, a blog or website must be updated on a regular basis. Blogs are more convenient than websites for adding daily content to the search engines. Here are six ideas you should already implementing Inbound Marketing Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/6-blogging-ideas-you-should-be-using-already#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/content-is-more-than-just-blog-posts https://www.patracompany.com/blog/content-is-more-than-just-blog-posts When you hear the term content creation you initially think of blogging and writing articles about your niche or market. Good business bloggers will use many strategies for content creation that goes far beyond writing articles.Your blog will always be a hub, landing space and headquarters for customers but you dont always have to feed them articles. There are many ways to get your message across, most are more sharable than articles. As we look at several examples try thinking about ideas that could work for your business. Inbound Marketing,Blogging Fri, 27 Mar 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/content-is-more-than-just-blog-posts#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/do-i-need-to-blog-every-day https://www.patracompany.com/blog/do-i-need-to-blog-every-day Maintaining a website is a necessity for all modern businesses. Part of keeping a business site involves regular blog updates. Designed to entice consumers to visit the site, increase brand recognition and eventually raise sales, blog posts are an important communication method for companies.nbspThe relationship between businesses and consumers has undergone a radical transformation due to the Internet, leaving many questions regarding what methods are most effective online. Many business owners are uncertain about setting up and maintaining a blog, thinking that it will require a great deal of time each day. However, this important marketing tool can be implemented into a company site with a minimal time investment. Inbound Marketing,Blogging Wed, 25 Mar 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/do-i-need-to-blog-every-day#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/4-thoughts-on-site-navigation https://www.patracompany.com/blog/4-thoughts-on-site-navigation Navigation on websites will control how people interact when they visit a site. If the site is difficult to navigate i.e. individuals cannot figure out how to access the needed information they are less likely to visit that site again, and they definitely will not be referring other people to the site. Search Engine Optimization Mon, 23 Mar 2015 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/4-thoughts-on-site-navigation#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-email-marketing-is-important-for-your-business https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-email-marketing-is-important-for-your-business There are numerous ways to reach out to customers from direct mail to social media however companies often miss out on email marketing campaign efforts. By not doing this companies are overlooking a massive conversion potential. By utilizing an email marketing campaign companies are better able to reach out to their customers on a personal level which can ultimately lead to more purchases.Personalized emails will go directly into the inbox of customers, this saves them the hassle of logging in online or checking social media outlets. As well, they will not have distractions while they view your newsletter. This will allow customers to spend more time focusing on your products and services and ultimately leading to more conversions. Inbound Marketing,Email Marketing Tue, 16 Sep 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/why-email-marketing-is-important-for-your-business#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/when-to-send-your-newsletter-for-best-results https://www.patracompany.com/blog/when-to-send-your-newsletter-for-best-results Alright, you have developed the perfect newsletter for your business. It is not only engaging, contains unique content, but is industry driven for your field. You have hit the jackpot. Now, when is the best time to send itYou sit their contemplating when to let your masterpiece go to your customers inboxes. Is it too early in the morning Is it too late in the evening Are weekends too personal of a time to hit send No worries, follow these easy steps and you will find the perfect time to send your email newsletter campaigns, enabling you to not only reach your customers, but connect with them.nbsp Inbound Marketing Fri, 12 Sep 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/when-to-send-your-newsletter-for-best-results#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/to-create-engaging-newsletters-know-your-audience https://www.patracompany.com/blog/to-create-engaging-newsletters-know-your-audience The hassle-free ability to keep in contact with your customers is one of the revelations of the digital age. E-mail newsletters give you a direct line to people who already like your service, and allows you to keep them updated with what is going on.At least, that is how it seems until you go to put fingers to keys and type out that newsletter. They never write themselves, and even though the first two or three might have seemed easy, maybe you find yourself running out of original material. Or, maybe you havent seen the response from your newsletters you were hoping for. Inbound Marketing Tue, 02 Sep 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/to-create-engaging-newsletters-know-your-audience#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/4-reasons-email-marketing-is-valuable https://www.patracompany.com/blog/4-reasons-email-marketing-is-valuable Consumer ReachAlmost every potential customer in 2014 has access to a computer with internet. This means that likely they have an email address. A study performed by the Radicati Group in 2009 reads that there are 1.9 billion users worldwide. They estimate that by the end of this year this number will have grown to 2.5 billion.Email marketing moves beyond print marketing. Its far more personal. You are given the ability to target all of your clients in their homes, offices, or on their mobile devices. How many shiny cardstock mass print ads do you receive in your regular mailbox labeled Current Resident that advertise services or goods that are completely uninteresting Email marketing is niche-specific and lets you contact relevant customers, which is so efficient it makes print mail obsolete for most industries. Email Marketing Fri, 29 Aug 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/4-reasons-email-marketing-is-valuable#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-rules-of-content-for-business-blogs https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-rules-of-content-for-business-blogs By now hopefully you are using the internet to market your business, brand or product. Since the internet has more eyes on it than older methods of advertising it is the obvious choice for marketers. Also the Internet allows for inbound marketing where customers find you based on their interests which makes sense doesnt it Blogging Thu, 07 Aug 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/the-rules-of-content-for-business-blogs#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-your-business-gets-found-online https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-your-business-gets-found-online Once you know how customers find you on the Internet, you can begin to market your website and reach out to your target audience. Building your brand and increasing online exposure happens in many different ways. Stretching yourself too thin would limit your potential but over-stretching can be just as crippling to your business. Instead, find where your customers are coming from the most and evaluate which marketing paths have the most potential for your business. Focusing your marketing budget in these areas specifically will provide the greatest impact and the highest return on investment. Search Engine Optimization,Inbound Marketing Tue, 05 Aug 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-your-business-gets-found-online#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/getting-the-most-from-your-calls-to-action https://www.patracompany.com/blog/getting-the-most-from-your-calls-to-action Calls to actions are buttons or forms on your business website where you ask your readers to take action. Click now Subscribe here, Purchase Today are all small examples of all to action text. Calls to action CTAs are the next step in your sales pipeline from your blog. You have given some value and now you are asking for the reader to take action.When a blog reader clicks on a CTA it is considered a conversion. From a conversion you hope to get a sale. There is a lot you can do get more conversions and ultimately more customers from your business website. Inbound Marketing Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/getting-the-most-from-your-calls-to-action#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-web-design-affects-conversions-in-business-blogs https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-web-design-affects-conversions-in-business-blogs Some business owners dont consider the design of their blog at all when publishing content on the web. Others over think design and believe that an attractive design will automatically lead to conversions. The truth is somewhere in the middle and can be industry dependent. Analytics can ultimately guide you to the perfect balance but the following information should be considered when building a business blog. Search Engine Optimization,Blogging Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-web-design-affects-conversions-in-business-blogs#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/local-citations-for-local-seo https://www.patracompany.com/blog/local-citations-for-local-seo You can build citations for your local SEO campaign, to bring in important traffic to your business website and local store front. Businesses need exposure and advertising, in order for a buying public to know about your products and services. Using an effective local SEO campaign is one effective method of making your store known and attractive. Search Engine Optimization Tue, 22 Jul 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/local-citations-for-local-seo#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-mobile-design-helps-seo-and-can-bring-you-more-business https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-mobile-design-helps-seo-and-can-bring-you-more-business Whenever you are in the train, sitting in a garden or quite simply working in office, there is a good chance that someone is browsing some website or blog on their phone. In this internet obsessed age, people look for compact and portable means to connect to others and there is no better option to achieve that than mobile compatible websites. Websites Thu, 17 Jul 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/how-mobile-design-helps-seo-and-can-bring-you-more-business#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/press-releases-and-the-seo-benefit https://www.patracompany.com/blog/press-releases-and-the-seo-benefit Press releases have been around for a prolonged period of time and are still good for what they were originally created for, which is traffic and branding. Press releases have also been a proven method of distributing news about a company to the world.A Review of SEOGenerally, the earlier and more frequently a site appears in the search result list, the more visitors or targeted audiences will be received. SEO may target different kinds of search, which include image search, local search, video search, academic, news search, and industry-specific searches. Relevance to specific keywords and understanding how target audiences communicate about individual organizational products and services, and any related issues is crucial to SEO usage for best results.Benefits of SEO include the followingIncrease in targeted traffic SEO increases the number of visitors to your website at a steady rate, which can maximize businesslike efforts. Usage of track traffic tools enables one to watch as people visit the site and Search Engine Optimization Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/press-releases-and-the-seo-benefit#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hello-my-name-is-paul-michaud https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hello-my-name-is-paul-michaud Should I repeat the title or should I not That is the question.I shall not, but I can tell you that Im super excited for life in general. Everyone has a long story and I prefer to keep this one brief. If youd like to hear more of my story, Id be glad to bring you down that road over a morning coffee or evening beverage. Just let me know.Ive been a Mainer all my life. Im a deep thinker who is curious as to how all things work. As a child I would disassemble an item such as a vacuum just to see if I was smart enough to put it back together. I also enjoy sports. Mostly high-adrenaline independent sports, specifically motocross and ski racing, although I did play a fair amount of hockey in my youth. The sport that has stuck with me and is my passionate hobby today is motocross. Although I do ski regularly when winter arrives. Blogging Sat, 19 Apr 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/hello-my-name-is-paul-michaud#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/final-cut-pro-converting-and-conforming-canon-7d-footage https://www.patracompany.com/blog/final-cut-pro-converting-and-conforming-canon-7d-footage The Canon 7D is a great DSLR that is most known for its video capabilities. When comparing price and quality in terms of other options in video production world, you really cant beat this camera. The camera shoots in a variety of formats and frame rates and this can present issues in the post-production editing process. If youre mixing the various video formats in one editing sequence, you can easily run into problems. Video Editing,Tutorials Sat, 12 Apr 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/final-cut-pro-converting-and-conforming-canon-7d-footage#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/final-cut-pro-how-to-use-the-color-limit-effect https://www.patracompany.com/blog/final-cut-pro-how-to-use-the-color-limit-effect Theres always a point in every video editors career where they have the need to single out a color in a scene. They want everything in the scene to be black and white except for a single vibrant color. This type of effect can help the viewer focus on a particular item in the shot or can be a cool overall effect.At PatraCompany, we try to use effects that make sense while being creative, and this effect was one that we used for a motocross video edit at High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris, PA. This effect made sense in the motocross edit because most shots reflected the color of the brand of motorcycle that was in each shot. Obviously some shots had multiple brands in them, so this is where the effect became creative.Here we have two videos. The first one is a tutorial on how to achieve the color limiting effect and the second is our example The moto edit. Video Editing,Tutorials Fri, 11 Apr 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/final-cut-pro-how-to-use-the-color-limit-effect#disqus_thread https://www.patracompany.com/blog/maine-warden-service-130th-anniversary https://www.patracompany.com/blog/maine-warden-service-130th-anniversary The Maine Warden Service MWS has been active in the State of Maine for over 130 years. From the beginning, they have been tasked with protecting and preserving the natural resources of Maine for the benefit of Maines community and visitors for generations to come. Were happy to be a big part of helping the MWS bring awareness of their efforts to the public.As part of their celebratory 130th anniversary, we worked with the MWS to produce a documentary that covered the major events and milestones reached throughout their history. Take a look at this three part series to see where the MWS came from and where they are now. Client Projects,Video Editing Thu, 10 Apr 2014 00:00:00 EDT https://www.patracompany.com/blog/maine-warden-service-130th-anniversary#disqus_thread