Summer may still be in full swing, but from a marketing standpoint, the final months of the year are closer than they appear. Before long, businesses and organizations will be focused on fall programs, year-end campaigns, seasonal promotions, holiday events, and plans for the coming year—and almost all of it will seem to arrive at once. That makes now a good time to look at what may be quietly waiting on your marketing list: A website page that needs updating A brochure or sales piece that no...

What the World Cup in Seattle can teach small businesses about building a brand that is ready for the moment. As the FIFA World Cup in Seattle begins to wrap up, it is hard not to notice what a major moment it has been for the city. The crowds, the cameras, the excitement, the signage, the full restaurants, the packed streets, the fans from around the world — all of it has been a powerful reminder that moments like this do not simply happen overnight. They are planned, organized, promoted,...

Small business owners are really good at doing the work. They serve clients, answer emails, solve problems, update the website when they can, post on social media when they remember, and pull together flyers, emails, or ads when something comes up. But over time, all those little marketing pieces can start to drift. Your website says one thing. Your social media says another. Your flyer has an older logo. Your messaging does not quite match the business you have become. Nothing may be...