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The Blog - Where Business Collides with Human Nature

Michael Hartzell

Recent Posts by Michael Hartzell:

The Funniest Joke I Ever Heard [video]

Inbound marketing is a bit like writing a joke. 

You sit with a pencil.

You begin to chuckle and then guffaw... and write.

A little while later, the joke is written.  It is done.

You are convinced it is the funniest joke you have ever written.  Wait until they hear your joke.

Topics: Funny Inbound Marketing Marketing Strategy Methodology

Balance Business and Law Without Breaking the Bank at Equinox

Change is certain in business but is often difficult to manage. Considering all aspects of the law while managing critical business issues will require an experienced authority who can help smooth the impact of change by providing guidance in how to structure the new and protect against the bad. 

Topics: Legal Business Services

Excellent Cultures are Essential for Innovation in Business

Evaluate the culture of your organization.  It may be time for change but will there be resistance? What are the best steps for improving the business?  Instead of making an educated guess (aka use professional judgment), consider the questions found in a Business Culture MRI:

Topics: Leadership Business Culture

50,000+ Hours of Marketing Research Distilled into 60 Minutes

Five experiments, five conclusions - in a slideshow. In a recent Web clinic, MECLABS walked through the most important discoveries of the year so you can learn the progress MECLABS analysts and scientists have made.

In the slide show below, you will see a summary of the actual research-grounded answers to the following questions: 

  • When is the best time to send an email? 
  • How should I design my website navigation? 
  • Can a brand really make an impact on conversion? 
  • Is my page missing critical copy?
  • and more...
Topics: Marketing Statistics Offers Inbound Marketing

I'm too busy - RescueTime saves the day (and hours)

Where does the time go?  Time management is much more complicated than during the pre-Internet era.  Slipping from the Internet to the brick and mortar and back again in a flash can make even the most organized and disciplined person become distracted and unproductive.

The very software that was meant to save time soon becomes an obsession to conquer and the media hype is saying: "Do more social media" or "Get another badge".  

You can track time the old fashioned way.  Grab a yellow pad, record activities every 15 minutes and over the course of one week a pattern emerges.

Instead of doing it the hard way, use a tool like RescueTime.com.

Topics: Time Management Free Software

Guide to Small Business Marketing Budgets

How much of a small business marketing budget is too much? Too little? Small business owners often are confused about whether their marketing efforts are a money pit or will grow their business. We explore small business marketing budgets, what business owners want, and where they're going.

Topics: Marketing Statistics Marketing Budget Marketing Plan

DadDoes Real (not live) Fish Robots - The Aquabot [video]

You can add fish robots to your wish list this year.  A fish robot is also known as an Aquabot.

Topics: Inbound Marketing Entrepreneurship

Pfizer Sponsors Disability Prevention Sub-Forum at Beijing International Forum on Rehabilitation

BEJING, China, September 15, 2013 - As part of an ongoing effort by Pfizer Foundation to promote access to quality health care, to nurture innovation, and to support community involvement, Pfizer Foundation co-sponsored the Disability Prevention and Control Sub Forum  at the 8th Annual Beijing International  Forum on Rehabilitation which took place in Beijing September 13-15th, 2013. 

Topics: Purpose Entrepreneurship Non-Profit

8 tips for nurturing a lead and closing the sale [infographic]

While its best to be cautious with what others say and do in surveys, it is still good to keep them handy.  This infographic gives tips about how to nurture leads and get better results.  As you look at the infographic "Planting a Seed and Nurturing a Lead" you may decide its not for you because you are in a big hurry.  If you "don't have time to nurture" or gain the confidence of people you want to do business with, then prepare for the worst.  

This infographic will help you think twice about when, where and how you will engage people whether it be via social, telephone or email.

Topics: Closing a Sale Social Media Marketing Nurture Leads

Harvard Professor Shares a Reality About Wealth

If you believe we live in a world of transparency, you might be correct.  Unfortunately, understanding the difference between facts and fiction is very difficult.  You don't truly know what to believe about almost anything on the Internet.  

Topics: Statistics Business Success Recommended Books

Why You Should Have Keywords in Your Domain Name or url

While the search engines are less likely to give you a boost in ranking because keywords are included in the domain name or url, you should continue to do so.

In the few seconds it takes for visitors recognize a website as relevant and helpful, details matter.

By creating domain names or urls which which are very specific to the product or service, you provide another way for the visitor know instantly if they are in the right place.

Topics: SEO Keywords Inbound Marketing

Mobile Credit Card Reader Plan Comparison: Paypal, Intuit & Square

Get paid anywhere by taking credit cards with your mobile device. A credit card reader can be attached to a mobile device and is now a solid reality.  It is no longer "leading edge" and there are now many companies going head to head to offer you the more opportunities to get paid.  This is especially helpful to a business that needs flexibility, a large work space, in the field, or changing locations.  

Here is a comparison chart to show you the difference between Paypal, Intuit GoPayment and Square:

Topics: Merchant Services Mobile Payments Mobile Marketing