However, if social media is part of your marketing strategy (and it most likely is), it is important to know how to use the hashtag to your benefit.

At BCG, we tell clients “Your brand is your word.” The information that you convey to consumers through your brand is your promise. It stands for not just the product, but what the product means.

You ever notice the same ads showing up wherever you go on the web? The ads you see during your web browsing experience are generally NOT there randomly. Typically, the ads you see are based upon your established web-browsing history. Sometimes, after visiting a certain website or making an online purchase, you will see their ads “following” you all around the web...generally for 1 to 3 months.

Section 508 (aka § 1194) is an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and is designed to remove barriers to information technology – including the web – for people with disabilities. For those of us living and/or working in New York, bear in mind that the Empire State adopted these standards in 1999. (To see if your state has adopted accessibility standards, and to learn what they are, click here.) Most specifications were devised for people with vision impairments, many of whom use assistive technology readers to translate web pages and communicate their content to the user. Web pages, web applications, and all attached files on an intranet or the Internet are subject to this amendment.

Section 508 (aka § 1194) is an amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and is designed to remove barriers to information technology – including the web – for people with disabilities. For those of us living and/or working in New York, bear in mind that the Empire State adopted these standards in 1999. (To see if your state has adopted accessibility standards, and to learn what they are, click here.) Most specifications were devised for people with vision impairments, many of whom use assistive technology readers to translate web pages and communicate their content to the user. Web pages, web applications, and all attached files on an intranet or the Internet are subject to this amendment.

Google Partners is the Internet leader’s platform for advertising agencies and other organizations who design Internet marketing campaigns. In order to attain certification, Google Partners must demonstrate that their business is healthy, have high client satisfaction rates, and a dedication to Google best practices (designing high-quality websites that meet Google’s requirements for search results and ranking). Partners must pass an exam proving their familiarity with Google’s best practices.

The term “call to action” has quite a ring to it, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s a bit of an intimidating ring if you’re not familiar with it. This is unfortunate, as when a call to action (CTA) is done right it can really help you build relationships with the audiences you’re trying to reach with your marketing efforts. Let’s break it down…

It probably comes as a surprise to very few of you that between apps and browsers, mobile Internet usage has surpassed the personal computer for everything from surfing, to eCommerce, and everything in between. Smartphones still reign in popularity, tablet usage is healthy, and phablets (large-screen phones such as iPhone 6 Plus) are phasing in to replace older smartphone models – just look around your local coffee shop on a Sunday afternoon for examples. Whether your website is for business or your own personal brand (I’m looking at you, bloggers), there is no longer any doubt that it must be optimized for viewing on a variety of screens in order to give your visitors the experience they expect.

Reputation management, once solely a PR term, is now the widely used practice of controlling one's own online listings and driving down negative or unwanted results in Google.

There are many common misconceptions and concerns about entering into a retainer relationship with an agency. But we’re here to tell you the benefits of a retainer and how to overcome your fear of this beneficial business marriage.