Mike Allton

Are you struggling to understand how AI can be integrated into your existing marketing strategies? Do you feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of AI tools and technologies available, unsure of which ones could truly benefit your business? Perhaps you’re concerned about the implications of AI for data privacy, or how to maintain a genuine, human touch in your customer interactions amidst increasing automation?

If these questions resonate with you, you’re not alone. Tune into our podcast… Show more

Are you struggling to understand how AI can be integrated into your existing marketing strategies? Do you feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of AI tools and technologies available, unsure of which ones could truly benefit your business? Perhaps you’re concerned about the implications of AI for data privacy, or how to maintain a genuine, human touch in your customer interactions amidst increasing automation?

If these questions resonate with you, you’re not alone. Tune into our podcast, AI in Marketing: Unpacked, for detailed discussions and expert insights on these very topics.

Today’s marketers are at the frontier of a technological revolution, with AI leading a profound transformation in the landscape of digital marketing. While the potential of AI to enhance efficiencies, personalize campaigns, and drive innovative strategies is undeniable, the path to integrating AI can seem fraught with complexity and uncertainty.

AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers aims to demystify the world of Artificial Intelligence in marketing. This guide is designed not just to introduce you to the foundational concepts of AI but to provide you with actionable strategies and insights that can be directly applied to your marketing initiatives. Whether you are looking to refine customer segmentation, automate repetitive tasks, or create dynamic and personalized content at scale, understanding AI is a critical step towards achieving these goals.

Moreover, as AI continues to evolve, staying informed and agile is paramount. This guide will also explore ethical considerations, helping ensure that your AI-driven strategies are implemented responsibly and sustainably, enhancing customer trust and brand reputation. Show less

The virtual event industry exploded during the pandemic.

Like grocery delivery and home exercise equipment, sudden global restrictions drove an unprecedented need for pushing formerly in-person gatherings into always-online arrangements. But as lockdowns unlocked, businesses gradually returned to boots-on-the-ground venues.

But is this really a trend whose purpose has been served?

It’s pretty easy today to find an influencer, fill out a form on their website, and pay them to tweet about your brand. But how effective do you think that approach is?

Wouldn’t it be better if you had relationships with key influencers who are talking to your target audience, and have built up so much trust and understanding that when you have something you want to promote, they’re willing to step up and work with you and offer all-new ideas on how best to reach their… Show more

It’s pretty easy today to find an influencer, fill out a form on their website, and pay them to tweet about your brand. But how effective do you think that approach is?

Wouldn’t it be better if you had relationships with key influencers who are talking to your target audience, and have built up so much trust and understanding that when you have something you want to promote, they’re willing to step up and work with you and offer all-new ideas on how best to reach their audience?

Today, I’m going to walk you step-by-step through my process for not only finding new influencers to work with, but turning them into raving fans and brand ambassadors. And if you’re a Star Wars fan like me, this is going to be twice the fun! Because the Rebel Alliance was a great example of next-level relationship building. Show less

This collaborative work is a complete 360-degree look and approach to social media marketing, assembled by five brilliant marketers and authors.

You’re a busy agency owner. You’re ready to take your company to the next level, acquire new clients, increase income, and perhaps even hire one or two (additional?) employees. Social media is a big part of your service offering and, in turn, a big chunk of your revenue.

But social media can be a huge time suck, especially for agencies like yours that manage multiple clients’ accounts. “Doing social media” includes building an interesting social media calendar, creating original content… Show more

You’re a busy agency owner. You’re ready to take your company to the next level, acquire new clients, increase income, and perhaps even hire one or two (additional?) employees. Social media is a big part of your service offering and, in turn, a big chunk of your revenue.

But social media can be a huge time suck, especially for agencies like yours that manage multiple clients’ accounts. “Doing social media” includes building an interesting social media calendar, creating original content that’s engaging, publishing to multiple platforms, responding to comments and messages, tracking hashtags and trends, and reporting on the performance.

Frankly, none of us become business owners to work ourselves to death. We do it to be our own bosses, set our own schedules, and have more time with our loved ones, all while making a good living.

To fulfill that dream, our businesses need to grow, and to grow, we need to be able to do more in less time—and still deliver the incredible results our clients have come to expect. In fact, one of the most common complaints I hear from agency owners is that they don’t have enough time to think, to strategize, and to work on their businesses instead of in their businesses.

The great news is that the Internet abounds with social media management tools to help make your job easier. The bad news is the same: The Internet abounds with tools. I can think of 10 off the top of my head.

So, how do you know which social media management tool is right for your agency? Show less

Do you share curated content on social media?

Wondering how to retarget people who click on the third-party content you share?

In this article, you'll discover two ways to retarget people who click links to content you share, whether that content is yours or someone else's.

The other day, a friend of mine put her job and professional reputation at risk. Sadly, it wasn't for anything as significant as standing up for human rights or even bunny rights.

No, it was a Facebook post: a shared image that was intended to be a funny political meme but, instead, offended many of the people who saw it.

Should she have shared that post? Could she have lost her job? Might the issue have been avoided? Were people just being overly sensitive? Let's explore those… Show more

The other day, a friend of mine put her job and professional reputation at risk. Sadly, it wasn't for anything as significant as standing up for human rights or even bunny rights.

No, it was a Facebook post: a shared image that was intended to be a funny political meme but, instead, offended many of the people who saw it.

Should she have shared that post? Could she have lost her job? Might the issue have been avoided? Were people just being overly sensitive? Let's explore those questions—and others. Show less

The Unofficial Book On Hootsuite is THE resource for businesses and professionals who want to take their social media presence and activity to new heights, and want Hootsuite to help them get there.

For years, I’ve tried to push back against the narrative that this or that social network is “winning” or “losing” against other networks. Often, the idea that there’s such a high level of competition is created by industry pundits to generate more hype and interest in their clickbait articles.

In other words, fake social media news.

But, in all fairness, it’s time to call a spade a spade.

Facebook is out to get all of the other social networks.