Email is still the primary way we communicate in business.  So we send and receive a lot of emails.  In addition to the time spent on crafting emails, the time we spend on email received can be significant due to the fact that they usually require some action from us. Whether the action required is answering, forwarding, filing or deleting, the end result is that the average person can spend up to a 4th of their work week dealing with email.  This barrage of email isn't going to end anytime in the foreseeable future.  One thing that may help all of us though, is learning to write effective emails that will produce a higher response rate in a more timely manner.  We have found an article at Act-On, written by Pam Neely, that gives us 5 simple ways to write better emails.  By using these tips you may find dealing with your email a little less frustrating and time consuming.

The debate over whether or not your business should have a social media marketing strategy is over.  Your customers and prospects are online, and they expect to find you on social media sharing information, answering questions, and addressing concerns.  However, in the world of social media marketing, having active social media channels are only part of the equation.  In fact, it is your business website that is the focal point of all social media marketing.

As marketers, we all understand the importance of staying on top of new digital trends.  However, it's even more important to know and understand which trends best align with what consumers want.  The infographic below lists the emerging digital trends that have garnered the most news coverage recently and compares them to a survey by Code Computerlove on what trends consumers are the most interested in.  Check out this infographic to see how the two match up.

Consumers spend a great deal of time online today.  They go online to find answers to their questions, solutions for their problems, and to research and/or purchase products and services.  Because of this, your website is quite often their first point of contact with you.  The experience the consumer has can determine whether or not they return.  Can they easily access your website via desktop and mobile? Once there, are they able to find what they're looking for quickly and with ease?  How your website is designed can have a big impact on the success of your organization.  Our partner, Higher Logic, has a blog post written by Julie Dietz that lists 6 important components your website should have in order to engage and convert potential customers and members.  These 6 easy website tweaks can provide you with a big return on investment because sometimes the smallest changes can have the largest impact.

The landscape of digital marketing is constantly changing.  So keeping an eye on emerging trends, as well as understanding which current trends are still going strong, is vital for digital marketers who want to remain on top of their game.  The infographic below lists 10 digital marketing trends to be aware of this year.

With more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations registered in the United States, it's often difficult for newcomers to gain recognition. And without recognition, these nonprofits will also struggle to attract volunteers and donations.  The good news is that even new nonprofits can engage with their target audience and build strong brand recognition through digital marketing.  Here are 4 digital marketing strategies you should be using.