Press

Taking a stance regarding a controversial social or political cause can be uncomfortable, and perhaps consequential to some degree, for individual people; for a corporation, it can be downright dangerous to the brand and its bottom line…

Many companies that have embraced a customer-centric business model are realizing the value of maintaining this focus in their marketing as well. Aside from assisting in the ideation and creation of more holistic strategies …

In the buzzing marketplace of today, how can your brand cut through the noise? What makes your brand unique and memorable? The answer lies in building a robust brand identity. A strong brand identity not only differentiates you from competitors but also fosters customer loyalty and drives growth. Let’s dive into how you can create a compelling brand identity that resonates with your audience and stands out in the market…

“Your network is your net worth.” This powerful quote by Porter Gale encapsulates the immense impact that building meaningful connections can have on your professional success. The idea of networking might seem intimidating to many, especially to those who are not naturally inclined to networking…

Businesses continuously seek innovative ways to drive conversions and elevate their online presence, and video has emerged as a formidable tool for engaging audiences and compelling them to take action. From captivating product demonstrations to emotionally charged storytelling, video marketing has proven its prowess in influencing consumer behavior and boosting conversion rates…

The world of professional communications is a dynamic and constantly evolving field, which means those who work within it must also consistently evolve their skill sets. Today, certain skills are highly valued by comms leaders, and teammates who acquire and refine them will be considered great assets to their team and company…

July is Disability Pride Month, with July 26, 2023 being the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act into law in the United States. This annual celebration to mark the ADA’s passage makes July a great time for business leaders to take action to ensure that everyone in their company feels a sense of belonging and that they are valued team members…

Embarking on the journey of entrepreneurship can be a wild ride, filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. As a new entrepreneur, you’re stepping into unfamiliar territory, armed with ambition and little to no experience. So, as expected, you will likely face various challenges along the way…

Starting a new business is the beginning of an exciting journey! From birthing an idea and designing a product or service to turning it all around into a viable, profit-making concept, entrepreneurship is a rewarding endeavor throughout. This brand journey isn’t without its challenges, though—the first of which is finding and validating a business idea…

Gaining exposure for a product or service can attract new customers and lead to more sales, but securing PR mentions can be a big challenge. Luckily, there are effective strategies that can help your brand get earned…

Communications is a constantly evolving creative field, and with the ability to craft content that sparks the interest of target audiences being a prerequisite for success, it’s important for comms pros to infuse their…

Hosting a webinar is unlike other kinds of speaking engagements, and not just because the audience is virtual—the role of an online event’s host is a combination of emcee, moderator, entertainer, educator and timekeeper, all in one. Even professionals…

Many major companies, including some of the biggest tech giants, have announced massive (and sometimes multiple) rounds of layoffs this year. However, while very large enterprises are making headlines for reducing their staffing…

Global events, natural catastrophes and other current affairs in the news can have effects, good or bad, on businesses in other locations and in unrelated industries. For example, many chief executives and…

From devising internal campaigns to engage employees and share important company news to promoting events externally and setting up media interviews for C-suite leaders, many of the projects comms pros handle can benefit greatly from the…

Content creation can be time-consuming and resource-intensive for organizations. The good news is, repurposing content by transforming it into different formats and repackaging it in different mediums for different channels is a great way to make the most of….

Networking events can be intimidating, but they also offer great opportunities to make valuable connections and promote your business. One critical aspect of networking success is the first impression you make….

Asad Kausar, CEO of Chicago based SEO agency, Dabaran Inc., has joined SCORE as a Certified Mentor. SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, professional business mentors dedicated to assisting…

For a brand-new communications professional, landing a position in a comms department can be the beginning of a long and fulfilling career. However, if you don’t listen to constructive feedback and heed lessons learned on the job, especially when it comes to the common comms task of generating effective copy, the path forward will be more challenging…

The phrase ‘you have to spend money to make money’ can be daunting for small businesses and start-ups operating on a limited budget. It’s easy to imagine that effective marketing always requires deep pockets. Nothing could be further from the truth…

In the highly competitive world of online retail, having a well-designed user interface is essential to attracting and retaining customers. However, even the most visually appealing website won’t generate sales if it fails to convert visitors into buyers…

Here we’ve gathered a panel of UpCity partners and experts to offer their tips, advice, and resources on finding and hiring freelance talent. From recommended freelance platforms to vetting various skill sets…

Marketing teams are constantly on the lookout for new and innovative ways to engage customers and promote brand loyalty. One effective strategy is to host a fun competition that encourages customers…

Business leaders have a responsibility to uphold their company’s reputation. When a leader falters in this regard through personal misbehavior or imprudent executive decisions, it can damage…

15 Comms Pros Share Words And Phrases To Avoid In Sales Scripts

As leaders in their industry, the members of Forbes Communications Council know how to best track and leverage the latest social media trends to reach a target audience. Below, 15 members share their predictions for which social…

In the simplest terms, consumers in every industry aren’t going to engage with your brand if they “can’t buy what you’re sellin’.” In other words, customers know when something sounds fishy, or when it’s clear that your intentions are less than genuine…

While online shopping continues to be a popular choice for consumers, physical stores can offer shoppers perks that e-commerce can’t replicate. From crafting a more personalized customer experience to offering in-store…

Looking for a local SEO company in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas? Find 5 great Chicago search engine optimization options…

Sales copy is intended to spur readers to take action—specifically, to make a purchase. To engage consumers and persuade them to continue their customer journey with your company until they reach the desired…

The end of the year is a time when people and companies, consumers and brands alike, reflect and look ahead to starting a fresh new year together.While your company may reach out to clients, customers or prospects primarily to thank them for their loyalty…

The world of search engine optimization (SEO) is filled with terms that might not make much sense to the average person. But if you want to be a successful marketer in 2023, it’s important to understand these terms and how to use them to generate more traffic to your website. Here are some of the top…

If consumers relate to a brand’s message, story or personality in an emotional way, the sense of connection it creates can help drive them to take action. To prompt customers and prospects to sign up for emails, subscribe to newsletters, download a free asset or like, follow and share a brand’s social media content, for example…

Asad Kausar of Dabaran Inc. has joined the Marketing Committee at Chicago Zoological Society Associates. He brings 15 years of marketing and search engine optimization experience to support CZS through…

Content marketing is not a simple, one-and-done tactic. It takes a comprehensive strategy to effectively use content to draw consumers into your sales funnel or incorporate them into your flywheel.

‘Tis the season … to be planning. And planning for a big year in 2023 means getting ahead of the curve and taking a look at some of the best trends, advice, and approaches available to your B2B business.

Awards are great for your business, not to mention it always feels good to be the recipient of one. But the truth is we’re not always nominated by someone else for one and sometimes you need to apply yourself to be a winner. That can feel awkward, especially in a society that praises those who are humble and don’t brag.

When it comes to marketing for small businesses, most people agree that recommendations and word of mouth are still the best and most effective ways to acquire customers and grow your reputation. And in the realm of SEO, link building performs a similar function. Trusted websites linking back to yours are one of the best ways to not only direct people to your site, but also to improve…

Any small business owner is likely to be familiar with marketing automation options and best practices when it comes to the consumer side of things. CRM, social media, digital marketing, and retargeting–you’re not only aware of them, but you’re also likely receiving those personalized messages and targeted ads yourself…

When it comes to consumer or B2C payment options for small businesses and online retailers, there is no shortage of options. And chances are you’re already familiar with almost every big name in the online and mobile payments space, from Square to Apple Pay to PayPal to Venmo to Google Pay…

The B2B sector has for a long time been one where face-to-face interactions, direct lines to your point of contact, and handshake deals were the best options for conducting business. And while there are still countless opportunities to be sought through these…

One of the things that many small businesses take for granted is the security of their data and that of their customers, too. Often entrepreneurs and small-business leaders assume that their company isn’t a big enough target to be concerned about, but nothing could be further from the truth…

It’s thrilling, it’s nerve-wracking, and it’s a lot of work–we’re talking, of course, about a product launch. From the newest companies and startups in the world to the most established brands, every business experiences the same excitement, nervousness, and stress when it comes to bringing something new to the market and executing a successful product…

The interview process can be a difficult one for candidates, but it is also a genuine skillset for hiring managers and interviewers as well. In the same way, that job candidates do better with preparation and practice throughout the interview process, so too can HR professionals, hiring managers, and team members benefit from learning about the best interview…

As concerns about the pandemic begin to wane, there are a lot of opportunities for small businesses to return to event marketing as a large part of their overall marketing efforts. At the same time, the event space has shifted, and the types of events that customers and clients are looking for have expanded…

Inflation has been in the news for several months, with good reason. From gas prices to groceries and much more, recent coverage has detailed some of how consumers are being impacted by inflation, both during the pandemic and currently. But what many of those stories and articles don’t mention is how the effects of inflation are felt by small business owners…

Search engine optimization (SEO) campaigns are a powerful way to generate more traffic to your website. In fact, SEO drives 10 times more traffic than organic social media. However, it also comes with a slight problem: How can you tell if your SEO strategies are working? It’s not like an email or social media campaign…

Jobs and careers are moving and shifting at a rapid pace nowadays. And that’s especially true for people in the field of digital marketing. From search engine optimization to social media marketing, content marketing, PPC campaigns, email marketing, and every other form of digital outreach you can think…

Marketers may find difficulty in promoting a brick-and-mortar company while they see their numbers go down during the pandemic. Seeing a rapid decline in businesses during the pandemic made marketers think outside the box and explore techniques…

One of the biggest components of a successful business is the customer experience and how their interactions go when dealing with positive or negative situations. Strategies like using AI technology and third-party sites can improve the customer experience and help build strong connections…

Recent news coverage and articles online have certainly made it seem that it’s getting harder and harder to find people to fill job openings. The reality, however, is that unemployment numbers are low, and there are a lot of applicants who are interested in finding new and exciting opportunities with small businesses…

With email being a reliable way for marketers to effectively communicate with customers, there must be a time when you double-check for errors before you send it out. Personalizing the subject line and checking the spelling and grammar are just a couple…

For companies looking to reach out to specific audiences with their brand, influencers can be a great resource. However, both company and influencer must be on the same page when it comes to brand values and expectations in order for it to…

While creating timely content can help you maintain relevance and boost brand awareness, trends come and go in a flash — and so, too, can the value of the content. Posting only timely content can result in your company chasing trends…

Recently, artificial intelligence has been top-of-mind for many businesses, and like their colleagues, communications professionals are seeking the best ways to leverage this powerful tool. One potential application of AI is using it to help guide regular site visitors to your company blog.

Gaining media coverage is a great way to build a company’s brand and, ultimately, drive engagement and sales. While PR teams may collaborate with the sales team and other departments to plan their media outreach, different teams often have different ideas about how to reach their shared goals of increasing positive brand awareness and boosting sales…

Find and connect with the 16 Best Legal Marketing Companies. Hand picked by an independent editorial team and updated for 2022…

Any business that’s in the process of growing should already be aware of SEO. Search Engine Optimization is a marketing strategy that makes businesses rank higher on search engines like Google. A higher ranking means more organic traffic, which in turn means more potential customers…

For many, social media is “king” when it comes to modern marketing best practices. Putting tons of resources and time into social channels is standard practice for startups and corporations alike. However, email marketing continues to be an important content marketing strategy to convert leads to revenue…

As digital marketing strategies rapidly evolve, it’s essential to address the most common myths and misconceptions. Our article brings you helpful tips straight from the experts themselves…

Thorough keyword research and competitor analysis serve as the foundation for exceptional content. In this article, digital marketing experts provide their insight for crafting an excellent research strategy in 2022…

Nowadays, there are more metrics than ever that marketers can use to track and measure the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns or broader marketing efforts. Choosing the right digital marketing KPIs, then, is a critical first step in terms of measuring the return on investment of your various marketing efforts…

“Purpose” has become a buzzword in the business community in recent years, and for good reason. Purpose-driven companies have more engaged and motivated workforces, more satisfied customers and happier shareholders, which often translates into more revenue, more loyal customers and greater adaptability in overcoming obstacles to evolve and innovate…

Solid communication is the foundation of any successful business. Every employee needs to be on the same page as upper management when it comes to messaging, and that unified message needs to reach and resonate with each member of the target audience. Without an effective communications plan in place teams are more likely to miscommunicate not…

SEO Company Dabaran tackles the challenges of Google’s latest AI-driven updates, ensuring top rankings and digital presence for clients. As search engines like Google continuously evolve their algorithms, many businesses struggle to….

Gaining media coverage is a great way to build a company’s brand and, ultimately, drive engagement and sales. While PR teams may collaborate with the sales team and other departments to plan their media outreach, different teams often have different ideas about how to reach their shared goals of increasing positive brand awareness and boosting sales…

As every communications leader knows, there are countless ways to interpret data. Sometimes, tweaking how you’re approaching stated success metrics can reveal a different perspective, either allowing for better insights into how a campaign could be refined to improve results or illuminating a part of the bigger picture that had been obscured. The tricky…

A company’s communications team typically plays an outsized role in crafting internal messaging sent to employees. From efforts to improve employee engagement to communications meant to get everyone on the same page regarding company changes and policies, comms team members are involved in disseminating critical information about many aspects of their company’s…

Internship programs help small businesses and large corporations alike to create pipelines of top talent who will hopefully join their ranks later. Organizations often create summer internship programs, specifically, to help students and recent graduates gain valuable experience in their chosen fields. Done right, it’s a win-win, as interns get to learn about the company’s culture, operations…

There are ways to avoid these problems with influencers who are helping. Even if the damage is already done, there are maneuvers that can recover the company’s brand. Brand marketing is important to a business, but it does not have to exceed your budget. 14 members from Forbes Communications Council share their wisdom on how to avoid or to recover from this…

Black Friday and holiday sales are on the minds of advertisers and business owners all year round. Some companies and industries build their entire marketing strategy around and cater virtually all of their marketing efforts to, these narrow windows in the calendar year…

To create copy that drives sales, communications professionals must leverage the writing skills they have to speak directly to the audience and leave them feeling like they made the right choice purchasing your product or service. Not using jargon and having a call to action are successful tactics that will reach your audience when creating sales copy…

Recent research has shown that as many as 84% of consumers plan to shop at small businesses this holiday season. And if your small business is going to reach those consumers, email is going to be a critical part of your holiday marketing strategy. Even with the bevy of marketing tools and outlets…