Kayla Thrailkill says, “A new ransomware campaign is targeting Google Chrome users.  If Chrome users visit a compromised site, an alert will pop up prompting the user to “update” a Chrome font extension.  The false update claims it need to execute because Hoefler Text is not found.  Although this text font is legitimate, the update is not. Image provided by Forbes, via Proofpoint According to Forbes, researchers have found after users execute the fake update, they become infected with the ransomware variant, Spora.  Although this ransomware variant is similar to other variants, it... [...]

Allison Snow says, “If you took your company name and logo off of your marketing collateral, would the reader still know that it came from your firm? How strongly does your brand shine through in unique language, perspective, and distinct value? You can ask the same about your marketing performance reports. Are the metrics that you use to demonstrate success unique? Do they reflect your firm’s core priorities? Without these distinctions, you may be providing a collection of data that is ultimately disconnected from decision making. If your marketing reports don’t enable performance management,... [...]

David Booth says, “If you’re a digital marketer these days, odds are extremely good that web analytics is a major part of your toolkit. With its massive adoption in the market, odds are also good that the tool you’re using is Google Analytics. But are you really getting everything you can out of it? Here at Cardinal Path, we help our customers extract the most value they possibly can from data, and that means leveraging the most powerful, obscure, underutilized bells and whistles of Google Analytics’ standard and 360 products. Here’s a checklist that can help ensure you’re taking... [...]

Wesley Young says, “New businesses need all the help they can get to attract customers, generate revenue and establish themselves to compete with existing companies. And for brick-and-mortar storefronts, being found on Google Maps is key to driving traffic to the business. Due to the economic explosion in the Plano and Frisco suburbs of Dallas, opening of new local stores is rampant. New commercial developments are being built and filled with shops within a matter of months. This growth also provides the ability to make some interesting Google Map search observations, as comparisons can be... [...]

Meredith Wood says, “According to a 2012 survey by Search Engine Land, 85 percent of customers said that they had used the Internet to find a local business. Of those surveyed, 75 percent stated that they trusted online reviews as much as personal recommendations. In our web-centric culture, it’s clear that the website and online presence of a business are now a critical component of its marketing strategy. But in the absence of a large budget, is it possible for an entrepreneur to grow his (or her) business on the cheap? How could they leverage existing technology and free (or low-cost)... [...]

Calvin Wayman says, “Are you using video yet as part of your marketing strategy? Are you looking for ways to connect on a deeper level with your audience? Advertising is quickly shifting away from textual-only content and moving toward video. And the growth of social-media platforms is partly responsible for this change, as these platforms are optimized for creating and sharing videos. Now, it’s up to content creators to deliver quality ad content that can be consumed in this new age of video marketing. However, many brands and influencers aren’t prepared for the incoming wave of video... [...]

Michele Linn says, “When Michael Jr., a Content Marketing World keynote presenter, took the stage, he admitted, “This is not my audience at all.” While this may sound like an inauspicious beginning, within a few minutes, there was a palpable shift in the room as the audience truly focused its attention – and turned off devices – to hear what he had to say next. One of the key messages from Michael Jr.’s act is a simple statement: “When you understand your ‘why,’ your ‘what’ has more purpose.” By that he means, when you understand why you’re telling a particular story... [...]

Nash Riggins says, “Every business wants to see big demand for its services. But when you’re running a small eCommerce business, big demand can often spell disaster if you lack the capacity to fill and ship out orders. After all, it’s hard to secure enough capital to invest in a whole load of inventory you aren’t confident you can sell, and it takes a lot of time and energy packing and shipping orders all over the place. That’s precisely why more and more small businesses are experimenting with drop shipping. What is Drop Shipping? Simply put, drop shipping is a retail fulfillment... [...]

Emma Brudner says, “If you’ve applied for a job within the last several years, you’ve probably used LinkedIn somewhere along the way. Whether you’re updating your resume, applying for a role, or communicating with a recruiter, LinkedIn has become a huge part of the modern job search. And while LinkedIn might not be your first thought when it comes to content sharing, there are 467 million users on the network — and that number grows every year. For marketers, this means a huge opportunity to reach an engaged community through sponsored content, messages, and campaigns.... [...]

David Moth says, “When reading about WeChat it’s impossible not to marvel at its popularity in China and the range of functionality it offers to both consumers and brands. Western tech companies can only dream of delivering the same array of tools and features. While apps in the West tend to focus on doing one thing really well, WeChat can handle commerce, social networking, banking, and travel bookings, among other tasks. Due to the app’s enormous user base and the way in which it is embedded in people’s lives, Western brands often use WeChat as a way of gaining a foothold in the Chinese... [...]