Learning about your target audience is a powerful way to boost your marketing strategies. Many businesses struggle when it comes to marketing to both younger and older audiences. A recent Forbes article entitled, “12 Marketing Moves Businesses Can Use to Reach Older and Younger Audiences," offers marketing advice from a 12-member expert panel at the Forbes Communications Council. We wanted to share some key takeaways that we think are especially valuable to any small business marketing strategy.

Ocala’s First Friday Art Walk returns this evening from 6-9 p.m. in Ocala’s Downtown Square. First Friday Art Walks take place on the first Friday of each month from September to May and showcase the talents of some amazing local artists. Tonight there will be art demonstrations and hands-on art activities for all ages. Ocala’s Art Army will have a free make-and-take art activity, and Ecliff will be performing live music. Many of the downtown shops and businesses will have extended business hours on the square, with plenty of opportunities for you to purchase art from local artists. Come out and support Ocala’s local art scene! We hope to see you there!

Creating video content is a powerful way to increase consumer engagement with your brand. Consumers prefer video content now more than ever! Once your content is ready to go live on your website, there are a few things you can do to ensure a successful return on investment. Here are some tips to help you optimize your video content before launch.

Online video content accounts for over 80% of consumer internet traffic. Creating authentic, entertaining, and educational video content for your potential customers and clients is a powerful marketing strategy with a guaranteed return on investment. If you are ready to start engaging customers, generating leads, and building your brand awareness, here are a few basic tips to help you get started.

Did you know that Google uses the acronym E-A-T to determine the quality of your web page? Google’s algorithm seeks to identify pages that provide viewers, customers, and clients with Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. The pages that provide this high-quality content are ranking higher in SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages). Google is looking for websites that provide the greatest value to viewers, rather than sites that are solely focused on “making a sale.” One powerful way to increase the quality of your content is to create your own videos and include them on your website.

As a small business owner, your website’s goal is to reach potential clients and customers. Your website builds brand recognition and customer loyalty by providing authentic, valuable information to its viewers. Did you know that you could be losing potential clients and customers if your website is not created to be responsive to the user? Responsive Web Design (RWD) ensures that your site can adapt and respond to its users.

International best-selling author Bryant McGill said, “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” Small business owners know that in order to build their customer and client base they need to make a connection with them. What better way to connect with your clients than by listening to their comments, concerns, and feedback?

When a potential client or customer visits your website, you want the content to be engaging while still being deeply connected to the message and purpose of your brand. Whether you are hiring a professional photographer or searching for budget-friendly stock photos for your website, there are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing which images will represent your brand.

As a busy small business owner, it can be difficult to invest time and energy into creating and executing an extensive marketing strategy. While it may seem overwhelming, we have a few tips that will help you to begin developing a marketing strategy that works for you and will benefit your business for years to come.

Each year, First Citizens Bank conducts a small business survey in California, Florida, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and North Carolina. FCB uses this data “to assess the motivations, sentiments, and success of small business owners in the U.S.” Many business owners are still recovering from the impact of COVID-19 as they attempt to adjust and adapt to the current state of inflation. Considering these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the data collected from FCB’s survey offers some encouraging insight into the health of small businesses across the country, especially in Florida.

Organic marketing (also referred to as inbound marketing) works to gain valuable traffic by providing potential customers and clients with value. This mutually beneficial marketing method provides a powerful, long-term strategy to increase traffic, revenue, and profit for your business.

Is your business looking for a cost-effective way to boost brand awareness and sales? The solution may be far simpler than you imagine! The reviews you receive online can have a huge impact on the visibility and success of your growing business. Tap into the underutilized marketing power of reviews, as you build your brand and your loyal customer base.

Could a 360-degree virtual tour benefit your small business? Virtual tours give potential customers and clients an opportunity to walk through your space, learn about your business, and build trust with your brand. While real estate certainly makes up the bulk of virtual tour production, many businesses have found these tours to be essential to their marketing and overall web presence. Set your business apart from the rest by showcasing your space and your work with a professional 360-degree virtual tour.

Your website receives a significant amount of its overall traffic from search engine results. In fact, this traffic is far more significant than traffic generated by costly display ads on search engines like Google. How can you ensure that your business reaches customers on that first page of search results, rather than going unnoticed on the following pages?

Supporting local artists is a wonderful way to connect and contribute to your community. Ocala has so many skilled artists, and the latest exhibition presented by the City of Ocala and the Magnolia Art Exchange sets out to celebrate the student and emerging artists in our community.

Logos are typically the first way that potential clients and customers interact with your brand, so it is important that your logo is memorable and reflective of your business.

Shopping local and supporting local businesses is a powerful way to encourage local economic growth.

Where does your business rank in a Google search? Are you in the top 3? How about the first page? When potential clients and customers are looking for the products or services that your specific business provides, you want them to find you!

Marketing can make a big difference in the success of your small business. With so many ways to get your brand noticed, it can be difficult to choose which strategy is the best investment of your time, energy, and money.

In uncertain times, running a small business can feel like steering a ship in a storm. One tried and true strategy to survive, and even thrive, in these uncertain economic times is to rely on customer loyalty.