Optimize 3.0 Inbound Marketing Blog

SEO Grader

Posted by Doug Kirk  Apr 16, 2013 3:15:00 PM

I’m often amazed at how many websites are even remotely optimized for search engine optimization (SEO).  I see many.  I wanted to share some ways for my readers here to grade their websites. First, below is a quick 10 point SEO self grader test:

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Topics: inbound marketing, Online Marketing Essentials, seo

Is Hubspot training enough?

Posted by Doug Kirk  Mar 21, 2013 1:52:00 PM

Inbound marketing is growing like a weed.  Many B2B companies are catching on to the benefits.  And from a pure conceptual standpoint there’s no better way to gain new visits and leads to your website.  But from my vantage point, all is not necessarily well in inbound land as it relates to training and time commitment relative to success.  Here’s what I often hear from companies:  

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Topics: hubspot, inbound marketing, Hubspot Training

10 Point Inbound Marketing Manifesto

Posted by Doug Kirk  Feb 8, 2013 8:10:00 AM

Inbound Marketing boiled down to 10 steps:

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Topics: hubspot, inbound marketing, seo

What's the Difference Between SEO and Inbound Marketing

Posted by Doug Kirk  Feb 2, 2013 4:33:00 PM

Recently I came across this question in a fairly dramatic fashion.  A potential client was weighing a PPC and SEO proposal from a fairly reputable agency.  He was kind enough to share the proposal with me so I could have a look.  As I was reviewing this proposal I was taken aback by how it illuminates the differences between SEO and inbound marketing.  In fact, I was pretty shocked at some of the elements inside this SEO proposal.  Naturally, I had write this post!

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Topics: inbound marketing, Link Building, seo

Your Guide to Inbound Marketing Services and Pricing

Posted by Doug Kirk  Jan 21, 2013 10:15:00 AM

What are inbound marketing services exactly and what do they cost? Inbound marketing is a broad undertaking that encompasses a range of activities.  When done correctly, in unison, it is perhaps the most effective means to drive new leads and sales to a website.  Actually implementing inbound marketing services goes well beyond simply buying automation marketing software.  Here’s why: The software only goes so far - be it Hubspot, Pardot, Maketo or any other platform.  Here's the disconnect - people often buy inbound marketing software without fully understanding the real effort required to fully benefit from the software investment. 

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Topics: inbound marketing, Online Marketing Essentials, Landing Pages, seo

Get More Twitter Followers | Best Twitter Software 2013

Posted by Doug Kirk  Dec 30, 2012 9:23:00 PM

It's the holiday season and I wanted to share one of my secrets with my readers.  When I started using Twitter I had practically no idea how to find get more Twitter followers.  I had about 100 measly followers I managed to cobble together.  Twitter was this vast communication beast.  How could I possibly find the right followers?  How could I get them to follow me?  What would I Tweet?  It seemed everyone else was in on this enormous secret and I was on the outside with my face pressed against the glass!

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Topics: Blogging Tips, Twitter, Online Marketing Essentials

Marketing Automation Software | Find the Best Fit for Your Website

Posted by Doug Kirk  Nov 19, 2012 11:30:00 AM

As a direct result of the success of the Optimize 3.0 Hubspot Competitor Chart, we've built the Automated Marketing Solutions Decision Engine.  This interactive tool helps you determine the best marketing automation software for your website.  There are many options out there, yet until now there hasen't been an easy way to compare the differences between Hubspot, Marketo, Pardot and Eloqua based on your company's particular needs.  

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Topics: hubspot, Hubspot Competitors, Pardot, Marketo, Eloqua

Inbound Marketing as an Alternative to PPC for Small Businesses

Posted by Doug Kirk  Oct 24, 2012 6:27:00 PM

I came across this great NY Times article: Small Players Seek an Alternative to the Expense of Pay-Per-Click that details how inbound marketing works as a viable alternative to pay-per-click (PPC).  It also happens to feature none other than Tom Telford, the owner of Blue Creek Cabins who I featured in my post Hubspot Review: The Most Revealing Ever Pubslished.  Tom's story and the article is extremely informative and something small businesses should heed regarding the rising importance of inbound marketing as an effective digital marketing tactic.  In addition, there's an ironic twist: Google is directly helping out with Tom's success. 

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Topics: hubspot, inbound marketing, Blogging Benefits, seo

Inbound Marketing Software Guide - Find the Right One for You

Posted by Doug Kirk  Oct 9, 2012 10:00:00 AM

Exactly what is inbound marketing and inbound marketing software .  Answering that can be a significant challenge.  However, once understood it will open remarkable online business possibilities. In this post and accompanying e-book and automated decision engine, I will explain the strategies that will assist you to put into action your inbound marketing resources. First, let’s examine several features of inbound marketing and what makes it such a powerful online marketing strategy.  After that I will discuss how inbound marketing software enables seamless execution of your inbound marketing plan.

Inbound Marketing is Educational & Helpful

Educational marketing supplies solutions to a question, need or concern that a potential client will often have. This is the marketing that's most useful when a potential customer is in research mode and seeking specific info to get nearer to a buying decision. How-to blog posts as well as step-by-step online videos, for instance, would certainly represent this sort of inbound marketing. The overall tone of this content material borders on the role of consulting and even customer support - and it is definitely not a sales message.

Inbound Marketing is Timely & Customized
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Topics: hubspot, inbound marketing, Online Marketing Essentials

Optimize 3.0 on Blog Talk Radio discussing Inbound Marketing

Posted by Doug Kirk  Sep 18, 2012 12:22:00 PM

I had the opportunity to appear on Blog Talk Radio today.  Everything Entrepreneur hosts teh weekly show and invited me to come on and discuss Optimize 3.0.  I used this opportunity describe inbound marketing and how we use that process on behalf of our clients.  I was the first one up so it comes up fast.  Have a listen:

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Topics: hubspot, inbound marketing, Inbound Marketing Software