E-mail newsletters have been used as a form of marketing practically since e-mail was first introduced. And they’re still very prevalent. Tons of companies, from small businesses to billion-dollar corporations, offer to send a newsletter to the people who visit their site. So the question is, are these newsletters actually an effective marketing tool? Or are they simply a waste of time? And the answer is: Yes. To both. It all depends on how they’re used.

The concept of “inbound marketing” is somewhat deceptive. It’s often described from almost a Field of Dreams point of view: “If you blog it, they will come.” While it’s true that SEO helps content attract a target audience, it’s still necessary to pound the virtual pavement, so to speak, in order to develop a following.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the most effective way to promote a brand is with content marketing. A company provides their target audience with the things they’re looking for, then uses that hook to reel them in for a sale. But what kind of content works best? Most companies use blogs. But that’s only one option. And since it’s an option that so many people are using, it makes it much more difficult for an individual company to stand out and attract attention. But blogs aren’t the only type of content available. There are many other different forms out there, and their potential for reeling in customers is vast. Here are four great alternatives to blogs for content marketers.

Your website has been updated, content is working its magic and the leads are pouring in faster than you can do anything with them. You’re doing all the regular stuff, like using email marketing to send them automated messages thanking them for downloading your white paper and giving them access to your newsletter. You’re concerned, however, that there are real, qualified leads among them that you might lose.

The Internet has completely altered the way we access and share information. Every business, big or small, is looking for new and super-effective ways to share its message and products with customers online. Every business has an audience out there on the web, and social media promises better connections with existing customers as well as a way to find new ones and extend your reach.

You keep hearing about how you should be on social media. About how social media marketing will help boost your branding and awareness. How it will bring you customers in droves. Blah blah!

Managing your online reputation is an important part of inbound marketing, particularly if you want to keep your customers happy and satisfied and improve word-of-mouth recommendations and referrals.

These days it’s hard to turn around without tripping over social media. It’s part of our personal lives, and it’s part of the way we do business. Every time we turn on our computers, tablets or smart phones, there seems to be a new social media tool available. Part of the reason that social media has seen such explosive growth is that we humans are social creatures. These tools enable us to do things we have an inclination to do anyway.

As companies of all industries are vying for the attention of potential customers, it’s surprising how largely untapped the podcast remains. In our society, multitasking is practically a requirement. The average consumer will quickly jump on every opportunity to make life more convenient. With a podcast, you are able to engage a customer’s attention at times when social media sites and web videos cannot – in the car, on a jog, etc. Streaming audio or video files can now of course be done through an iPod or smartphone.

Some marketing experts say that direct mail simply doesn’t work today. And given the continued drop in money spent on direct mail, a lot of businesses would seem to agree. As printing, mailing and postage prices have increased (while marketing budgets have gotten tighter), it’s harder to justify the expense. The fact is that bad direct mail has never worked well. Nobody can afford bad direct mail.