The following is a blog by Jim T. Ryan, a journalist, blogger and friend. He just joined the #Strella team last week as a freelancer and business development specialist.    Don't sweat, don't sweat, don't sweat, I told myself. It was my first meeting as a social media professional.  I haven’t been that nervous since […]

My friend and web partner, John Webster, loves to challenge me. In fact, we engage in frequent debates on issues related to marketing and business.   John’s a fan of metrics – and he’s very good at using them to show clients how they are achieving the ROI they seek. I thought he would be pleased […]

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in November 2013 and was updated in September 2026 to reflect what I’ve learned since then. When I first wrote about firing clients more than a decade ago, I approached the subject by identifying the kinds of clients who might need to go. There were clients who didn’t […]

Social media is a buzz-worthy communications tool that is piquing the interest of businesses across the globe.  I’ve worked with dozens of clients and have learned that, in order for the social media hype to successfully meet their expectations, there are some fundamental factors that need to be in place. In fact, these three elements […]

I was recently asked to write a guest blog about content marketing with an emphasis on making content ‘go viral.’  However, I ended up declining simply because “going viral” isn’t a goal I commonly have, especially for my small business clients. Content that “goes viral” may be good for a quick boost, but this content […]

Pinpointing what to write about on your blog can be a challenge, especially for new bloggers. But there are a few effective “types” of blog posts that can really help you get the wheels turning and produce compelling content. There are certainly more types of blog posts than this list, but here are some of […]

I recently received an email from a friend asking for advice about hiring help.  She, too, is a busy social media manager, and as her business grows, she’s finding it harder to deliver exceptional customer service.  She’s concluded that she needs help, but is unsure where to start. Should she hire an independent contractor?  What […]

This week is National Deaf Awareness Week. Some of you may know that I have a hearing disability, which has affected my life in ways the written word cannot justify. I give credit to those who don’t let their disability prevent them from accomplishing amazing things, including today’s guest blogger, Joyce Edmiston. Joyce is a […]

Now that we've discussed the value of blogging in last week’s post, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and let loose with your all-important first brainstorming session. If you’re starting up a blog, the work you do here will be critical in both developing great ideas that attract an audience and making sure you […]