Mobile-friendly websites and mobile optimized websites are two different types of websites. If a website is Flash-based, it falls into neither of these categories. As the mobile space continues to see unprecedented growth, the importance of understanding the difference is becoming crucial. It could mean the difference between winning or losing a prospective client.

GUEST BLOGGER: Merrilyn Astin Tarlton, Co-Publisher - Attorney at Work

Child development experts call it “impulse control.” A key measure of a child’s maturity, the traditional test for it involves marshmallows. A 4-year-old is offered two marshmallows if he can wait 15 minutes for them. If he can’t wait, he can have a marshmallow right away—but just one. At four, some choose two and work hard to get through the wait and others just want one and want it now.

Would you want to talk to you at a cocktail party?

I often ask our law firm clients this question when discussing their brand messaging strategy. However, the question seems even more pertinent when addressing their lawyers’ bios. With most traffic on law firm websites going to lawyers’ bios, it’s the perfect place to add that “human touch” that engages and connects with clients—making them someone clients want to work with rather than have to work with. You know, the kind of thing that makes people want to talk to you at a party. And yet, so many lawyer bios have all the warmth and interest of a slab of concrete. Why?

GUEST BLOGGER: Michael Silverman, CEO, Duo Consulting

When most professional service firms think of social media, they envision Facebook and Twitter followings. Then again, how many new clients have you gained from these social channels? You could probably count them on your fingers.

Look at your law firm’s name on your business card. Say it out loud. Do you find it hard to pronounce? Think how hard it is for other people — potential clients? Almost every firm has a “street name” that everyone uses when they refer to your firm. Perhaps you and your partners even use it internally at the office as well.

To me, conferences are mostly dog and pony shows. There is a lot of preening over which company has the biggest set up, most unique, the prettiest booth babes, most fun giveaways, etc. However, if you look past all the hoopla, you’ll find conferences serve a greater purpose. They offer valuable face-time with the people you really want to connect with – existing and potential customers, business partners, the media, etc.

At the beginning of this month, Nielsen officially confirmed the time that marketers have been waiting for. Smartphone ownership is now the majority. Feature phones are slowly being phased out in exchange for more advanced superphones. To put it another way: 1 in 2 Americans now own a smartphone.

What we know now about website design compared to a few years ago, is that more focus is given to user experience not owner experience. Seems obvious, right? Well this is easier said then done. You may say, "of course I care what my targeted audience wants" but your actions say "I'm spending a small fortune on my new brand and web presence, so I'm going to tell them what I want." You certainly have every right to think that, but if you want to achieve both, you're going to have to forget what you think you know about websites and listen to those who do. Users (and agencies like us ;) ).

Nike's "Just Do It" didn't just happen.

The tagline and the brand that's been built around it was developed through a process–and a fairly long one, at that. It most likely entailed numerous interviews in focus groups with athletes and aspiring athletes to understand not only their wants, needs and thoughts about Nike, but what drives and inspires them to compete and/or workout. The process included market, competitor and SWOT analyses, demographics, consumer psychology studies and a host of other data and research.

QR codes and barcodes have been around for some time. As an agency and someone interested in the latest technology, we have been aware of them for years as a viable marketing tactic and as a part of a larger campaign.

It has only been recently that clients/prospects have recognized QR codes as a marketing tactic. However, there is a lack of education on how to appropriately use and implement them, causing distress among consumers in many different marketplaces.