Rieva Lesonsky

Published: 2/08/2012

With their approach to shopping shaped (seemingly forever) by the Great Recession, consumers are going online, offline and everywhere they can to seek out deals and discounts when they buy. ...  Read More >

Published: 2/08/2012

Who makes the purchasing decisions in today's family? Increasingly, the answer is "Everyone!" And that's going to change how you market. ...  Read More >

Published: 1/23/2012

Everyone is buzzing about how content marketing is becoming more important to B-to-B businesses, and how it helps attract new customers. But what types of content marketing work best? ...  Read More >

Published: 1/09/2012

By now we all know how important the nation's moms can be for many of our businesses - they're major purchasing decision-makers. If you want to find moms, then head online where she lives - on social media. ...  Read More >

Published: 1/04/2012

Teen use of Twitter is growing fairly quickly, making the microblogging service a smart marketing option for companies that target teen customers. ...  Read More >

Published: 1/04/2012

Have you read Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus? Then you won't be surprised to know that men and women shop differently - not just offline, but online, too. Here's what you need to know to market to each of them effectively. ...  Read More >

Published: 1/04/2012

Mobile Internet use, the popularity of online shopping, and increasing retail competition for shopper dollars are shaking up the traditional holiday shopping season. ...  Read More >

Published: 12/19/2011

Have QR codes already outlived their usefulness? Some studies suggest the technology, which still hasn't quite caught on, never will. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/28/2011

Are you marketing to young adults? Don't forget their mothers. You see, no matter how grown-up the "children" get, mom still holds a surprising sway over their purchasing behaviors. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/21/2011

More and more consumers are accessing the Web through mobile devices - that¿s not news. But what is news is that Hispanic, Asian and black mobile device owners are more likely to use the mobile Internet than are white mobile users, according to a new eMarketer study. The study predicts that minority adoption of the mobile Internet will continue to outpace that of whites through 2015. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/18/2011

"Social shopping" is hot - but if you, like most people, think it's dominated by women, think again. A new survey has some surprising results about who's really using social media to make purchasing decisions. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/07/2011

B-to-B buyers turn to a variety of information sources when making purchasing decisions. Want a hint? Online rules, and print is essentially dead. Here's what you need to know to reach them before they buy. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/01/2011

It's November and the holiday shopping season is upon us. If your retail business has a Facebook presence, here's what you need to know to maximize results. ...  Read More >

Published: 10/24/2011

To market effectively to Gen Y (college students and 20-somethings) today, you need to understand their habits and their lives - which increasingly take place online. ...  Read More >

Published: 10/12/2011

More people are increasingly dependent on their mobile technology. But what are these mobile phone users thinking, doing and buying? A new study has some useful insights for small businesses. ...  Read More >

Published: 10/12/2011

Marketing to college students can be very lucrative - if you know how to do it. A new report shares insights on what today's college kids care about and how brands can best reach them. ...  Read More >

Published: 10/12/2011

Moms are many a business's dream market these days. They're not only spending for their kids, they're telling other moms what they're buying and why. Want to join their conversation? You'll find them on Twitter. ...  Read More >

Published: 10/04/2011

Email still matters for marketers - in fact it's very effective. But if you really want to get results, it's all about timing. When you send your emails can make a huge difference in customer response, according to a new report on email marketing. ...  Read More >

Published: 9/26/2011

Fall may have just begun, but it's time (almost past time) to get ready for your holiday marketing push. Here's something to help you: A new study on what marketing methods most influence shoppers to buy. ...  Read More >

Published: 9/22/2011

When you think "green" consumer, does an image of a tree-hugging hippie-type immediately come to mind? Well, you're wrong. The new breed of "Super Greenies" has money to spend - and they could be just the market you've been looking for. ...  Read More >

Published: 9/12/2011

There's been a lot of buzz about QR codes this year, and it has left many small business owners confused. Does your business need to add QR codes to its marketing mix? Maybe - it all depends on who your target customer is. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/22/2011

Affluent consumers are spending these days. What's the best way to market to them? A new study suggests online advertising works especially well for this audience. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/15/2011

Are you wondering whether your social media activity has any effect on prospects' decisions to buy from your business? Wonder no more. It does - big time. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/10/2011

Are you using lifecycle email marketing to reach your customers? Big companies are - successfully. So now's the time for small business owners to learn what this automated tool is all about and how it can help your business. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/01/2011

Do daily deal sites like Groupon really help you attract new customers - or just undercut your profit margin? A new survey has both good and bad news for small business owners about the latest marketing craze. ...  Read More >

Published: 7/25/2011

What's the best way to reach your customers on their smartphones? With consumers using their phones for just about everything, you'll need to try a little bit of everything, too. ...  Read More >

Published: 7/18/2011

More and more Americans own smartphones - and increasingly, they're using them to do things they used to do only on their computers. Are you ready for them? ...  Read More >

Published: 7/11/2011

Generation Y consumers aren't a homogenous bunch. If you want to market to this generation - and believe me, you do - you need to understand their special quirks, and address them differently. ...  Read More >

Published: 7/05/2011

Does your business answer Twitter users' questions? Are you carrying on a conversation? If you're only broadcasting information, you could be missing out on a great opportunity to build customer loyalty - and sales. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/30/2011

Consumers looking for local businesses turn to Google first and foremost before they go shopping - but the online search engine isn¿t what actually convinces them to head in the door. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/30/2011

Wealthy consumers use social media for different reasons than the average Internet user - and they also use different social media channels. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/27/2011

Social deal sites are taking hold as consumers not only snap up the discounts, but also spread the word. Maybe it's time for you to get in on the craze. But before you leap, think about how you'll craft your offer. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/20/2011

Is advertising today all about the Web? Not by a long shot. A new study reveals newspapers are still a surprisingly effective place for small businesses to advertise. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/16/2011

Everyone's talking about it, but do consumers really look at or act on advertising and marketing messages texted to their mobile phones? Yes-and no-depending on what consumer demographic you're talking about. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/14/2011

Moms have a ton of purchasing power-and the recession has had a lasting impact on the way they shop. What drives them to spend, save and shop? A new survey offers a closer look at the emotions behind moms' shopping habits. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/14/2011

Consumers who have bad experiences on ecommerce sites are likely to tell others on social media and rating and review sites. How can you bring them back to the fold? A new report suggests some strategies. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/14/2011

There's a new phobia building in the U.S.-but that is not necessarily bad news. Social media and mobile technology are combining to take customer FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to new heights. How can your business benefit? ...  Read More >

Published: 6/14/2011

Bloggers are becoming more influential in how Americans shop-in fact, they¿re even more influential than endorsements from celebrities. A new study reveals why blogs need to be part of your marketing strategy. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/14/2011

Adoption of mobile media continues to grow as consumers use smartphones and other mobile devices for a wide range of activities. Find out what areas are growing the fastest and what it means to your business. ...  Read More >

Published: 3/16/2011

Social media and mobile marketing are hot buzzwords in the business community. But how widely are small businesses embracing these tools? New research has some encouraging results. ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2011

Mobile shopping is skyrocketing, so if you're a retailer - either online or brick-and-mortar, you need to be ready - now. Already 59 percent of online shoppers are either using or plan to use their phones to make retail purchases. ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2011

Twitter users may be relatively small in number, but they're growing rapidly - and their status as key influencers makes them an important audience for your business to target. Here's what you need to know. ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2011

Are you using social media to get customer feedback? Most companies, especially small businesses, aren't - yet. That means starting the customer-service conversation on social networks is a great way to give your business an edge. ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2011

Still not convinced your small business should be marketing to Hispanic customers? Maybe this will persuade you: Google is making a huge push to focus on this market. Shouldn't you be too? ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2011

Small Businesses and Online Marketing: How Do You Measure Up? ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2011

The numbers are in: Both men and women are increasingly using social media to research, comparison shop, and seek opinions and recommendations before they buy anything. What does that mean for your small business? ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2011

Small business owners know they need to get involved in social media to effectively market their businesses. But in a new survey, most say they lack the time and resources to harness social media properly. ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2011

Ratings, reviews and online research are changing the way Generation X and Y customers buy. As a result, attracting and keeping younger customers is no longer as simple as it used to be. But with a little effort, this could mean even more business for you. ...  Read More >

Published: 12/14/2010

How do social media users really feel about advertising on social media sites? The majority doesn't mind it-and a sizable minority embrace it, according to a new study of social media use. ...  Read More >

Published: 12/08/2010

Does your business use Groupon? Or are you still on the fence about this deal-of-the-day tool? Whichever camp you fall into, Groupon has recently announced some changes to the service that may make it more effective for small business owners seeking to boost their businesses. Here's what you need to know. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/30/2010

Is there a secret to motivating consumers to engage with your brands online? Are you doing something that drives them away? The answers will help you shape your social media marketing strategies. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/30/2010

Many small business owners think social media tools are only for consumer marketing, and not relevant or useful for reaching a B-to-B audience? They're wrong-and the results from two new studies prove it. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/15/2010

"Location-based" online services like Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook Places are generating lots of buzz. But how many consumers are actually using them? The answers from a new report may surprise you. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/08/2010

Small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy, and plan to increase their marketing budgets for 2011. The bulk of the new spending is going toward online marketing, including e-mail, websites and social media. ...  Read More >

Published: 11/08/2010

"Social promotions" tools such as Groupon and LivingSocial are generating lots of buzz. But are these deal-of-the-day marketing tools really paying off for small businesses-or just for their customers? ...  Read More >

Published: 10/25/2010

Online usage habits have changed radically among various ethnic groups. If you haven't looked at the newest stats for who's doing what online, you're likely missing out on some great marketing opportunities. A closer look at how Hispanics, Caucasians, Asians and African Americans are using the Internet reveals some surprising facts. ...  Read More >

Published: 10/20/2010

Is the honeymoon over between small business and social media? Well, not quite-small business owners still believe in the value of social media. But as the most recent Small Business Success Index shows-the goals they hope to achieve through social networking aren't necessarily being met. ...  Read More >

Published: 10/14/2010

If you are an e-tailer, here's some good news for a change: Most consumers plan to do their holiday shopping online. The catch? Well, online shoppers are looking for low prices, free shipping, and better value. If you can provide all that, you can business away from the big-name online sellers like eBay and Amazon. ...  Read More >

Published: 9/28/2010

I've blogged here on SmallBusinessInSite before about how affluent members of Gen Y could be the key to leading us out of economic malaise. But if your target is affluent consumers, you may want to focus on young, single women. ...  Read More >

Published: 9/28/2010

Early on, most of us quickly learned moms rule. Now as adults, we're realizing exactly how powerful moms are, especially when it comes to consumer spending. Moms exert the most influence over all household spending-by a big margin. Even if your business isn't Mom-centric, you can't afford to ignore mothers. If you're not marketing your consumer products or services to moms, it's time to start. ...  Read More >

Published: 9/20/2010

Does it seem like everyone on earth is already participating in social media, and the use of social media tools have reached their saturation point? Well, think again-there's still a growth market of older users waiting to be tapped. So says a new survey by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Internet & American Life Project. ...  Read More >

Published: 9/14/2010

What are Americans doing online? Increasingly, they're on social networking sites and blogs, reports What Americans Do Online, a study released earlier this month by Nielsen. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/31/2010

Summer still has a few weeks left to go, but it's never too early for retailers to plan for the holiday season. If you are gearing up for your 2010 holiday marketing campaign, a new report from Experian offers lots of valuable insights. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/24/2010

Men and women differ in their outlook about both the economy and their own financial futures-and the gap is widening, says a new survey for Citi conducted by Hart Research Associates. The survey polled consumers about their outlook for the economy and their own financial situations in the next 12 months. Although optimism had declined overall, men in particular were more pessimistic than they were in the last survey in March. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/16/2010

We've been talking about the mobile Internet a lot lately, but the more and more people are using their phones to go online. An amazing 60 percent of U.S. adults now use the wireless Internet, according to new research conducted for the Pew American Internet and American Life Project. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/09/2010

Remember the baby boomers-the huge market who came of age during the 1960s and have powered much of the consumption and spending in America for the last 50 years? Once considered the cash cow for many small businesses, boomers have lost some of their luster in recent years as their oldest members surpassed 60 and became, in the conventional wisdom, less desirable customers. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/03/2010

Are you familiar with Foursquare? If your business is one that relies on regular, local customers-such as a restaurant, bar, retail store or coffeehouse-you should be. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/03/2010

As small businesses develop their mobile marketing strategies, where should they be looking first? A recent report from Yankee Group suggests that iPhone users will be the most profitable avenue to target. ...  Read More >

Published: 8/03/2010

When you think of home-based businesses, do you picture part-timers in their pajamas, working on hobby businesses for "pin money"? If so, how's this for a reality check: Home-based businesses employ more Americans than venture-capital backed companies. ...  Read More >

Published: 7/27/2010

Moms are a powerful and lucrative market-and if you're targeting them on Twitter, you'll be interested in the results of a new Lucid Marketing study, reported by MediaPost. ...  Read More >

Published: 7/20/2010

If you aren't thinking of ways that smartphones can be part of your business's marketing mix, you could be missing out on a growing source of business. The Q1 2010 Smartphone Intelligence survey, just out from research firm Compete, shows that smartphones are becoming more integrated into how Americans live and shop. ...  Read More >

Published: 7/12/2010

How has the recession changed consumers? A recent global survey found that consumers are fed up with mindless consumption and making lasting changes in how they shop and spend. ...  Read More >

Published: 7/12/2010

I've blogged here before about the Hispanic market in the United States and some of the many reasons you should be targeting these key consumers. Now, a new study offers some fascinating insights into the female segment of this market. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/29/2010

The way entrepreneurs use the Internet can make or break their businesses, according to a new study by American City Business Journals, reported in Portfolio.com. In general, the study showed, the entrepreneurs who are most actively engaged online also boast the highest sales. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/25/2010

Do you have an iPhone, or have you spent any time around someone who does? Then you've undoubtedly got a feel for how addictive iPhone apps can be. Now, creating your own app can be a great way for your small business to attract customers. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/14/2010

If you envision coupon-clippers as downscale shoppers desperate to save a buck, think again. Wealthy, well-educated urbanites are among the most likely users of coupons, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive for digital coupon site Coupons.com. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/07/2010

Are you in the B-to-B market? If you sell to small-business owners, consider how they buy when you are developing your marketing strategy. ...  Read More >

Published: 6/01/2010

Does your business market to women? To influence what women buy, you need to engage with them in online communities, forums and message boards, reports a new study by SheSpeaks and iVillage on women¿s shopping behaviors. ...  Read More >

Published: 5/24/2010

A comprehensive new study of Twitter users has just been released, and the findings should make every entrepreneur sit up and take note. Twitter Usage in America: 2010: The Edison Research/Arbitron ...  Read More >

Published: 5/17/2010

Where do young adults get their information? If your small business markets to teens and 20-somethings, the results of a recent study by the International Center for Media & the Public Agenda (ICMPA) and students ...  Read More >

Published: 5/10/2010

You know you need to move fast to keep up with trends in social media. But now, you need to be on the move-literally-because more and more social media users are accessing social networks via mobile device. ...  Read More >

Published: 4/26/2010

In the ongoing conversation about social media's future as a marketing tool, there's been endless debate as to whether or not social media will make e-mail marketing obsolete. While several recent surveys suggest e-mail is alive and well, they also show that a third for ...  Read More >

Published: 4/26/2010

If you're looking at getting involved in social media for the first time, or trying to decide which social media channel should receive most of your time and effort, a new study from online advertising network Chitika should help. ...  Read More >

Published: 4/12/2010

The buying power of U.S. Hispanics is estimated at $1 trillion annually, according to a new survey on Hispanic marketing trends by Hispanic advertising agency Orcí. But even though advertisers acknowledge the importance of the Latino market, they are not marketing ...  Read More >

Published: 4/05/2010

For decades, the behavior of baby boomers has shaped American business. But as we emerge from the "Great Recession," entrepreneurs looking for consumer spending to rebound will have to look to Generations X and Y ...  Read More >

Published: 3/29/2010

Have you been hiding your head in the sand hoping that your business can just ignore Twitter and it will go away? There's been lots of talk recently as to whether Twitter is still relevant or is becoming passé. I'm in the former camp. If your business hasn't tried Twitter yet ...  Read More >

Published: 3/23/2010

Social media use by small businesses has doubled in the last year, from 12 percent to 24 percent, according to the third wave of the Small Business Success Index study by Network Solutions and the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. ...  Read More >

Published: 3/15/2010

Americans are not only spending less-but for many, spending less has become a way of life. In a recent Gallup poll, 62 percent of Americans said they enjoy saving more than spending. Just 35 percent said the reverse. This shift has been growing since December 2008. ...  Read More >

Published: 3/08/2010

At the end of 2009, 234 million Americans aged 13 and older had mobile devices-and spent about 3 hours a day on average using them to go online, according to a new study by Ruder Finn. But what exactly are consumers doing when they access the mobile Internet? ...  Read More >

Published: 3/01/2010

CES, the world's largest technology tradeshow, held a "Mommytech Summit" this year. If that surprises you, you must not know too many moms. Today's mom is not a tech novice, as BabyCenter chair Tina Sharkey reports on Engage:Moms. Sharkey recently shared some key tech trends she's seeing among moms. ...  Read More >

Published: 2/22/2010

Despite today's challenging economy, a recent survey by Burst Media reveals that consumers are still willing to pay premium prices for "green" products and services. Barely 9 percent of those surveyed claimed to be 100-percent green. But most -90 percent-are "aspirationally green," saying they've incorporated some level of "greenness" into their daily lives. ...  Read More >

Published: 2/17/2010

A newly-released study reveals some surprising information about how entrepreneurs are really using social media. This is especially relevant to those of you who target small-business owners as clients. But even if you don't, you should see how your social media habits match up with those of your peers. ...  Read More >

Published: 2/08/2010

Has your business been overlooking a market that's a potential gold mine? According to two new reports, smart businesses should be targeting the African-American consumer in the coming decade. ...  Read More >

Published: 2/08/2010

What kind of lasting effect will the Great Recession have on young people growing up today? Newsweek recently examined this question, and the article got me thinking that understanding the Recession Generation will be key to growing your business going forward. ...  Read More >

Published: 2/08/2010

Are you ready for the growth of the mobile Web? For many users, the mobile Web is already here-but it's going to get much, much more prevalent, according to new data from research firm Gartner. ...  Read More >

Published: 2/08/2010

Statistics about small-business owners' use of social media are flying fast and furious. But what's the real truth? A recent survey, conducted by Internet research company Internet2Go and small-business social network Merchant Circle, showed that 45 percent of entrepreneurs surveyed have created presences on Facebook and Twitter specifically to promote their businesses. ...  Read More >

Published: 1/19/2010

Trend monitoring firm Trendwatching.com has just released its latest briefing, 10 Crucial Consumer Trends for 2010. While it's well worth reading the full report, I know you entrepreneurs are very busy, so here are some highlights: ...  Read More >

Published: 1/12/2010

Are your marketing efforts targeting Hispanic consumers? If not, you're missing a big opportunity, because Hispanics are not only the largest minority group in the United States, they're also the youngest, with an average age of 27. ...  Read More >

Published: 1/12/2010

What's the most popular social networking site among college students? According to Anderson Analytics' recently released GenX2Z American College Student Survey, it is Facebook-which is not just the number-one social networking site for this age group, but ...  Read More >

Published: 1/12/2010

If you're marketing to seniors age 65 and up, there's something you should know: While this demographic still accounts for less than 10 percent of active Internet users, that number is growing-and growing fast. ...  Read More >