Compensation & Benefits Survey

In these days of counting every penny, association media teams need to know where they rank in compensation and benefits. The 2011 Compensation & Benefits Survey allows associations to compare their publishing operation's compensation practices against those of other associations, including those that are similar in size, scope and location.More

Writer's block survey results

In the Nov. 3 issue of Sidebar, we asked, "How often do you struggle with "writer's and/or creative block?"

Here's how our readers responded:

More

Lead members to cross-platform publishing
Association Media & Publishing
When it comes to digital editions and mobile apps, sometimes your members might not know what they will use until you give it to them.More

Boost interaction with your Facebook fans
Social Media Examiner
Are you looking for fresh ideas to engage your Facebook fans? The following are three techniques used by some of the most successful Facebook pages. Try them on your page to see how your fans respond.More

Google+ launches branded pages
Mashable
Google has finally unveiled brand pages for Google+, allowing businesses and brands to join Google’s social network. "So far Google+ has focused on connecting people with other people," said Google Senior Vice President of Social Vic Gundotra. "But we want to make sure you can build relationships with all the things you care about — from local businesses to global brands — so today we're rolling out Google+ Pages worldwide."More

The discreet shift to Twitter
Monday Note
You hear things about Facebook. You see things. As its audience matures, a subtle shift might be underway. Who benefits from such shift? Twitter, primarily.More

What's required of the next generation of marketers
Advertising Age
If there's one thing the next generation of marketers — and even today's marketers — need to know, it's that you can't just be a marketer anymore. At one time "you could be a functional expert in one very narrow area of marketing tactics," said Tom Collinger, associate dean and department chair — Integrated Marketing Communications at the Medill School at Northwestern University. "Back in the day, if you were a direct or data marketer or PR specialist, that was enough."More

Back to basics: SEO 101
SearchEngineWatch
Yes, some elements of SEO can get quite complex. But there are still some things you can do to help your site do well in the search engines without having to hire an agency or high-priced talent.More

Improve your international SEO strategy
Search Engine Land
If North American-based businesses are to reach the rapidly expanding, increasingly sophisticated international Internet audience, they must get smarter about international search engine optimization. Just like domestic SEO, the international version boosts the likelihood that a particular website will rise to the top of search results, thereby enabling increased conversion rates.More

5 defining features of landing pages 3.0
MarketingProfs
The first generation of landing pages was basic, almost cliché. They consisted of a headline, a few bullet points, a "hero shot" image and a form. In 2008, a second generation of landing pages emerged. Now, a wave of new innovations in landing pages has raised the bar yet again.More

Inflation spike prompts business rates rise fears
PrintWeek
Printers have called for the government not to implement business rate increases based on the September RPI inflation rate, which at 5.6 percent, was at its highest for more than 20 years. Since 1990, governments have linked the Uniform Business Rate to the previous September's inflation figure. However, even though the year remained steady, between 5-5.2 percent from April through to August, September was far larger.More

3 ways that a printer could benefit by using SMS/text
The Digital Nirvana
If you have been to any marketing related conferences over the past year, you may agree that mobile has been a very popular topic. Companies of all sizes are looking for information on QR Codes, mobile websites, mobile apps and more. In addition to those items, there inevitably is a speaker at these conferences that will say this: "Don't ignore SMS/text. More people use that than they do the mobile Web." The following are three ideas on how a printer could incorporate SMS/text into their marketing, sales and customer support activities.More

8 popular postage tools to save money on business shipping
Business 2 Community
Many businesses have an opportunity to reduce costs associated with shipping and mailing, whether it be using postage tools or better leveraging existing USPS Extra Services. Here is a look at some of the most popular postage tools and services to help businesses save on shipping.More