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# Innovative Tomato

A fresh take on marketing.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.innovativetomato.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [How to Handle California CIPA Pen Register Lawsuits](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-handle-california-cipa-pen-register-lawsuits/) - If you’ve received a California CIPA demand letter or lawsuit, contact us as soon as possible. We can review your website’s analytics, tracking scripts, cookie consent configuration, and other privacy related technologies so you and your attorney have a clear understanding of how your website is configured. If changes are needed, we can implement them
- [The Right and Wrong Ways to Automate Your Marketing Processes](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/the-right-and-wrong-ways-to-automate-your-marketing-processes/) - Every business uses some form of automation, but the goal isn’t to automate everything you possibly can. Taking the human element out of certain marketing tasks can suck the life right out of your advertising, and people are only going to get better at sniffing that out. We believe the best marketing combines efficient systems
- [Mailchimp’s Free Plan Is Now Limited to 250 Contacts](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/mailchimps-free-plan-is-now-limited-to-250-contacts/) - Mailchimp’s pricing structure has shifted over the years, and recent updates have raised questions about contact limits, billing, and whether certain accounts will be interrupted. Here is a clear breakdown of what matters. New Free Plans vs. Legacy Accounts Mailchimp introduced a new pricing model on May 15, 2019. If your account was created after
- [Domain name scams and how to avoid them](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/domain-name-scams-and-how-to-avoid-them/) - Any entity that has a website has to buy and register a domain name – that is, the combination of letters behind www that is assigned to your site's IP address -- something like www.yourcompany.com. Simple enough, right? But this simple need is the source of seemingly endless domain registration scams. In fact, we get
- [Video Marketing in 2026](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/video-marketing-in-2026/) - Video has exploded in a way that most did not predict. Short form is everywhere, but the real story is how every format has taken off: short clips, live streams, mini-series, niche videos that run 30+ minutes. If someone is into a topic, there is now a video format built for exactly how they want
- [Where You Can Run Streaming TV Ads Yourself](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/where-you-can-run-streaming-tv-ads-yourself/) - Streaming platforms have become more accessible, but not every placement works the same way. Some platforms allow advertisers to launch campaigns without a sales rep or third party, while others still rely on the traditional broadcast buying model. Even on self-serve platforms, inventory can extend beyond what most people think of as “streaming TV,” so
- [Why Doesn't My New Website Rank on Google Yet?](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/why-doesnt-my-new-website-rank-on-google-yet/) - It's a scenario we see all the time. A business invests in a beautiful new website, either built by us or another developer, and they're excited about it. The design looks fantastic, it works perfectly on mobile, and they're ready for new customers to start finding them online. Then a few weeks pass. They search
- [Eight Ways to Refresh your Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/eight-ways-to-refresh-your-website/) - The best part about websites is that, unlike print pieces, they’re easily edited and updated. But despite this wonderful feature, it can be all too easy for your website to become stagnant – which can be a problem not only aesthetically, but also in how your website functions. Here are 8 things to look at
- [10 Free Things You Can Do To Promote Your Business](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/10-free-things-you-can-do-to-promote-your-business/) - Many small businesses are unable to allocate a large budget to advertising and marketing. Here’s a list of ten things you can do to get your business name out there that don’t require any cash outlay — only an investment of time. 1. Volunteer to speak on a topic you know well There are a
- [Ten Tips for Working Effectively with your Marketing Agency](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/ten-tips-for-working-effectively-with-your-marketing-agency/) - Working with a marketing agency should ideally feel like you’re working with an extension of your team, rather than merely a vendor. Here are some tips on how you can get the most out of your relationship with a marketing agency. Think in terms of goals, rather than projects Start your conversation with your marketing
- [Why TikTok Advertising Is Still a Smart Move Amidst the Ban](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/why-tiktok-advertising-is-still-a-smart-move-amidst-the-ban/) - Navigating the TikTok Ban Dilemma With the talk of a TikTok ban in the US, some uncertainty may arise in your digital marketing strategy—should you continue to advertising on the platform? Despite the controversy, there are still compelling reasons why TikTok advertising remains a strategic choice for certain companies. Receptive Audience and Affordable Targeting If
- [AI for Content Creation: Boost Efficiency, Not Creativity](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/ai-for-content-creation-boost-efficiency-not-creativity/) - Marketers constantly battle tight deadlines and content demands. AI writing assistants are emerging as a solution, promising faster content creation. Let's explore how AI can be a powerful tool to organize and structure your content, while still leveraging your human creativity. That's right, the thing that your brain does better than AI, just not as
- [Leveraging Local SEO to Drive Foot Traffic](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/leveraging-local-seo-to-drive-foot-traffic/) - The Power of Local Search According to Google, nearly half of all searches have local intent. HubSpot found that 76% of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours. This direct connection between local search and foot traffic makes local SEO a crucial tool for brick-and-mortar businesses. Optimizing
- [Web Accessibility 101: What Every Business Needs to Know](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/web-accessibility-101-what-every-business-needs-to-know/) - The Importance of Web Accessibility Web accessibility is more than a set of technical requirements—it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can navigate and interact with your website effectively. Beyond being the right thing to do, it helps businesses expand their audience, improve user experience, avoid legal risks, and demonstrate a commitment to
- [Photo Copyright Claims: Identifying Legitimate Notices vs. Questionable Business Practices](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/photo-copyright-claims-identifying-legitimate-notices-vs-questionable-business-practices/) - Our team recently handled a case involving questionable copyright enforcement practices. These aren't technically scams, but their business model can pressure website owners into unnecessary payments. Here's what you need to know about these notices and how to protect yourself. How Copyright Enforcement Services Work Services like COPYTRACK use automated systems to identify potential image
- [Harnessing the Power of Threads by Meta: A New Social Media Platform](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/harnessing-the-power-of-threads-by-meta-a-new-social-media-platform/) - TThreads by Meta is a new social media platform that has quickly gained traction for its user-friendly interface and innovative features. Much like Twitter, Threads fosters an interactive community where users can share their thoughts, ideas, and content in an engaging manner. What sets Threads apart, however, is its powerful functionality designed to enhance business
- [What's going on at X (Twitter)?](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/whats-going-on-at-twitter/) - Twitter has entered a new era under new ownership as of Oct. 27, 2022, and ever since it's been rough going for the sixth largest social network. What does the future hold? The answers are far from certain, but here’s more about what we know, and some thoughts about what it might mean for users.
- [Rising Popularity of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/rising-popularity-of-nfts/) - Unveiling the Mystery of NFTs: Exploring Non-Fungible Tokens NFT’s have been making news for the past year or so, yet many are unaware of the influence. NFT stands for non-fungible token. Non-fungible is an economic term that you could use to describe things like your furniture, a song file, or your computer. These things are
- [Short-Form Video is Here to Stay](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/short-form-video-is-here-to-stay/) - You may think short-form video is only for TikTok, but nearly every social media platform has a way to upload and view this content style. YouTube has Shorts, Facebook and Instagram have Reels, and Snapchat has its ever-popular Stories. Each of these platforms has pros and cons, but the point is that short-form videos are
- [Guest Post: How JARI Serves Our Region](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/guest-post-jari-serves-region/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) This month we're welcoming Linda Thomson, president of Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI) to our podcast to tell us what JARI does for our region as an economic development organization, and give an overview of JARI services that are available for
- [The Fundamentals of Selling Online](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/fundamentals-selling-online/) - For those of us offering products for sale to a buying public—be it physical, tangible goods or digital offerings — selling online is an immediately attractive avenue to grow sales by expanding our sales reach to an ever-widening audience of potential customers. From the convenience of their couch, desk, or even on the go using
- [Marketing on a Shoestring](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/marketing-shoestring/) - Modern marketing tools have changed the rules, creating a level playing field that is very much to the benefit of small businesses. While high-cost tools are still available, more affordable avenues are extremely effective when it comes to communicating with your customers and prospects. First Things First: Identify Your Core Audience Time must be spent researching who
- [Forecasting Your Marketing Efforts for the Coming Year](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/forecasting-marketing-efforts-coming-year/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) January is a not only a time for personal reflections and resolutions — for many businesses, it is the start of a new fiscal year. This means budgets are reset, goals are redefined and projections are made. Whether you have a
- [Set Your Marketing Goals and Plans For The Year](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/set-your-marketing-goals-and-plans-for-the-year/) - The beginning of the year is the ideal time to look ahead and set up a plan for the entire year’s marketing efforts. This plan will do more than help you estimate your budget for various promotional campaigns. Creating an annual marketing plan helps you see how you can schedule your initiatives to keep a constant and consistent message in front of your customers.
- [Don’t Rely on Someone Else to Spread the Word](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/dont-rely-on-someone-else-to-spread-the-word/) - It’s no secret that running a business requires a large investment of time and money. It can be tempting, especially when the business is a start-up, to try to manage your marketing efforts on a shoe-string (or smaller) budget. It’s a fact that reputation is a key component to every business’s success. However, relying exclusively on word-of-mouth creates far more business development obstacles than the cost savings warrant.
- [The Benefits of Implementing a Relationship Marketing Strategy](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/benefits-implementing-relationship-marketing-strategy/) - Relationship Marketing: what is it? Relationship marketing is a marketing strategy that focuses on achieving customer loyalty and repeat business by developing strong, positive relationships with customers through communication and quality customer service. Customer Relationship Management, or CRM, is a key factor in a successful client relationship and focuses on increasing customer loyalty and interaction
- [Monitoring and Evaluation: Crucial Steps in Marketing Campaigns](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/monitoring-and-evaluation-crucial-steps-in-marketing-campaigns/) - Most of us are familiar with tasking associated with the execution of marketing campaigns, but monitoring and evaluation are important steps that are often overlooked. These steps are crucial in getting good results -- and in improving your efforts the next time a campaign is launched. What are some key elements that create a higher
- [Five Steps to a Simple Marketing Plan](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/five-steps-simple-marketing-plan/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) A new year is a great time to sit down and write a marketing plan for your business. Although the task can seem overwhelming, it’s actually not that difficult if you approach it methodically. In this podcast, we’ll walk you through
- [Virality and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/virality-als-ice-bucket-challenge/) - Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The premise is simple – people are challenged by friends to either dump a bucket of ice water over themselves and make a video of the process, or donate $100 to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's
- [Infographic: The Dress That Almost Broke the Internet](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/infographic-the-dress-that-almost-broke-the-internet/) - Unless you've been hiding out under a rock for the past week, we're sure you've heard about #thedress. You know, the one that different people see in wildly different colors? By now The Internet has been flooded with Tweets, Facebook posts and news articles about the dress, and you may be sick of hearing about it --
- [Pros and Cons of Pre-made Web Resources](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/pros-and-cons-of-pre-made-web-resources/) - Small businesses are always looking for ways to save money wherever they can. For many, the cost of working with a development team to create a website, even one built using an off-the-shelf template, can be prohibitive. These do-it-yourself marketers often turn to website building services, such as Weebly, Wix, or Squarespace. In the right hands, these
- [Tips for Effective Online Meetings](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/tips-for-effective-online-meetings/) - Telecommuting was on the rise before the COVID crisis hit the United States in March 2020 – but now it’s the “new normal” for an unprecedented number of people. As of July 2020, Pennsylvania’s Gov. Wolf is asking all workers who can to work from home. Among the many implications of this is that virtual
- [Using QR Codes in Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/using-qr-codes-in-marketing/) - First invented in the mid-90s, a Quick Response code is a square bar code that can link the physical world to a digital action when scanned by a mobile device. They debuted to much fanfare, but did not live up to their initial promise in the United States. You may have noticed that QR codes
- [How to design if you're not a designer](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-design-if-youre-not-a-designer/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Not everyone is a graphic designer – and not every job requires hiring one. Sometimes, in-house is the best, or your only, option. But what if you aren't as confident in your own design skills? Just like everything else, graphic design
- [Creating an Effective PowerPoint](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/creating-an-effective-powerpoint/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) When presenting in a business context, it's inevitable that you'll use PowerPoint to provide visuals for your audience. In this month’s podcast, we’ll discuss ways you can make the most of this useful software. Creating your PowerPoint Get or create a
- [Progressive Web Apps](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/progressive-web-apps/) - What is a PWA? Simply put, a Progressive Web App, or PWA, is a website that functions in a way similar to a downloadable, native mobile app. A PWA can be installed and accessed via an icon on your home screen - and can even function offline. How does it work? While native apps are
- [Ten Ideas for Effective Business Blog Posts](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/ten-ideas-for-effective-blog-posts/) - Finding the time is probably the top reason companies don’t engage in blogging, one of the most effective and readily accessible forms of content marketing. But a close second is the challenge of coming up with topics. In fact, this morning in our staff meeting, the discussion of our monthly blog post came up –
- [Creating shareable content](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/creating-shareable-content/) - The value of content marketing has been proven for years – increased search engine optimization (SEO), fodder for social media and email marketing, team enrichment and more (for even more on this topic, see our blog post). But are you tapping into the potential reach for the content you're creating? After all, the hard work
- [What websites cost and why](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/what-websites-cost-and-why/) - A website is one of the most important marketing pieces a business can have, but often the one that is first to feel the effects of a tight budget. Today we're going to discuss the costs involved in launching a quality website, and why it's important to invest the right amount of time and money
- [Video: A high-value marketing tool](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/video-a-high-value-marketing-tool/) - Video has revealed itself as one of the rising stars in the marketing tool world. With any new messaging approach or device, there are new challenges. Today, we're going to talk about the value in adding video to your marketing strategy and some tips on how to properly manage this new initiative. Why is video
- [Writing Styles for Different Media](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/writing-styles-for-different-media/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Businesses have never had such a menu of choices for promotion and advertising. Broadcast, print ads, blogging, printed collateral — each has its own benefits, but also specific requirements for writing style. That makes crafting the message more challenging, because copy that might work well
- [The Role of Quality Photography in Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/the-role-of-quality-photography-in-marketing/) - One of the most common misconceptions when marketing a business is the belief that in order to be successful, you need a fancy website, a mobile app to go with it, a huge follower base on social media, and all kinds of print collateral on hand (brochures, flyers, posters). Having these materials will improve your chances of reaching potential
- [Building Customer Loyalty Through VIP Rewards](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/building-customer-loyalty-through-vip-rewards/) - One of the most fertile grounds for increased sales can be found in a company's existing customer base. These individuals have already passed several key steps in the sales cycle —specifically, awareness, attraction, trust, try, and buy. The next step in the cycle is “repeat" — that is, repeat business, repeated interaction, cross-selling, and support. Catering to
- [Cognitive Biases in the Marketing World](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/cognitive-biases-in-the-marketing-world/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Let's take a look at some cognitive biases that can affect your ability to make a good decision, particularly from a marketing standpoint. We chose a handful of these biases that we think are the most important to be aware of
- [Priorities, Priorities! Where to Focus Your Resources in the Digital Age](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/priorities-priorities-where-to-focus-your-resources-in-the-digital-age/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) For most small businesses, time and money are scarce resources – and figuring out how to prioritize your digital marketing is no easy task. Your website, e-newsletter, and the enormous array of social media outlets are all potential places to put
- [Time-Saving Websites You Didn't Know You Needed](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/time-saving-websites-you-didnt-know-you-needed/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Usually our podcast topics are very specifically related to marketing, but this month we're focusing on something that's useful to almost anyone, in any industry – time-saving websites. Some are computer-related, some are specific to working in the office or design,
- [Avoid These Common Marketing Mistakes](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/avoid-common-marketing-mistakes/) - As a business owner or organization leader, there is a certain sense of ownership that is a prominent part of your relationship with your brand. It's an important attribute, and one that can be a great motivator in working towards the success of your company. From a design and marketing standpoint, however, your personal attachment
- [QR Codes and Scanning Technology in Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/qr-codes-scanning-technology-marketing/) - We know that consistency among all parts of a marketing campaign provides significantly higher results and increases a company’s overall brand value. We also know that supporting print campaigns with online marketing (and vice versa) provides increased returns. So linking both on- and off-line efforts should result in an even more effective campaign, right? Yes
- [Then, Now & Beyond – The Evolution of Web Design](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/now-beyond-evolution-web/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) The Internet was and is one of the fastest evolving technologies of all time. At the Internet's beginnings in the mid-90s with dial-up service, users would have been hard-pressed to imagine the web's current state, and the way it has become an essential part of
- [Common Misconceptions About Web Design and Development](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/common-misconceptions-about-web-design-and-development/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) In September 2014 NetCraft reported that the total number of websites worldwide reached 1 billion. In that same period, the UK's Daily Mail reported, "In the time it's taken you to read this sentence, at least four new websites have been
- [Google Says Go Mobile -- Or Else](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/mobile-friendly-websites-get-preferential-treatment-in-googles-search-results/) - User experience (UX) and search engine optimization (SEO) can give your company website an advantage over your competitors. Often, these items have been considered two independent areas, with care taken to ensure one doesn't negatively impact the other. However, beginning April 21, 2015, UX and SEO are officially married at the hip. Search engine giant Google's primary goal is to
- [How To Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-make-your-website-mobile-friendly/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Mobile phones have overtaken desktop computers as the primary means of accessing information on the Internet. In fact, according to ComScore, an internet research firm, mobile Internet usage has surpassed desktop usage by a significant margin— 51 percent of Internet time is spent
- [Google continues to emphasize mobile](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/google-continues-emphasize-mobile/) - The statistics on mobile and tablet use continue to skyrocket. People are spending more time on their mobile devices than ever – mobile usage is now at 60% of time spent online, vs. 40% of desktop-based activity. Some 20% of millennials aren’t using desktop at all. These statistics and many others present a compelling case
- [Does your business need an app?](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/does-your-business-need-an-app/) - Today, more people spend time on their mobile phones than watching TV or browsing the internet on their desktop computers. What's more, that time on mobile is largely spent using apps. From messaging friends and family, to watching videos, to online shopping, apps can seemingly do it all. Chances are your customer base uses their
- [The Technical Stuff that Supports Your Online Presence](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/technical-stuff-supports-online-presence/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Regardless of the type of business or organization, digital marketing is likely to be a huge component of your promotion strategy. While some listeners will be able to confidently navigate this technological landscape, others find themselves intimidated by the alphabet soup
- [Myths and facts about getting a new website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/myths-and-facts-about-getting-a-new-website/) - Is your website out of date and needing a design tweak or complete overhaul, or is your business new? Whether you're replacing an old site or getting your first one, here are some myths and facts about getting that new website launched into cyberspace. Myth: A Facebook Page is all you need for a web
- [Using Google Trends for Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/using-google-trends-for-marketing/) - Of the many online tools available for use in marketing, you should absolutely be using trends.google.com, a free online tool created by Google. Google Trends displays analytics of different search terms people are using on its search engine, Google — and you can use this information in a variety of ways to ensure you are
- [SEO 101: The Basics of Search Engine Optimization](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/seo-101-the-basics-of-search-engine-optimization/) - Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or web page in a search engine's natural results. Basically, SEO affects how high up on the page a website shows up in search results. Higher rankings = more website traffic. This means that improved SEO will increase the likelihood your
- [Using Google Analytics to Measure the Success of Your Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/using-google-analytics-to-measure-the-success-of-your-web-site/) - A truism is that all marketing efforts are measurable. If you cannot quantify the results of your campaign, then the campaign is more likely classified as public relations, not marketing. And effective marketing is what truly affects your bottom-line. For many businesses, their website is the prime marketing tool that not only generates leads and sales on its own, but also supports all other promotion efforts. So what is the best way to measure the results of your web-based initiatives?
- [International Search Engine Optimization](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/international-search-engine-optimization/) - Search engines work hard to return results listings that they anticipate will be relevant to their users and geographic location and the language of the website play big roles in this. Then there are political barriers, in which countries will block competing international companies. Make the website more attractive to the targeted country by tailoring
- [A Primer in SEO (Search Engine Optimization)](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/primer-seo-search-engine-optimization/) - Most people are familiar with the term SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, and understand that it's important in the world of digital marketing. But what is it exactly, and how do you get it? Search engine optimization means that your company's website is written, formatted and built to put its best foot forward to search
- [Promotional Giveaways and Competitions](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/promotional-giveaways-and-competitions/) - Who doesn’t love free stuff? Promotional giveaways and contests are a great way to expand your audience or keep your current one engaged. These contests are also a great way to advertise your products or services affordably. But you should do your research before launching this type of promotion – contests may cost less than
- [Personalize Your Marketing Presence](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/personalize-your-marketing-presence/) - What is personalization? In marketing, personalization is the act of recording user data for the purpose of recommending tailored advertisements and experiences that cater to the user's unique needs. It increases the chance that an ad will create a meaningful connection between the customer and the business. After all, everyone is different. An advertisement for
- [Understanding Micro Influencers](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/understanding-micro-influencers/) - The word “influencer” is thrown around a lot today, and many people have at least some degree of understanding of the term. But have you ever heard of a “micro influencer?” What are micro influencers? Micro influencers are online personalities with somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000 to 100,000 followers. Depending on your experience with
- [Facebook for Small Business](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/facebook-small-business/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) There are 1.15 billion Facebook users, and 23% check their account more than 5 times a day. That's not a market businesses can afford to ignore! In this podcast, we'll provide an overview of Facebook for small business. We'll go over
- [How to Harness the Power of Facebook Events](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-harness-the-power-of-facebook-events/) - We all know that Facebook's organic reach – that is, the number of fans your posts reach without paid promotion – has been declining considerably. Using the "events" Facebook feature is a powerful and under-appreciated way to counteract that trend, and some recent changes to how events work make them more useful than ever. There's evidence that Facebook is
- [How to attract more Instagram followers](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/attract-more-instagram-followers/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) We’ve gone over some of the basics of Instagram, including the benefits of using the service for business purposes – and even how to take better photos for social media. In this month's podcast, we'll take a look at some Instagram features
- [Ten Tips to Improve Your Facebook Page](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/ten-tips-improve-facebook-page/) - Facebook is continually tweaking its algorithm to try and keep its users happy. Unfortunately, these changes seldom help those of us who use Facebook Pages to market our businesses. “I'm changing the goal I give our product teams from focusing on helping you find relevant content to helping you have more meaningful social interactions,” Mark
- [Making the Most of Groups and Pages in Facebook](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/making-the-most-of-groups-and-pages-in-facebook/) - Facebook is a world unto itself, and it continues to evolve. In the relatively recent past, Facebook has indicated that it would put more emphasis on Groups as opposed to Pages. In this article, we'll go over Groups and Pages, and discuss how you can make the most of both. What's the difference between a
- [Live streaming on social media](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/live-streaming-on-social-media/) - Going “live” is a hot phenomenon on social media, and it’s possible to do it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Here’s more about how—and why– you might choose to go live.
- [Pinterest for Small Business](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/pinterest-small-business/) - Pinterest isn't about knowing everything. It is about fulfilling a creative itch that leads to the formation of personal goals — and reaching those goals. Pinterest gives users a way to connect with others who have similar interests. And unlike any other form of social media, people turn to Pinterest specifically to go shopping. This
- [Using stories in social media](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/using-stories-in-social-media/) - Posting “stories” consisting of one or more images is a hot trend on social media. Essentially, stories are a type of visual post, with the notable fact that they are temporary – they are only a part of your feed for a certain period of time. That's significant because most people curate their social media
- [Using Facebook's Business Suite](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/using-facebooks-business-suite/) - Recently Facebook changed its entire company name to “Meta,” a new, overarching brand that includes not only Facebook but also WhatsApp, Instagram, Oculus (a virtual reality platform), and Messenger. “Today we are seen as a social media company, but in our DNA we are a company that builds technology to connect people, and the metaverse
- [Instagram for Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/instagram-for-marketing/) - If your customers are on social media, Instagram might be a great way to connect with them while building your brand at the same time. Approximately 3.5 billion photos are liked everyday on Instagram, which makes Instagram for marketing an incredible opportunity. However, there are a few things to know if you want to promote yourself
- [Choosing social media channels that are right for your business](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/choosing-social-media-channels-that-are-right-for-your-business/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) By now, most small business owners realize that being active on social media should be an important part of their digital marketing strategy. But there are more social media channels than ever, and the landscape is constantly shifting – it can
- [Five Things You Can Do to Increase Your Visibility](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/five-things-you-can-do-to-increase-your-visibility/) - In your ongoing quest to keep ahead of your competitors you need to be constantly conscious of your visibility to your customers. In this case “visibility” refers to your customers’ awareness of your strengths and capabilities. Most likely there are customers that are in need of your service, but are unaware of how well you can meet their needs in areas of quality, cost and responsiveness. It is your challenge to provide them with reminders and incentives to contact you.
- [Is Your Website Outdated?](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/is-your-web-site-outdated/) - In our article, “Does Your Business Really Need a Website?” we addressed companies that have neglected online technologies and have now reached the point where getting an online presence is essential. But what about the companies that have invested in websites for years? Is there anything that can be done to improve the results from their web-based initiatives?
- [Making Small Companies Look Big](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/making-small-companies-look-big/) - Being a small business has many advantages that carry over to your customers, such as an increased dedication to customer service and a lean, efficient approach to projects, services and pricing. These advantages can not only increase your competitiveness in today’s market, but can also maximize the benefits your customers receive for their money. Everyone wins, but only if your customer is confident that your organization can deliver on the promised goods.
- [The Competitive Advantage of Consistent Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/the-competitive-advantage-of-consistent-marketing/) - The goal of most professional organizations is to be the first name that comes to mind when a need for your product or service arises. To achieve this lofty goal you must work diligently to be constantly and consistently in your prospective customer’s ear. Most businesses understand the “constant” part of that equation, but what is often overlooked is the “consistent” factor.
- [Using Social Media Websites to Promote Your Company](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/using-social-media-website-to-promote-your-company/) - When used in addition to a well-designed website, social media sites can be a powerful tool for promoting your organization. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube now provide your business with a direct link to your most important asset, your customers.
- [What to Consider When Choosing a Web Designer](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/consider-choosing-web-designer/) - If you’re looking to update a stale existing website or ready to launch a new site to advance your online presence and grow your business, you should have some ideas in mind before hiring a web designer. The first step is to define what online audience you’re trying to reach, and what your website will
- [Corporate Sponsorship for Small Business](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/corporate-sponsorship-small-business/) - Small businesses are often approached with sponsorship requests, where the business receives some recognition in return for a donation that helps support a worthwhile cause or event. The amount of recognition the business receives is dependent on the size of the donation. Sponsorship opportunities include sports leagues; cultural amenities such as art exhibits, festivals, performing
- [8 Things to Know About Email Marketing Today](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/8-things-know-e-mail-marketing-today/) - Email marketing is one of the oldest forms of digital marketing, and one of the most popular. In fact, one study estimated that more than 838 billion (BILLION!) e-mails were sent in 2013 alone. Given the sheer volume of marketing email out there – and how crowded your own in-box might be – it might
- [Making Content Marketing Work For Your Business](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/making-content-marketing-work-business/) - Content marketing is one of the hottest trends in the industry today – in fact, some 92% of marketers are using this technique. Virtually any business can find ways to make it work to their advantage. Simply put, content marketing means you educate and inform customers and prospects about topics relevant to your industry. Thus,
- [8 Things to Know About Direct Mail Marketing Today](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/8-things-know-direct-mail-today/) - Direct mail is a time-honored marketing technique that can be equally effective for business-to-consumer and business-to-business companies. Here are eight things to know about direct mail marketing now: Direct mail can be more targeted than ever. It's possible to buy address lists of certain ZIP codes that reach certain targets – the Postal Service's Every Door Direct Mail
- [LinkedIn for Business Networking](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/linkedin-business-networking/) - LinkedIn is the only social medium specifically focused on business. It functions a bit like Facebook in that users find “friends” in the form of “connections,” and the service features a “news feed” of users’ status updates, which tend to be business-related -- job updates, links to business news articles, and so forth. It's the
- [Improving the Online User Experience](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/improving-online-user-experience/) - We usually don't over-think our interactions with technology — we follow our instincts to perform tasks. It's generally only when things go wrong or don't work as well as they could that we notice the technology we're using. In other words, we take positive technological interactions for granted, but take note of negative ones. This is crucially
- [Using Brainstorming to Get Results](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/using-brainstorming-get-results/) - We've all had the experience of confronting a problem – often in the form of a maddeningly blank piece of paper – and having no ideas, or even a place to start. Alex Osborn, a pioneering advertising executive, was preoccupied with ways to spark creativity and get beyond that frustrating mental inertia. Osborn was convinced that
- [How - and When - to Write a Press Release](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/write-press-release/) - Media relations is an important part of any company's self-promotion efforts. Here's a brief guide to how, when and why to write and send a press release. How to write copy for a press release Today media outlets are operating with fewer and fewer reporters, although they are generally expected to produce the same amount
- [How to Ace a Media Interview](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/give-good-media-interview/) - Many people find being interviewed by the media somewhat intimidating – but it doesn't have to be. Here's a quick guide to giving a good media interview. For any media interview, keep these things in mind: Anticipate questions. What questions are you likely to be asked? If the situation calls for it, practice the answers to
- [Password, Please! A Guide to Password Hygiene](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/password-please-guide-password-hygiene/) - As the Internet has become more and more important, most of us have developed a long list of passwords associated with various online activities in our personal and professional lives. But unfortunately, password security and storage – I’ll call it password hygiene – is often neglected. Here’s a quick look at what you can do
- [How to Frustrate Hackers: Security and Your WordPress Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/security-and-your-wordpress-website/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Keeping a website safe from malicious acts is increasingly important, especially when using an open-source content management system such as WordPress. Here's what you need to know about website security, and how you can minimize the chances your website will be
- [A Digital Advertising Primer: What You Need to Know about Web Ads](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/a-web-advertising-primer/) - Although anyone who's online is exposed to web advertising constantly, many of us are pretty unfamiliar with the type of digital ads that are available, including how they're placed and how they work. Here's an overview of the major types of web advertising. First, let's point out the obvious: for digital advertising to work at all, your
- [Updating WordPress and PlugIns](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/updating-wordpress-plug-ins/) - WordPress is the single most popular content management system in terms of usage, with nearly 40% of all CMS-based websites built upon the platform. There's good reason for this dominance — it's well-built, easy to use, and supported by a vast library of plugins that can customize and extend its functionality to address nearly every modern
- [Images for the Internet: What You Should Know](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/images-for-the-internet-what-you-should-know/) - Search engines use your website’s copy to determine if your site is of interest to people searching for your products and services. But good images help engage your customers and prospects, keeping them interested and reading further – so quality images are crucially important to an effective website. In this post we’ll go over some
- [The Difference Between Template and Custom-Built Websites](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/difference-template-custom-built-websites/) - Most websites today are developed with a content management system, or CMS – which allows companies to easily and quickly update their sites without technical support. By far the most popular is WordPress, an open-source blogging tool and CMS, which as of 2017 has as much as 50-60 percent of the global CMS market (we'll
- [Branding - More Than a Logo](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/branding-logo/) - If you've got a business, you've got a brand. Most people think of branding as your logo – but it's much more than that. Words like branding, marketing, and identity can seem interchangeable. But strong, consistent branding can lead to better results from sales and promotion initiatives, and an improved perception of your company. Whether
- [How to Get the Most out of Email Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/get-e-mail-marketing/) - With the increase of social media marketing, many companies have sent their email newsletter out to sea. But people are still emailing every day, and email newsletters are a great way to reach out directly to your customers. Especially with social media saturation and Facebook's “boosted post” policies, email newsletters and promotions can make it
- [The Seven Steps to A Perfect Sales Call](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/perfect-sales-call/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) You might consider it to be the most crucial part of a business's marketing efforts--the face-to-face sales meeting. This is the opportunity for a potential customer to: Become educated on your products, services and expertise Determine whether or not you are
- [The Psychology of Color in Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/psychology-color-marketing/) - The use of color is of great importance to anyone that works in advertising. We all know how important color schemes are to brand consistency and we're also quite cognizant of the messages certain colors send. The power of color lies in its ability to communicate non-verbally. In fact, up to 87% of sensory perception
- [What You Need to Know About Paid Media](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/what-you-need-to-know-about-paid-media/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) When you think of traditional advertising, you’re usually thinking of paid media – that is, an ad that the advertiser spent money to place. Most advertising campaigns will use more than one form of media, depending on the audience the campaign
- [Mistakes To Avoid in Your Next Web Project](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/mistakes-to-avoid-in-your-next-web-project/) - At this stage of the game, most business professionals have been involved in a website project to some degree — some only with a marketing/maintenance role, while others have worked on a site launch from the ground up. As technology evolves and new digital strategies are revealed, most of us will find ourselves tasked with a website
- [How to Take Better Photos for Social Media](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-take-better-photos-for-social-media/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) You don't have to be a professional photographer or own an expensive DSLR to take great photos. In this podcast, we'll go over how you can use your smartphone to practice photography techniques that will enhance the quality of the images you post
- [What is the Goal of Your Next Website Project?](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/goal-next-website-project/) - The process of creating a successful website begins before the first pixel has been placed on your design. When you're eager to get your new and improved website up and running, you may be tempted to rush into things, skipping crucial steps that should be taken when starting your project. One of the first steps
- [Making Better Designs With a Content-First Approach](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/making-better-designs-content-first-approach/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) When working with any marketing company (such as Prime Design Solutions) for a new print or web design, the ultimate goal is to end up with a great-looking product. And there is a lot to be said for something that looks
- [How to Handle Negativity on Social Media](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/handle-negativity-social-media/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Social media has enabled direct communication with your customers in a way that’s revolutionized business – not only can you easily communicate with your customers, they can easily communicate with you. That’s an incredible innovation with many advantages – but it’s
- [Is rebranding the right move for your business?](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/rebranding-right-move-business/) - Has your brand become stale? Are you finding it increasingly difficult to attract new customers? How do you know if it's time to revisit your brand in its entirety or simply put more effort into your outdated marketing strategy? Remember, rebranding is a chance to start fresh — it doesn't mean you've failed or that what you
- [Making Media Relations Work for You](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/making-media-relations-work/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) What story does your business have to tell, and who would find it interesting? Think about that for a second. If media relations isn’t part of your promotion strategy, maybe it should be. Media relations vs. public relations The Public Relations
- [Email Marketing for Small Businesses](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/email-marketing-small-businesses/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Why have an email newsletter? Simply put, email marketing provides the best return on investment of any form of marketing, and is useful for both business-to-consumer and business-to-business. Specifically, email marketing is good for: Promotion of business – such as sales,
- [How to publish a podcast](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-publish-a-podcast/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Podcasts are recorded, spoken audio that can be downloaded or streamed at the listener’s convenience – and they’re growing in popularity. Countless podcasts exist on virtually every topic, including marketing, and with the evolution of digital technology they’re quite easy to
- [The Do's and Don'ts of Email Correspondence](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/dos-donts-email-correspondence/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Email is a vital way to communicate in the world today. It makes nearly instant, text-based messaging possible between just about anyone at any location. But the ease of sending email doesn't always mean the message comes through loud and clear.
- [Marketing an Inferior Product](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/marketing-inferior-product/) - Sometimes marketing and advertising gets a bad rap — as though our entire industry has set out to deceive the buying public, willing to do anything to get consumers to part with their dollars. That, of course, is nonsense. The true goal of marketing is to present a message that defines what the product or
- [The Benefits of Event Photography](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/the-benefits-of-event-photography/) - Corporate events, fundraisers and other gatherings require a lot of planning, preparation and all-around work. With so many moving parts, it's understandable that one often overlooked detail is acquiring a photographer to capture images of the happening as it unfolds. But the benefits of having this collection of photographs make it one of the more
- [Getting More from Your Email Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/getting-more-from-your-email-marketing/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) Email marketing has long been a powerful tool wielded by savvy marketers, for good reason — it works. Like anything that drives results, tools and processes associated with email marketing have continued to evolve and improve. In other podcasts we've covered
- [Best practices for corporate sponsorship](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/best-practices-for-corporate-sponsorship/) - Corporate sponsorship means your business supports some worthwhile entity or event in your community in exchange for promotion by the entity or event. Many businesses view corporate sponsorship as a form of charity – a way to be a responsible corporate citizen. That's a big part of it, but corporate sponsorship is also an important
- [What web hosting is, and why quality hosting matters](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/what-web-hosting-is-and-why-quality-hosting-matters/) - (The audio for this podcast is no longer available, but it is summarized below.) A business website must be hosted – that is, stored on a computer server where the files and database live, waiting to be accessed over the internet by potential customers. Web hosting is one of the most important components to a
- [How to prepare for a photoshoot](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-prepare-for-a-photoshoot/) - Photography is the visual tool used to communicate what an organization is all about, and to show the people in the organization and the operations of everything around it. Getting professional photography of your business and your employees is a worthwhile investment — your business isn't stock, so why should you use stock photography? But
- [What the launch of Gutenberg in WordPress means for your website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/what-the-launch-of-gutenberg-in-wordpress-means-for-your-website/) - WordPress 5.0, released in December of 2018, introduced a new content editor called Gutenberg. Gutenberg drastically revamps the traditional WYSIWYG editor, moving from text-only content to a click-and-drag editor based on content blocks. Gutenberg was announced in early 2017 and released as a public beta plugin towards the middle of the same year so that
- [What you should know about website cookies](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/what-you-should-know-about-website-cookies/) - Recently, you may have noticed websites asking permission if they can collect cookies. This is due to the EU cookie legislation that requires websites based in the European Union to gain consent before a website can store information on a user's computer. Due to this, cookies have gained somewhat of a negative connotation because users
- [What GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, means for your business](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/what-gdpr-or-general-data-protection-regulation-means-for-your-business/) - The General Data Protection Regulation - better known simply as GDPR - is a European regulation for data privacy and protection. It was set up to guide companies in protecting their customers’ personal data. Basically, GDPR stipulates that if a company collects any kind of personal information from someone, they have to clearly state: What
- [Browser Tips for Online Privacy](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/browser-tips-for-online-privacy/) - With the increasing number of websites we visit and amount of personal information that is transferred on computers, keeping yourself private and secure online is just as important as locking your door at night. But staying secure online isn’t as simple as turning a key. In this month's post we'll explain online privacy settings for
- [Why website accessibility matters](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/why-website-accessibility-matters/) - Just about everyone uses the internet. Accessibility is all about making sure websites are usable for everyone, including people with physical or cognitive disabilities. Basically, web accessibility means the way someone needs to use a computer/tablet/phone should not prevent them from accessing a website effectively. A lot of people assume accessibility has something to
- [How chatbots can work for your business](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-chatbots-can-work-for-your-business/) - Chatbots, despite their futuristic name and sudden increase in popularity, have been around for quite some time. Granted, they weren’t always as advanced as they are today, but over the past few years have been implemented into customer service for a wide variety of businesses. Now, with advancements in machine learning for these bots, the
- [Engaging Your Audience with Custom Photography](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/engaging-your-audience-with-custom-photography/) - Stock photography offers undeniable advantages in price and convenience — but in the long run, custom photography is often a better investment for businesses. Stock photography vs. custom photography has been an ongoing battle for ages, so today we are going to review some of the advantages and disadvantages of each. First, some definitions: stock
- [Optimizing HTML5 Banners for Web](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/optimizing-html5-banners-for-web/) - Many designers can struggle with optimizing their animated HTML 5 banners for web. Publishers, media companies, ad networks, and independent websites have varying and particularly strict guidelines on file size requirements for what files they'll take. Some will be generous with their file sizes, allowing up to 200kb, but most want that final packaged file
- [Recycling Your Content Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/recycling-your-content-marketing/) - We’ve covered the topic of content marketing extensively in this blog. To review, content marketing is exactly what it sounds like – marketing through content, or information, that is useful to the consumer but isn’t selling something directly. Some examples of content marketing might be: A candy company publishing a brochure with tips on keeping
- [How to Set Up an E-commerce Store](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-set-up-an-e-commerce-store/) - E-commerce in 2020 has boomed up to 146% over the same period last year, fueled in part by the COVID crisis in which “non-essential” stores had to close. People are ordering things online from giants like Amazon, but more and more smaller stores are stepping forward to claim their share of the e-commerce pie. Restaurants
- [How to Choose a Font](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/how-to-choose-a-font/) - We see fonts everywhere. They display our messages and information on screens, signs, and just about anywhere else. The difference between picking a font that works and not is having someone be captivated by your words or disregard your message because they are too distracted by the typography. If may seem far-fetched if you do
- [Voice Search Basics and Tips for Optimization](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/voice-search-basics-and-tips-for-optimization/) - What is a voice search? A voice search, as you may already know, is a web search conducted through a product or service using one's voice rather than words typed onto a screen. A computer processes speech into text and then analyzes the information collected to display search results. Notable uses of voice searches are
- [Video Brings Your Website to Life](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/video-brings-your-website-to-life/) - Gone are the days of long, text-filled website pages where potential customers are tasked with teaching themselves about the products and services a company offers. These days, many are in search of a short video that tells them the important parts: Can you solve my problem? What is the benefit of choosing your offered solution?
- [What Makes an Effective Logo Design](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/effective-logo-design/) - A logo guides the appearance of all your marketing materials – from signage to collateral to website – and is the cornerstone of your brand. That's why creating a logo is one of the most challenging and interesting tasks a graphic designer can undertake. Think about well-known logos, national logos, logos that have stood the
- [What To Do When an Employee Leaves: A Digital Checklist](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/what-to-do-when-an-employee-leaves-a-digital-checklist/) - Personnel changes are a part of doing business. Some companies deal with such sensitive data that they have complicated and expensive software systems to protect it – but for most small businesses, protecting your digital assets after a personnel change is a manual process. Here are steps you need to take to protect your small
- [Tips for Photographing Welding](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/tips-for-photographing-welding/) - Welding is not a common subject for photography, but if you ever get the opportunity to do so it creates very interesting photos. Since you are dealing with exposure to ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light when being around active welding, there are certain precautions that need to be taken when taking pictures. Here are the
- [Video Marketing in 2021](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/video-marketing-in-2021/) - While video is a well-established marketing trend over the past decade, 2020 has cemented its importance as a tool to reach customers. Last year companies of all sizes have utilized video in a variety of formats to capture a growing audience of consumers spending more of their time online and on their phones. Whether you’re
- [Beyond TV: creative ways of using video for marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/beyond-tv-creative-ways-of-using-video-for-marketing/) - At one time, the use of video in marketing was mostly limited to traditional TV spots. Today, though, there are more opportunities than ever to place video where your customers will see it -- most of which are much more affordable than a TV ad buy (and some are even free). Plus, the digital revolution has
- [Why you should use video](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/why-use-video/) - The digital revolution has opened an entirely new world for the creation and sharing of video content. Social media is fueling the popularity of video in marketing, with 100 million hours of video consumed on Facebook every day -- and 500 million hours viewed daily on YouTube. Why use video? Marketing is considered to be
- [Things to look for when hiring a drone pilot](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/things-to-look-for-when-hiring-a-drone-pilot/) - Small unmanned aircraft systems, or sUAS for short, are surging in popularity across the world. In 2018, the amount of drones registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reached over one million, and only 10% of those drones are registered for commercial use. The FAA requires all individuals flying for work or a business to
- [Visual Searches and Benefiting from Them](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/visual-searches-and-benefiting-from-them/) - A visual search is a type of internet query where artificial intelligence scours the web for results relating to an uploaded image instead of text. You may be familiar with a similar practice done by Facebook to identify the faces of users in their photos. While visual searching is, at first thought, similar to normal
- [Who Holds the Keys to Your Online Presence?](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/who-holds-the-keys-to-your-online-presence/) - Your company has an established online presence, from your website to your email campaigns to social networking sites. But who controls these accounts? Who might have control of them in the future? If you’re not careful with your online accounts, it may not be you. Domain Names Your domain name (your “www” address) is a

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- [Portfolio](https://www.innovativetomato.com/work/) - Check out some of our recent work—Digital & Print Design, Video & Motion Graphics, and Photography.
- [Contact](https://www.innovativetomato.com/contact/) - Open Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, visit by appointment only. Call or send us a message and we'll be happy to meet with you about strengthening your digital presence.
- [Pay-Per-Click Management (PPC)](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/marketing-solutions/pay-per-click-management-ppc/) - We deliver strategic Pay-Per-Click (PPC) management that meets whoever you’re looking to reach at the search results.
- [sandbox](https://www.innovativetomato.com/sandbox/) - A fresh take on web, marketing, & moreHave access to our full team of creatives any day of the week with our retainer packages Get started todayGet started today Search for: Client LoginPayments Search for: Toggle NavigationWorkPortfolioAppsServicesRetainer PackagesWeb-Based SolutionsWebsite Design & DevelopmentE-CommerceProgressive Web App DevelopmentWebsite HostingWordPress Security MaintenanceWeb Application Design & DevelopmentMarketing SolutionsPay-Per-Click Management (PPC)Social
- [Website Design & Development](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/web-based-solutions/website-design-development/) - Responsive websites for today’s businesses. We'll create a website that mirrors your brand, connects with your audience, and works with every screen size.
- [sUAS (Drone) Services](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/drone-services/) - Get a new perspective. Aerial photography and videography adds a different perspective to your visuals to help you stand out. FAA Part 107 Certified.
- [Apps](https://www.innovativetomato.com/apps/) - A collection of our hobbyist apps. Wood Crafter, a growing collection of digital woodworking tools, and Yarn Crafter, the complete knitting and crochet app.
- [Video & Motion Graphics](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/video-motion-graphics/) - Present your message in the most popular form of media—Video! We deliver premier visual creation, video production, animation, and more for any platform.
- [WordPress Security Maintenance](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/web-based-solutions/wordpress-security-maintenance/) - Choose our WordPress Security Maintenance for peace of mind. We conduct an initial audit and provide ongoing proactive security to protect your online presence.
- [Search Engine Optimization (SEO)](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/marketing-solutions/search-engine-optimization-seo/) - We’ll equip your website with the solid foundation of SEO best practices, ensuring visibility and attracting qualified leads through organic search.
- [Retainer Packages](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/retainer-packages/) - Tired of juggling projects? We tailor retainer packages to your specific needs, giving you predictable costs, expert support, and one less thing to worry about.
- [Progressive Web App Development](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/web-based-solutions/progressive-web-app-development/) - Bridge the gap between websites & native apps. A Progressive Web App, or PWA, is a website that functions in a way similar to a downloadable, native mobile app.
- [Print & Traditional Design Services](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/print-traditional-design-services/) - In today’s digital landscape, strategically crafted print and traditional design can cut through the noise and make a lasting impact.
- [Photography](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/photography/) - Ditch the stock, tell your story. We capture the authenticity of your brand with photography taken by our on-staff professional photographers.
- [Email Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/marketing-solutions/email-marketing/) - Email MarketingEngage, Inform, & ConvertOpt-in email marketing can target your current customer base as well as potential customers, keeping them engaged with your company’s message. That way, you can make sure your customers and prospects are always informed of industry happenings, highlighted services or seasonal promotions. Stay in touch and drive visitors to your website.We
- [Copywriting & Content Generation](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/copywriting-content-generation/) - We can help you craft a message that’s true to your organization’s mission, goals and personality, and make sure it’s communicated effectively.
- [Identity, Branding, & Packaging](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/identity-branding-packaging/) - Define every detail of your brand: Logo design and corporate branding. Business cards and stationery. Presentation materials. We do it all.
- [Social Media Marketing (SMM)](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/marketing-solutions/social-media-marketing-smm/) - Our social media marketing is strategically crafted to achieve your specific goals, whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, or driving sales.
- [Learn](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/) - A collection of things we've learned along the way. Tips & tricks for advertising, web security, e-commerce, and more! Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
- [Marketing Solutions](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/marketing-solutions/) - We believe keeping your business in tune with the surrounding market is crucial to the success of your business. See how we can help you achieve that.
- [Schedule a Meeting](https://www.innovativetomato.com/schedule-a-meeting/) - Let us know how we can help you and the most convenient day for you to meet. We'll get back to you with a proposed time.
- [Project Feedback](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project-feedback/) - Google review and/or feedback survey to be completed at the end of the project.
- [E-Commerce](https://www.innovativetomato.com/services/web-based-solutions/e-commerce/) - Expand your sales reach. Exclusively relying on physical stores may limit your reach, hindering potential customers from discovering and buying your products.
- [Billing Terms](https://www.innovativetomato.com/billing-terms/) - The billing terms outlined apply to all non-contract work performed by Innovative Tomato. Service Charge, Due Date, and Payment Method info can be found here.

## Portfolio

- [Grandview Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/grandview-website/) - Grandview CemeteryWebsiteThe Grandview website features custom photography (both drone and traditional). Maps of the cemetery sections and a walking tour of this historical site are included on the website. We also converted their existing Access interment database into a web-based management system, allowing interment data to be displayed on the website in real time. And
- [Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center Course Catalog](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/greater-altoona-career-technology-center-course-catalog/) - Greater Altoona Career & Technology CenterCourse Catalog
- [Rumble Through the Valley Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/rumble-through-the-valley-website/) - Rumble Through the ValleyWebsiteWe developed a dedicated website for Rumble Through the Valley to serve as the main information hub for the annual community motorcycle rally. The site brings together the live music lineup, sponsors, vendors, tickets, and volunteer signups in a clear, easy to navigate format, while photo galleries from past rallies help capture
- [JARI Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/jari-website/) - JARIWebsiteVisit Website
- [Western Pennsylvania Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinic](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/western-pennsylvania-sports-medicine-rehabilitation-clinic/) - Western Pennsylvania Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation ClinicWebsiteVisit Website
- [Arts Coalition of the Alleghenies Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/arts-coalition-of-the-alleghenies-website/) - Arts Coalition of the AllegheniesWebsiteThis website features a custom-styled RSS feed that integrates seamlessly with the site’s design, allowing visitors to view the 10 most recent events from the arts category on visitjohnstown.com. The members section is automatically alphabetized and category-filterable for visitors thanks to a user-friendly and thoughtfully organized back-end administration area. Visit Website
- [Arts Coalition of the Alleghenies Logo](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/arts-coalition-of-the-alleghenies-logo/) - Arts Coalition of the AllegheniesLogo
- [Cambria County Behavioral Health & Developmental Supports Program Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/cambria-county-behavioral-health-developmental-supports-program-website/) - Cambria County Behavioral Health & Developmental Supports ProgramWebsiteThe Cambria County Behavioral Health & Developmental Supports Program website features custom photography (staff photos). Visit Website
- [America Makes Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/america-makes-website/) - America MakesWebsiteVisit Website
- [Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/greater-altoona-career-technology-center/) - Greater Altoona Career & Technology CenterPhotography
- [Grandview Cemetery](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/grandview-cemetery/) - Grandview CemeteryPhotography
- [Ron's Collision Center](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/rons-collision-center/) - Ron’s Collision CenterPhotography
- [Rosch Visionary Systems Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/rosch-visionary-systems-website/) - Rosch Visionary SystemsWebsiteVisit Website
- [Johnstown Area Regional Industries Annual Reports](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/johnstown-area-regional-industries-annual-reports/) - Johnstown Area Regional IndustriesAnnual ReportsIn addition to design, the annual reports feature custom photography and copywriting.
- [Keller Engineers Booklet](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/keller-engineers-booklet/) - Keller EngineersBooklet
- [Everite Door Works Calendar](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/everite-door-works-calendar/) - Everite Door WorksCalendar
- [Center for Population Health HUB Print Collateral](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/center-for-population-health-hub-print-collateral/) - Center for Population HealthHUB Print Collateral
- [1889 Foundation Annual Reports](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/1889-foundation-annual-reports/) - 1889 FoundationAnnual ReportsThe 1889 Foundation’s annual reports combine compelling copywriting and impactful photography with a cohesive design to provide information about accomplishments for the given year and to acknowledge contributors.
- [Seven Hearts Project Logo](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/seven-hearts-project-logo/) - Seven Hearts ProjectLogo
- [Vale Wood Farms Logo](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/vale-wood-farms-logo/) - Vale Wood FarmsLogo
- [Fair Winds Wealth Strategies Logo](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/fair-winds-wealth-strategies-logo/) - Fair Winds Wealth StrategiesLogo
- [Erickson Equipment Logo](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/erickson-equipment-logo/) - Erickson EquipmentLogo
- [Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber Website](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/chan-soon-shiong-medical-center-at-windber/) - Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at WindberWebsiteThe custom designed and developed website for Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber website features custom photography and iconography. Visit Website
- [Veterans Remembered Logo](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/veterans-remembered-logo/) - Veterans RememberedLogo
- [1889 Foundation](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/25984/) - 1889 FoundationPhotography
- [Restoration Specialties](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/restoration-specialties/) - Restoration SpecialtiesPhotography
- [Kantner Iron & Steel](https://www.innovativetomato.com/project/kantner-iron-steel/) - Kantner Iron & SteelPhotography

## Categories

- [Marketing Tips](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/marketing-tips/)
- [Web](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/web/)
- [Branding & Identity](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/branding-and-identity/)
- [Social Media](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/social-media/)
- [Content Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/content-marketing/)
- [Email Marketing](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/email-marketing/)
- [Online Security](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/online-security/)
- [Public Relations](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/public-relations/)
- [Photography](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/photography/)
- [E-commerce](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/e-commerce/)
- [Video](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/video/)
- [SEO](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/seo/)
- [Meta (Facebook & Instagram)](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/meta-facebook-instagram/)
- [Analytics](https://www.innovativetomato.com/learn/topics/analytics/)

## Portfolio Categories

- [brand & identity](https://www.innovativetomato.com/portfolio_category/brand-identity/)
- [print](https://www.innovativetomato.com/portfolio_category/print/)
- [web](https://www.innovativetomato.com/portfolio_category/web/)
- [drone](https://www.innovativetomato.com/portfolio_category/drone/)
- [events](https://www.innovativetomato.com/portfolio_category/events/)
- [locations](https://www.innovativetomato.com/portfolio_category/locations/)
- [portraits](https://www.innovativetomato.com/portfolio_category/portraits/)