Blog Archive
Dec
31
31
What 2020 Digital Marketing Trends are Relevant to B2B?
What 2020 Digital Marketing Trends are Relevant to B2B? As a marketer, I’m always looking to see what the latest trends are. Most of the articles I read are for the Business to Consumer (B2C) market so what if you are a company that sells Business to Business (B2B)? What trends...
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Dec
6
6
Should I Use Video Marketing on Social Media Platforms?
Mike Beck and Mike Spina from Quadsimia in Utica, NY talk about the importance of using videos as a part of your digital marketing mix in this week's episode of Tech Files. ߖů؏ߤ This is a 4 minute video. Mike B: Welcome...
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Nov
22
22
LinkedIn 101
Does your website work on a phone? Mike & Mike talk about this problem and provide solutions in this week's episode of Tech Files. ߖů؏ߤ Mike B: Welcome to another edition of Tech Files. My name is Mike Beck. I’m here...
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Nov
15
15
Does Your Website Work on a Phone?
Does your website work on a phone? Mike & Mike talk about this problem and provide solutions in this week's episode of Tech Files. ߖů؏ߤ Mike B: Welcome to another edition of Tech Files. My name is Mike Beck. I’m here...
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Nov
8
8
Is Google My Business Important?
What is Google My Business? Mike & Dan sit down to talk about the basics of GMB, and why it's one of the most important tools in your Marketing Mix.ߤ Mike: Welcome to another edition of Tech Files. My...
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Nov
1
1
Content Management Systems for Websites
What is a Content Management System (CMS) for websites? Why should you use one? Rocco Fernalld answers these questions in the latest episode of Tech Files.ߤְߖů؏ Mike: Welcome to another edition of Tech Files. My name is Mike Beck....
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Oct
16
16
Is your website making you money?
We build websites that work! But…what does that mean? Mike & Mike explain in this week's episode of Tech Files. Mike B: Welcome to another episode of Tech Files. I’m Mike Beck, here with Mike Spina. And this week, I wanted to talk about websites, and our motto – “We Build...
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Sep
16
16
When Text Reminders Become Too Much
Text Reminders can be good. Emergency alerts via text can be important and helpful. My dentist sends me reminders for my upcoming appointments and when you’re scheduling your appointment 6 months in advance, this is a great option they offer. I get text reminders from my daughter’s teachers and coaches that...
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Aug
12
12
Like And Share!
How many times have we been on Facebook and seen a company or brand’s Facebook page running a contest? All you have to do is “like and share” their post to be entered into a drawing for a free pizza, a gift card, or a piece of clothing! Or, ‘tag...
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May
20
20
Instant Messaging at Work?
Let's face it, we live in a message-driven world. From texting your family and friends to connecting with people on Facebook Messenger and emailing from your smartphone. But what about when you are at work? Are you able to instant message your co-workers or boss? At Quadsimia, we use a software...
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Apr
22
22
Social Media is All About Balance
If you’re a business and you’re on social media, you may have the urge to push your product or service as much as possible, in order to get maximum exposure and reach as many people as possible. That may sound like a great idea, but I’m here to tell you...
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Mar
28
28
Negative Comments - To Hide or Not to Hide... That is the Question
To hide or not to hide… that is the question when it comes to negative comments on social media. The easy way out is to hide or delete these comments- BUT WAIT. Let’s think about what that action says to your followers. What are you trying to hide?...
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Feb
20
20
Social Media is Serious Business
Whether you’re a new business just starting out, or a well established business that's been around for years- a good marketing plan is key to getting, and keeping your business up and running. When you think of marketing, what comes to mind? TV commercials? Radio ads? Billboards? Yes- these have...
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Dec
11
11
Why You Should Use Two-Step Authentication on Everything
We live in a digital age. We’re used to having multiple passwords for multiple social media accounts, e-mail accounts, online banking, and everything else in our life (hopefully you’re not using the same password for all of your accounts, because that’s a completely different conversation). Having digital accounts for all...
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Nov
26
26
Be a Storyteller - Why Your Business Should be on Instagram
Instagram- Do you have an account? Does your business? If you don’t you should, and if you do, that’s a good start! I bought my first DSLR camera about 6 years ago. As the Communications Director for the Utica Zoo, part of my job was to capture the beauty and...
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Oct
4
4
Fake News
Misinformation – How do we know what’s true? In an age of social media and misinformation, how can we tell what is actually news and what is ‘fake news”? The best way to stop it is for each of us individually to stop spreading it. Before sharing any “news” on social...
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Sep
10
10
Facebook Business Pages – Why They Work
If you’re a business owner, the best and most affordable place you can market your business is on Facebook using Facebook Business Pages. If this in unfamiliar territory for you, you may be thinking – “seriously, isn’t social media for kids?” No, that’s Trix… Trix are for kids. Social media...
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Sep
4
4
Responsive Websites VS Mobile Friendly Websites
First things first – responsive DOES NOT equal mobile friendly. Many people believe the two are interchangeable and I am here to tell you they are absolutely not. I mean, would you accept Chewbacca as Bigfoot or vice versa? The two may appear similar, but in fact they are not. Seriously, could...
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Aug
31
31
Stop Posting to Facebook from Instagram!
Back in 2012, social media giant Facebook purchased the young, but popular photo-sharing app Instagram for about $1 billion in cash and stock. It was a big move, and one that brought about a wave of changes in regard to the way that both Facebook and Instagram would work (and...
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Aug
27
27
Google AdWords- Do I Really Need It?
In short, yes. Google AdWords is a great way to target your online audience, affordably, with a big return on investment. How does it work? The best part of Google AdWords is it’s completely customizable and budget friendly. You can use search ads, display ads, video ads, and even app ads....
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Jul
20
20
Did You Say Pageviews? Is That One Word or Two?
Understanding your analytic report(s) can be like trying to translate Dothraki when you’ve never seen an episode of Game of Thrones. At Quadsimia, we try to make them as easy to understand as possible, but sometimes the terms we use can be confusing. Here’s a...
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Jun
1
1
A Space of Creative Freedom - First Impressions
I am what they call a millennial- born in the 80’s, I saw the end of dial up internet and the beginning of Facebook. I google all the time, use social media to stay in touch and I like to shop local when I can. I’m sure many of you...
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May
23
23
What's with all the Privacy Policy updates?
Has your inbox been flooded with emails notifying you of Privacy Policy updates? You’ve probably seen a lot on the apps you use too. This past week there have been messages from Etsy, Instagram and LinkedIn just to name a few. So why is everyone updating their privacy policies all...
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Apr
27
27
Facebook After Death?
There’s a topic that many of us don’t like to talk about, and for good reason – death. But have you ever thought about what happens to your online self after you pass? It’s not something you’ve probably thought about or prepared for. It turns out that Facebook...
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Mar
15
15
Facebook Quizzes – Are they Safe?
We all see the various Facebook quizzes as we’re scrolling through our newsfeeds. They look tempting and harmless and who wouldn’t want to know what they would look like as a Hollywood movie star or the opposite sex? The problem is that these quizzes are not harmless – they can...
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Mar
6
6
Don't Fear The Algorithm
At the end of my previous blog post, I mentioned how Facebook recently changed their algorithm (yes, again), affecting businesses and consumers alike. If you’re a brand, band, or company- you’re going to want to listen up. And if you’re an avid user of Facebook, read on – we may...
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Feb
22
22
New Digs
There are many reasons people change jobs or make a move to advance their career. For me, it’s grad school. Come June (if all goes well) I will have my Masters Degree in Mass Communications with a Specialization in Public Relations from the S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. I...
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Feb
2
2
The Dreaded Clickbait
“They did what?!” “You won’t believe what happens next!” “Remember so and so? You’ll be shocked when you see what they look like now!” Sound familiar? Lately, it seems like we’re constantly being bombarded by social media posts that are practically begging to be clicked. From entertainment pages to even some news outlets-...
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Nov
1
1
3 Movies That Make You Want to Code
We all have those movies from our youth (or even now) that just feel magical. They make you question what you want to be, or why you are doing what you do. Maybe you’re a programmer or web developer and you feel lost about coding. You had a recent project...
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Oct
10
10
Is Small Business Branding Important?
Is Branding Important When Running a Small Business? The answer is yes. No matter what type of business you run, it is always important to present yourself well to your customers and potential customers. Think about it. If you were hiring someone to do work in your home, who would you...
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Sep
11
11
My Design Process
One of my favorite aspects of my job is that I get the opportunity to do design work on occasion. So far I have produced a print ad, some Snapchat filers and a few web banners. I love creating, designing and making, so these projects really resonated with...
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Aug
8
8
Gardening for Relaxation
Stress. I don’t know a working parent that doesn’t feel stressed. Trying to juggle a career, kid’s appointments, sports games and summer camps can really make your brain swirl. Staying organized and having a spouse that can help with some of the drop offs and pick ups is a huge...
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Jul
7
7
Life is a To-Do List
Summer is officially here, and if you’re like me, you have a to-do list the length of your arm (plus your other arm) that you need to get done; from mowing the lawn and landscaping to bigger projects like installing a fence or pressure-washing the outside of the house –...
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Jun
2
2
7 Tips for Working Remotely from 2,500 Miles Away
One of Quadsimia's newest team members, Jacob Hruska, gives us his tips for working remotely from 2,500 miles away.
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May
12
12
What About LinkedIn?
Last year, I wrote a blog post for Quadsimia's Tech Files titled "Which Social Media Platform is Best for Your Business?". It was a general look at 4 of the most popular social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, and the ages of users that use them. As...
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Apr
21
21
Why Web? Sage Advice from a New/Older-ish Intern!
I've been interning at Quadsimia since January of this year, and I have to tell you; it's been an amazing experience. As the title suggests, I'm older than a typical intern, but I have a lot to offer—perhaps good advice for other interns being one thing worth putting out there...
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Mar
8
8
The Conclusion of My Internship
Over the past few months, I have gotten used to the workspace and have enjoyed my time here. As my internship with Quadsimia comes to an end, I am glad to say that these 72 hours were well spent. I have accomplished my own goals and...
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Feb
6
6
Facebook is for Old People (Learning from the Interns)
Interns are a great asset – they can help get additional work done, offer assistance when needed, and learn from what your team is doing to become an expert themselves. But sometimes, it’s the team who learns from the intern(s). Here at Quadsimia, we take on interns for generally 8...
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Nov
29
29
My First Impression of Quadsimia
Walking into a business on your first day as an intern can be frightening. When you know that you are the new guy, there is always a multitude of concerns and fears. Especially your first day as an intern, because you are most likely unfamiliar with the field. And myself,...
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Nov
9
9
What It’s Like to Intern at Quadsimia
How Did I Become an Intern at Quadsimia? Becoming an intern at Quadsimia didn’t happen overnight. The opportunity to intern at Quadsimia came to me, in a way. My junior year in high school, I knew I could enter the Advanced Career Immersion Experience program to obtain an internship. Making...
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Sep
6
6
5 Ways to Successfully Build Your Brand on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the launching pad to start building your professional brand; telling businesses who you are and the professional you hope to become.
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Jun
17
17
5 Ways Listicles Work
Listicles have quickly become the next big thing in internet culture and content. You may ask, “What in the world is a listicle?” although I am very sure that you would recognize one if you saw it. You may have even re-posted one to your social media pages.
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Mar
18
18
Which social media platform is right for your business?
Data from January 2014 showed us that almost 75% of adult internet users use social media. As we continue into 2016, we can only assume that those numbers will keep rising. It’s no secret that businesses are cashing in on this trend, either. But is your business reaching its target...
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Mar
4
4
3 IFTTT Recipes To Make Social Media Work For You
IFTTT Recipes can be used to automate many online tasks. There are a few Recipes that I use to help automate my Social Media efforts that I'm finding to be much more useful than the auto-posting offered by Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Here’s what I’m currently using: a...
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Mar
4
4
Large, Small, or No Budget At All: Social Media Tips and Tricks for All! (#3)
Twitter: the breakdown 320M monthly active users 100M daily users 500M tweets sent daily Source: Infographic Most people either love or hate Twitter BUT we live in an information age and #hashtags rule the world! Social Media without hashtags is like losing your glasses when they’re right on top of our head....
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Jan
8
8
5 Tips for a Successful Logo
There are two ways that your company or brand will stand out in customer’s minds – by the excellent service or product you provide, or the logo that represents you. Both are not easy. Providing outstanding service or an impressive product is hard enough. Creating a logo that represents everything that...
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Nov
20
20
Simple, Fast, & Practical Animation for the Modern Web: Nav Menu
While working on the new website for PJ Green I wanted to do something special with their navigation menu. I was inspired by a snippet of CSS I came across in a tutorial for a simple but effective animated background effect. With some simple CSS changes I was able...
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Nov
13
13
Large, Small, or No Budget At All: Social Media Tips and Tricks for All! (#2)
In August I shared a few tips and tricks to help out businesses on Facebook. I hope they proved useful for you! This month I’d like to take some time to discuss Instagram. After growing at an exponential rate, they have become a top platform for social media....
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Oct
29
29
Happy Halloween from Quadsimia!
We're pretty excited for Halloween here at Quadsimia. So much that we created some fun Halloween videos featuring our team! Watch Mike, Kandi, Kevin, Ben, and Britney perform a monster rap! Laugh at the undead antics of Erick, Rob, and Dan in the Zombie Party! And dance along with Rocco,...
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Sep
15
15
Using Contests to Drive Social Media Engagement
Who doesn't love a good contest? Especially when that means free stuff? Holding contests is a tactic that many brands are using to drive engagement on their social media pages. From coffee giant Starbucks to t-shirt maker Qwertee- these companies are finding ways to get their customers involved in with their...
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Aug
28
28
IMAP and How it Can Help You Spend Less Time in Your Inbox
Working from home two days out of the work week, I found myself sifting through the same email on my office computer AGAIN the day after I’d already viewed them from my home office computer. Essentially wasting TIME which could be better spent designing. Growing tired of performing...
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Aug
26
26
Large, Small, or No Budget At All: Social Media Tips and Tricks for All! (#1)
Back in January I was asked to moderate a panel on millennials. More specifically, the importance of social media and how it is intertwined in every aspect of a millennial’s every day life. It’s essentially baked into their DNA. BUT that is a topic for another day. Why the...
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Aug
10
10
10 Tips on Choosing the Perfect Domain Name
Domain names are one of the first pieces of marketing your visitors will see. Choosing the right domain name can be challenging. Many times, you think you have the perfect option but find someone has already registered that name, leaving you frustrated. These 10 tips will help you with the selection process; be certain to have a couple alternatives in mind in case the first option is unavailable.
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Aug
10
10
Staying Focused in a Distracting World
We’ve all had big projects come up that need attention right away. The clock is ticking, clients are waiting, and you need to get down to business. If you’re like me, one of the first things you do after getting situated is put your headphones on. It’s time...
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Aug
6
6
Diving Into Material Design Lite
Google recently released Material Design Lite (MDL), a front-end framework that incorporates Google's popular Material design, making it easy to add a Material design look and feel to your websites. Material Design is basically Google's web styleguide created by Google for use on in-house projects based off of the classic principles of good design...
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Jul
31
31
Live Social Media Coverage: The Ins & Outs of the #Boilermaker15K
Do you remember life before Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? Back when you had to wait until the newspaper printed an article or friends who attended an event returned with their printed photos? Those days are gone. Real-time, live coverage is the name of the game and event coverage has to...
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Jun
8
8
When is it Safe to Use Fake Followers?
When is it safe to use fake followers? As you begin or decide to grow your online presence, you might think:
"If I only showed more followers, then I would appear to be established and would gain more followers."
You see countless ads and online auctions advertising “followers” for a low, low price. Oh it seems so easy! But wait, is it?….
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Jun
4
4
Is Your Business Ready For "Mobilegeddon"?
On April 21st Google expanded mobile friendliness as a ranking signal, creating a significant impact on search results. This change in the algorithm has been dubbed by experts as "Mobilegeddon". In this post, we'll examine why it's time to take mobile seriously, what it means for your business, and what you can do to help yourself!
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May
28
28
Internet Explorer [in]Compatibility Mode
Picture this: You just finished designing and developing the perfect website. You followed all HTML5 and CSS3 standards, used a few neat styling tricks and added in some of the best images. You send the link over to the client and anxiously await their response … finally, you see...
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