Audrey Rawnie Rico

To create an Outlook business email, you’ll need a custom email domain, aka what comes after the “@” symbol in your email (like “@fitsmallbusiness.com” instead of “@outlook.com”). You can get that by upgrading to a Microsoft 365 Business plan, which also comes with Microsoft’s productivity tools, including Microsoft Word and Excel and its cohorts. After…

When comparing Wix vs GoDaddy, it ultimately comes down to your biggest priorities. If you prefer more control over your website design, Wix is better suited because of its drag-and-drop website editor. It’s also the better option for blogging and content marketing because of its SEO tools. Meanwhile, for booking appointments or email and social…

Creating a Google Business profile or page is one of the most underrated marketing strategies I always recommend to small business owners—especially if you’re just building your online presence. A Google Business page helps people in the local community discover your business online. More than that, it gives you a way to collect reviews and…

You’re planning to start a blog. Next question: What’s the best blogging platform? It all comes down to your needs, what you want your blog to look and feel like, and your overall objectives. A creative, very visual blog will require very different features from a B2B lead generation blog, for example. I’ve been blogging…

Getting BBB accredited can open doors for your small business. A BBB accreditation (aka a Better Business Bureau accreditation) is a certification from the Better Business Bureau that shows customers you’re a credible, good-standing business. While it isn’t a requirement, it’s something to consider setting your sights on for building your long-term brand reputation. And…

We all know Google—and being in digital marketing, Google’s constant algorithm and feature changes are things I always keep watch of because they carry significant changes for any website looking to get discovered. It’s no secret that Google is the top search engine in the world, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. To help…

When you think of the best TV commercials, what you’ll probably remember most are their sense of humor or emotional pull, or maybe that they had a clever execution. That’s the best thing about video—it’s the best way to fully and creatively express your unique brand identity. And, in recent years, TV commercials have expanded…

Press releases play an important role in getting the word out about your business but they don’t just grant you wide visibility, they also help build your credibility as a brand. When people read about your business in the paper or see it in the local news, it significantly increases your credibility and gets more…

If you’re an artist or creative looking to build an online presence, you’ll need a website. And not just any website—a good one that can showcase your work properly and even support your ecommerce should you ever start selling online. Coming from a writing background, I know firsthand the importance of having a good portfolio…

Writing an AP style press release is your best guarantee of securing coverage from the media for your story. This is because the Associated Press (AP) style has been the most established standard for all things journalistic writing for nearly 200 years (trust me, I studied journalism in school). Keep reading to learn the basics…

Everyone loves a coupon. Whether it’s a free shipping voucher for a new customer or a loyalty discount for a long-time fan, coupons can make customers feel appreciated and more encouraged to buy from your business. It can even be the final push a prospect needs to finalize a purchase. The best part? Even small…

Your website is your brand’s primary representation in the online world. It’s likely the first stop potential customers will visit when researching your business, which is why it’s essential that it leaves the right impression. And part of that is choosing the colors for your website. To get started with some inspiration, I rounded up…