Paying mind to tweets, posts and timelines

Back in elementary school, “social studies” was likely one of your least interesting subjects—a groan-inducing class that involved hefty textbooks and boring lesson plans. Fast forward to 2016, and the study of all things social takes on a whole new, different and exciting significance, one in which public networking via online communications has changed the world and opened up exhilarating and profitable possibilities for marketers, publishers and digital content providers alike.

To read my analysis of the state of social media in 2016, freshly published by EContent Magazine, click here.

All atwitter about the great outdoors

Bet you didn't know that 47 million Americans are bird watchers, representing about 15 percent of the population. Or that approximately three million American households purchase wild bird seed at least occasionally, contributing to a $6.3 billion market in the United States for wild bird feeders and seed. That kind of business is definitely not "for the birds."

In my latest column for Pet Age magazine, I explore the topic of trends and products geared toward wild birds, which you can read by clicking here.

World wide wed site

Erik Martin has crafted winning PR campaigns for numerous corporate clients over the years, garnering impressive placements in newspapers, magazines, TV/radio programs and online publications. Now, he's taking his prowess for promoting directly to the people - betrothed people, that is - with the launch of I Thee Web, a wedding publicity service. I Thee Web announces a couple's engagement and nuptial plans to the world via a personalized love story article that can be published in local online newspapers as well as a customized wedding website featuring an animated slideshow, couples Q&A, milestone timeline, links to gift registries and more.

You can view I Thee Web's first completed wedding website and included love story article by clicking here.

The great rate wait

For the first time in nearly 10 years, the Federal Reserve has slightly spiked interest rates. Which begs the questions: How long before mortgage interest rates also inch higher, and how much longer can you afford to delay your decision to buy a home if you're on the fence?

These and other matters are explored in my newest real estate-related story, published in various newspapers, which you can read here.

The tooth of the matter on marijuana

Most people are aware that smoking cigarettes can stain your teeth, cause bad breath, lead to cavities, harm your gums and increase your risk of oral cancer. But many don't realize that using marijuana can be equally harmful to your mouth. That's the topic I examine in my newest cover story for AGD Impact, the newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Open wide and click here for all the details.

Ad hoc strategies for ad block tragedies

If the world of digital publishing were a hockey game--with the content providers on one team and consumers on the other--the outcome of tomorrow's matchup would be all but certain: The latter would trounce the former in a lopsided shutout. That's because consumers have the ultimate goalie in the net: ad-blocking technology, which prevents digital advertising such as banners and display ads from appearing on device screens. But digital publishers and e-content providers can neutralize this threat by adopting effective strategies.

Read more about this topic, my latest for EContent Magazine, by clicking here.