top of page
THE MARKETING CAFE

Business


The Future of Black Women-Owned Businesses: Where We’re Headed & How to Get Paid
Let’s be real, Black women aren’t just joining the business world—we’re running it. Over the last five years, the number of Black...

Shalena Ward
Sep 92 min read


How Side Hustlers Can Brand Fast and Start Making Money Sooner
If you’re working a 9-5 and juggling a side hustle, you already know — time isn’t on your side. You’re balancing deadlines, trying to make content, handling customer requests, and probably scrolling social media thinking, How are they growing so fast?
The truth? They branded fast — and you can too. You don’t need a Fortune 500 budget or a year-long “brand development” process. You need a plan that works for busy, ambitious people who want visibility, credibility, and custome

Shalena Ward
Aug 83 min read


The Strategy Beating Facebook Ads!
Why Smart Marketing Communications Are Reshaping Local Marketing in 2025
In 2025, the marketing world is more overcrowded, costly, and competitive than ever before. For local businesses, what once worked Facebook ads, boosted posts,this is now delivering diminishing returns at higher costs.
The average local business now spends $500 to $1,500 per month on Facebook or Google Ads, often for inconsistent results. Open rates for email campaigns have dropped below 18%!

Shalena Ward
Aug 54 min read


Boost Customer Retention with a Loyalty Program
Retaining customers is more important than ever,let me just say that. A strong customer retention strategy can help businesses save money and foster a loyal customer base. One effective method is implementing a loyalty program. By rewarding customers for their ongoing patronage, businesses can encourage repeat purchases and build long-term relationships.

Shalena Ward
Jul 254 min read


Breaking: Amazon Prime Day Traffic Drops 41% on Opening Day
Amazon's Prime Day, once considered a benchmark for consumer confidence and online retail strength, is off to a rocky start in 2025. According to new data reported by Bloomberg, first-day website traffic for Amazon Prime Day has plummeted by 41% compared to last year. This decline marks a sharp departure from the platform’s previous momentum and raises serious questions about shifting consumer behavior and economic sentiment.

Shalena Ward
Jul 92 min read


The Role of Social Proof in Driving Sales
Social proof has emerged as a powerful psychological trigger that influences consumer behavior. When potential customers see evidence of...

Shalena Ward
Oct 24, 20243 min read


How to Conduct a SWOT Analysis: A Complete Guide
Conducting a SWOT analysis is a crucial step for businesses, organizations, and even individuals to understand their strengths, weaknesses,

Shalena Ward
Oct 17, 20243 min read


The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Digital Marketing Agency for
Digital marketing agencies offer a range of pricing models, from hourly rates to project-based fees or retainer agreements.

Shalena Ward
Sep 20, 20245 min read


Italy Investigates Google's User Data Consent Practices
Italy's antitrust watchdog, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), is investigating Google and its parent company Alph

Shalena Ward
Jul 23, 20241 min read


Why You Should Use AI for Customer Service
Consumers have come to expect immediate and efficient responses from businesses. This shift in consumer behavior has prompted many companies

Shalena Ward
Jul 15, 20243 min read


Boosting Sales by Reducing Missed Opportunities
The Role of Receptionists, Customer Service, and Automated Systems Every missed call, unattended inquiry, and delayed response can lead...

Shalena Ward
Jul 15, 20243 min read


Latest Features on X (formerly Twitter) that Help Businesses
One of the most significant recent changes in the social media world is the rebranding of Twitter to X. The latest features on X that are...

Shalena Ward
Jul 9, 20243 min read


U.S. Small Business Administration Celebrates Record-Breaking Year for New Business Applications
In a year marked by economic recovery and resilience, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a historic milestone....

Shalena Ward
Jul 9, 20242 min read


Small Business Optimism Surges in June, NFIB Index Hits 91.5
A promising development for the U.S. economy, small business optimism has seen a significant uptick in June, as indicated by the latest...

Shalena Ward
Jul 9, 20242 min read


Meta Unveils a New Era of AI-Driven Innovation at Cannes Lions 2024
In a groundbreaking series of announcements at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2024, Meta, the parent company of...

Shalena Ward
Jun 30, 20242 min read


Google Analytics 4
New Paid Search Attribution Model Enhances Campaign Performance Insights In a recent update to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Google has...

Shalena Ward
Jun 30, 20242 min read


Starbucks Joins the Value Menu Wars
This menu is available all day, with two options: a tall iced or hot coffee or an iced or hot tea paired with a croissant for $5, or a drink

Shalena Ward
Jun 30, 20242 min read


Instagram Tests Creator Insights for Brands
A Game-Changer for Influencer Marketing In a move that could revolutionize influencer marketing on the platform, Instagram is currently...

Shalena Ward
Jun 30, 20242 min read


Hilton Crowned Most Valuable Hotel Brand in 2024
Hilton has once again been named the most valuable hotel brand in the world, retaining its top spot for the ninth consecutive year. The...

Shalena Ward
Jun 30, 20242 min read


Personal Investment and Traditional Debt Funding
Overview of Funding Options Many small business owners resort to using their personal funds to cover business expenses, with nearly...

Shalena Ward
Mar 26, 20243 min read
bottom of page
