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Search engine optimization (SEO) is a process used to help your website appear more often in search results. SEO improves your site’s findability to potential customers. 

Websites

For many people, websites are a mystery — how do they work? What should a business owner know about their site? These articles aim to demystify and inform.

Webflow vs WordPress: Pros & cons, and which platform we recommend
Webflow vs WordPress: Pros & cons, and which platform we recommend

We specialize in both WordPress and Webflow, but what’s the difference?

What is website management? Do you need it?
What is website management? Do you need it?

It’s very exciting to launch a new website but once it’s live, that’s not the end of the story.

Why you need a contract for website development
Why you need a contract for website development

I’m not a lawyer, but I have been working as a contractor for more than a decade, and I’ve learned a thing or two about contracts along the way.

Website hosting vs. domain name registration: What's the difference?
Website hosting vs. domain name registration: What's the difference?

A common point of confusion for our clients is the difference between website hosting and domain name registration.

What you need to know before you talk to a web developer
What you need to know before you talk to a web developer

Web developers can help you figure out what direction your website needs to take, and if you also have a strong understanding of what you need, it will be that much easier for them to realize your vision.

What is the WordPress content management system?
What is the WordPress content management system?

A content management system (CMS) is the software used to edit the content on websites. It’s what allows you to post new pages or blog posts, or feature images on your website.

How long does it take to build a website?
How long does it take to build a website?

The length of time it takes to build a website can vary depending on the size of the project and the company you're working with. Our website development process takes about three months.

Peter Murphy: Designer extraordinaire
Peter Murphy: Designer extraordinaire

At Vireo, we work with a variety of contractors who are experts in their fields, allowing us to excel at any project we tackle. Peter Murphy is our go-to designer.

Sik Pics: Capturing once-in-a-lifetime shots
Sik Pics: Capturing once-in-a-lifetime shots

At Vireo, we work with a variety of contractors who are experts in their fields, allowing us to excel at any project we tackle. Sik Pics is our go-to videography and photography firm.

Marketing & advertising

Your website is live. Now what? There are many strategies you can employ to reach your audience. Here are a few ideas you can try.

Best practices for a non-profit newsletter
Best practices for a non-profit newsletter

Newsletters can be a great way to keep your audience engaged while making sure they’re fully informed on everything to do with your non-profit. To make sure you effectively utilize your newsletter, keep the reader engaged, and remain consistent.

Appealing to your audience with persuasive writing
Appealing to your audience with persuasive writing

The goal of persuasive writing is to get the reader to take action and can be used in any type of writing you do. When writing it’s important to consider your audience and medium; how you appeal to them will differ depending on where you’re reaching them.

Influencer marketing: How to work with a social media influencer
Influencer marketing: How to work with a social media influencer

Getting the right people to post about your products or services on line can have a big impact on your marketing campaign, but it doesn’t have to be left to luck. Social media influencers are gaining traction online as another option in your marketing toolbox. But as with any marketing strategy, you’ll get better results if you plan ahead and take a professional approach.

Does your website need a blog?
Does your website need a blog?

Should your website have a blog? While the majority of marketers are going to tell you that yes, absolutely, your business needs a blog, my answer is more nuanced.

How to write a blog post: A beginner's guide to writing articles for the web
How to write a blog post: A beginner's guide to writing articles for the web

I’ve been writing articles since 2006 so the process is second nature to me now but I still remember struggling to write that first one. This article outlines my process for writing blog posts so that hopefully you don’t have to struggle as much I did early in my career!

Why you should advertise in the slow season
Why you should advertise in the slow season

There are more strategic advantages to continuing to advertise during slow times than there are not to. This proactive approach keeps you ahead of the game.

How to write a news release
How to write a news release

A good old-fashioned news release still plays a role in getting the media’s attention.

Search enginge optimization

A pretty website isn't very useful if it doesn't appear in search results! These articles provide useful tips for improving your SEO.

What is search engine optimization?
What is search engine optimization?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a process used to help your website appear more often in search results. SEO improves your site’s findability to potential customers. 

How to reach local customers better through SEO
How to reach local customers better through SEO

Local SEO is essential for businesses seeking to connect with local customers online. Local SEO ensures that your business is visible to potential customers and makes it more relevant to searches in your area. In the digital age we live in, local SEO is a crucial tool for businesses looking to thrive in their local community.

3 easy ways to improve your SEO right now
3 easy ways to improve your SEO right now

Search engine optimization can be an overwhelming topic for business owners to tackle. But there are a few easy things any business owner can do on their own that will help improve search engine ranking.

How to write search engine optimized content
How to write search engine optimized content

Anything you can do to improve your search engine optimization is worth doing, and one of those tasks is writing SEO-friendly website content.

Social Media

Good management of your social media channels can reap great rewards and help you reach new audiences. These articles outline social media best practices.

How to use hashtags effectively in 2024
How to use hashtags effectively in 2024

Hashtags have been used on social media since 2007, so you may be wondering if they’re still useful in 2024. A tag that is prefaced by the hash symbol (#) hashtags allow people to see many related posts on the same topic. And they can still be an effective way to grow your business and reach new audiences — as long as you use them correctly. 

Is Pinterest right for your non-profit?
Is Pinterest right for your non-profit?

Starting a Pinterest account for your non-profit organization may be beneficial in the long run, as 40% of users on Pinterest have a household income of $100k+. It also may help to reach a new audience as Pinterest is rapidly growing.

How to post on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn
How to post on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn

There are many different social media platforms out there, and each one has its own quirks when it comes to posting to the platform. This guide focuses on posting to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn because those are the platforms most often used by our clients — small to medium-sized western Canadian businesses.

Influencer marketing: How to work with a social media influencer
Influencer marketing: How to work with a social media influencer

Getting the right people to post about your products or services on line can have a big impact on your marketing campaign, but it doesn’t have to be left to luck. Social media influencers are gaining traction online as another option in your marketing toolbox. But as with any marketing strategy, you’ll get better results if you plan ahead and take a professional approach.

Best posting practices for Facebook
Best posting practices for Facebook

Facebook is a great way for businesses to connect with customers, but you need to make a good impression. Anything you post online will represent your business, and you want to put your best foot forward.

Business

As entrepreneurs ourselves, we love to share what we've learned about running a business. Here are a few business ideas we are excited to share.

How to manage work-life balance when working remotely
How to manage work-life balance when working remotely

Finding a proper work-life balance is something that many people struggle with, especially when working from home. However, there are many techniques that can be used to help create an ideal work-life balance. This balance is never achieved in a day, it takes time, and you’ll need to figure out what works for you.

Should you post your prices on your website?
Should you post your prices on your website?

Since 2018, Vireo has been following the content marketing strategy outlined in They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan. One of the more controversial suggestions in the book is to discuss your pricing structure on your website.

Want to network better? Here’s how (with Michael Katz)
Want to network better? Here’s how (with Michael Katz)

The American B2B marketing and e-newsletter expert, Michael Katz (author of the seminal book, E-Newsletters that Work), has shared some great tips on how to network effectively.

A beginner's guide to freelance writing and editing
A beginner's guide to freelance writing and editing

Before co-founding Vireo, I worked as a freelance writer and editor for seven years. Over that time, I learned a lot about how to run a freelance business.

12 business negotiation tips
12 business negotiation tips

These are some basic tactics you can apply the next time you’re in a position to negotiate a price.

Education, entrepreneurship, and innovation: A conversation with Monica Kreuger
Education, entrepreneurship, and innovation: A conversation with Monica Kreuger

‍The Praxis School of Entrepreneurship teaches both the business and life skills needed to successfully become an entrepreneur, and Chief Visionary Officer Monica Kreuger has exciting ideas about the future of the business world.

Books

Vireo Co-owner and Chief Storyteller Ashleigh Mattern is an avid reader, and reads many business-related books through her Business Book Club. Here are some of the best.

Improve your business and your life with these inspiring reads
Improve your business and your life with these inspiring reads

I read widely and enjoy science fiction, fantasy, young adult, and popular fiction, but it’s the practical books that end up having the biggest impact on my life. These are the books that changed my paradigm this year.

Trying the digital declutter from Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism
Trying the digital declutter from Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism

Digital Minimalism is a worthwhile read for just about anyone with a smartphone. Cal Newport delves into the psychological impacts of the technology that surrounds us, tackling the topic with a clear and engaging voice. 

7 books that will help you improve your business
7 books that will help you improve your business

On average, I read 40-50 books a year, in a wide range of genres, including non-fiction. These are the books I read in 2019 that have had a big impact on the way I do business, and I highly recommend them to other business owners and professionals.

This is Marketing by Seth Godin: Book review
This is Marketing by Seth Godin: Book review

This is Marketing by Seth Godin challenged the way I think about marketing.

4 books that will expand your mind
4 books that will expand your mind

Vireo co-owner Ashleigh Mattern is an avid reader. Her goal for 2018 was to read 52 books, and while the majority of those were fiction, these are the top non-fiction books she read this year.

They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan: Book review
They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan: Book review

The premise of They Ask, You Answer is very simple: your marketing materials should revolve around answering your customers’ questions. Despite being a simple concept, it’s amazing how few companies actually do this.

5 reads to make you wealthy
5 reads to make you wealthy

Financial literacy may sound like a boring topic, but who doesn’t want to be wealthy?

From non-fiction science to science fiction: Ashleigh's favourite books from 2016
From non-fiction science to science fiction: Ashleigh's favourite books from 2016

Vireo co-owner Ashleigh Mattern read 52 books last year; here are her favourites. She also reviewed all of the books she read on Goodreads. If you love books and reading, connect with Ashleigh on Goodreads.

Fantasy, science fiction, and philosophy: Ashleigh's favourite books from 2015
Fantasy, science fiction, and philosophy: Ashleigh's favourite books from 2015

Vireo owner Ashleigh Mattern is a voracious reader. These are some of her favourite books she read in 2015.

Review of "Business Law: Contracts" from The Great Courses
Review of "Business Law: Contracts" from The Great Courses

You would think a course called "Business Law: Contracts" would be boring but this lecture series was surprisingly entertaining.

Let's get to know each other

Book a meeting with Vireo Co-Owner and Chief Storyteller Ashleigh Mattern to chat about your business and your next project.

Meet with Ashleigh