The Hidden Value of Web Hosting

The Hidden Value of Web Hosting - a man on a computer

When you think about your website, aspects like design, content or SEO might come to mind. Underneath all of that is something less visible and absolutely essential. Web hosting is the engine that powers your site. Without a solid engine, the rest can’t run properly. While web hosting isn’t flashy or front-facing,  it plays a…

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One-Stop Shop: How ChatGPT Updates are Transforming Consumer Behavior

ChatGPT app on a phone that is on top of a computer keyboard

Imagine a world where your product, service or tool is embedded right where customers are already spending their time. That’s what ChatGPT’s newest features enable it to do, as part of OpenAI’s move toward making it more of a “conversational operating system” with “one interface where users access software and services,” as reported by Search…

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Why Owned Media Is a Core Asset for Business Success

A person typing on a computer with the text Why Owned Media is a Core Asset for Business Success

A strong marketing strategy includes many moving parts; however, few are as essential and enduring as owned media. It includes any channel that you control: your website, your blog, your email list and your social media accounts. While other media help drive visibility and reach, owned media provides the structure on which everything else is…

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Inbox Influence: Build Your Brand with Smarter Email Marketing

Email icons around a laptop

Email marketing remains one of the most effective and affordable ways businesses can build and maintain customer relationships. It reaches people directly, offers high personalization and helps brands stay relevant without relying on unpredictable social media algorithms. In rural communities, where loyalty and relationships matter, email puts you in control of your message, your data…

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What TikTok’s Future in the U.S. Might Mean For Your Business

TikTok on a phone screen in front of the US flag

TikTok has become a cultural force in the social media world. The short-form video app has captured the attention of billions and significantly impacted the influencer marketing industry. Behind the app’s fast-paced entertainment and lucrative potential for brands and creators, serious questions remain for U.S. audiences, as national security concerns have put the platform’s future…

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The Benefits of Using a Marketing Agency

The Benefits of Using a Marketing Agency

Agencies can be referred to by many different names, often reflecting their various specialties, including marketing agencies, creative agencies, PR firms, ad agencies and digital agencies. At Callis, we’re often asked by leaders: “What can your agency do for my business?” The answer comes down to real advantages that impact your growth, your sanity and…

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What Rural Brands Can Learn from Cracker Barrel’s Branding Backlash

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel’s recent logo controversy is a textbook example of what happens when a brand changes direction without fully considering the customer base it was built on. The restaurant chain introduced a minimalist logo that removed its long-standing “Old Timer” character (also known as “Uncle Herschel”), along with a plan to modernize its famously cluttered,…

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Why LinkedIn is a Secret Weapon for B2B Marketers and HR Recruiters

Why LinkedIn is a Secret Weapon for B2B Marketers and HR Recruiters

LinkedIn has transformed into one of the most valuable advertising platforms for connecting with business professionals, HR decision-makers and job seekers. While it began as a networking tool, LinkedIn now also serves as a powerful solution for targeted business-to-business (B2B) advertising and recruitment marketing, especially in specialized or professional fields where finding the right fit…

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What is Programmatic Advertising and When Should You Use It?

What is Programmatic Advertising and When Should You Use It?

Fishing is a lot like digital advertising. Sometimes you get bites, sometimes you don’t. So, what makes the difference between a nice catch and coming home empty-handed? It’s about strategy … finding the right time of the day, the right spot and the right bait. Digital advertising works the same way. You choose when to…

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7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Influencer Marketing

7 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing continues to be one of the most effective ways for brands to build trust online, connect with the right audience and drive measurable results. Whether it’s a well-known creator with millions of followers or a local voice with a small but loyal community, influencers can help deliver your message in ways that feel…

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Why Rural Businesses Shouldn’t Skip on Short-Form Video

Why Rural Businesses Shouldn’t Skip on Short-Form Video

Short-form video is the star of social media. Whether you’re scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat or even LinkedIn, chances are you’re seeing vertical videos that are quick, engaging and hard to ignore. These videos have transformed how people consume content online, and they offer a major opportunity for rural businesses looking to…

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How Rural Brands Can Win With Micro-Influencers

How Rural Brands Can Win With Micro-Influencers

Micro-influencers are transforming marketing strategies for brands of all sizes, and rural businesses are in a strong position to benefit. With their ability to build trust and spark engagement, these smaller-scale social media creators are helping brands reach specific audiences in creative, affordable and authentic ways. If your brand wants to grow awareness, build loyalty…

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Could Your Customer Service Be the Secret to Better Marketing?

Two men shaking hands at a conference table

What if your most powerful marketing strategy isn’t an ad, but a satisfied customer? In rural communities especially, word-of-mouth can carry more weight than a billboard or website. How your business treats people can have a bigger impact than how you promote it. Word-of-Mouth Still Drives Business in Rural America When neighbors talk, businesses can…

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Using Local SEO to Grow Your Business

Using Local SEO to Grow Your Business

Today, most consumers use search engines, AI tools or social media platforms when looking for local products and services. According to BrightLocal, approximately 80% of consumers search online weekly to find local businesses, highlighting the importance of having a strong local search presence.  Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) focuses on optimizing your online presence so…

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Using Human-Guided AI for Smart Content Marketing

Using Human-Guided AI for Smart Content Marketing

Artificial intelligence is expanding what’s possible in content marketing, helping businesses maintain consistency and efficiency in their outreach. Yet, it’s important to remember that while AI can enhance workflows, it cannot replace the human creativity and expertise required to connect with audiences and build brands effectively. Why Human Input is Non-Negotiable AI can produce content…

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Why Reddit Should Be On Your Radar

Reddit has quietly become one of the most influential sources for AI-powered online search results. As tools like Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT and Perplexity pull from Reddit posts more frequently, it’s reshaping how brands appear (or disappear) when customers search. If you’re not actively monitoring Reddit, your business could be misrepresented or simply missed altogether.…

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How Public Relations Impacts Rural Business Reputation

How Public Relations Impacts Rural Business Reputation

In a world of fast-moving media and constant noise, public relations (PR) remains one of the most trusted ways to build a brand. For rural businesses, where word of mouth and local trust carry significant weight, PR is more than promotion; it’s a relationship-building strategy. Whether your company serves agriculture, manufacturing, health care, or rural…

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Stop the Scroll: Building Stronger Social Media Engagement for Your Business

Stop the Scroll: Building Stronger Social Media Engagement for Your Business

Strategies to capture audience attention across saturated social media platforms Today, it is harder than ever for businesses to stand out in social media feeds filled with fast-paced content, all fighting for user attention. With platforms evolving rapidly through algorithm changes, AI-enhanced features and shifting user habits, companies, especially those targeting rural markets, need fresh…

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