Martin Communications, Inc., celebrated as a full-service marketing and advertising agency with a forte in crafting tailored strategies and innovative designs, is thrilled to announce its national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise. This honor is conferred by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBENC).

“We resolve to be part of the solution, anchored in respect, teamwork, open-mindedness, passion, and a commitment to learning. This WBENC certification mirrors our pledge to diversity, reinforcing our belief that inclusion drives innovation and progress,” expressed Barb Martin, president of Martin Communications.

The WBENC’s certification, which entails thorough business evaluations and site assessments, validates the women-led foundation of a business. By partnering with such enterprises, corporations and governmental organizations emphasize their commitment to bolstering diversity, especially in Pennsylvania’s vibrant business landscape. Established in 1993, Harrisburg-based Martin Communications stands as a testament to the power of partnering with a diverse business, seamlessly merging creativity and technology while sharing business acumen to deliver top-tier communication solutions to businesses, large and small.

The evolution of Martin Communications saw a transformative chapter when Barb Martin, then Henderson, first stepped into its corridors in 2001. Initially seeking a few hours of work to aid her family’s financial well-being, her ascension through the company’s ranks was meteoric. From capturing minutes at meetings to media buying, Barb’s journey became intertwined with the fabric of Martin Communications. Her collaboration with the company Founder and then-President, Tom Martin, co-managing larger clients, underscored the value of a dual leadership approach, melding creative and media components flawlessly.

Barb’s dedication didn’t stop at managing tasks; she played a pivotal role in strategizing and directing the agency’s top-tier clients. Her 2013 promotion to Vice President was a testament to her indomitable spirit, unwavering dedication, and remarkable talent. By the time she took on this role, Martin Communications was already riding high on success, with commendable achievements like being recognized among the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in Central PA and winning numerous regional, national, and international creative awards. The upward trajectory, in no small part, is due to Barb’s consistent and profound contributions.

When Barb took the helm as the President and majority owner of Martin Communications, the legacy she’s crafted over the years beamed brighter than ever. She didn’t just step into this role with the experience of her predecessor, she did so with an intimate knowledge of the company’s mission, vision, values, and a rich history of policymaking, strategic hiring, and fostering trusted relationships. Most critically, Barb’s leadership ushers in an era where Martin Communications stands proudly as a certified diverse business in Pennsylvania and nationwide.

For a closer look at Martin Communications and its offerings, visit martincommunicationsinc.com.

We are proud to have been recognized by Mid-Atlantic Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (MASHSMD) for our work in healthcare digital marketing, receiving two awards that highlight our expertise.

The MASHSMD Excellence Awards aim to recognize and reward creative and strategic excellence in healthcare marketing and communications. We were awarded for our work with Hospice of Central PA and Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute in the categories of content marketing and web design.

Content Marketing Award: “Top Five Myths about Hospice Care”

Titled “Top Five Myths about Hospice Care,” this blog aimed to realign misconceptions and provide accurate information about end-of-life care. Our team of skilled content creators worked diligently to craft engaging and informative content that would resonate with both patients and their families.

The blog not only focused on dispelling common misconceptions but also highlighted the compassionate and holistic approach of Hospice of Central PA. By incorporating a user-friendly interface and optimizing the content for search engines, we ensured that this valuable resource reached a wider audience, helping to educate and empower individuals during challenging times.

Website Design Award: Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute

Another significant recognition we received at the MASHSMD Awards was for our exceptional website design and development for the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. Understanding the critical role a well-designed and accessible website plays in the mental health industry, we aimed to create an online platform that would effectively convey the institute’s mission, values, and services while providing a seamless user experience.

Our team collaborated closely with the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute to understand their unique requirements and aspirations. With a focus on visual appeal, user-friendly navigation, and easy accessibility to vital information, we developed a website that reflects the institute’s commitment to patient care and professional excellence. The recognition of our efforts through this esteemed award reinforces our dedication to delivering outstanding digital marketing solutions for healthcare organizations.

Winning two MASHSMD Awards is a testament to the expertise and commitment of the entire team at Martin Communications. Through our collaborative efforts with organizations like Hospice of Central PA and Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, we have been able to create impactful digital marketing campaigns that resonate with audiences and elevate the healthcare industry’s standards for effective communication.

We are grateful for the recognition we have received from MASHSMD and remain committed to pushing the boundaries of healthcare digital marketing. These accolades inspire us to continue delivering innovative solutions that empower healthcare organizations to connect with their target audience effectively.

As we celebrate our achievements, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, partners, and the entire Martin Communications team for their unwavering support and dedication. We look forward to continuing our journey of excellence and making a lasting impact on the healthcare digital marketing landscape.

On average, it takes around four hours to write a blog, and depending on how much research is involved, that time could go higher, or even double. With content being important for SEO, social posts, and garnering trust in potential clients, it’s no wonder content marketing has become such an important aspect of everyone’s marketing strategy.

con·tent mar·ket·ing
NOUN

• A type of marketing that involves the creation and sharing of online material (such as videos, blogs, and social media posts) that does not explicitly promote a brand but is intended to stimulate interest in its products or services.

The challenge? Keeping up with the always-needed content and finding the time in an already busy workday to write. After writing several blogs over the years, I have realized that having a plan in place drastically helps with writing blogs but also picked up a few tips along the way to make writing even more of a breeze.

10 tips I use to help speed along the writing process:

1. Create a list of several topics that you can pull from for future blogs.

• I’ve found nailing down the topic to write about can take time. Knowing where to start helps reduce the time doing initial research or brainstorming. Bonus points if you can place the topics in a content calendar, so you know which topics are needed each month, spending even less time brainstorming.

2. Before starting, have an end-goal in mind.

• What is the purpose of this blog? Do you have a CTA (call to action) you want to drive people towards? Knowing the direction you want to take people in will help you craft and focus your message, eventually helping to streamline your editing and approval processes.

3. Block off your time.

• If finding time is the hardest part, start off by giving yourself an hour, and limiting the time you research to 10-15 minutes. You can lose yourself in researching when it’s more important to get writing. You can further research a topic along the way if needed but getting your writing flow going is what knocks that blog out faster.
• Limit distractions, make sure to block off your time in your calendar and silence email and phone notifications, if possible, to direct your focus on writing.
• And, if you’re like me, the sense of urgency you get by giving yourself an hour helps get the words out quicker.

4. Have a template or outline.

• Do you remember the format for writing essays in school? Intro, supporting paragraphs, conclusion. Having an outline in mind when writing can also help keep your thoughts focused and concise.
• If writing on topics in a related series, use a similar intro and conclusion for each for consistency while also saving time.

5. Use resources to your advantage.

• Depending on the type of blog you’re writing you may want to quote someone or reference other resources you found in your research. Quoting a chunk of text helps to add volume to the blog, helping it get written faster, but also shows you’ve done your research and are providing the reader with the pertinent information they need in one location, making it easier for them to learn about your topic. Make sure to give credit where credit is due – no one likes a plagiarizer.

6. Write like your life depends on it.

• It most likely doesn’t but refrain from constantly going back through and editing while you work on getting the words out. I like taking a stream-of-consciousness approach to writing to get all my thoughts out before going back through and editing them.

7. Now you can edit.

• Once you have all your thoughts written down, go back through and edit. Make sure your points are there and the topic has been sufficiently covered for the reader to understand what you’re getting at.
• You can also ask that coworker with good grammar to read through and edit to get another pair of eyes on it. Fresh eyes are always a good thing (and can save you some editing time).

8. Headlines and accompanying images should be decided last.

• I like writing out a tentative title, adding options to it as I write and see where the article is headed, but I wait to finalize it until I’m done writing and have the overall scope in mind.
• Save finding the image for the end when you know what the title and blog content will be. Knowing the final content will help direct the image that is needed, and you won’t waste time in the beginning finding images that don’t quite fit in the end.

9. AI generated blogs – yep, that’s a thing now.

• Don’t have time to even block off for writing? You can use an AI blog generator like Shortly or Simplified to get your content written in, as they claim, as little as 60-seconds.
• From first glance, yes it looks like it helps get you started with content, but I imagine more time will be needed to edit the copy to match your company’s tone and brand standards than they lead on.

10. Trust an expert.

• The purpose of this blog was to give you the tools to write blogs quicker, however we have also arrived at my CTA.
• If you don’t have the time but want to make sure there’s a real human who understands your brand and voice, trust a writing expert (like me) to get the job done for you.

Want to save time by having someone else write content for you? We can help. Reach out today!

Following the retirement of the company’s founder, Thomas Martin, Barbara Martin was named the firm’s president. Founded in 1993, Barb joined Martin Communications in 2001 as an administrative assistant. In subsequent years, her roles included Media Buyer, Account Manager, Account Executive, and in 2012, she was named Vice President.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to lead our strong team and continue the tradition of excellent, value-based, and creative marketing solutions for our clients,” said the new President.

With this leadership change, Martin Communications is now a woman-owned, woman-led business. Martin Communications, Inc. is a full-service advertising agency with a staff of 11, preparing media plans and developing creative content for clients primarily in service-oriented categories, specializing in clients within the healthcare and related fields in Pennsylvania and Virginia.