The Editorial
Marketing Intelligence by EDST
January 2026
The Independent Artist Marketing Playbook for 2025
Major labels spend millions on marketing. Independent artists have creativity, authenticity, and agility. Here's how to compete — and often win — without the budget.
12 min readSmall BusinessSocial Media Strategy for Local Businesses: What Actually Works in Your City
National brands can afford to spray content everywhere. Local businesses need precision. Here's a practical framework for social media marketing when your audience is right down the street.
9 min readInfluencer MarketingInfluencer Marketing Is Growing Up: What the Maturing Industry Means for Brands
Influencer marketing has moved from experimental line item to core strategy. As the industry matures, the tactics that worked early on are giving way to more sophisticated approaches.
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The Death of Organic Reach — And What Smart Brands Are Doing About It
Organic reach on social media has collapsed by over 80% since 2015. But while most brands are panicking, a quiet revolution is happening among those who've cracked the new code.
Inside the Creator Economy: The Billion-Dollar Industry Nobody Understands
The creator economy is worth $250 billion. But beyond the headlines about teenage millionaires, a complex ecosystem has emerged that's reshaping how money, attention, and influence actually flow.
Why Your Personal Brand Is Now Worth More Than Your Resume
In a world where anyone can Google you before a meeting, your online presence has become your most valuable professional asset. Here's how the rules of career capital have fundamentally changed.
From Artist to Brand: Building an Empire Beyond Music
The most successful artists today aren't just making music — they're building diversified business empires. Here's the playbook for turning artistry into lasting wealth.
The Real Cost of Going Viral: What Nobody Tells You About Overnight Success
Every creator dreams of going viral. But what happens after the numbers spike? The truth about sudden fame is more complicated — and often darker — than the highlight reels suggest.
How AI Is Transforming Marketing — And Why Most Brands Are Using It Wrong
Everyone's rushing to add AI to their marketing stack. But in the scramble to automate everything, most companies are missing the point entirely. Here's what actually matters.
Why Most Small Businesses Fail at Social Media (And the Simple Fix)
Small businesses pour billions into social media marketing every year. Most of it is wasted. After analyzing thousands of accounts, we've identified the pattern — and it's not what you'd expect.
The Music Industry's New Gatekeepers: How Algorithms Replaced A&R
The music industry promised that streaming would democratize access. Instead, it created a new set of gatekeepers — ones that nobody fully understands and everyone must please.
The Fitness Industry's Influencer Revolution: Who Really Drives the Business Now
Gym chains are struggling while fitness influencers thrive. The power in the fitness industry has shifted dramatically — and most traditional players still don't understand what happened.
The Real Estate Agent's Guide to Social Media That Actually Closes Deals
Most real estate agents treat social media as a digital billboard. The top producers use it as a relationship engine. The difference in results is staggering.
Healthcare Marketing's New Reality: Trust, Transparency, and the Death of White Coat Authority
Patients no longer blindly trust credentials. The healthcare providers winning in this environment have learned to communicate differently. Here's what's changed and how to adapt.
Why Luxury Brands Are Betting Big on TikTok (And What It Means for the Industry)
Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dior have all crashed the TikTok party. Their presence signals something bigger than a marketing trend — it's a fundamental rethink of luxury positioning.
The Rise of the Personal Brand Entrepreneur: Building a Business on You
The fastest-growing businesses aren't companies — they're people. A new generation of entrepreneurs has figured out how to turn personal brand into scalable business. Here's how it works.
The Pandemic Changed Marketing Forever. Here's What Isn't Changing Back.
Two years into the pandemic's disruption, some changes are reversing while others have become permanent. A clear picture is emerging of marketing's new baseline reality.
Why TikTok Matters More Than You Think (Even If You're Not on It)
You may not use TikTok. Your customers might not either. But TikTok is shaping culture, commerce, and consumer expectations in ways that affect every business. Here's why ignoring it is a mistake.
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