Creating a Killer Content Marketing Strategy – Start Now!
Studies tell us that 91% of B2B marketers use content marketing to reach customers and that 86% of B2C marketers think content marketing is a critical part of their digital marketing strategy. Content marketing works because it takes an entirely different approach than traditional marketing. Instead of pitching products and services, content marketing aims to … Continued
Are Your Customers Trying to Tell You Something? Start Listening with Social Media Monitoring.
While monitoring social media activity is now a best practice for many consumer brands, Business-to-Business (B2B) companies have been slower to make the connection. However, those B2Bers that are taking the plunge are seeing positive results. Mostly that’s because targeted social media efforts wrapped into a unified digital marketing strategy can help companies get to … Continued
Cover your aaS: Don’t let as-a-service models hold you hostage
Living in the country, many of my neighbors have farms. Some grow industry crops like soybean and cotton, while others raise animals for meat or dairy products. I’m in a perpetual state of begging my husband for all kinds of animals – goats, alpaca, sheep, cows. You name it; I want it! His rebuttal is always … Continued
Getting Email Deliverability Right
In the marketing world, there’s no shortage of frustrating scenarios that can happen on a daily basis. Lack of data, poorly performing marketing automation or CRM applications, and content that only a few people actually read (thanks, Mom and Aunt Jane!) is a true-life situation for many telecom agents and MSPs. Also scoring high on … Continued
Why Do My Email Campaign Metrics Suck?
If you’ve ever asked yourself ‘why do my email metrics suck,’ you’re certainly not alone. A study by Return Path tells us that only 79% of commercial emails land in the subscribers’ inbox. That means one out of every five emails sent either gets filtered as spam or blocked. That’s not good odds if you’re … Continued
Selling Cloud, IT, and Telecom in the Midst of an Avalanche
Earlier this month I completed Mountain Alpine Guides’ Level 1 Avalanche Course in Bozeman. It was three days of classroom instruction coupled with field session in the backcountry of Hyalite Canyon and areas in Yellowstone National Park. And, well, it was awesome! Those that know me well, however, know that the classroom instruction part was … Continued
Your New Year’s Resolutions May Fail – But Your Sales Strategy Doesn’t Have To Follow Suit
The ancient Babylonians are considered the first to make what we consider “New Year’s” resolutions, promising their gods they would repay debts and return borrowed items. Today, some 4000 years later, people across the world continue this time-honored tradition, resolving to take actions in hopes of a happier, healthier, more prosperous life. Sadly, it’s highly … Continued
Boring to Brilliant: Game-Changing Out of Office Emails
With the holiday season coming up, there’s a good chance that you will need to use the trusty ole out-of-office reply email. You know the one. It typically goes a little something like this: “I am out of the office until [insert date] with little access to email. If you need immediate assistance, please contact … Continued
Everyone is not your customer (or partner): Why cloud service providers need to create personas
When you go into business, one of the first things you realize is that everyone is NOT your customer. This concept seems simple to grasp, but it’s harder in practice. One way to be more targeted and compelling in your sales and marketing efforts is to develop buyer personas. Buyer personas are ‘fictional’ characterizations of … Continued
5 Big Mistakes on Your Business Blog – Part Two
This is part two of our Blogging Mistakes series. You can view Part 1 here. Blogging done right has the potential to do more than just move the needle for your business. B2B blogs that encompass that magic mix of being informative, fun, and engaging can bump up a company’s online presence tremendously and, … Continued
5 Big Mistakes on Your Business Blog – Part One
So you have a blog, that’s great! Now what? Blogging requires writing skills, enthusiasm for your company, and industry expertise. It also requires energy, creativity, and perseverance! It’s all about consistency. Everyone is busy, so it’s imperative that your blog posts catch readers’ attention and provide value that helps create loyal followers while also building … Continued
How to Set SMART Marketing Goals – Follow This Template
Whether you have short-term or long-term marketing goals, this planning template can help turn those ideas into reality. With this model as your foundation, you can describe your goals, set a deadline for meeting them, and understand the desired result. This can all be accomplished by focusing on SMART marketing, a methodology that helps you … Continued
6 Tips for Effectively Working With a Marketing Agency
So, you’ve started working with a new marketing agency. Awesome! (If you haven’t yet, check out our post on the top 5 smart reasons to outsource your digital marketing.) You’ve put a lot of time and thought into finding the right agency, but you’re just not sure where to start. You’re not alone. Working with … Continued
Understanding the Marketing Funnel Stages and Why it Matters
The marketing funnel is made up of several stages through which would-be customers move from first awareness of your brand to post-sale evangelism. It’s essentially the process of converting a visitor into a paying customer. One of the hardest challenges in any business is having your marketing team and your sales team on the same … Continued