In this new, technology-driven world of marketing, do the proven principles of marketing strategy still apply? Or are there new rules for marketing success? Here are five new marketing rules created by the enormous impact of technology plus five time-tested marketing principles -- and the reasons to consider both in a smart marketing strategy....
View MoreMember acquisition is a constant challenge and a top priority for most trade associations. Who do you target? How do you reach prospective members? And how do you convince them to join your organization? Here’s how the American Advertising Federation-Cleveland (AAF-CLE) developed a successful membership marketing strategy and campaign that exceeded its goals and laid the foundation for future member acquisition....
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Remember when “cookies” on websites were controversial? People used to be uncomfortable having cookies track their activities on the web. But cookies are nothing compared to the tracking technology available to marketers today. Sophisticated tools enable marketers to follow your every move online and even in real life in a retail store. Having such in-depth customer knowledge and the ability to pinpoint prospects so precisely is a marketer’s dream – but some of the latest technology makes me wonder if we’re on the verge of going too far. Here are some thoughts on the...
View Moref you’re a business-to-business marketer who still doesn’t have a business page on Facebook, relax: You probably don’t need to be on Facebook after all. As social media has matured, each social media channel’s role and value has become clearer. Though Facebook is by far the dominant social network, B2B marketers increasingly are questioning its value for connecting with business decision-makers. I’m no longer advising most of my B2B marketing clients to focus on Facebook. Here’s why – and what it might mean for your smart marketing strategy....
View MoreAt the beginning of a new year, most of us will resolve to live healthier lives and clean out our closets. New Year’s resolutions also can extend to marketing – and many smart marketers use the turning of the calendar page to make some long-overdue changes to their marketing strategies. Here are 10 resolutions to make your marketing more effective in the New Year....
View MoreSocial media is the noisiest place on the planet. Every day, there are over 1 billion Facebook posts and 400 million Tweets. If you’re straining to be heard amid the social media din, try using one of your most powerful marketing assets: The voice of your brand. Here’s why brand voice is important in a smart marketing strategy, especially for social media marketing....
View MoreHow Target scored an “A” on back-to-college direct mail marketing with a dynamite catalog -- and some lessons from their approach for your smart marketing strategy....
View MoreIf you’re a business-to-business (B2B) marketer, white papers can be a powerful way to demonstrate your expertise and differentiate your company from competitors. In part three of a three-part series, here are 11 ideas for using white papers as marketing tactics in a smart B2B marketing strategy....
View MoreOne of the best ways to engage and keep social media followers is to make them feel special. Here are seven ways to show some love to social media followers in a smart marketing strategy....
View Moreour company’s brand represents the value customers receive when they interact with your business. It's a promise: When you choose to purchase from us, this is what we will deliver to you. When you break that promise – through defective products, shoddy workmanship, or poor service – you might lose the customer. But in this age of social media, you might also lose your reputation. Remember the musician who made a YouTube video about United Airlines breaking his guitar? It got more than 12 million views and spawned a whole culture of...
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