The beginning of a new year is also an ideal time to make some resolutions to improve your marketing. Here are 9 resolutions that can help you produce better results from your marketing investment and develop a smarter marketing strategy in the coming year....
View MoreIs the Walgreens nude beach ad the worst ad on TV? Here's why this cringe-worthy campaign is a creative failure and how to avoid similar mistakes in your smart marketing strategy....
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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 MoreWhat’s new and what’s working in direct mail these days? Here are seven interesting direct marketing trends I’m seeing as a marketing consultant who often recommends direct mail in a smart marketing strategy for my clients....
View MoreBrides are spending big money on weddings. According to the Wedding Report, the cost of an average wedding in the U.S. is $25,200. Market research firm IBISWorld estimates that the U.S. wedding industry has grown to $55 billion in annual sales. That’s a lot of cake, tulle, and flowers – and as the mother of the bride, I can tell you from personal experience that it’s also a fascinating example of what works (or doesn’t work) in sales and marketing. Here are six lessons for your smart marketing strategy that...
View MoreThe Super Bowl is marketing nirvana for advertisers. Not only is it the most-viewed TV program of the year, but viewers are almost as interested in the ads as the game. But how do you know if a Super Bowl ad will be a winner -- and a smart marketing strategy? Here's my annual guide for how to evaluate the marketing effectiveness of Super Bowl advertising....
View MoreDirect mail is a common marketing tactic for supporting dealers and agents who sell consumer products and services. Using geographically targeted data, the home office or corporate headquarters sends direct mail to prospects with content personalized to the local dealer or agent. When it works, it can be marketing dynamite. Effective agent/dealer campaigns generate leads from qualified buyers, drive retail traffic, and make the phones ring. When it fails, it can be a disaster. Campaigns that miss the mark irritate prospects, waste the marketer’s money, and wind up in the trash. Here are...
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You’re about to make a sales presentation to a prospective customer. You have the right experience, the right products and services, and competitive pricing. You’re an ideal fit for the customer’s needs. This should be a winning sales formula. But too often, it isn’t, because vendors make dumb mistakes during presentations that cost them the business. Here are seven things NOT to do when making a sales pitch to a prospect....
View MoreThe most important step in developing a business-to-business marketing strategy is the first one: Setting your goals. Why are you investing in marketing? What do you want that investment to achieve for your business? For B2B marketers, the answer to these questions can be surprisingly straightforward. In fact, in my experience as a B2B marketing consultant, there are 10 critical goals that apply to almost every B2B marketing strategy, whether you’re selling manufactured products, professional services, or commodities. Here are the 10 goals that belong in a smart B2B marketing...
View MoreOnce cast aside as an old-school marketing tactic, email newsletters are making a comeback as a powerful channel for supporting content marketing and customer relationship management, especially for business-to-business marketers. In part two of a two-part blog post, here are 10 tips for creating a successful e-newsletter that your customers, prospects, and colleagues will welcome in their in-boxes. Treat your newsletter like a real publication. Develop an editorial plan and schedule. Outline several months’ worth of content. Appoint an editor who’s a skilled writer. Create a professionally designed header and an...
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