video marketing trends

5 Video Marketing Trends for 2020

Lights, camera, and did you catch that last advertising video? Chances are, you've seen more videos pop up on your favorite sites and social media feeds.

Video content is expected to take up more than 80% of internet traffic this year. To respond to this trend, more companies are stepping up their video marketing efforts. If you haven't yet, you're likely falling behind your competitors.

Here are five video marketing trends for 2020.

By trying these trends for yourself, you can engage consumers with your content and drive your business into the new year. Expand your business with these five video trends.

1. Video Marketing in Google Ads

Pay-per-click (PPC) digital ads allow companies to reach consumers online based on:

  • Search keywords
  • Interests
  • Online behaviors
  • Demographics

Advertisers can either create text or display ads for the PPC campaigns. Following the recent video marketing trends, many companies are also using video content throughout their campaigns.

Video ads can draw the eye and grab the consumer's attention.

You can set these ads to display on YouTube or across Google's Display Network sites. Since YouTube is the world's second most used search engine, the platform is an ideal start for your video content.

Plus, many younger consumers are already spending a lot of time on YouTube already!

2. Shoppable & Interactive Videos

40% of all minutes spent watching YouTube videos occurs on a mobile phone.

In order to create a convenient user experience on mobile devices, more companies are making their videos shoppable. These video ads contain links that send consumers straight to a product.

As a result, you can use this new type of video content to improve user experience and engage customers online.

3. Personalized Videos

In order to effectively follow these video marketing trends, you need to know your customers. Creating personalized, relevant videos will ensure your content engages consumers.

To fully personalize your videos, create segmented audiences.

This tactic will allow you to create videos that better connect with customers and increase engagement.

Artificial intelligence is improving as well. AI will soon impact online video trends by increasing content tailored to specific audiences.

4. 360-Degree Videos

Virtual reality headsets are also impacting video marketing trends.

By creating interactive, 360-degree videos, you can take customers on virtual tours, demos, and walkthroughs from their own homes. Interactive videos improve online user experience and ad recall.

Using this video trend can help set your content apart from the rest.

5. Longer Videos

Consumers are now taking the time to watch longer videos.

Creating long-form videos will give you the opportunity to provide informative content. Longer videos also make it easier to form an emotional connection with your audience. However, it's important not to lose focus on the video's purpose.

Otherwise, you're not giving them a reason to sit through the content.

Rather, creative, narrative-based videos are more likely to leave a lasting impression.

Now Rolling into the New Year: 5 Video Marketing Trends for 2020

Ready to roll out the new year? With these five video marketing trends, you can make your mark. Start engaging customers online with these tips!

Develop your video marketing campaign. Contact us today to begin!


successful marketing

5 Tips for Running a Successful Marketing Campaign

"No sales. No company."

That's in the words of one business owner, Mark Cuban, describing the importance of a successful marketing campaign.

Marketing isn't only an essential aspect of a business—it's what drives the business.

Exceptional marketing campaigns cover a slew of various tactics, from advertising and customer outreach to social media and blog content.

No matter what your event, product, or service, you'll need to figure out who you're marketing to and then speak to them. Doing this doesn't have to be complicated, though.

We've covered a few simple steps that should help you develop an excellent plan for your business or organization.

1. Define Your Target Audience

Before you begin marketing, it helps to know who you're marketing to—i.e., know your audience!

This keeps your campaign focused on the people you're selling to, which maximizes your campaign efforts.

Finding your target market is simple when you answer the following questions:

  • Their age and gender
  • Their marital status
  • Whether they have kids
  • Their income level
  • Their location
  • Their lifestyles—i.e., employed or retired, hobbies and shopping habits, etc.

Answer these questions and then understand the competition marketing to your demographic. See how you can stand apart from your competitors.

2. Set Clear Objectives

The only way to stay on course is to have a plan.

Define clear goals and objectives for your campaign.

Is it to garner a specific dollar amount in profits? Is it to get 1,000 people to attend a convention? Are you trying to sell out of a particular product that's on special?

This step piggy-backs off the first in that having more explicit objectives will make sure your efforts stay focused and specific.

3. Know Your Budget

Likewise, having a budget also helps you stay on course.

It's easy to get mystified by all the options. But having a clear budget in mind will keep your campaign attentive to your goals and audience. You need to concentrate on your capabilities without getting sidetracked by lofty goals.

Making a budget is simple:

  • Know your operational costs
  • Know your sales funnel (by observing site visits, lead conversions, etc.)
  • Know your goals (as outlined in step two)
  • Consider scalability
  • Observe the current industry and market trends

And remember, a successful marketing campaign is an investment!

4. Create High-Quality Content

Blog posts are an essential part of any successful marketing campaign.

They establish you as an authority in your industry. They humanize your business, giving readers a "tribe" or person to connect with (especially important in this digital era). They allow you to exceed the local limits and reach audiences worldwide.

Oh yeah, and businesses with blogs acquire 126% more leads than those without one!

5. Track Your Metrics

And last, you need to have a method for seeing if your campaign works.

In the planning stage, define which metrics you'd like to measure for their successes or failures. Then implement the correct tools for doing so.

This way, you can build on your successes or alter what isn't working.

Successful Marketing Made Simple

Using these tactics, you should be on your way to a profitable campaign strategy.

A successful marketing plan could mean the difference between profit and loss. Exposure and obsoleteness. Thriving or closing.

In other words, it's crucial.

We can offer data-driven, creative videos to your marketing plan to solidify its success. Contact us today to see what we can achieve for your company!


Creative Marketing

Creative Marketing Tips for Non-Profit Organizations Big or Small

Are you looking for innovative ways to promote your non-profit organization but don't know where to start? Though online marketing campaigns are great for generating leads, they can be time-consuming and costly.

Luckily, there are creative ways to build awareness about your organization and keep the costs low. You'll stand out from the crowd and people will flock to your website to learn more.

From fun, educational videos, infographics, and social media contests to urban in-person marketing, you can play around and see what works best.

Here are 5 simple, yet creative marketing ideas that'll put your non-profit organization on the map.

Fun and Educational Videos

Video marketing is the future, and companies of all types and sizes use videos to promote their products and services. It's visual, engaging, relatively easy to make, and shareable.

There are many tools and software to create stunning videos, so all you need is a creative idea and a little time. Start by making one creative video and track the response. If people like it, you can easily turn it into a series, and tell the story about your organization.

Caption and Photo Contests

Organizing contests on social media are an effective digital marketing tactic that can help you build engagement and brand awareness. The most popular types are caption and photo contests where people either think of a caption for a photo you post, or they post a photo using your products or brand hashtags.

This creates engagement and brand visibility, which is exactly what you want to promote your non-profit.

Infographics

Infographics are visual marketing tools that outline essential information in a long vertical image. It's one of the most popular creative marketing strategies because it displays clear, concise messages in a fun, colorful way that's easy to consume.

The best places to post infographics are in the body of a blog post and Pinterest. When people click on your infographic, they'll land on your website and learn about your non-profit.

Gamification

Gamification is a creative marketing strategy that uses game elements with the goal to engage the users. It works great in marketing because it provides instant gratification and a sense of connection to the brand.

You can use gamification on your website, on social media channels, fundraising campaigns, and even in-person marketing.

Urban Marketing

One of the best creative marketing techniques is urban marketing, i.e. going outside and interacting with people directly. Aside from handing out flyers, there are many creative ways to spread the word about your non-profit organization.

Some great ideas include:

  • Commissioning a beautiful mural related to your organization
  • Performances related to your organization
  • Decorating street elements like manhole covers, stairs, sidewalks, and benches

Anything that would catch people's attention and make them stop and interact is a perfect opportunity to promote your non-profit.

Use These Creative Marketing Strategies to Promote Your Organization!

There are countless ways to spread the word about your non-profit organization and it doesn't have to be expensive.

The more creative you are, the more people will be interested to check you out, and hear about your story.

Need more creative marketing ideas? Check out the most powerful marketing trends that ruled in 2019.


How to Find the Best Market Research Company: Your Complete Guide

Did you know that market research can be a key way to gain a deeper understanding of your customers and your competitors?

Using market research also allows you to visualize and collect relevant data, find ways to grow your business, and avoid closure by staying ahead of the curb.

But, it can be hard to find the best market research company to fit your business needs.

Luckily, there are a few key ways to discover and commit to a company that has your best interests in mind.

Read on to learn five guiding principles for choosing a market research firm.

Top Ways to Find a Great Market Research Company

One of the most profitable parts of market research is gap analysis, which requires a full understanding of your business and industry.

The gaps in the market are the things that customers want, but you and your competitors aren't giving them.

This is why market research is so important and profitable in the long run. Here are five methods for picking a company that can help you optimize your offerings.

1. Choose a Flexible Company

You want a company that will meet your needs, not the other way around. Finding a flexible company is the key to customizing your research plan.

One-size-fits-all approaches can be difficult because they won't necessarily get at the exact questions you feel are relevant.

Therefore, look for a company that discusses their research methodologies in-depth with you, and is willing to adapt them as needed.

2. Understand Their Action-Plan

It is important to know the actionable parts of the marketing research firm once the research is completed.

The last thing you want is to be left with lots of data, and no one to help you understand it.

The right company will help you visualize the data and turn it into action, with specific recommendations based on the feedback they received.

3. Seek Information on Their Methods

The methodology can vary widely, both based on the type of market research firm, and on your questions.

Ask exactly how they collect their data, and what types of additional methodologies could be used to ensure the most accurate answers.

4. Consider Cost-Effectiveness

Always be upfront about your budget and expectations, as this can avoid more issues down the road. The best company will be honest with you about their ability to work with your budget, and you can determine if what they offer is worth the investment.

5. Ask About Their Relevant Experience

It is often a good idea to pick a firm that has experience in your industry, as they will likely be able to understand the audience and customers better from the get go.

Review any recent testimonials and references from similar clients, and consider reaching out to them directly if you are able to for an honest review.

Use Market Research to Dominate Your Industry

Using a market research company is key to staying ahead in all circles of business.

While the results are not always what you expect, they help you provide the tailored experience and product line that your customers crave.

Ready to talk to an expert about the untapped opportunities for your business? Contact us today to learn more about our market research offerings.


market research report

Know Your Audience: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Creating a Market Research Report

Did you know the revenue of the market research industry exceeded 45.8 billion in 2017?

It's not a surprise this number is so high. After all, companies want to engage with their audience to understand their need and provide the products they're looking for.

The best way to get to the bottom of it is by creating a market research report. In, this article, we'll go through the basics of how to create a market research report.

Who is Your Buyer?

The first step when you want to create your market research report is to identify who your buyer persona is. As you think about who your buyer persona is, you need to identify who your dream customer is.

If you have trouble visualizing who your persona is, think about the following factors that determine it:

  • Location
  • Gender
  • Age range
  • Job industry
  • Family Size
  • Challenges
  • Income

The more information you have about them, the easier it will be to compile the information.

Select the Focus Group

Now that you have identified your client's persona, then it's time you narrow it down. As helpful as it would be to talk to everyone, you need to select a focus group.

These are the people that you will be reaching out to to get their input. The purpose of engaging them is to find out their characteristics, buying habits, and any specific challenges they might face.

You should be able to meet with them via in-person focus groups, online surveys, and/or phone interviews.

Prepare the Research Questions

You need to make the most out of your conversation with your focus group, which is why it's extremely important you're prepared.

For starters, start by giving your buyers a little bit of background information. Then, you need to talk to them about awareness -- when did they realize they had a need for the particular product.

The next step is to ask them about how they decided to solve their challenge. Make sure every question you ask is open-ended.

Engage Your Participants

Once you're are ready to ask those questions, you need to engage your participants. The best way to do so is by reaching out to your current customers.

Start by pulling a list of all of your customers who make a purchase in the last few months. You also want to engage those who didn't make a purchase.

Other ways to reach people is by adding an incentive or try to engage participants on social media.

Make a List of Competitors

Part of putting together a market research report is understanding who your competitors are. Learn the basics about your competitors by identifying the industry, the content, and any other relevant information.

Summarize the Findings

The last thing you need to do is summarize your findings. If you find the information overwhelming, try to break it down by sections.

For example, the background -- why did you decide to conduct the study. You can also summarize in sections such as participants, competitors, awareness, challenges, action plan, and more.

Making a Market Research Report: The Bottom Line

Now that you know the basics about creating a market research report, you're ready to conduct your own.

Remember to identify your buyer persona, select a focus group, prepare the research questions, and engage your buyers.

Want to learn more about the differences between digital marketing vs traditional marketing in 2019, check out this article.


Why Market Research Fails

Successfully implementing a market research strategy can have vast benefits for companies of all sizes; however, market research blunders are easy to make and can have long-lasting negative consequences for your business. We’re commonly asked, “Why does market research fail?” and the truth is there’s not usually a singular reason. Sometimes companies make one major mistake that fundamentally flaws their research, but making a series of smaller errors is sometimes just as damaging. Taking some time to thoughtfully prepare a market research strategy, and strictly adhering to the fundamentals of implementing research, can help you avoid making major mistakes while launching a market research project.

Below, we’ve listed some of the mistakes commonly made by market research agencies. If you’re afraid your market research will fail, carefully avoid the following blunders:

Using the Wrong Methods

Sometimes teams decide to use the research method that is easiest but not necessarily the best. It’s usually tempting to choose the “convenient” method of data collection, but if that method is ineffective for the target population then that data is probably useless.

For example, many companies launch internet surveys in place of doing onsite surveys or interviews. Internet surveys are sometimes cheap and effective, but they can also be terribly inefficient if you have no reliable way to guarantee survey participation. Similarly, companies will sometimes hold focus groups to talk with many customers at once in a public – and this can be an effective means of collecting market data – but some topics are too personal/intimate to discuss in person (think sex, love, or happiness) and your customers might prefer the anonymity of an online interview.

Further, companies sometimes expect too much from interviews, surveys, and focus groups. Realistically, there are many questions that are better answered by performing more “immersive” research – such as participant observation or video-ethnography.

Asking the wrong questions

Designing interview/survey questions that are appropriate for your research can be tricky. Questions can be “wrong” for many reasons. Sometimes questions are too broad, sometimes they’re too specific. An open-ended question that’s too broad will result in the interviewee rambling on about a number of issues not specific to your research topic. Conversely, questions that are too specific will result in people giving brief one-word responses. Similarly, close-ended questions sometimes result in participants being “pigeon-holed” into choosing an answer that does not reflect their beliefs or feelings on a topic.

Talking to the wrong people

Recruiting participants to participate in your study is one of the most difficult aspects of any market research study, and it’s especially difficult to recruit a representative sample of your target audience. For example, it might be really easy to find study participants that love your company, but it’s sometimes difficult to find people that hate your product/service; however, in the name of good research, it’s important to talk with both of these groups if you stand any chance of understanding why people love/hate your product.

Poor Interviewer Skills

Novice or untrained individuals can often generate inaccurate or biased interview data. Most commonly, interviewers unintentionally bias participant responses by “leading” people to conclusions they wouldn’t have otherwise made. For example, an interviewer’s tone or word choice might “lead” an interviewee to answer in a way they think the interviewer wants/expects. There are a number of similar nuanced mistakes that can be made, and stopping this from happening at the ground level is generally dependent on good training and a foundation in research methods.

Faulty Data Management

For every hour of data collection, there are many more hours of data management. Faulty data management tactics can sometimes inadvertently ruin entire projects. There are a number of methods for meticulously inputting, cleaning, interpreting, and sharing data. Attention to detail is crucial in data management; don’t let laziness cause your market research to fail.

Doing Too Little

In an effort to make market research less-costly, companies frequently attempt to rush studies. This results in market research studies with narrow-minded designs and small sample sizes. Attempting to make business decisions based on low-quality studies can be difficult, and at times it can lead to disastrous results. Efforts to keep studies cost-effective are obviously important, but being too stringent can cause your market research to be inefficient and counterproductive.

Ignoring the results of your research

Companies have to be willing to accept what market research tells them – even if they don’t necessarily like the results of their own research.

Kodak Camera Company is a classic example. In the early days of digital photography, Kodak actually produced a significant amount of market research suggesting that digital cameras would be popular and convenient; however, because the company was so invested in producing paper photographs, they decided to shelve their digital camera products. Failing to adapt to the market, despite what their market research was consistently telling them, has obviously resulted in multi-billion dollar losses to Kodak. In hindsight, it seems pretty obvious what Koda should have done, but the reality is that companies are often set in their ways and choose to ignore market research.

The Single Reason

Commonly, research fails because agencies choose to do what is convenient – they pick the “easiest” methods, ask poorly designed questions, and recruit participants that don’t reflect the target audience – rather than taking the extra effort to collect data that is pertinent to business decisions. The easiest way to avoid making these mistakes is by sticking to the basics of conducting good research – become scientifically literate regarding the research methods that are commonly employed, choose the methods that are best for your research questions, fully commit to the entire research process (including data management), and dig in for the work ahead.


Summer Market Sign

Barriers Preventing Market Research for Outdoor Retailers

Despite the importance of market research, some small or medium sized businesses don’t collect primary research; in the outdoor industry, this seems to be particularly true. Large outdoor retailers such as Patagonia, North Face, Arc'teryx, and REI all perform their own market research studies, but many medium-sized brands fail to take advantage of consumer behavior research. This is a shame because market research is a simple way to develop the insights necessary to make a company truly successful.

So if market research is so important for outdoor retail companies, why do so many medium-sized outdoor retailers fail to conduct their own market research? Based on our experience, there are a few things that commonly prevent companies from conducting their own research. We’ve listed these barriers below, and we make a few suggestions for how companies can overcome these common obstacles:

The “I Know My Industry” Mindset

Outdoor retail companies are largely founded and managed by individuals that love their industry. This is fantastic because a love of the outdoors (something we personally possess) has driven the start-up of many great out-door retail businesses. That being said, when people build a business surrounding something they love, they start to assume they know exactly what that industry needs. Runners assume they know what type of shoe other runners needs, climbers assume other mountaineers climb like they do, etc.

While being personally invested in the products your company develops can lead to great innovations, it can also generate great biases in the products your company produces. Market research allows business owners to take a step back and evaluate the thoughts/feelings/opinions of their customers from a different perspective. In the case of outdoor retail, it allows companies to develop the products people truly want, rather than assuming they know what other outdoorsy individuals might need.

 

Lack of Understanding/Technical Skill

People naturally veer away from things that they don’t understand. If you work in outdoor retail, you probably love the outdoors and know a lot about being in the wilderness; further, if you’re a business owner, you likely know a lot about managing businesses. That being said, you probably don’t know much about how to conduct primary research. Therefore, market research is a trip outside the comfort zone for many small/medium business owners.

This does not mean that market research isn’t useful for outdoor retail businesses. Quite the contrary, we argue that market research is an important tool for growing your businesses from a small/medium size into a fortune 500 giant. The fundamental issue is that medium-sized businesses shy away from doing things that seem unfamiliar to them. Conducting research is its own set of skills and knowledge that often times takes many years to develop. Considering the importance of market research in the business world, unfamiliarity with a concept should not prevent market research from occurring.

For businesses that don’t have the technical expertise or personnel to conduct market research the solution is simple, hire a market research firm to do the work for you. That fundamental truth leads us to the last barrier that prevents companies from conducting market research projects: project costs.

 

Money

The cost associated with conducting market research sometimes feels difficult to overcome, but most businesses owners don’t consider the opportunity that’s afforded by conducting “expensive” research (which sometimes costs as little as 5-10k). While market research might feel pricey at the time it’s conducted, it’s important that business owners remember research is a long-term investment that more than pays itself back over time. Businesses commonly spend tens of thousands of dollars developing ineffective products, or they waste money on marketing campaigns directed at the wrong demographics. Market research keeps companies from making costly blunders, helps interpret company images, and contributes to designing products that people actually want.

Admittedly, massive market research companies can be too expensive for small or medium-sized businesses. For smaller businesses that have a limited research budget, we recommend that you seek out a small or medium-sized research firm.

 

The Real Cost

Above, we’ve highlighted three things that commonly prevent small and medium-sized businesses from conducting market research, especially businesses involved in the outdoor retail industry. Business owners commonly feel that they know everything about their industry, and therefore they do not feel the need to conduct market research; we’ve argued that this perception is false because assuming you know everything about your industry creates biases and prevents you from connecting to lucrative demographics that might be interested in your business. Further, many business owners shy away from conducting market research because they simply don’t understand it; this doesn’t mean that business owners should prevent themselves from harnessing all the benefits of market research, they just need to consider contracting individuals that have that expertise. Finally, some outdoor retail businesses feel that research is not worth the monetary investment; never forget that consumer behavior research has the potential to save companies immensely more money than it costs.

In short, if you run a small or medium-sized business that does not currently engage in market research, you’re not taking full advantage of all the tools available to help grow your business.


small business video marketing

The Ultimate Guide to Small Business Video Marketing

Did you recently start your own business? Congrats!

Now that you've set everything up, you'll want to come up with a marketing strategy. How else would people learn about your amazing products?

There are several ways that you can go about doing this. For instance, you can promote it on social media. If anything, it's one of the best ways to connect with potential customers!

There's also the option of using videos. People love visuals, after all!

Want to learn more about small business video marketing? If so, you've stumbled on the right page! We'll be going over everything that you need to know below.

Keep reading to learn more!

Small Business Video Marketing: 5 Things That You Want to Do

Video marketing can help your business in several ways. Here are a few things that you might want to do when you're putting together your strategy!

1. Come Up With a Goal

The first step is to set a goal. You don't want to just put together some random content and throw it at the audience—that won't do you any good!

Be clear about what you want. Do you want to attract more customers? Or are you looking for engagement on your social media page? Ask yourself, "What do I want to get out of it?".

2. Determine Your Target Audience

It's important to determine your target audience—that will give you the insight you need in order to create a proper video.

To do this, you'll want to figure out who your product is for. From there, you want to determine the purpose of your video.

Once you've answered those questions, you'll have a better idea as to who your target audience is.

3. Figure Out the Story

Ultimately, what you want to do is to tell a story with your video—one that resonates with your target audience.

In order to do that, you'll have to decide what you want your video to be about. Don't rush it—give it some good thought. You want to lay the proper framework for your video.

4. Create a Timeline

It's a good idea to create a timeline—that way, you'll be able to stay organized with all that's going on. Remember, videos take time to make; there are a number of things that go into its production, after all!

Working with a team? Then it's even more important to have one—you can use it to keep everyone informed of their schedules!

5. Team Up With Influencers

Influencer video marketing is a great way to grow your business. It's called "digital word of mouth" for a reason!

Put it simply, it lets other people do the advertising for you. It might cost a bit extra, but it's definitely worth it! They'll be able to share the content with their followers, which will give you many extra views.

Growing Your Business with Video Marketing

And there we have it—a short guide to small business video marketing. As you can see, the process involves several steps, all of which are important!

Ready to get started? Feel free to contact us about our services!


7 B2B Marketing Strategies That Lead to Sales

Over the past few years, B2B marketing has changed. To succeed and stay ahead of your competition, you need to have a digital presence. 85% of B2B marketers confirm that lead generation is vital to the survival of a business.

B2B marketing strategies are beneficial to the business. How? They improve brand awareness and engagement. Not only that.

They help businesses find new customers and partners online. What is more, businesses are able to enter other markets much easier.

Looking for the best B2B marketing strategies?

Read on and learn the 7 B2B marketing strategies that lead to sales.

1. Be a Specialist and Not a Generalist

Want to drive sales to your business? Start marketing your B2B agency as a specialist and not a generalist. How do you go about this?

Find your niche and specialize in it. By doing so, you become the indisputable leader. As such, whenever customers are looking for products in your niche, you are the first stop.

Moreover, they now have a company to recommend to family and friends.

2. Create Buyer Personas

How do you know what your clients want? To find out what your clients want, we recommend that you create buyer personas. What is a buyer persona?

This is a semi-fictional representation of your target customer based on your research. When creating buyer personas, it is wise to consider the following:

  • Behavior patterns
  • Goals
  • Demographics
  • Motivations

By doing so, you are able to create an accurate representation of your customers.

3. Optimize Your Website for Mobile

Over 51% of smartphone users have been able to discover products or businesses through their phones. To ensure that your customers are able to find you online, optimize your website for mobile. To do so, hire a professional web design company.

By incorporating responsive design, the expert will optimize your business website for mobile. As such, it will be easier to browse from any device despite its resolution.

4. Try Content Syndication

As one of the most popular B2B marketing strategies, content syndication allows you to reach audiences you have yet to reach. Simply put, you will be leveraging audiences of complementary brands. By doing so, you get to increase your business presence and generate more leads.

This translates to increased sales and revenue.

5. Include Social Media as Part of Your B2B Marketing Strategies

The use of social media is on the increase. In fact, 3.2 billion social media users are active daily on various platforms. This translates to 42% of the global population.

The question is which is the right social platform for a B2B company?

LinkedIn has proven to be the most popular social media platform for B2B companies. The reason for this is due to the presence of other B2B companies. Other social media platforms include Instagram and Twitter.

6. Collect More Leads with Gated Videos

One of the most effective B2B strategies is gated videos. With gated videos, you can collect more leads. How?

Simply make your video content to be available for watching after registration. For non-registered users, you can offer a small part as an introduction. To watch the rest of the video, they have to register.

This helps you generate more leads.

7. Avoid Cold Calling

Cold calling is an ineffective sales technique of reaching out to potential customers. The reason why you should ditch cold calling is that it's outdated. There are far better b to b marketing strategies that will help you generate more leads.

They are email marketing, viral advertising, content marketing, and SEO.

Drive Sales and Leads with B2B Marketing Strategies

To take advantage of B2B marketing strategies, make a plan, test your campaigns, and review the results. It is also important to identify success metrics and keep testing. By following these creative strategies, you help your brand to stand out.

Want to create lasting connections with your target audience? We at Harness Consulting can help. Contact us today and take your business to the next level.


digital marketing vs traditional marketing

Digital Marketing vs Traditional Marketing in 2019

Print isn't dead yet!

According to this study, 51 percent of people still exclusively read printed newspapers.

Meanwhile, we can't go online or use a smartphone app without seeing signs of digital marketing.

The digital marketing vs. traditional marketing debate isn't over, either. Between the two, there are billboards, PPC, flyers, SEO, business cards, geofencing, and so much more. When developing a marketing plan, you have to ask: what's best for my business?

Keep reading to discover the details surrounding the traditional vs. digital marketing debate. Once you're able to recognize the core differences between the two, you can decide which strategies are best for your business!

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing encompasses any online strategies that advertise your business. This includes websites, pay-per-click ads such as Google Ads, social media, and videos.

Advantages

Instead of sending your marketing materials out into the world, digital marketing focuses on a narrow target audience. This target audience is made up of the people most likely to need your product or service.

With a focused target audience, you won't burn through your budget on people unlikely to convert into paying customers.

A powerful digital marketing strategy also gives you more control. If you need to make a change to your campaigns, you can go online and make adjustments in an instant.

This allows you to cut down on mistakes and wasted ad spend.

In the digital marketing vs. traditional marketing debate, digital marketing also wins on analytics. With this timely data, you can determine what's working (and not) throughout your campaigns.

This analytics is essential when trying to optimize your campaigns.

Disadvantages

Unfortunately, digital marketing sometimes requires time to provide helpful data. Since it isn't tangible, digital materials can also cause an emotional disconnect with potential customers.

Digital materials also don't linger. That means you need to make the most out of that first impression.

Traditional Marketing

Meanwhile, traditional marketing covers tangible print materials. These include flyers, billboards, business cards, and newspaper ads.

Advantages

Since traditional marketing materials are tangible, potential customers can look at them over and over again. This helps you linger in their minds, giving you more than one opportunity to gain their attention.

Traditional materials are also great for local audiences. You can hand out flyers and make a personal connection with potential customers.

People are also more familiar with newspaper ads and other print materials. You can leverage that familiarity so people feel more comfortable with your company.

Disadvantages

Traditional marketing doesn't offer immediate data. You also can't make changes after these materials are already printed.

These methods are also expensive. Without analytics, you can't determine an ROI that proves the costs were worthwhile.

Digital Marketing vs. Traditional Marketing

For some companies, the digital marketing vs. traditional marketing debate has a clear answer. However, a balance between these two types of marketing strategies can help you optimize opportunities to reach customers.

When deciding on online marketing vs. traditional marketing, consider what your company needs most.

For more information to help you decide traditional marketing vs digital marketing, check out our blog.