B2B Monday Myth: Creating Content Is All You Need To Do
by MGB2B
The Myth: All I need to do is create good content, and people will find it.
The Truth: Content found organically is wonderful, but you’ll need to distribute it in other ways to get more quality leads.
In the last few years, the role of content marketing has grown exponentially. Many businesses, large and small, have poured a hefty share of their marketing budgets into content creation and have increased conversion because of it. But is creating quality content with great SEO all you need to reach your target? Accomplished content marketer and author of The Content Formula, Michael Brenner, puts it this way: “Even great content needs a push.” So what are the best ways to push your content?
How to Distribute B2B Content:
Paid Search
Paid Search, also referred to as Pay-Per-Click (PPC), is one of the best ways to reach prospects with your content. That’s because you are reaching people who are actively searching for what you have to offer. Plus, when done correctly, it can help you secure a spot on Google above organic listings. Although it can be a bit costly, the benefits are well worth the investment.
One of the main benefits is that you can make real-time changes to your messaging. Arguably the best feature of Paid Search is that you can target your messaging, and then easily change it up at a moment’s notice. You can run several different ads to see which copy drives the most prospects to your content, then cut out the ads that aren’t performing and sink that money into the high-performing ad to drive more quality leads.
You can also geo-target your ads, so that you are reaching people only within the markets you want to pursue. If you have a limited Paid Search budget, this feature can be very useful.
Paid Social
A close relative of Paid Search is paid social. The major difference is that instead of advertising on search engines, Paid Social allows you to advertise on social media. Paid Social allows you to reach beyond just your followers. Facebook in particular, really enables you to narrow your target. You can actually have a Custom Audience made up of your database of prospects. If you have over 100 people on your list and they are on Facebook, you can serve up ads directly to them. You can also retarget people who have visited your website to capture those who have shown interest in your product or service, but maybe weren’t ready to convert yet.
You can also target your ads in order to add new people to your prospects list. You can target by demographics and location, but also by categories like Employer and Job Title, so your content is getting directly into the hands of people who will find it useful.
Trade Publication Programs
While the consumer magazine industry may be dying, the trade pub industry is alive and well. And a good relationship with your industry trade pubs can be a great tool to have in your arsenal. Getting access to their lists is one of the best ways to grow your list of qualified leads. These are people who are already in your world, looking for content that is relevant to them. Some publications already have elaborate content distribution programs in place. All you have to do is give them your white papers and infographics, and they’ll circulate it to the right people in their database for you.
Creating compelling and relevant content is only the half the battle. Paid media strategies greatly improve the chances of your content being seen by the right people at the right time. And that translates into highly qualified leads for your sales team. It’s an effort that is easy to fine-tune and well worth the money.
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5 Tips for Smart B2B Marketers on Black Friday
by MGB2B
Everyone else is out getting deals, pushing through crowds, and fighting over the last electronic gadget available for 79% off. But you — you are sitting back, eating a nice pile of leftovers, and planning for 2017. That’s the kind of business you run. So as you prepare, we’ve got a fews tips to get you started.
Here Are 5 Tips for Smart B2B Marketers As You Think Ahead to 2017:
- Get Your Creative Media Mix Right. Are you using the right medium at the right point in the sales funnel? This guide will help you fine-tune your plan, and hit the right people at the right time.
- See What You Can Gain From Your Trade Pubs. You can get more than just a print ad from your trade publications. More opportunities. More value. And a lot more leads.
- Learn the Latest Paid Search Opportunities. Adwords device bidding is one of the latest tools available to B2B marketers from our friends at Google. Those who use it correctly can gain an edge over their competitors.
- Know How Others In Your Industry Use Content. Learn not only the important stats for 2017, but what each one means for you.
- Rock the Trade Shows. Trade shows aren’t obsolete. They actually offer great new opportunities that never existed before. Use these 8 tips to do trade events right in 2017 — before, during, and after each show.
As the exhausted masses return from the malls, bruised and irritated by humanity, you’ll be sitting home with a belly full of turkey and a brain brimming with ideas for next year.
Happy Thanksgiving and a very Happy (and Smart) Black Friday to you!
Need more ideas for 2017? Drop us a line.
Continue ReadingB2B Monday Myth: Paid Search Isn’t Worth the Money
by MGB2B
The Myth: Paid Search Isn’t Worth the Money
The Truth: Paid Search Can Provide Great Results If It’s Managed Right
One of the biggest challenges for B2B marketers is getting good search rankings. There are likely many companies battling for the top key words in your industry. Paid Search, when done correctly, can help you grab the spots above organic results at the very top of the SERP (Search Engine Results Page). It’s true that some have trouble getting results from Paid Search. But there are usually some elements they can fine-tune in order to make it a more successful campaign. So whether you’ve tried and given up, or are diving into Paid Search for the first time, here are a few important things to think about:
- Know Your Target. Make sure you know your target audience well so that the ads you create will resonate. In this way, it is not unlike traditional advertising.
- Choose Your Words (Message) Carefully. Be original and impactful with your word choices. If the message is off, the ads won’t work. This is one mistake many marketers make with Paid Search that can be easily avoided.
- Get Your Keywords Right. Luckily, this is something that you can fine-tune as you go, but having the right keywords is well, key. Because while keywords are certainly not the only thing to take into account, they are the foundation of search engine marketing. If your competitors are outbidding you, step back and take a look at how you can get more targeted with your keywords. There’s a possibility you can own phrases that they’ve never even considered.
- Consider Geography. If you do Paid Search and target every place on the globe, you’re likely wasting valuable dollars. Targeting can be as wide as by country or as narrow as by zip code. And it can save you a ton of money.
- Monitor and Refine. This is perhaps the most important piece of Paid Search advice. You can test what’s working. If one ad, keyword, or zip code is not performing as well as others, you can cut it and put more money into the ones that are. Or you can use that money to test new ideas, words, and offers. The possibilities are nearly unlimited, and you get more bang for your buck.
When you take these steps, the potential ROI for Paid Search is very high. Paid Search for B2B brands is constantly evolving, which means the opportunities for sellers to generate brand awareness and quality leads grows every day. Stay on top of where Paid Search is headed and how it’s performing for your brand. When you do, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of a carefully crafted Search Campaign.
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