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 ReadingWhy You Should Get to Know Your Industry Trade Publication
by MGB2B
Cultivating relationships is the foundation of any successful business. One of the most underutilized B2B relationships is with your industry’s leading trade publication. Trade publications are narrowly targeted magazines serving a specific field. They usually include editorial content, industry news, and related advertisements. Advertising in industry trade pubs is only the first step. They can also be a very important way to start filling your sales funnel.
You may ask yourself, why should I spend time nurturing a relationship with my sales rep at the trade pub when I can simply email them an order with my print schedule for the year and be done? Because, in the current communication age, trade pubs are much more than the monthly magazine they produce.
Here Are 4 Perks of Cultivating a Relationship with Your Industry Trade Publication:
- Inside Scoop on Last-Minute Deals. After inevitable last-minute cancellations, magazines will often offer premium placements (back covers, spreads, etc.) at deep discounts. Open communication with your sales rep will get you on the short list for these exclusive deals.
- Customized Digital Opportunities. Trade publications host webinars, cultivate a library of native advertising, and send out email newsletters to a curated audience. Discuss your marketing goals with your rep and upgrade your marketing campaign to involve yourself in some of these premium digital options.
- Enhanced Trade Show Experience. Trade publications are at the hub of many industry conferences, networking events, and trade shows. Work with your trade publication to become a leader at the next event, instead of just a passive attendee. (Don’t waste time; here’s how to make the most of your next trade show).
- Editorial Preference. Sales reps are a great resource to help get your most recent press release in the hands of the right person, whom you might not reach otherwise. Also, many trade publications are happy to work with you to publish advertiser-written editorial; all you have to do is ask.
Gone are the days where a trade publication’s reach is confined to the pages of their magazine. For many B2B industries, trade pubs — and more specifically, their websites — are the pulse of the industry. They’re also the first place your potential customers will look for current news, trends, and leaders of the industry. Next time, instead of blowing off that networking event or letting your sales rep’s call go to voicemail, take the extra 5 minutes to chat with your contact and reap the benefits of a strong relationship with your industry’s leading publication.
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