August 6th, 2010 - Posted in Solution Provider Services by Tim Freestone
I recently read the book “Rework” by the gang over at 37signals (creators of the excellent online project management tool Basecamp). My big takeaway: keep it simple. And as I thought more about this, I realized that keeping it simple is really more than just a management mantra. It’s actually an “everything mantra” … and especially a marketing mantra.
Too often, I see marketing programs focused more on bells and whistles than on sound processes that will lead to results – especially channel partner support marketing programs that roll out of IT manufacturers. I’ve seen a program take a year to roll out, when it should have taken a month. And, I’m no stranger to watching IT marketing professionals chase the “next big thing” and in doing so cloud their judgment. As a result, they lost what would have been an effective “thing right now.”
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August 4th, 2010 - Posted in Social Media Marketing by Tim Freestone
If you think you’re losing readers on your marketing blog, it might not be because of your content. In fact, they just might be forgetting about you, and that’s a problem you can fix.
Think about the media that bombards your clients — or anybody — every day. There are television shows, blogs, newspapers and corporate marketing materials. It’s tough to work your way into the “mandatory reading” rotation, especially since you’re using your blog to market (and may not be publishing daily).
To maximize your visibility, you need to remind your core readers that they like your content — usually, that’s all it is. Read our recent guest post on SocialTimes to learn how you can keep bringing your readers back for more!
[Source: SocialTimes]
August 2nd, 2010 - Posted in Social Media Marketing, Solution Provider Services by Tim Freestone
It’s the marketing mix that leads to better demand generation — not a focus on one particular approach. To fill your sales pipeline, it’s best to use a combination of new and traditional marketing techniques. Don’t ignore social media, but at the same time, be sure to build in some direct mail and telemarketing. The key is to pull it all together into an integrated go-to-market strategy.
Instead of thinking about marketing tactics, start with your objectives. What do you want to accomplish? This can include revenue goals, new account wins and existing client penetration. Once you’ve figured out what you want to reach, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to get there.
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Six Ways to Avoid Over-Complicating Your Marketing
