For Your Lead Nurturing Programs – Where do you Find Good Content?
One of the biggest challenges B-to-B marketers face is developing/identifying content that can be used in e-newsletters, e-blasts or just plain emails as part of a nurturing program. I think a major stumbling block is that some think they need to produce all-original content themselves or have control of all the messaging. The whole point of a nurturing program is to engage potentials with RELEVANT and INTERESTING content.
Crisis Communication: If a crisis hits, do you have a plan?
Today we have a guest blog post from Nancy Valent of NMV Strategies on crisis communication. Your phone rings. It's a CNN reporter wanting to know why your facility had an explosion, which injured five of your employees. What is your response? Probably the first...
Are Independent Industrial Distributors Helping Amazon to Succeed?
The article is interesting because it not only affects distribution, but ultimately the manufacturers who supply them. From a distributor’s point of view, they are either scared to death of them or they think it’s a passing fancy and this too will go away.
Are Field Salesmen Dead?
I recently read an article in industrial Distribution Magazine by Justin Roff-Marsh that basically said that the industrial distributor field salesman, as we know it, is DOA. I don’t know what planet he was born on, but it wasn’t this one!
LinkedIn Still the Top Performer for B-to-B
I don’t know about you, but LinkedIn continues to be a top performer for me and my blog posts. The top referrer is search engines, but LinkedIn is a strong second and Twitter is third for getting the right eyes on my blog.
Sonnhalter Moves Offices to Historic Brownell Building in Downtown Cleveland
Business-to-Tradesman marketing communications firm moves from suburbs to 1320 Sumner Avenue in Cleveland. CLEVELAND – February 16, 2015 – Sonnhalter, a marketing communications firm to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, moved...
Want a Way to Attract Young People? Try a Ride and Decide Job Shadowing Program.
For those of you who read my posts on a regular basis, you know I’m concerned about the long-term viability of all the trades because the older tradesmen are retiring at a far greater pace than young folks coming in. I recently read an article in Contractor Magazine that said that out of every 4 people who leave the trades, only one is entering the field.
Are You a Strategic or Tactical Thinker?
Strategic or Tactical which is more important? It takes both to ensure a comprehensive marketing program. Most of us have no problem doing tactics since we can list the tasks and check them off.
Strategic thinking is another matter. It really sets the tone from which the tactic are identified and then implemented.
Online Video Training Can Make Contractors Be More Productive
From a manufacturing point of view, it’s in your best interest to train contractors on the best way to install your product. It eliminates call backs and helps contractors sell more of your stuff. No surprise there, but with sales forces that are stretched thin, now they can only do so much training. Where do they focus their efforts – on the distributor’s sales force or on the end user?
What Will our B-to-B Marketing Responsibilities Look Like in 2 Years?
Marketing’s role over the last decade has been pretty simple. Focus on your brand and identify new potential sales. Granted, there have been several new tools and processes introduced to help us identify, track and communicate with potential new customers. But the ultimate end game was to differentiate your brand and help identify and create good leads for sales to follow-up on.