by tradespeopleinsights | Nov 16, 2011 | Marketing Trends, Traditional Marketing
Today’s digital environment is rapidly evolving driven by the increase of devices people use to consume content. This holds true for the professional tradesman as well (remember they are consumers too).
With smartphones, tablets and other connected devices, consumers have become digital omnivores according to a new study out by comScore. Their new white paper, Digital Omnivores: How Tablets, Smartphones and Connected Devices are Changing U.S. Digital Media Consumption. Findings include:
- Consumption away from desktops and laptops is really growing.
- Smartphones are the catalyst to mobile media consumption.
- Tablet traffic is becoming notable and rising quickly.
Download a copy of the white paper.
by tradespeopleinsights | Nov 10, 2011 | Marketing Tips, Traditional Marketing
For most of us in the B2B space, trade shows usually take up a fair portion of your marketing budget. Are you leveraging social media in this space?
A recent post by Jeffrey Cohen from Social Media B2B highlighted 10 ways to maximize your efforts. Here are some highlights:
- Use full URLs for social media profiles – mailers, handouts, signage. Don’t make prospects search for you.
- Include latest topics from relevant industry groups or associations – Check LinkedIn groups or forums for the latest industry topics and share them with the group working the booth as conversation starters. A good way to break the ice and start building a relationship.
- Put content on slideshare – Create a short, highly visible deck about new products or demos you’re doing at the show. Make sure you have key-word rich descriptions and to share them prior to the show on your social network.
- Live blogging – If there is a keynote speaker, take notes and post before leaving the presentation.
- Connect with show organizers – Provide them with content for their site as well as using their #hashtag during the show.
- Conduct video interviews with customers or distributors. Subject matter can be anything from industry trends to a review of your products.
Those are some idea; what are you doing to maximize your trade show efforts?
by tradespeopleinsights | Nov 9, 2011 | Events/Trade Shows
For those of you that are going to San Antonio this weekend for the STAFDA Show, we put together an Insider’s Guide to San Antonio by asking friends and business associates about gems in the city that you might not be aware of. It includes Restaurants, Nightlife, Events and more. It’s available here.
We hope you have a good show. See you there.
by tradespeopleinsights | Nov 8, 2011 | Marketing Trends, Traditional Marketing
I recently caught up with Lindsay Konzak, editor of Modern Distribution Management (MDM) newsletter. We talked about how things are changing, especially since the downturn in the economy.
She shared with us “Four Trends in Distribution” from the MDM’s 2011 Distributor Landscape Report and what it has meant for the supplier-distributor relationship.
Click here and enjoy.
by tradespeopleinsights | Nov 3, 2011 | Marketing Trends, Social Marketing, Traditional Marketing
“The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions.”
I don’t know who said it but it’s a timeless truth. With the soft economy over the past few years and downsizing of staffs, the overall business climate has changed. Marketing departments are being asked to do more with less. In the B2B field where we operate, social media wasn’t even on the radar screen a few years ago, but now it’s at the forefront. While social media doesn’t have much outside costs, it does take its toll on inside time and talent.
A recent study by Marketing Sherpa, the 2012 B2B marketing benchmark report, brought up some disturbing facts. The biggest was that 62% of marketers biggest challenge was lack of resources!
How are marketing departments supposed to be putting out class A stuff when there isn’t enough time in the day? Companies need to recognize that a good sales plan starts with a good marketing plan. Find help for your department whether it’s freelance or competent agencies that know your market. As business gets better, if you don’t speak out, they will try to put even more things on your plate.
Those are my thoughts; any comments?
