Comments from K2 Global Communications

Nike’s online community built around its Run+ mobile app not only benefits members through personal training tips and challenges, but also helps the company gain an in-depth understanding of its users’ interests and behaviors.

Online fashion brand Asos’ social followers constantly share content and respond to comments.

Spin Sucks’ 80,000+-strong community’s passion for content marketing has made the brand a leader in the PR and communications industry.

Social media plays a critical role in building a community of loyal customers who can positively impact your brand or business.

Topics: content marketing, social media, brand, customer communications, audience, messaging, personas, client relations, Shared media, linkedin, marketing qualified leads, sales qualified leads, twitter, youtube, facebook, reputation

Thanks for using K2 Global Communications Website Grader Tool. If you haven't, you can access it here.

No matter your score, here are some quick tips to generate more active visits for your existing and potential client base.

Topics: content marketing, marketing, brand, customer communications, SEO, Account-based marketing, client relations, integrated marketing, collaborative marketing, website

1. Build brand awareness: No one buys from an unknown company
2. Increase product value: Third-party endorsement increases the value of your solution
3. Increases exposure to potential customers

Topics: customer communications, B2B, b2x

Hmmm…should this be a blog or rant?

We’re constantly amazed at the number of companies who’ve been around for years and don’t have a cohesive messaging document (MD).

While I understand the aversion – MDs are difficult to execute, with various stakeholders within the company trying to get their voices heard – a well-conceived MD creates a virtual paint-by-numbers scenario, where all of your USPs are well defined for audiences across the purchasing chain, smoothing the account-based marketing process.

Topics: marketing, brand, customer communications, message, messaging, corporate communications, client relations, integrated marketing

Collaborative marketing is a must-add to your overall B2B marketing strategy. Collaborative marketing means building connections, networking, and establishing formal partnerships among related, non-competitive businesses to increase brand awareness, gain new customers, and boost sales.

Topics: content marketing, content, brand, customer communications, integrated marketing, collaborative marketing, email marketing

Know the pros and cons before you dive in

Like any endeavor, B2B collaborative marketing has its up and downsides. It’s up to the partner-brand companies to strike a good balance. Before we dive too deeply into B2B collaborative marketing pros and cons, definitions are in order because a few related terms - i.e., co-branding, co-marketing, brand partnership - are often bandied about and may cause confusion.

Topics: content marketing, marketing, social media, brand, customer communications, integrated marketing, collaborative marketing

B2B messaging should clearly explain the unique selling propositions (USPs) and myriad advantages of your solution to everyone participating in purchasing process. Sometimes, that just isn’t achieved.

Fail 1 - The “too-broad” B2B messaging

General marketing blah-blah is not appreciated. Technology products are very rarely designed for general use, and the more specific you message to your personas, the better. Messaging must make it immediately apparent who benefits from your product and how.

Topics: persona, customer communications, message, messaging, B2B

The best version of collaborative marketing drives success for everyone involved – sharing channels to present complementary solutions strengthens both brands while increasing leads.

1) Select the type of B2B partnership you need

• Strategic partnership - Align with non-competitive companies that offer products or services that complement yours - for example, a healthcare provider and a health data platform that offers remote access - can help both brands reach into each other’s markets to expand their customer base and grow revenue.

Topics: content marketing, content, customer communications, corporate communications, Account-based marketing, collaborative marketing, SMART Goals

In the “change is the only constant” department, we’re seeing B2B marketing evolve in approach, philosophy, and focus - with new opportunities and technologies promising to impact businesses for the long-run. Some of these come from the increasing sway of B2C marketing, others from emerging technology, and still others from the pandemic. Whatever their provenance, these will keep B2B marketers on their feet so they can stay ahead of the competition.

Topics: content, marketing, brand, customer communications, B2B, marketing qualified leads, sales qualified leads, sales funnel, trends, customer journey

Consumers are overwhelmed with offers – WhatsApp ads, retargeting, Facebook and LinkedIn ads, text messages, and some even still watch TV and listen to the radio. In today’s super-competitive climate, if you want to get prospects’ attention and money, you’ll need to hook them with highly targeted messages wrapped in something:

Topics: news value, content marketing, marketing, customer communications, messaging, personas, sales, client relations, video, b2c