Comments from K2 Global Communications

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 unique value propositions/unique selling propositions (UVPs/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

 

Understanding the role of market research and up-to-date intelligence

Many companies are overlooking the critical importance of market research and fail to use it to get actionable insights about their customers. With unpredictable markets, up-to-date intelligence from effective research can help B2B marketers stay on top of customers’ evolving needs to clearly understand what they want or don’t want - knowledge that can inspire truly customer-centric messaging.

Topics: Market research, Customer communications, Message, Messaging, B2B, Marketing strategy

B2B messaging should clearly explain the unique value and selling propositions (UVPs/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

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 (MQL), Sales qualified leads (SQL), Sales funnel, Trends, Customer journey

Topics: Marketing, Persona, Brand, Customer communications, Audience, Sales, Planning, Marketing strategy, Tactics

Today’s B2B buyers and their buyer’s journeys have changed, and that’s why integrated marketing matters - a lot.

Topics: Marketing, Brand, Customer communications, Account-based marketing, Influencer, B2B, Customer journey, Integrated marketing, Influencer marketing

At the end of the day, businesses market to people, not to faceless decision-making committees or a bunch of same-demographic consumers. Whether you’re selling to CEOs or stay-at-home dads, your marketing should speak to individual customers - think “human” instead of “the client” or “the client company” - each with his or her own tastes, interests, expectations, preferences, life, and work situations.

Topics: Content marketing, Content, Marketing, Brand, Customer communications, Audience, Messaging, Corporate communications, ABM, PESO

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

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