Key to Marketing Automation Success: Process First, then Campaigns

In a phone call this week I was swapping war stories with a well-known sales and marketing consultant, who, like us, works with B2B companies to improve their return on marketing automation. Interestingly, our experiences in the rapidly evolving marketing automation...
How to Revive a Dying E-Newsletter: 4 Tips

How to Revive a Dying E-Newsletter: 4 Tips

The demise of email newsletters as an effective B2B marketing tactic has been, to paraphrase Mr. Twain, grossly exaggerated. In fact, email newsletters can be a critical part of an ongoing lead nurturing strategy. At minimum, a well-crafted newsletter serves to break...
Call Every New Sales Lead 6 Times? Sorry, that’s Crazy.

Call Every New Sales Lead 6 Times? Sorry, that’s Crazy.

I only recently came across the results of research published late last year by Leads360, a leading provider of hosted (SaaS) solutions for managing sales leads. In their August 2010 report, “Building the Optimal Inquiry Response Strategy,” Leads360 use the data...
Q4 Marketing Budget: 4 Key Areas to Consider

Q4 Marketing Budget: 4 Key Areas to Consider

In B2B circles, Q4 is historically a time of year when marketing spend picks up. Sales teams need the push to meet year-end numbers, whilst at other companies, spending marketing dollars in Q4 is simply a matter of “use it or lose it.” Even with the recession now...
5 Ways To Incorporate Direct Mail Into Your Marketing Mix

5 Ways To Incorporate Direct Mail Into Your Marketing Mix

Pop Quiz! Direct Mail is: a) more expensive than email b) quaintly old-fashioned c) regaining popularity in B2B circles d) often overlooked as an effective way to reach customers and prospects. Answer: (e) all of the above. Yet many B2B marketers continue to be...
Book Review: Essential Marketing Automation Handbook

Book Review: Essential Marketing Automation Handbook

This is a very belated review of a book that has been in my reading pile since December 09. But I’m glad I found the time. Published by the folks at marketing automation software company Genius.com, and authored by respected consultant, author, and blogger Ardath...