By Michael for Marketing Insider Group The digital marketing world may continue to change, but one thing’s for sure: content remains king. And what sets great content apart from the rest? In-depth content marketing research. Understanding your audience, staying up-to-date on trends, and analyzing competitors are crucial steps in creating content that resonates and drives results. However, diving deep into research can sometimes feel impossible. That’s where content marketing research tools come into play, streamlining the processes and turning challenges into opportunities. In this blog post, we explore some of the top content marketing research tools that have not only revolutionized the way…
How to validate your B2B startup idea
By LENNY RACHITSKY for Lenny's Newsletter Welcome to part two of kickstarting and scaling a B2B business. Here’s where we’re at: Part 1: How to come up with a great B2B startup idea Part 2: How to validate your idea ← This post Part 3: How to identify your ICP Part 4: How to find and win your first 10 customers Part 5: How to find product-market fit Part 6: How, and when, to hire your early team Part 7: How to scale your growth engine Let’s get into it. A huge thank-you to Akshay Kothari (COO of Notion), Ali Ghodsi (CEO of Databricks), Barry McCardel (CEO of Hex), Boris Jabes (CEO of Census), Calvin French-Owen (co-founder…
Taking bold steps in a changing marketplace
by MARK DANCER for Mark Dancer on Innovating B2B The integration of renewable energy sources into the electric power system is revolutionizing the energy landscape, and electrical distributors are at ground zero—but the design and operation of the value chain for electrical products is uncertain and evolving, without a coherent vision. The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) has stepped up, creating the Futures Group to explore the future and Office Hours to engage distributors, suppliers, contractors, startups, vendors, and communities in a thoughtful conversation and collaboration. I am thrilled to support NAED’s effort. This edition shares our first annual report on…
You’re So Vain: The ‘Me, Me, Me’ POV—How to Avoid the Most Common Sin in Marketing
by John Furgurson for Marketing Profs I guess vanity's not technically a sin. It didn't make the list of the seven deadliest, anyway. But the "look at me" approach to messaging and copy is certainly one of the most common mistakes in marketing. How many times have you seen a social media post with a look-at-me selfie and a headline like "We just got our product on Amazon!" Or the equally meaningless "My book's an Amazon bestseller." (For a five-hour period in a tiny, esoteric category.) Who cares?! Many people would argue that's what social media is good for, but the "me, me,…
Top 15 Challenges Small Businesses are Facing Today
by Joshua Sophy for SmallBizTrends.com Starting a business can be an exhilarating time but for many small business owners, however, it can also be a time filled with many challenges. Many small business owners find some of their biggest business challenges due simply to the lack of knowledge. While success is never guaranteed in business, careful preparation can help ensure a small business’s survival in the long run. Why Do So Many Small Businesses Fail? Business leaders fail due to inadequate planning or a flawed business model. Without a clear strategy, it can be difficult to sustain operations, especially when budgets are…
Qualitative and Quantitative Research for Small Business
by the Business & IP Centre at the British Library If you’re a time-starved entrepreneur, there’s little doubt that market research can appear a daunting prospect. Where do you begin? You might already feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day as you attempt to establish your business, but it’s vital that you ring-fence some time to sit down and better understand your industry before you go ahead with new business ideas. Market research for small businesses broadly falls into two distinctive categories – qualitative research and quantitative research. Both of which have their own strengths, but when used together,…