by SARAH LYNCH for INC. Your marketing money is precious, and spending it to promote another organization may not seem worthwhile. But think again. Indeed defines cause marketing as a "type of campaign in which a for-profit business seeks to advocate for a social cause while increasing profits." In this way, cause marketing is different from charitable giving, says Lauren Reed, CEO of Reed Public Relations, a Nashville-based public relations and marketing agency that offers cause marketing services: "It's truly a marketing function that drives sales and awareness for your organization while also benefiting your nonprofit or community partner." Pulling together a top-tier cause marketing campaign…
AI-enhanced YouTube marketing: Insights from 3 case studies
by Greg Jarboe for Search Engine Land YouTube marketing is growing increasingly sophisticated with the application of artificial intelligence (AI). Brands and marketers are finding new ways to use AI tools to improve the impact of their YouTube campaigns. This article examines three case studies from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and India, showcasing successful examples of AI-enhanced YouTube marketing. Creating video content that resonates It takes time and talent to master the art of creating video content that can change hearts, minds and actions. At least, that was the case until recently, when three key trends started reshaping YouTube marketing. (Spoiler alert: AI-generated…
How Do Buyers Prefer to Interact With Sales Reps? [New Data]
by Erin Rodrigue for HubSpot Confession time: I've been in the market for a new car for months now, but the thought of stepping onto a car lot and negotiating prices with a car salesperson is about as exciting as getting a root canal. Luckily for me, the Internet exists, and I can do quite a bit of research on my own. I can pinpoint the exact value of my current car, compare prices, and find the right car for me. But this got me wondering: is my do-it-yourself approach a reflection of a larger trend with modern consumers? Are…
Do More With Less: Six Smart Ways to Balance Brand & Demand to Drive Growth in Tough Times
by Mat Zucker, Kate Price for MarketingProfs For marketers who spent most of the past year trimming budgets and delaying launches, it's no shock that 2024 will bring more of the same. A recent study from Gartner found that 75% of senior marketers report being asked to do more with less, and 86% agree that those budget cuts mean making big changes in how they work to achieve their goals. If marketers thought the economic outlook would become clearer, they're likely disappointed. The risk of recession in the year ahead keeps falling and labor markets are strong, but consumer confidence is still shaky. That…
Which Hogwarts House Do Marketers Belong To? [Infographic]
by Ayaz Nanji for MarketingProfs Have you ever wondered which Harry Potter house fits you best as a marketer? If so, you're in luck. An infographic (below) from Media Update covers whether you're more Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. Specifically, it looks at how four key traits of great marketers—bravery, ambition, intelligence, and empathy—correspond to each house. Check out the infographic:
How To Make On-Site Perks Fair For Remote Employees
EXPERT OPINION BY ALISON GREEN for INC. Inc.com columnist Alison Green answers questions about workplace and management issues--everything from how to deal with a micromanaging boss to how to talk to someone on your team about body odor. Here's a roundup of answers to four questions from readers. 1. How can I make our on-site perks fair for our remote employees? I manage a team that's a mix of on-site employees and remote workers. I'm intentional about keeping my remote workers included in both regular work-related and social/sidebar conversations. However, we'll sometimes order lunch for everyone in the office or have an occasional pizza party.…
Marketing as a Service, or How to Improve B2B Marketing Impact
by Domenic Colasante for MarketingProfs When there are revenue headwinds and economic uncertainty, CFOs put a lot of attention on budgets and expenses. During tough times, reducing marketing headcount and media spend is a standard cost-cutting lever. Meanwhile, B2B CMOs are given goals to generate growth for the business through more pipeline and revenue impact. Clearly, those two approaches are in conflict with each other. Modern CFOs, however, understand that crises sometimes present opportunities—that focusing on transformation instead of stark cost-cutting can lead to increased growth and operating efficiency. The reality is that CFOs can recommend a lever for marketing that…
[Book Review] An Authoritative Road Map To High-Impact Content Marketing
by G. DAVID DODD for B2B Marketing Directions Last November, I published a review of Robert Rose's new book, Content Marketing Strategy. Rose's book is one of the best I've recently read, and it's an important addition to our library of content marketing literature. If you haven't read Content Marketing Strategy, I recommend that you add it to your reading list for 2024. Shortly after I finished Rose's book, I discovered and read Purna Virji's new book, High-Impact Content Marketing: Strategies to Make Your Content Intentional, Engaging and Effective (Kogan Page, 2023). This is also an excellent book, and I enthusiastically recommend it. Purna Virji is…
The Very Real Corporate Impact of Employee Depression
By Lin Grensing-Pophal, for HR Daily Advisor Depression and other mental health issues have long been considered a taboo topic of discussion, both in the workplace and in society more generally. People traditionally have not been very open about their mental health, especially with employers, both for fear of social stigma and being seen as unfit for their job. Attitudes toward mental health issues, though, have advanced and matured significantly in recent years. That makes both the prevalence and impact of depression and other mental health issues more visible. How Prevalent Are Mental Health Issues and Depression in the Workforce? According…
19 Best Free Marketing & Sales Templates for Microsoft Excel
by Carly Williams for HubSpot In my experience, sales and marketing Excel templates can help you expedite your data analysis and reporting. To help those of you looking for a way to sharpen your Microsoft Excel skills, I've put together a detailed list of templates you can start using to simplify your sales and marketing tasks. Download 10 Excel Templates for Marketers Know what's even better? You can download a kit of Excel templates in one fell swoop. Free Excel Marketing Templates 10 free templates to help you master marketing with Excel. Marketing Reporting Template Email Planning Template SEO Template And…