by Jenny Williamson for Search Engine Land If we’re not already, we will be facing a reckoning in the world of search marketing. Over the last several decades, our industry has grown and flourished on an overabundance of data. Search marketing is a heavily data-centric world. Hyper-specific targeting and personalized advertising tactics are the norm and pillars on which strategy, budgets and team structures are based. This reckoning that’s upon us is directly because of the excess data availability level that we have been accustomed to. Users have become increasingly aware of what data is collected and how it is…
A/B testing and SEO: How to navigate pitfalls and maximize results
by Olya Ianovskaia for Search Engine Land A/B testing can be a great tool for enhancing website functionality, user experience and conversions. However, when done at an enterprise scale, A/B testing poses unique challenges that can inadvertently undermine a site’s SEO performance. This article examines the nuanced relationship between A/B testing and SEO. The synergy of A/B testing and SEO A/B testing is the ultimate optimization tool. By directing traffic to two webpage variants (or more, in the case of multivariate testing), you can glean which version leads to better outcomes in terms of conversions, click-through rates, time on page, bounce rates…
How to Scale Your Content Marketing For Measurable Business Growth
By Michael Brenner for Marketing Insider Group Ever wonder why 45% of content marketers are breaking a sweat over how to scale content marketing? It’s no big surprise, really. Creating top-tier content is a bit like brewing the perfect cup of artisan coffee – it takes time, skill, and a whole lot of beans (or in our case, resources). But in reality, scaling your content marketing is like upgrading from a cozy café to a coffee empire. It’s tough, sure, but boy, does it pay off! The real question is, how do you amp up your strategy without it becoming a thorn in…
The Most Important Skills for B2B Marketing Agency Teams
by Ayaz Nanji for MarketingProfs Executives at B2B marketing agencies say adaptability is the most important skill for their team members to have, according to research from LinkedIn. The report was based on data from a survey of 2,000 executives globally, a subset of whom work for B2B marketing/advertising agencies. B2B agency leaders say the most important skills for their team members to have are agility/adaptability, problem solving, and innovative thinking. B2B agency leaders say the skills their team members need to work on most are data analysis/martech proficiency, innovative thinking, and adopting technologies. Additional key skills cited by B2B leaders as important for their…
The Clever Marketing Trick Every Brand Can Steal From Taylor Swift
BY JESSICA STILLMAN for Inc. How did Taylor Swift manage to pull in more than $1 billion from her recent Eras Tour? A trunkload of Grammys, a kick-butt stage show, legions of adoring fans, and an attention-grabbing romance with a certain professional athlete definitely didn't hurt. But as an everyday entrepreneur or marketing professional, you are unlikely to have any of those things to work with. So are there any other key ingredients of Swift's success that those without prodigious songwriting gifts -- and the ability to carry off rhinestone-studded boots -- can steal for themselves? According to one University of Tasmania marketing professor, the answer is yes. …
How to Create Excel Charts and Graphs
by Sara Davidson for HubSpot Excel charts and graphs are tried-and-true tools for visualizing data clearly and understandably. But for those who are not native tech gurus, it can be a bit intimidating to poke around in Microsoft Excel. I’m here to share the foundational information you need, helpful video tutorials, and step-by-step instructions for anyone feeling like they are in over their heads. Organizing a spreadsheet full of data into an accurate and attractive chart isn’t sorcery — you can do it! Let’s go over the process from A to Z. Download 10 Excel Templates for Marketers What an Excel Chart…
Reframe Criticism to Become a Better Motivator
By Michael P. Maslanka for HR Daily Advisor Be honest: Are you a good motivator at work? Scott Adams, the author of Reframe Your Brain: The User Interface for Happiness and Success, likely disagrees with your answer. But he gives us a way to rethink—or, as he puts it, reframe—our mindset on motivation. I, too, spend a lot of time thinking about this area and wanted to share some ideas as we rev up the new year. What We Do Now Adams writes that employers do it all wrong. Here’s their current drill as he sees it: Our instinct when…
Sales Prospecting: 35 Tips, Techniques, Templates, & Tools to Succeed
by Cambria Davies for HubSpot Sales prospecting is a critical pillar of any effective sales process. It’s not just a nice-to-have — prospecting in sales ensures that the leads you’re communicating with have an immediate (or potential) interest in a solution like yours. But, through my career in sales and marketing, I’ve learned firsthand that tracking down and qualifying viable sales opportunities can be as frustrating as it is essential. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to sales prospecting techniques. Below, I’ve put together everything you need to know to navigate the prospecting process like a pro. Download Now: Free…
15 Post-Purchase Email Examples to Inspire Your Next Campaign
by Mandy Bray for HubSpot I recently ordered a swimsuit online to get ready for a beach vacation. Choosing between hundreds of swimsuit styles after months in sweats is overwhelming, so I breathed an audible sigh of relief when I saw the order confirmation in my inbox. I could almost smell the ocean and feel the sand under my feet in that moment. That “shopping high” is a feeling of instant gratification and anticipation after an order. You can leverage this valuable window to boost customer loyalty and retention as a brand. To achieve this, you need the post-purchase email. How Post-Purchase…
B2B PR and Content Marketing Pros Have to Get Creative as Ad Spend Drops
by Judith Ingleton-Beer for MarketingProfs Creating high-quality content can open up an entire new avenue for media coverage, putting subject-matter experts and company developments in as many targeted publications as possible—without breaking the bank! Almost two-thirds of B2B buyers say their corporate brand messaging is too vague to actively represent their brand and attract buyers. That means the performance of high-quality, on-message strategic content you've placed will be under the spotlight. B2B PR and marketing professionals will need to extract new value for money and maximize the content lifecycle by telling creative stories, conducting research, and using SEO. No Pay-for-Play in Sight…