Savvy B2B Marketing - Latest Blog Comments

Save Time & Stress – Blog Editorial Calendar Template - Mark W Schaefer

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:06:27 -0500

Simply fantastic list of tips! I really leanred something here today!

7 Ideas to Help You Differentiate Yourself on Your B2B Website - Jamie Wallace

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:12:49 -0500

Great post, Michele!
Coming up with that point of differentiation, or "USP" - unique selling proposition - can be one of the toughest pieces of the marketing puzzle. Your suggestions on how to "mine" for the really good bits are excellent.

I also echo Dianna's advice to seek outside help. It's much too easy to get mired in our own expectations and aspirations when it comes to talking about why people should work with us. Sometimes, it takes someone who knows less about us to easily see what makes us stand out.

Great ideas - thanks!

7 Ideas to Help You Differentiate Yourself on Your B2B Website - Michele Linn

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:48:52 -0500

Dianna,

I agree that service providers and small businesses can benefit from an outside perspective, but I think this advice is as equally applicable to larger organizations, too (perhaps even more so). As I experienced when I was in product marketing, it's so easy to get tunnel vision because everyone on the team is working from a very similar experiences. It's amazing to me how much a different perspective can make a huge difference, especially if the organization is open to making changes.

One other observation I'll add: I started doing a detailed analysis of my own website months ago. It was helpful, but a) it didn't offer me that much of a new perspective; and b) I never finished it because client projects took priority. Another benefit of working with someone else is that it makes you accountable! When I'm ready to update my site, I'm sure I'll find someone to help.

7 Ideas to Help You Differentiate Yourself on Your B2B Website - Dianna Huff

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:43:49 -0500

Michele,

Like you, I tell my clients that having me write for them gives them an outside perspective on their business and services / products.

Of course, I never thought to seek outside help for myself.

For those of you reading this post, having Michele help me communicate what I do was invaluable and it made redoing my Website about much, much easier. I don't like tooting my horn -- Michele tooted it for me. :-)

She also provided a detailed analysis of my site -- again, something I provide for my clients but had never done for myself.

If you're a service provider / small business and struggling to communicate who you are, I highly recommend you get outside help. I'm really glad I did!

Savvy Week in Review - March 12 - Jamie Wallace

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:53:53 -0600

@Mark - OMG ... you're right! Perhaps I should have stated that the "price" of admission is the reader's precious time. Tks for the Friday "funny."

@Barbra - Thanks for the additional link.

@Dianna - Nice to "see" you. Thank YOU for publishing stuff we love to share.

Savvy Week in Review - March 12 - Dianna Huff

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:55:44 -0600

Thank you for including my post about email!

5 Ways to Repackage Your Best B2B Content - Michele Linn

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:33:00 -0600

Kim,
I couldn't agree more. While it is good to provide multiple formats for your content, you don't want to be seen as a "one-trick pony" who has nothing new to offer. I think this is a fine balance. Thanks for reminding us all of a very important point!

5 Ways to Repackage Your Best B2B Content - Kim Kleeman

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:38:50 -0600

Great article. Re -packaging cntent is a great way to gain new readers, but be careful in using content over and over- readers will begin to think content is stale and not fresh!

Savvy Week in Review - March 12 - Barbra Gago

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:48:07 -0600

Savvy, thank you for including my post! These are all great pieces of content. Just wanted to include the first of that series: web link Content Mapping 101: Building Personas! Again, great list!

Barbra

Savvy Week in Review - March 12 - Mark W Schaefer

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:45:01 -0600

I know you mean this as a compliment, but I am laughing out loud at your mention that my blog is worth the price of admission ... which is nothing! : )

So funny. Reminds me of a time my supervisor at work told me I was 10 times better than my replacement. But of course, he said, my predeccesor had been worth zero and 10 times zero is still zero. Best back-handed compliment ever : )

A 7-Step Plan for Getting Started with Content Marketing - Michele Linn

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:56:28 -0600

@John: Good point. You certainly can't go wrong with engaging content!

@Vinod: Thanks. I can't tell you how often my daughter inspires me to think differently about B2B marketing. Interacting with a 2-year old and interacting with prospects/customers require many of the same skills!

Shock and Awe - guidelines for use in writing and presentations - tread gently while going for blood - Dropshippers Free Blog

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:43:13 -0600

Using shock have proved to be really effective and now most of the media uses shock to capture attention. I totally agree that using shock is just like a comedienne where timing is important. The post is really interesting.

A 7-Step Plan for Getting Started with Content Marketing - Vinod Srinivas

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:13:14 -0600

Hi Michele, this is a great 7 step plan with Content Marketing. The process of looking ahead, a year or two into the future, is a strategy that definitely works. Your post is informative, but what I really like is your comparison between a new-born and content marketing. That makes it easy for people who are fresh into strategy to understand the real fragility involved with creative content. Plans usually never work with content marketing, because you'll have to constantly innovate, and every new content strategy is a new experience, just like your last paragraph states. Nice post!

A 7-Step Plan for Getting Started with Content Marketing - John White

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:53:43 -0600

Don't forget about giving your readers ways to interact with and move that content, either on your blog, as you've done here, or through other social media channels.

A Platform for Syndicating B2B Content to Partners - Rick

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:38:36 -0600

This is a great way of using resources I already have. Digital marketing collateral (check!), a large partner / reseller / VAR / solution provider base (check!) – count me in.

Thanks for the great post!

“Pardon Me, Your Brand is Leaking” – 3 Ways to Fix It - Vinod Srinivas

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:52:49 -0600

Very true, at the end of the day, it's not how loud your voice is and how many people can hear you, but how convincing it is to the people that matter. Cheers!.

“Pardon Me, Your Brand is Leaking” – 3 Ways to Fix It - John White

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:16:36 -0600

Vinod: Many people who spread themselves too thin think that the only downside is that they spend 16 hours/day going from one channel to another. My point is that the slippage in the branding is a less conspicuous yet equally vexing problem.
-John

“Pardon Me, Your Brand is Leaking” – 3 Ways to Fix It - Vinod Srinivas

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:36:09 -0600

An illuminating post, John. I think your ideas on plugging those leaks are great. What I especially liked about your post is your idea on spreading it too thin in the online world. I've seen a lot of people going wrong with that point without realising it, and scratching their heads wondering where they went wrong! You've got a lot of great ideas in here.

Who says B2B is boring! - Nancy Phelps

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:02:16 -0600

I don't think there is a single marketer left on the planet who doesn't realize the power of web video. However, I've seen several DIY video marketers let themselves down with poor execution. Many would do well to invest in a <a href="web link calculator</a> for starters. Doing so will make sure you retain visual quality but don't make viewers wait for your video to buffer in download.

Kickass Webinar Content in 3 Steps - Jamie Wallace

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:38:27 -0600

Thanks, Craig. Glad to be of help!