INBOUND ACCELERATOR

Some see marketing and communications as an art. And it definitely can be: crafting creative text and images that elicit emotion and drive action requires creativity, vision, and an understanding of how words and visual elements work together. That’s the art.

But, it is also a science. Marketing success relies on data, as well. That includes both the data that help tell your brand’s stories (see more on using data in marketing content here: 5 Ways To Use Survey Data) and analyzing your own performance data to find ways to improve future campaigns.

Siri, what time is it in Berlin? Alexa, find a recipe for sugar cookies. OK, Google, what restaurants are near me?

In just two years, as many as half of all internet searches will likely be voice searches, according this infographic by Grazitti Interactive that was recently shared on MarketingProfs.com.

Original data provides an authoritative underpinning for the most compelling stories marketers tell. While the story is essential, when it is backed up by research that provides guidelines for solving problems, the combination is twice as strong. So you want to get the most mileage possible from the data and the stories it tells.

Too often, marketers fall short in their use of surveys, however.

Images can sometimes tell stories that words can’t begin to translate, especially when the information being presented is complex.

Business blogging is a long-term commitment, if you are dedicated to making it a part of your marketing strategy. And it is essential for inbound marketing, as it is a key way of building search rankings and linking website visitors to lead conversion opportunities.

When it comes to B2B marketing, content is essential. Buyers want information, and most want to see a lot of it before they engage with a salesperson.

This collection of 64 different statistics gathered by iScribblers highlights some of the key things to consider as you craft your own B2B content marketing and inbound strategies.

As you craft each inbound marketing campaign, some of the most challenging content to get right is the middle of the funnel material. What will be useful for those newly-acquired leads who are actively researching solutions, but still a ways from making an actual decision?

As humans, we tend to like our routines and habits. We set an alarm for the same time every morning. Breakfast looks identical most days. Following routines and doing things the same way every time is reassuring and comfortable.

But sometimes, it can mean you are stuck in a rut. And while our brains crave routine in what we do, they also crave new experiences in what we read and watch. As a marketer, or the writer of a B2B business blog, that means that while you feel most comfortable writing the same style of blog post every week (or every day), your readers are looking for something new and different.

Q4 is almost here, and that means it is time to look ahead to what you want to accomplish in 2019 (and make the most of the time and resources — including marketing budget — remaining in 2018).

It isn’t always easy to keep a steady stream of content flowing to market your business. That holds true for large corporations, start-ups, SMBs, non-profits and every other iteration of commerce trying to use social media and digital content today.

The content machine is insatiable.