Advertiser Platforms
Article | March 4, 2024
Where’s the nearest click and collect? What time does our local store close in light of the latest COVID-19 restrictions? Where can I order that toy car he/she wanted for Christmas?
Our bet is Google is your first port of call for an answer to any of these questions.
If it is, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that Google processes 5.8 billion user searches per day. And, even though there are other search engines out there, like Bing and Yahoo, it is by far the most popular.
So, with so many potential customers – because let’s face it, of those 5.8 billion there are bound to be a few thousand searching for your specific products or services - businesses simply cannot overlook advertising on Google. And even more so now thanks to restrictions on physical stores across the world being put back in place to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Nate Burke, CEO and founder of Diginius, an ecommerce solutions provider that specialises in digital marketing PPC management, explains how you can get the most out of your Google advertising activities.
The first round of lockdowns during the spring and early summer saw many businesses with physical outlets grind to almost a complete halt. Going digital was the only option for many in order to have some chance of survival.
This saw restaurants offering online order services, more retailers moving into ecommerce and professional services conducting remote meetings via video calls.
Despite some easing of restrictions, many have kept digital their focus. For example, video meetings such as Microsoft Teams, which grew by 894% between February to June in 2020, are now prevalent as the office’s new best friend. And restaurants for instance, have advanced their minimal contact table service, allowing customers to order and pay for food on their phones by scanning a QR code or downloading an app.
But now, with lockdown restrictions being re-enforced in Britain and many other parts of the world, businesses looking to maximise their sales and earnings ahead of the Christmas period, and before the New Year begins, can’t ignore the advertising opportunities available on Google.
PPC
PPC advertising is perhaps the most obvious opportunity. It’s the best way to guarantee that your brand is put in front of an audience and can help generate a spike in traffic and leads.
Paid Search identifies “buyers” immediately. People who have typed in and are clicking a specific keyword tends to already be in buying mode, even if only at the research stage of the journey, which is so powerful compared to the rest of the marketing mix
This is because searchers seek convenience. We have come to expect the first listing on a Search Engine Results Page (SERP) to provide an answer to our query. If it doesn’t, we are more likely to change our search than scroll through pages and pages of results.
Therefore, getting your brand on that all-important first page is crucial for success on Google, which is exactly why paid advertising is beneficial. Not only can it promise a guaranteed spot here, if, the price is right for you, but it could also, potentially, provide you with the number one position.
As well as SERPs, ads can be created for the display network, utilising visual aids in the form of graphics and videos to attract leads on the Google Shopping network, which is particularly beneficial for ecommerce businesses looking to increase sales.
However, to ensure your ads are shown to people who will add value to your business, PPC activity must be strategically mapped out and effectively managed. Account set-up, keywords and bidding strategies must be considered, monitored and then adjusted to ensure your activity is effective and a return on your investment is achieved.
This requires dedicated personnel, time and budget – for both ad spend and management practices for either training, wages or outsourcing the task to an agency.
But, despite the capital required to get started, there are a number of ways to ensure you yield results that make it worthwhile. For example, remarketing can help minimise lost leads and maximise budget by targeting potential customers who have already shown an interest in your product or service.
Automation strategies are another. Bidding and ad copy can be altered automatically, depending on factors including the time of day, location and the user’s specific query wording, for instance. This lessens the chance of clicks from users with little intention of purchasing or submitting an enquiry, and, consequently, reduces wasted budget. Another common way to get more out of search advertising is to replicate campaigns across Microsoft Ads, where there is typically less competition, cheaper clicks, and a better return on investment, albeit lower search volumes.
Local strategy
One of the greatest benefits of the internet is its ability to connect businesses and customers no matter the physical distance between them. And, with lockdown enforcements, an online offering presents an opportunity to reach an even wider customer base than a shop or physical facility that is restricted by location.
However, the internet is a big, old place. It houses greater competition than what many businesses are used to in the physical realm and, as result, it’s easy to become lost, especially if you are in the early stages of establishing an online presence.
So, no matter whether you’re a retailer offering click and collect or running business as usual albeit remotely, keeping things local is your best bet for online success.
In fact, Google uses a Relevance, Distance and Prominence model to determine search results. Those most relevant, the closest in distance to the searcher and most prominent or popular are more likely to be ranked higher on results pages.
In order to maximise your chances of ranking highly for those searching for your products and services in your local area, you should make the most of tools, such as Google My Business and reviews.
As well as providing potential customers with vital business information, such as your address, contact details and COVID-adjusted opening hours, you can also instil trust and confidence in them by presenting a business that appears to be well established and organised. This is particularly important as those consumer sentiments have declined due to the pandemic.
So far, businesses have done well in adapting their processes to changing customer needs in such a short amount of time and under incredibly difficult circumstances at that.
With the coronavirus crisis far from over and many facing an online future, the only thing we can be certain of at this point is that businesses and retailers must act now to grasp opportunity. By utilising platforms such as Google and Microsoft, business owners are not simply making the best of a bad situation but are more so positioning their brand at the forefront of their chosen industry, gifting a significant advantage when markets reopen in their newly digital-focused form.
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Advertiser Campaign Management, CMO Strategy
Article | June 3, 2024
Step into the era of data-driven sales excellence with this article on the leading sales intelligence tools and elevate sales strategies for unmatched customer engagement and strategic growth.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Impact of Intelligent Tools on Sales Outcomes
3. Top Sales Intelligence Tools for Thriving Enterprises
3.1 Salesken
3.2 Revenue Grid
3.3 QuotaPath
3.4 Scratchpad
3.5 Keap
3.6 People.ai
3.7 Dealfront (formerly Echobot & Leadfeeder)
3.8 Seamless.ai
3.9 Owler
3.10 BoostUp.ai
4. Closing Remarks
1. Introduction
In the growing commercialization, the infusion of intelligent technologies has brought a profound transformation within the sales domain, marking a transformation to a strategy rooted in data and analytical rigor. CRM systems, now augmented with machine learning and advanced analytics, have become pivotal in decoding complex customer behaviour to predict their preferences and future purchasing patterns. Such advancements enhance the precision of predictive analyses and elevate the quality of customer interactions through personalization without compromising the human touch that remains essential in sales.
Intelligent technologies facilitate market analysis, forecasting demands and revealing best practices in sales intelligence with an accuracy that allows businesses to analyze market dynamics proactively. This positions their offerings more strategically as automation and optimization of sales processes bolster operational efficiency, enabling sales professionals to prioritize value-driven engagements over routine tasks.
2. Impact of Intelligent Tools on Sales Outcomes
The ability to anticipate market trends and understand consumer behavior is indispensable for achieving competitive superiority. Sales intelligence trends and technologies represent a pivotal advancement, providing sales teams with a comprehensive array of tools designed to enhance decision-making and increase conversion rates. This suite, which includes data aggregators, customer relationship management systems, analytics platforms, and artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, facilitates a nuanced, data-driven sales approach. By enabling a personalized engagement strategy based on in-depth insights into customer preferences and behaviors, these tools are instrumental in optimizing resource allocation and focusing efforts on high-potential leads.
Sales intelligence technologies play a crucial role in aligning sales and marketing events, promoting a cohesive strategy that is essential for maximizing revenue generation. The application of predictive lead scoring and the analysis of opportunity insights allow for strategic prioritization, while the integration of continuous feedback loops supports the refinement of sales tactics based on empirical outcomes.
3. Top Sales Intelligence Tools for Thriving Enterprises
Sales intelligence solutions have flourished for enterprises aspiring to thrive in today's market. The top tools in 2024 listed below provide a methodology for deciphering customer experience and determining market dynamics, enabling sales forces to make data-driven decisions and escalate revenue growth.
3.1Salesken
Salesken's AI-powered conversation intelligence platform revolutionizes sales engagement by offering insights into customer interactions across calls, presentations, and webinars. Its analysis records, transcribes, and evaluates conversations, providing sales leaders with actionable intelligence to enhance sales performance and identify best practices for deal closures.
Features:
Empower sales teams with customized learning content to boost onboarding, productivity, and coaching.
Captures over 300K calls, yielding three million+ call minutes analyzed.
Integrates seamlessly with CRM systems, delivering real-time support and insights.
Utilizes AI sales assistants for deep conversation analysis and actionable feedback to improve sales engagement strategies.
A tool for organizations aiming to excel in sales effectiveness.
3.2Revenue Grid
Revenue Grid, a sales intelligence tool is recognized for its comprehensive solutions tailored for enterprises aiming to expand engagement and revenue at scale. It's celebrated for robust support and innovation, providing AI-driven valuable insights that streamline the sales process, alongside unique customization capabilities.
Features:
Entrusted by leading global enterprises across various sectors.
Offers enterprise-centric features including AI-driven insights and unique customization capabilities.
Ensures swift and effective onboarding and issue resolution with best-rated support.
Maintains data integrity without storing sensitive Salesforce or personal information.
Integrates seamlessly with Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft ecosystems to enhance CRM utilization and engagement response rates.
Saves significant time for employees while ensuring data capture and analysis that drive a substantial increase in CRM data volume and engagement.
3.3QuotaPath
QuotaPath is a commission tracking and sales compensation management software designed to automate and simplify the compensation process for revenue teams. Integrating seamlessly with major CRM, ERP, accounting, and data warehouse systems, QuotaPath offers accuracy in commission calculations, eliminating manual errors and streamlining compensation management processes. Its commitment to transparency and efficiency sets it apart, with a unique offering of a free trial and transparent pricing to ensure that sales teams can focus on what they do best.
Features:
Enhances commission visibility for sales representatives.
Promotes CRM data accuracy and aids managers in performance analysis.
Offers real-time attainment views, leaderboards, contests, and mobile-friendly dashboards.
Designed to motivate sales productvity and drive organizational growth.
3.4Scratchpad
Scratchpad introduces a revolutionary AI Sales Assistant, transforming pipeline management, deal inspection, and sales forecasting. Rated highly by RevOps, Sales Leaders, and Salespeople, this sales tool simplifies sales tasks by offering seamless Salesforce integration and automating updates to sales methodologies like MEDDIC.
Features:
Automates updating of sales methodologies like MEDDIC.
Provides custom AI prompts for capturing essential insights during sales calls.
Utilizes call intelligence and AI insights for deal inspection and performance tracking.
Offers a seamless experience that sales teams can adopt in under a minute.
3.5Keap
Keap is an all-in-one CRM and sales & marketing automation platform that accelerates business growth through advanced automation tools. Since 2001, Keap has facilitated a streamlined sales process from lead acquisition to conversion, with features designed to automate critical sales tasks.
Features:
Offers seamless automated follow-ups, appointment scheduling, and payment processing.
Features multiple sales pipelines, custom stages, and drag-and-drop functionality.
Supports custom ecommerce platforms with subscription services and payment processor integrations.
Provides a 14-day free trial without the need for a credit card.
3.6People.ai
People.ai stands at the forefront of the revenue operations and intelligence (ROI) arena with its AI-powered platform. This sales intelligence software transforms business activities into dynamic account and opportunity management solutions, enhancing sales rep productivity and propelling revenue growth.
Features:
Provides tailored business predictions and buyer insights from over 1 trillion sales activities.
Secures data while offering seamless integration with public generative AI tools.
Recognized by Gartner, Forrester, and featured on prestigious lists like Forbes AI 50.
Delivers comprehensive insights, deal summaries, and actionable intelligence for sales teams.
3.7Dealfront(formerly Echobot & Leadfeeder)
Dealfront, a sales intelligence software and a go-to-market platform designed for sales and marketing teams targeting the European market. With GDPR-compliant B2B data and a deep understanding of the European landscape, Dealfront offers targeted prospecting and comprehensive company profiles.
Features:
Utilizes over 100+ precise filters for targeted prospecting.
Features AI-driven algorithms to discover "lookalike" companies.
Integrates seamlessly with CRM systems, enhancing operational efficiency.
Fosters GDPR compliance without compromising on data quality or customer service.
3.8Seamless.ai
Seamless.AI revolutionizes sales prospecting with its AI-driven platform, providing sales teams with accurate and comprehensive B2B contact data. It automates list-building and prospecting, boosting sales rep productivity and facilitating rapid connection with ideal customers.
Features:
Features real-time data verification and AI recommendations for buyer discovery.
Includes premium offerings like Buyer Intent Data and AI-Powered Sales Copy.
Automates list-building efforts and maintains up-to-date prospect databases.
Trusted by over 700,000 companies, including Oracle and Wells Fargo.
3.9Owler
Owler, the sales prospecting tool is the world's largest community-based business information and insights platform, revolutionizing the prospecting process with Owler Max. It provides sales teams with the latest industry and company news, enabling personalized outreach and meaningful conversations.
Features:
Facilitates discovery of potential customers from an extensive database of over 15 million companies.
Delivers curated, real-time news alerts directly to users' inboxes.
Enhances the personalization of outreach efforts for sales teams.
Endorsed by professionals for its effectiveness in expanding prospecting bases.
3.10BoostUp.ai
BoostUp.ai is a revenue intelligence software designed to empower Chief Revenue Officers (CROs) and Revenue Operations (RevOps) leaders to scale revenue efficiently. It integrates advanced analytics, pipeline management, and forecast intelligence into a seamless platform, supported by an embedded data warehouse.
Features:
Recognized as a Forrester High Performer and a G2 RevOps & Intelligence Leader.
Trusted by industry-leading companies such as Cloudflare, Udemy, and Teradata.
Features AI-enhanced modules—RevBI, Pipeline Review and Management, and Forecast Intelligence.
Transforms complex data into strategic insights to optimize workflows, improve forecast accuracy, and elevate rep productivity.
Tailored to drive predictable revenue growth with its innovative approach.
4. Closing Remarks
Intelligent sales tools emerge as the game-changers in a world where understanding and anticipating customer needs becomes the key to business success. The exploration of top solutions in the sales intelligence space underscores the transformative impact of AI, ML, and analytics on sales strategies, offering a blueprint for enterprises aiming to thrive in performance management.
Sales leaders can be equipped with the right strategy to succeed in the market by providing the sales teams with sales enablement exposure, the required resources, and the necessary sales training. Stay ahead, stay informed, and let innovation drive sales success to new heights.
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Advertiser Platforms
Article | March 12, 2024
The advertising world is changing at an accelerated pace. Digital media and social networks have changed the way we interact with brands, and these changes have affected the way that advertisements are created. As a result, advertisers need to keep their eyes on new developments in order to appeal to consumers who want more than just a standard advertisement. In this article, I will explore some of the technical aspects you should consider when starting an ad campaign so that your efforts can be successful for both you and your clients.
What technical aspects should you consider when starting an advertising campaign?
1. Store Your Campaign Data Somewhere Safe
The amount of data that you and your clients collect during the course of an ad campaign can be immense, and it is imperative that you know where to store this information. One option is using a server tool such as online cloud storage to store all of your files in one central location so that they do not get lost or become corrupted. According to a popular UK cloud hosting platform, downtime and slowdowns are some of the biggest issues people face with cloud storage. Do your research and find one that has excellent customer service to avoid these issues that could slow down your campaign.
2. Clearly Communicate Your Message
Have a clear message that highlights your brand’s value proposition and aligns with your target audience. This is important because the aim of your campaign is to get people to take action, and that can only be done if you have a clear message. Identifying your target audience will help you align your message with them. It does not mean choosing demographics based on age, income level, etc., but rather looking at what values they hold important. In order for an advertisement to be effective, it should match the values of the people looking at it. For example, if your target audience prefers a minimalist style because they care about the environment, your advertisement should reflect that as well.
3. Multimedia Considerations
Use various channels to help spread your message and make it more dynamic. multimedia to increase your reach and make your ad more dynamic. There are many choices for multimedia, including images, videos, infographics, audio files, animations, text messages, and other graphics. All of these can be shared on social networks like Facebook or Twitter, which helps the ad stay in the limelight after it is initially posted by allowing viewers to share links with their friends and followers. Depending on the type of ad you are running, there may be channels that are better at grabbing the attention of your audience.
For example, for a music artist’s album release, billboards could be placed in busy areas with high exposure in addition to social media and magazine ads in publications that their target audience reads. By spreading out your ad, it will increase the chances of getting more eyes on it and make it easier for people to find and share with their friends.
4. Pay Attention to Metrics and Real-time Data from Previous Campaigns
This is done so that future campaigns can be steered in the right direction. The amount of data collected during an ad campaign can grow very quickly, so it is important to know where to look and how to use it efficiently. You can then take statistical data from previous campaigns and use this information as a reference point for new billboards or other ads. While learning from your mistakes is inevitable, there are some things you just won’t notice until you see numbers about them, like the number of people who stop by your booth at a tradeshow but do not stop to talk to you.
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Retargeting
Article | June 13, 2022
What is retargeting and why do you need it? Well, because it’s easier than ever to lose a sale online.
Think of it like this: you successfully drive a potential customer to your site with great content or social media engagement.
But then their phone rings. Or they have to take a quick meeting. Their child calls their name. They look up at the TV and forget to return. Or one of a million other potential distractions in our fast-paced world get in the way.
They could be lost forever. Or — you could use retargeting to get them back to your site.
That’s what we’ll cover in the sections that follow. You’ll learn what retargeting entails, why your business should be using it, which platforms to do it on, and best practices to maximize ROI.
Let’s get started.
Quick Takeaways
Only 2% of web users convert on their first visit to a website.
Retargeted web visitors convert at a 70% higher rate.
Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social platforms are effective places to use retargeting.
Retargeting ads are most effective when they incentivize, are personalized, and/or leverage high-value content.
What is retargeting?
So what exactly is retargeting? In short, it’s the process of monitoring the behavior of your web visitors so you can drive them back to your site later.
It’s done by adding code to your website that tracks user actions by placing cookies in their browsers. You can then use that information to show them targeted ads when they’re elsewhere on the internet.
Those requests you get to “accept all cookies” when you visit a new website? It’s retargeting in action. Brands are asking your permission to track what you’re doing so they can show you ads that are relevant to you.
Today 87% of marketers use site retargeting to attract potential customers back to their website. Given that only 2% (!) of web visitors convert on their first visit to any site, it’s a smart strategy for brands to capture low-hanging fruit in their web traffic and avoid losing prospects who will likely convert with a little bit of encouragement.
Let’s look at 3 reasons why retargeting should be part of your digital marketing strategy and the benefits your brand will experience from doing it.
Why Retargeting Needs to Be Part of Your Strategy
Consumers actually like retargeted ads
The consensus view of retargeted ads has always been tainted with a little bit of uncertainty about their use of individual consumer data. And there’s no doubt about it — consumers do worry about their online privacy.
At the same time, however, they are also more aware than ever that brands are using their information to advertise to them and target their buying preferences. And they still browse and buy online at a rapidly increasing rate.
Here’s what it comes down to: retargeting doesn’t turn consumers off as long as it’s done ethically (AKA you’re only retargeting people when it actually makes sense and they’ve agreed to your privacy policy).
In fact, recent research has found that 25% of consumers say they actually enjoy seeing retargeted ads. And while a quarter of consumers may not seem encouraging, actual consumer behavior suggests that number is quite a bit higher.
Here’s what the numbers tell us:
Retargeted ads earn a click-through rate 10x higher than regular display ads
Retargeted website visitors are 70% more likely to convert
3 out of 4 consumers notice retargeted ads when they see them
It’s helpful to think about this in the context of your own life, too. We all see ads for products and brands we’ve briefly visited without buying from. But rather than get annoyed, our interest is usually sparked again. We may click on the ad to look at it again and rethink whatever reasoning we had before for not buying. We may follow the brand on social media for updates.
Retargeting is a massive opportunity for brands to cut down on lost sales by reminding consumers why they were interested in the first place and incentivizing them to come back and make a purchase.
Where to Retarget
Google and YouTube
Google and YouTube are the two most visited websites in the world, with a casual combined 85 billion monthly views (nbd). You can target ads on these massive platforms with Google Ads on the Google Display Network.
Most consumers are doing their brand and product research using Google search. What better place, then, to have your ads displayed to convince users to choose you?
Facebook and Instagram
Ads on the two platforms are both run under Facebook Ads Manager. You add the Facebook Pixel to your website’s code. When users take an action on your site (for example, adding to cart or making a purchase) the pixel is triggered and they’ll see retargeted ads on both Facebook and Instagram.
Learn more about the Facebook Pixel here.
TikTok
TikTok has exploded onto the scene over the past two years. It’s easy to assume this platform might be best for targeting younger audiences, but the truth is there are tons of audiences on TikTok that encompass a range of ages and interest areas.
For example #MomTok — moms sharing tips, stories, and advice — is one of the most active corners of the app. #BusinessTok, #FitnessTok, and #BookTok are some of the other most popular hashtag-driven interest groups on the app. These are only a few examples. In other words: retargeting on TikTok is for every type of audience.
You can get started at TikTok for Business.
LinkedIn
For B2B companies or brands targeting a more corporate or professional audience, LinkedIn could be an ideal platform for your retargeting efforts. You can add the LinkedIn Insight Tag to your website to begin tracking your visitors and serving them ads on the LinkedIn platform.
3 Retargeting Best Practices
Incentivize
The thing about web visitors you retarget is that they have shown interest in your brand already, but for some reason they weren’t motivated to make a purchase (or maybe they did but haven’t been back to make another one).
The way to convince them? Offering incentives. Consider this: you see a pair of shoes you love. You almost buy them but you think “Well, they’re just a little too pricey. I’m going to pass.”
A few days later you see those shoes you love, except they’re being offered at a discount. Your main argument for not buying the shoes is gone. You’re much more likely to go back and make the purchase.
Incentivizing your retargeting audiences is worthwhile because you eliminate one of the biggest roadblocks to purchase: concerns about price.
Personalize
Like all other kinds of online experiences, consumers want their retargeted ads to be personalized to their preferences. Nearly 80% of consumers say personally relevant ad content from brands increases their purchase intent.
Adding simple phrases that are unique to a person’s experience with your brand (i.e. “You left this item in your cart!” or “Based on your previous purchase, we think you’d love this!”) can be what makes your ad stand out to your audience.
Leverage Content
Content drives more organic traffic than any other method of digital marketing. That said, targeted ads are the highest-converting of all methods. Why not combine the two for maximum ROI?
Consider the types of content your web visitors interact with and/or what content created by your brand would be most relevant to them. Promote it through your ads, emphasizing how it can help users solve problems, learn something new, or accomplish an important goal.
Content that can be effectively marketed through retargeting ads include:
Blog articles
How-to guides
Checklists
Webinars and video demos
Ebooks and whitepapers
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