Advertiser Platforms
Article | March 12, 2024
Video content is more important than ever from a marketing perspective, but the high profile status it has attained also brings challenges with it.
The main hurdle to overcome is that of creating compelling clips that outshine the competition in a marketplace that is already overflowing with attention-grabbing content.
With all that in mind, here are just a handful of strategies that will empower you when making promotional video content for your business or brand.
Use the right software tools
The video editing tools you choose will form the foundation of your content creation strategy, so it pays to give this plenty of thought and not to just stick with the same old package you have been using for years.
For example, leveraging collaborative video editing software could take your projects to the next level, not only in terms of creativity but also when it comes to compressing cycles of work.
If you can have multiple team members collaborating on the same project in unison, you can hit deadlines and capture the zeitgeist with your content, rather than seeing viral trends pass you by.
Choose types of content that serve your advertising aims
The extent to which your video content is able to engage and connect with your target audience will partly be determined by the format it takes. As such you have to choose wisely and avoid producing clips that don’t gel with your marketing goals.
For example, if your business makes a product that has practical applications, you could gain views and shares by making tutorial content that explains how best to use it.
On the other hand, if your business offers services within a particular industry, then you may earn more traction with videos that explain a particular aspect of the niche you occupy.
Both of these types of content provide value to viewers as well as being promotional, and can also remain relevant for long periods. The more evergreen your video content, the bigger the potential ROI.
Extrapolate ideas from your existing content
Working out what video content will hit home with your ideal demographic can feel like it involves a lot of guesswork, and a lot of risk-taking as a result.
However, you don’t have to go all-in on a concept for a video without knowing if it will hold water, because it is more than likely that you already have tried-and-tested ideas that have proven themselves and are ripe for video adaptation.
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Ad Tech and Martech
Article | May 14, 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 20, 2024
Marketers in the B2B domain have a multi-channel approach to marketing because they target companies as buying groups. B2B marketers are leveraging podcast advertising with the help of advertisers, creators, and publishers for brand building and generating leads. They leverage up-and-coming avenues of advertising, most of which are a part of digital media channels. One such avenue is podcast advertising.
Podcast advertising is emerging as one of the fastest-growing digital media channels for advertising. It is estimated to grow to more than $2.13 billion in 2022, according to a study by the Interactive Advertising Bureau and PwC.
But, what is driving this growth?
Engagement.
People are finding podcasts more engaging than ever. Consequently, the demand for podcast ads across all categories is growing.
Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI): The Rise of Automated Ad Tech
Dynamic ad insertion is a form of programmatic advertising that uses first or third-party data. This data comes from the device playing a podcast, a device user agent, the device’s IP address, and what episode is requested, to serve ads to a target demographic. The ad server of the podcast hosting platform decides which ads should be stitched into a particular podcast episode. If done well, the audience will never know the difference between a dynamically inserted ad and a baked-in ad, which is a permanent part of the audio of the podcast.
Podcast hosting platforms, advertisers, and publishers adopted DAI because it helps brands win contextual relevance and efficiency through granular advertising opportunities. Through custom audio ads that appeal to the target audience, dynamic or seasonal geo-targeted ads, measurable variables, and performance data, DAI gives advertisers good control over podcast ad campaigns. This control allows them to tailor the campaigns based on the marketers’ demands.
DAI is evolving and has great potential in transcription-based targeting using AI and machine learning. It also has greater creative interactivity to make audio ads engaging through voice interactivity, personalization, and mobile phone engagement.
A podcast advertising example using DAI would be a brand creating multiple versions of pre-recorded audio ads that are served to target audiences on any podcast that meets the campaign criteria.
Podcast Advertising Anchors Digital Marketers for Effective Outreach
Edison Research’s Podcast Consumer 2017 report found that:
24% of people between the ages of 18 and 54 listen to podcasts monthly
Listeners are almost evenly split between men and women
Listeners tend to be affluent, mainly educated consumers
In the 25-54 age bracket, monthly listening has grown year over year for the past four years
These stats demonstrate the growing market for podcast advertising and a very stable demographic that B2B marketers would want to target. Marketers rely more on podcast advertisers and platforms to tap into the potential of podcasts as a media channel.
Here are some of the ways in which podcast advertising can enhance B2B marketing plans and bring in more conversions:
Listener behavior expansion− By understanding what kinds of podcasts the target audience listens to, marketers can create ads that appeal to them, and advertisers can help them get the perfect spot for the ad campaign to make it more successful.
Pivoting messaging is easier− Using different voiceovers, marketers can deliver the same message but elicit a different reaction from their target audience. Recycling old ad files is also a viable option to save time and resources.
Human connection− Hyper-personalized targeted ads relevant to the podcast content create a human connection with the audience and can influence their opinion about a brand.
Personal influence− Podcast hosts create a personal influence on the listeners so they keep tuning in to the podcast and even listen to the episodes again after a period. Ads on such podcasts receive stronger engagement and response. Additionally, hosts can also relay brand messages to listeners and influence their buying decisions.
Regional marketing− Podcasts are a great way to connect with a target demographic residing in a certain geographical area. Geo-targeting is a boon for region-specific marketing endeavors.
Effective storytelling− Podcasts can fuse autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) for immersive storytelling to impress listeners. The continuity and power of an engaging narration keeps the listeners subscribed and attached, ensuring that any kind of advertising on such podcasts can reach a wider audience.
Advertisers Are Helping B2B Marketers Generate Revenue
According to a forecast by IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau), podcast advertising revenue will exceed $4 billion by 2024. Marketers are dependent on advertisers to tap into the podcast advertising potential to generate revenue in the following ways:
Demand Generation
An estimated 62 million Americans (Source: Edison Research) listen to podcasts, and this number is expected to grow. An interview by a product expert on an industry-relevant podcast can help get leads without wasting any budget on creating awareness, making it cost-effective. It’s no wonder LinkedIn and HubSpot have started their own podcast networks to host business and career-related content.
Brand Building & Customer Retention
Apart from using podcasts to generate leads, it can also help with brand building. Sponsoring a popular and relevant podcast episode can create a brand’s reputation and trust. It can also help retain existing customers as sponsorships demonstrate a continuous commitment to industry growth and development.
Ad Effectiveness
75% of podcast listeners were happy with the purchase they had made from podcast ads (A Study by Voices, the #1 voice marketplace). This goes to show that podcast advertising brings out expected results and conversions without compromising the customer experience or opinion.
Podcast as a Medium for Thought Leadership
Podcasts are a great medium for B2B thought leadership. They are a free space to express expert industry opinion, talk about the current industry trends, address the pain points of the customers, discuss tech advancements, and create a personal connection with the listeners. Tailored thought leadership content can fuel brand engagement and bring in leads that convert because of brand trust. Feedback gathered through interactive content can help B2B marketers create personalized marketing plans to align their goals with ad campaigns better.
Podcast Ads: Taking the First Step
Before you step into the world of podcast advertising, make sure you consider aspects like target demographic, podcast ad pricing, industry/brand relevant podcasts, ad purchasing, the reputation of the podcast advertising network, and podcast advertising platforms. Policygenius, a New York-based insurance agency, invested early in podcast advertising through Ad Results Media, an ad agency. Policygenius achieved its ROI goals, and its media spending increased by 10x in two years.
You can buy podcast ads directly, through a podcast advertising network, or programmatically. To track the success of your ads, use KPIs like unique listeners, ranking and reviews, subscribers, social sharing, and episode-by-episode metrics.
Wrapping It Up
Podcasts can be a great advertising avenue for B2B companies to influence their buying groups and create new customers. Its monumental growth as a media channel and its ad revenue over the past couple of years indicate that it is here to stay and should be harnessed for a wider reach and bigger sales numbers.
FAQ
What is the role of podcast advertising networks?
A podcast advertising network is a full-service podcast advertising solution that maintains podcast ad inventory and manages ad campaigns for marketers.
How is podcast advertising different from traditional advertising methods?
Podcast advertising uses automated ad tech to create dynamic ad campaigns across relevant podcasts, while traditional advertising methods focus on print ads, outdoor billboards, and cable television.
Which are some popular podcast advertising platforms?
Some popular podcast advertising platforms are Midroll, AdvertiseCast, PodGrid, and Archer Avenue.
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Social Media Advertising
Article | May 28, 2021
Are you new to audience campaigns, or looking to expand your existing presence on the Microsoft Audience Network? Using Facebook Import, it’s now easier than ever to get audience campaigns up and running by importing from Facebook Ads. Now rolling out to all advertisers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and Germany, this new feature is designed to save you time and maximize ROI by seamlessly bringing over your campaigns from the Facebook Audience Network into the Microsoft Audience Network. Facebook Import can be used as a standalone tool, as well as a powerful complement to any existing Google Import strategy.
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