Advertiser Platforms
Article | March 4, 2024
While brands have dabbled in augmented reality (AR) for years, 2020 marks the tipping point where it’s becoming an integral part of marketing strategy, helping create meaningful and emotional consumer connections.
AR has finally grown up; once infamous for gimmicks such as face filters on social media, it’s now a cross-platform tool to build truly interactive environments, compared to VR which requires a headset to create computer-aided stimuli. The figures tell us that the global market is expected to grow substantially from $13 billion this year to more than $67 billion by 2024. The technology is graduating from being used solely for entertainment to providing real-world value and utility for marketers through immersive and experiential opportunities. So – in the midst of a global pandemic – what makes this the perfect time for AR to come of age, and how can marketers make use of its unique attributes?
Extensive investment in the ecosystem is laying the foundations for AR’s long-awaited, mainstream emergence. Google and Apple’s mobile tech stacks, ARCore and ARKit, mean more than four billion smartphones across the world are already AR compatible, and Google now includes AR in mobile search. In addition, the imminent arrival of 5G will dramatically boost mobile connectivity, enabling developers and content creators to use approximately 100 times the bandwidth of 4G to build a new type of experiential, 3D environment where users can intuitively interact with the people, objects and information around them.
Alongside these tech developments, the global COVID-19 context is inevitably changing consumer needs and behaviors, increasing demand for the virtual, contactless experiences that can be achieved through AR. And in the near future, wearable tech such as AR spectacles will also join the party to propel evolution in the space even faster.
Here are four ways AR can be a game-changer for marketing in 2020:
Enabling product visualization
In a world where consumers order everything from clothes to cars online, marketers can harness AR to help shoppers visualize products in an interactive and immersive way that goes far beyond a static image or video. This could mean experiencing what it’s like to sit inside a dream car, watching AR panoramas unfold through the virtual windscreen, or seeing what a jacket looks like on the actual shopper, without them having to leave the house.
Augmented Reality enables consumers to explore customization options and the unique elements that a product can offer. Brands that utilize the technology witness up to 8x longer dwell times, as giving consumers control over their digital experiences boosts engagement levels. For instance, participants at an AR smartphone launch can virtually see and interact with detailed specifications and features of the device. AR is certainly not restricted to just online browsing – it has a real benefit in the physical world too, for instance helping shoppers in stores discover how and where the product was made, just by scanning a code –subsequently helping move them along their purchase journey.
Future-proofing education and development
AR enables a more sophisticated, discovery-based form of learning. For example, students in a classroom can engage with virtual, 3D objects to help grow their understanding of certain topics. Teaching concepts such as orbits in the solar system can be optimized using AR-powered, interactive models. Additionally, AR allows for the gamification of learning experiences, helping to boost knowledge retention through educational puzzles and treasure hunts.
The learning benefits of AR also extend beyond the classroom. In mechanical fields especially, the technology can train people how to complete tasks by superimposing the end result on the version the trainee is practicing with. Implementing AR in professional development cases has shown significant improvements to learning curves, creativity, and spatial awareness. In fact, according to a study by the National Training Laboratories, “learning by doing” has shown to increase learning retention rates by up to 75% compared to simply listening to a seminar or lecture. By progressing education onto understanding and experiencing, as opposed to reading and writing, AR offers huge benefits across the industry.
Invigorating interactive advertising
Product visualization, along with other attributes of AR, can be used to deliver interactive advertising experiences that truly connect with consumers and boost conversions by 40%. AR ad units drive far more engagement and dwell time than conventional media and can give digital display advertising a new lease of life. What’s more, the real-time interaction between user and ad enables advertisers to effectively measure the impact of their campaigns and optimize accordingly.
Advertisers have cautiously experimented with AR for years but they have largely added minor elements to traditional campaigns simply to ‘tick a box’. To make the most of AR’s capabilities and deliver real engagement, marketers need to take a different strategic approach and put this disruptive technology at the heart of their ad campaigns.
Superseding live events
At a time when social distancing makes live events and product launches problematic, AR can be used to digitally create immersive and emotionally-charged experiences that generate buzz around a brand. In fact, AR improves upon the in-person experience by allowing marketers to scale events beyond the natural boundaries of any physical location and enable hundreds of thousands of participants from all over the world to share the experience simultaneously. This will revolutionize how audiences engage with live music and sports events in particular, enabling unique forms of interaction.
By augmenting the user’s immediate environment with a digital presentation layer, AR allows users to interact with players and performers in a way that is not possible with a traditional passive offline event, and to be true participants rather than simply viewers. AR reduces the need for traditional physical events and paves the way for a new era of participative, immersive and scalable online experiences, with visceral and emotional engagement.
The perfect combination of tech evolution, advanced connectivity and contextual circumstance means this is the year AR really comes into its own. By taking advantage of product visualization, interactive advertising and immersive digital events, brands can leverage AR as a game-changer for marketing in 2020.
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Advertiser Platforms
Article | January 9, 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 18, 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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Social Media Advertising
Article | May 20, 2021
When it comes to PPC advertising, it’s not uncommon to think: Bing Ads vs. Google Ads. On top of that: Which platform has more reach? Is Bing less expensive? Which has more targeting capabilities? Which will produce more conversions and revenue? While many PPC advertisers view the two platforms as competitors, they actually work best hand-in-hand. Google undoubtedly has the majority of the search market, but Bing advertising certainly shouldn’t be forgotten. Rather than Google Ads vs. Bing Ads, marketers should be thinking Google Ads plus Bing Ads.
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