Business Improvement and Social media

I selected this article from Curatti written by Tony Zambito because it explains how outdated buyer insights can affect our B2B sales.

You can reach your prospects through a better understanding of why customers make a purchase.

Exploring the B2B Buyer Journey

The digitization of business has changed the buyer landscape significantly. I agree that your customers will respond as you reach them where they are at.

Zambito shows you several ways to gain better insights on your prospects and how to improve your B2B sales.

Here's what caught my attention:

• B2B companies have to come to the realization that they are living within their own digital bubble. This includes over-reliance on activity-based data intelligence.

• Digital transformation is felt mostly in channels and distribution. For example, the way consumers purchase a book is now far different than in the past.

• Cloud-based platforms are now affecting how people take action and make decisions. A new virtual dependence is emerging merging users and buyers into one.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/JPQr30cap5v

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Orla Forrest because it explains how to run a smart SMS marketing campaign with better results.

You can reach your prospects through specific SMS strategies.

Exploring the Mobile SMS Marketing Method

When a business sends out a marketing text message it can get either get deleted or missed. I agree that your customers will respond as you reach them with the right approach.

Forrest shows you several ways to improve your SMS marketing strategy for more sales.

Here's what caught my attention:

• You will have more coupon redemption rates if you are sending a message to an email subscriber. On demand coupons have an even greater response.

• Because almost all customers own a mobile phone it is very easy to have them act upon a promotion sent via text. People can store these in their phone and easily access them for later.

• Tailor your coupons for every day consumer related products. Be sure to personalize the message and send 3 to 4 texts a month.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/MtqX30btO8e

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Shelly Kramer because it provides insights on the way people interact on social media from their devices.

The world of technology has shifted in the way we conduct our marketing online

How Second Screen Social Affects Social Media

Most consumers use multiple platforms to get their information and make purchases. I agree that marketers should fully understand how their audience is viewing brands.

Kramer explains how we have evolved into using several different devices in our social interactions.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Americans under the age of 65 are watching less and less television each year. Television apps are now all the rage with over 200 new channels having been created.

• The heaviest users of social media are women ages 35 to 49 (the Generation X women). These people are more likely to make an online purchase than non-social media users.

• In order to reach your target audience you need to now have a creative approach. This means businesses can  market to both television and social media users.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Featured image: http://blog.union.co/social-tv-is-now-how-second-screen-apps-connect-viewers-to-their-favorite-shows

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/pasA30aQEJb

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Michael Brenner because it provides insight on how to build an authentic brand that your audience will love.

Make your brand more attractive by humanizing the persona.

Effectively Reach Your Target Market

Trusted recommendations can help attract customers to your brand. I agree that you can accomplish this by creating incentives for influencers to share what you have to offer.

Brenner goes over how to improve the 'likability' factor for your business marketing.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Many people don't trust anyone trying to sell to them. You need to humanize your content in order to reach them in an trustworthy way.

• Talk to your customers in real-time, one-on-one. Answer their questions with helpful advice when they visit your website.

• We are not influenced by celebrities --- we take notes from each other. Encourage your community to make referrals and leave positive reviews.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/TFMX30acBBW

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to choose the right platform to handle customer service through social media.

Interacting with your customers takes attention to all digital channels where they are active.

Establish a Successful Social Customer Service System

Being attentive and involved with your customers is the key to growth and trust in your business. I agree that you can better provide for them by choosing the right management system.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your customer service on social media with the right platform.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Create a plan of action before choosing a platform. This enables your business to make the right decisions at the right time -- especially when a team is involved.

• When looking at various services you will want to take a look at their capabilities. This includes omni-channel support, in-depth analytics, and whether is it fully scalable.

• There are a few things that are essential when choosing a social customer service platform. Things such as CRM integration, tasks allocation, sentiment interactions tracking, and more.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of Unplash.com.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/gVWd308Ky9M

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Timothy (Tim) Hughes because it provides insights on how to best approach buyers through persona marketing.

Many potential customers do not make a purchase decision due to a lack of information and too much confusion about a product or service.

How Persona Marketing Affects Your Bottom Line

People respond when we listen and help solve their problems in a clear and effective way. I agree that businesses need to understand what their leads are looking for and why in order to better reach them.

Hughes explains what exactly persona marketing means from the customer's perspective.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Selling today is about social -- this means that businesses need to connect with their audience and engage them in conversation. It's people who make decisions -- not companies.

• Top performing sales agents use both research and social media to reach their prospects. These people are change makers and influencers who are looked up to as a trusted source.

• It is not persona marketing that is to blame for a lack of interest. Businesses can mislead or confuse their potential customers through a lack of information and attention.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Lead/Featured Image: 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/IgpI308oXi1

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Robert Caruso because it provides insight on how to improve your B2B sales with better customer relations.

Why connecting with your customers is essential to your business sales.

Reach More Prospects with Customer Experience (CX)

It is important to implement a solid B2B strategy that provides the best possible experience for your customers. I agree that in order to increase your conversion rates you need to combine both tangible and intangible elements.

Caruso goes over how the customer experience methods works and how this can help your business gain a competitive advantage.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Marketing, discovery and messaging set the tone for the B2B customer’s expectation. This is then portrayed and measured against the competition and allows you to set the bar high.

• A great experience leads to more sales, especially when backed with real execution. This builds value in your customer's spending.

• You can avoid having your customer become an after thought through the right focus and action. A lack of priority equals a lack of results.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123RF.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/fcu9306zHfq

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Andy Capaloff because it explains how to understand your customers from their perspective.

We need to provide the same level of customer service that we would want to receive.

Improve Your Customer Relationships

In order to be a successful business we need to reach our customers where they are at. I agree that you can create a better experience by understanding their needs and desires.

Capaloff explains how to get into the minds of your customers by putting yourself in their shoes.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Ask yourself the same questions a customer would ask. Things like, "would you buy from you?" and "do your own employees with discounts make purchases from your company?"

• We are ultimately selling to people, and so we need to humanize our brand. That means we take care of the buyer before and after the sale.

• The customer experience is important no matter what size your business is. Make it easy for them to make a purchase with a helpful attitude.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/QLcE30bApKv

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Patrick Foster
 because it explains the difference between B2B and B2C in eCommerce.

It's important to know how and why customers interact on your business website.

The Difference Between Buyer Journeys and Customers

When building a business in the digital age you need to understand how your prospects are making purchasing decisions and why. I agree that both B2B and B2C play into eCommerce websites.

Foster explains what causes your customers to make a purchase and how to improve your approach.

Here's what caught my attention:

• In B2B purchasing there is always a problem that needs to be solved within a business. Buyers in this situation want to look for the best deal and product or service for their employers.

• A B2C website is usually aimed at capturing the reader's attention right away. The next step is to convince them to make a purchase.

• It takes account management to make a B2B sale work along with relationship management. In B2C it's all about customer service and followup via email. 

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/qqty30bnrJ1

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I selected this article from Curatti written by John Jantsch because it explains how buyers are drawn to stories about them -- not the brand.

Create a story that will grab your ideal customer's attention.

New Customer Approaches for Content

Stories have the power to cause large groups of people to take action. I agree that in order to reach more leads you need to approach them on their level through targeted content.

Jantsch explains how to make the story of your audience core to your brand.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Begin by knowing what your brand represents. What is the one thing that you can offer over the competition? Your message should compel your audience to care.

• Create a picture of your ideal customer or buyer persona. This will help you to better visualize who your target market is and what drives them to action.

• Use story as a narrative to guide the customer through a journey. This will show them exactly how you can solve their problems.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/DBzS30aqelQ

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Raymond Morin because it explains the latest results by PR Newswire in their study of CEO credibility.

How business leaders are perceived online today.

The All-Time Low of Trust in Leadership

Most people have come to distrust "the system." I agree that this raises questions on how we can better reach our community.

Morin explains the details of the study and sounds the alarm for business leaders to pay attention.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The public has generally lost confidence in all institutions of society over the last year. This is the case with 20 out of 28 countries.

• Some of the main culprits of mistrust are tax avoidance, overcharging for basic needs, and erosion of quality. There has only been a 7 point increase in the United States in 2016.

• The most credible spokespersons today are the employees. These are the people who spread the company messages and who handle customer service.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/HnQN309q97M

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Martin Shervington because it explains how to successfully connect with your customers.

True marketing today is based on customer service online

Bring More to Your Clients

Being active and involved with your customers is the key to growth in sales. I agree that your business can better provide for them by staying on top of questions and feedback.

Shervington shows you several ways to improve your customer service strategy through relationship building.

Here's what caught my attention:

• When using social listening your business will need to pay attention to both the facts and the emotions of your community in order to be effective in meeting their needs.

• Evaluate your current sales process and how you are following up with your customers. Find out what results this is producing -- more than likely this can be improved upon.

• If your company includes a team or employees make use of their knowledge and expertise. This provides a friendly atmosphere for your clients.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/Q9bV308yFKA

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Shelly Kramer because it explains the growing influence of Generation Z digital consumers.

By understanding the habits of teens and tech your business can better reach them.

Improve Your Brand Influence With Generation Z

In the information age it's important to understand the younger generation on their level in order to be successful in reaching them. I agree that your business can learn a lot about their buying and shopping behavior as you discover the latest trends.

Kramer explains what the future holds for teens and technology.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The Generation Z demographic includes teens ages 13 to 19. They are growing up in an age of technology far more than their parents and grandparents.

• Teens typically get smartphones early in their lives and spend an average of six hours a day on their devices. Most of these encompass the iPhone.

• Online shopping is increasingly popular among the younger generation. Most of this is for clothing through mobile apps.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/O93I3073CWy

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