Remaining productive over these last few months has been challenging. Finding alternatives to live events, remaining in steady communication, collaborating on projects and adjusting our daily personal routines are just a few of the challenges we’ve all had to deal with.
As with any great challenge, it is important to focus on what we can learn from it. Cohesiveness and alignment between sales, product and marketing teams has always been important, and the current state of affairs has shined a light on that.
We’ve been heavily leaning on technology and learning more than we ever thought we’d know about our coworkers. All of this information, as well as focusing on both marketing strategy and the individual needs of your team, can contribute to the building of a more efficient and effective marketing department.
Create A Formal Marketing Plan
“Marketing plans, by their very nature, are strategic. They force the author to think ahead and consider the effects of promotional activity on both sales and the public image of the company. Big ideas fail without a plan, and your marketing plan is the one thing that will drive innovation and help you meet sales targets.”
Some key components to include in your plan:
- Market research
- Target market
- Positioning
- Competitive analysis
- Market strategy
- Budget
- Metrics
Be Clear And Concise With Communications
“Employers who invest time and energy into delivering clear lines of communication will rapidly build trust among employees, leading to increases in productivity, output and morale in general.”
“Being clear and concise displays your clarity of thought. People have more confidence in what you say because it shows that you know exactly what you are doing and what needs to be done. Build trust, strengthen team cohesion, and create a more productive working environment.”
Schedule Group Brainstorming Sessions
“You can develop ideas in greater depth with group brainstorming than you can with individual brainstorming. Another advantage of group brainstorming is that it helps everyone feel that they've contributed to the solution, and it reminds people that others have creative ideas to offer.”
Some tips to make your brainstorming sessions more effective include:
- Set a Goal
- Be Selective With the Invite List
- Assign Homework in Advance
- Find a Change of Scenery
- Timing Is Everything
- Provide Snacks
- Designate a Leader
- Create a Welcoming Environment
Provide The Necessary Technology
“Tech helps businesses grow and prosper, create relationships, strengthen the effectiveness of organizations, allow people to learn about one another, and greatly affects the way companies communicate with prospective customers.”
Some key items your team will need:
- Marketing Automation Platform
- Reliable Computer
- CRM
- Design Software
- Video Software
- Video Camera
- Digital Camera
- Back-Up Storage
Allocate A Budget For Paid Advertising
As digital channel become more crowded, the need to implement a paid advertising plan and budget has become essential for B2B organization to maintain a strong online presence.
Some benefits of paid ads include:
- Advertise Directly to People Searching for a Business Like You
- Targeted Advertising
- Reach the Right People at the Right Time
- Measurable ROI
- Brand Exposure
- Immediate Impact
Some key considerations when creating your ad budget:
- The nature of product
- Potential market
- The type of distribution strategy
- The advertising objectives
- The type of selling message
- The budget available
- Competitive advertising
- Media availability
Leverage Winn Technology Group as an extension of your marketing department. With over 30 years of experience in the B2B technology space, your business can rely on Winn to design and implement campaigns aimed at reaching specific business goals.
