The Point

JUNE 24, 2022

Just when you thought B2B buyer habits couldn’t change more dramatically, along comes the COVID pandemic. As in the consumer space, B2B buyers use a variety of content to research prospective purchases: social media, Google search, review sites. Meeting the Needs of the Self-Serve B2B Buyer Click To Tweet.

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Top of Funnel Cold Calling B2B Demand Generation 130

The Point

DECEMBER 13, 2019

The rate of change in B2B marketing and marketing technology continues to accelerate, and 2020 promises to be no different. I asked the best subject matter experts I know, my colleagues at Spear Marketing Group , what trends they think will highlight the next 12 months in B2B demand generation. – Crystal Martin, Art Director. “I

Demand 222

Demand Ideal Customer Profiles Demand Generation Agencies Account Based Marketing 222

The Point

JANUARY 19, 2021

Will B2B marketing, and demand generation in particular, revert to “normal” once the pandemic subsides and economic recovery kicks in, or are recent trends destined to become staple tactics in the months and years to come? I predict we’ll start seeing more credit ratings and payment scores appended to B2B marketing data.

Demand Generation Agencies 147

Demand Generation Agencies Demand Generation Demand Lead Ranking 147

The Point

OCTOBER 22, 2020

A client asks: “I know the answer is probably “it depends” but curious if you think there’s a best practice for how many follow-up nurture emails to send TOFU content syndication leads before you stop due to non-engagement?”. When Should I Stop Nurturing a Lead? The post When Should I Stop Nurturing a Lead?

Sales Qualified Leads 227

Sales Qualified Leads Lead Scoring Lead Ranking Leads 227

The Point

APRIL 16, 2019

Because costs per click in B2B search campaigns can often be extremely high when companies compete the for same keywords, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) for B2B advertisers offers its own very unique challenges. Here are the five most common “fails” we see in B2B search campaigns: Not Bidding on the Correct Keywords.

Cost per Acquisition 235

Cost per Acquisition Paid Search Agency Campaigns Cost Per Click 235

The Point

AUGUST 20, 2015

Results are in from a recent survey on B2B Lead Generation by the B2B Technology Marketing Community on LinkedIn ( free report download here ), and the numbers tell a disheartening story. Marketing automation has helped increase lead generation effectiveness by leaps and bounds, but campaign reporting is still a weak link.

Lead Generation 100

Lead Generation Demand Generation Agencies Lead Scoring Lead Ranking 100

The Point

APRIL 26, 2018

In a world where demand generation , and marketing in general, is more data-driven than ever, one of the hottest topics in B2B circles is intent data. How should the average B2B marketer be looking to leverage intent data in their demand generation mix? HS) Why has intent data become such a hot topic in B2B? But is that real?

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Intent Data Intent Bombora Account Based Marketing 209

The Point

OCTOBER 15, 2019

If your organization is generating plenty of leads but those initial inquiries aren’t converting to sales qualified leads, meetings, or pipeline, a myriad of things could be at fault: 1) sales follow-up may be sub-standard in either cadence, frequency, or message. 2) lead nurturing. 2) lead nurturing. Better Content.

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Sales Qualified Leads Work Management Marketing Management Account Based Marketing 138

The Point

JUNE 5, 2018

Earlier this year, Forrester Research conducted a detailed survey of more than 150 B2B marketing decision-makers with the intent of benchmarking the maturity of B2B marketing best practices, focused on revenue marketing and marketing automation. for lead management to 3.35 Read more about the survey results on Lori’s blog.).

Lead Ranking 194

Lead Ranking Forrester Lead Scoring Paid Search Agency 194

The Point

NOVEMBER 10, 2016

In 2015, JW Player piloted a small-scale, in-house SEM program on Google AdWords to gauge the potential efficacy of using search advertising to drive qualified leads for its enterprise video platform. JW Player contacted Spear Marketing Group , a leading B2B demand generation agency , for help.

SEM 222

SEM Cost Per Click Enterprise Management Paid Search Agency 222

The Point

OCTOBER 25, 2018

The analysts at Demand Gen Report just published their “ 2018 Lead Nurturing & Acceleration Survey Report ” and one conclusion is no surprise: many B2B companies are still really bad at lead nurturing. It’s not just that 44% of respondents said that their lead nurturing “needs improvement.” Think about that.

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Lead Nurturing Marketing Report Lead Scoring Lead Ranking 178

The Point

APRIL 22, 2020

I posted recently on LinkedIn that, in the current climate, leads from content syndication and other CPL programs may be an ideal replacement for lost trade shows and other events, and indeed can be an effective way to stay engaged in the marketplace at a time when many buyers are laying low. Quality content = quality leads.

Lead Scoring 162

Lead Scoring Lead Ranking CPL Cost per Lead 162

The Point

JULY 17, 2017

Demand Gen Report has published the results of this year’s “B2B Buyer’s Survey,” and the trends identified merit close attention for those marketers involved in B2B demand generation and content development. 72% of B2B Buyers quote timely response to inquiries as a key factor in vendor selection via @spearmktg. Click To Tweet.

Paid Search Agency 241

Paid Search Agency Demand Marketing Automation Services Peer-to-peer 241

The Point

JULY 1, 2019

For the last decade or more, it’s been an accepted principle – almost a key tenet – of B2B demand generation that business buyers don’t want to talk to a sales rep until the last possible moment. It’s why, for example, we marketers have assumed control for more and more of the lead funnel. For example: * Lead Scoring.

B2B Sales 124

B2B Sales Demand Generation Agencies Top of Funnel Lead Scoring 124

The Point

DECEMBER 15, 2020

A client asks: How long should a lead be chronically non-responsive before they’re marked as “marketing suspended”? Over time, an accumulation of stale, non-responsive leads can bump you to a higher pricing tier for your CRM or marketing automation license. . How Quickly Should I Suspend or Delete Non-Responsive Leads?

Lead Scoring 162

Lead Scoring Lead Ranking Leads Lead 162

The Point

JANUARY 23, 2018

Response rates from tactical, sales-driven campaigns are likely to be lower (because they only attract highly qualified, late stage leads), so companies need to spend more money to generate relatively few opportunities. This requires a constant re-loading of the sales funnel with new, expensive leads. Look, I get it.

Sales Management 253

Sales Management Sales Qualified Leads Demand Generation Agencies Lead Scoring 253

The Point

JUNE 18, 2019

7 Key Principles of #B2B Email Creative Click To Tweet. On July 16, 2019 at 11 AM PT, I’ll be discussing these principles and other tips in a live Webinar, “ A Crash Course in B2B Email Creative.” This same presentation was delivered earlier in the year to standing-room only audiences at leading marketing conferences.

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Creativity B2B Webinar Metrics Email Marketing 164

The Point

MARCH 7, 2019

With permission, a more complete version of the interview follows: (DGR) What trends are you currently seeing in B2B email marketing today? (HS) These have particular application in lead nurturing and customer marketing. Trends in #B2B Email: #ABM, Deliverability & Integrated Campaigns Click To Tweet. Photo by Anete L?si?a

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Deliverability Account Based Marketing ABM Demand Generation Agencies 150

The Point

AUGUST 8, 2013

When a client says “We set up lead scoring but sales doesn’t pay any attention,” it’s a sure sign that something is amiss – and more likely the problem doesn’t rest with sales. Here’s Part 2 of our discussion of the most common B2B lead scoring mistakes. Too little negative scoring.

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Lead Scoring Lead Ranking Sales Qualified Leads Marketo 100

The Point

MARCH 22, 2019

Lead scoring – as a fundamental part of a company’s lead management strategy – has officially fallen out of fashion. Two reasons I can think of: One is that lead scoring is routinely set up as part of an initial implementation of a marketing automation platform. 3 Key Reasons Not to Give Up on Lead Scoring Click To Tweet.

Lead Ranking 113

Lead Ranking Lead Scoring Sales Qualified Leads Account Based Marketing 113

The Point

AUGUST 1, 2013

Lead scoring has quickly become an integral part of a demand generation marketer’s arsenal. A well-planned, well-designed, and optimized lead scoring schema can be a key contributor to sales productivity, sales engagement, and the rate at which inbound leads convert to Sales Qualified Leads, opportunities, and deals.

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Lead Scoring Lead Ranking Sales Qualified Leads Leads 100

The Point

FEBRUARY 27, 2018

Following on the heels of CAN-SPAM (US) and CASL (Canada), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the latest in a series of government regulations that promises to have a major impact on the way B2B marketers conduct business. 5 Basic Things Every #B2B Marketer Needs to Do to Prepare for #GDPR via @spearmktg.

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Privacy Policies Marketing Automation Services B2B Marketing Marketing Management 231

The Point

NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Earlier this month I co-hosted a Webinar with Greg Kelly of Vidyard and Jason Oakley of Uberflip on “ Driving B2B Engagement with Personalized Content.” Plus personalization opens up new ways to score or qualify leads, for example: a lead score based on leads that watch 80% of a personalized video. Click To Tweet.

Personalization 133

Personalization Lead Scoring Lead Ranking B2B 133

The Point

DECEMBER 15, 2016

Form abandonment and cart abandonment campaigns are standard practice for B2C and ecommerce marketers, less so for those of us B2B types who deal in leads vs. transactions. Here are 3 key lessons B2B marketers can learn from the campaign: 1. But otherwise, a job well done.

Leads 100

Leads Lead Marketing Qualified Leads Landing Pages 100

The Point

SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

But don’t equate “staying in touch” – or lead nurturing success – with simply asking the prospect over and over whether he or she is ready to buy. For a more detailed discussion on this and similar topics, see our white paper: “ Lead Recycling: A More Cost Effective Approach to Demand Generation for High-Technology Companies”.

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Lead Nurturing Sales Qualified Leads Lead Scoring Lead Ranking 224

The Point

MAY 23, 2017

There is a growing trend in the content syndication space, and among Cost Per Lead (CPL) programs in general, for media vendors to offer B2B clients the option of pre-qualified leads. For the average B2B marketer, I’m not so sure this is a wise move. Here’s why: First, some context. Here’s why: 1. You know your business.

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Sales Qualified Leads Cost per Lead High Quality Lead CPL 110

The Point

DECEMBER 16, 2013

In fact, I’ll make almost the exact opposite prediction: “By 2015, the percentage of B2B leads that arrive via corporate Websites will shrink dramatically as marketers maintain multiple, distinct online channels that are optimized for demand generation.”. Want to guess how many of those leads arrive via our clients’ Websites?

Demand Generation Agencies 100

Demand Generation Agencies B2B Sales Sales Leads Microsite 100

The Point

JANUARY 27, 2016

Demand Gen Report just published “ Top B2B Marketers Measure Lead Nurturing Effectiveness to Boost Performance ,” a special report in which they address the whys, whats, and how tos of measuring lead nurturing’s true impact. That, ultimately, is what lead nurturing is designed to do – move leads towards opportunity and close.

Lead Nurturing 100

Lead Nurturing Lead Ranking Marketing Qualified Leads Sales Qualified Leads 100

The Point

JUNE 8, 2016

Email may still be the workhorse in how B2B companies build relationships, maintain awareness, qualify leads and nudge prospects along the sales cycle, but these days, it pays to think about “lead nurturing” as more just an email campaign. The post 5 Ways to Expand Lead Nurturing Beyond the Inbox appeared first on The Point.

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Lead Nurturing Sales Qualified Leads Account Based Marketing Leads 100

The Point

MAY 18, 2016

If your Google AdWords campaign isn’t generating the type of lead volume, lead quality, or ROI that it should, it’s highly likely that the campaign is suffering from common missteps that plague many B2B paid search programs. Based on our experience, here are the most common paid search mistakes made by B2B marketers.

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Paid Search Agency Adwords B2B Click Rate 113

The Point

FEBRUARY 25, 2022

But conversations with enough marketers over the years tells me that most B2B organizations, big and small, struggle with some element of their marketing execution. My advice was: if you’re only tracking clicks, track leads. If you’re only tracking leads, track MQLs (and Cost Per MQL). Marketing attribution is a good example.

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Class Marketing Attribution Advertising Agencies Paid Search Agency 243

The Point

NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Research firm Software Advice have released their 2014 B2B Demand Generation Benchmark Report , a handy reference for anyone planning 2015 marketing spend. And here’s where I think that analysis goes astray: First, demand generation effectiveness is not best measured by which channel generates the highest number of “quality” leads.

Trade Show 100

Trade Show Demand Generation Agencies BtoB Lead Scoring 100

The Point

OCTOBER 30, 2013

A client asks: “I notice that you’re recommending we gate our offer content behind landing pages as part of the lead nurturing campaign. It’s why click-to-lead conversion rates are never 100%, no matter how good your landing page. Why is that necessary when we already know who these people are? Here’s why: 1. A click is not a response.

Lead Nurturing 100

Lead Nurturing Lead Scoring Lead Ranking Landing Pages 100

The Point

JULY 14, 2015

In an era when “demand generation” and “content marketing” are virtually synonymous, most B2B sales leads are the result of a prospect downloading or requesting content. That latter group becomes fodder for ongoing nurturing, in the hope that further education and brand awareness will ultimately result in conversion to qualified leads.

Sales Qualified Leads 100

Sales Qualified Leads Marketing Qualified Leads Lead Ranking Top of Funnel 100

The Point

JANUARY 29, 2015

Recently I sat down with Amanda Nelson, Director of Marketing at RingLead , a leading provider of cloud-based data solutions that make it easy to analyze, remove, merge and prevent duplicates in Salesforce. We discussed what’s new, what’s working, and what’s on the horizon in B2B Demand Generation. HS) Content is everything these days.

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Demand Generation Agencies Demand Generation Demand Generation 100

The Point

DECEMBER 6, 2010

26 Must-Have Negative Keywords for B2B PPC Campaigns. Blog Makeover Nets Sales Leads for Software Company. In fact, I’ve written much more in the last 12 months about social media and lead nurturing, yet many of those posts didn’t make the cut. Comments after the fold. 7 Mistakes To Avoid In Your Next Webinar Invitation.

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Lead Gen Webinar Metrics Salesforce.com Eloqua 100

The Point

APRIL 1, 2014

One of the reasons for this under-utilization, and the inability of some marketers to deploy, for example, automated lead nurturing at every stage of the selling process, is resistance from the sales organization, and in particular, Inside Sales. Marketo creates task in CRM to remind BDR to call lead 1 week later. Wait 2 weeks.

Lead Nurturing 100

Lead Nurturing Sales Qualified Leads Lead Scoring Lead Ranking 100