Expert insights. Personalized for you.
WriteSpark
APRIL 18, 2018
I once participated in a focus group to evaluate the effectiveness of sales materials produced by an insurance company. The group included people of diverse professions, ages, and life experience. Yet it was interesting to see how quickly they reached consensus on which document had the most appeal, especially for motivating a purchase decision. The group's choice?
WriteSpark
APRIL 18, 2018
I once participated in a focus group to evaluate the effectiveness of sales materials produced by an insurance company. The group included people of diverse professions, ages, and life experience. Yet it was interesting to see how quickly they reached consensus on which document had the most appeal, especially for motivating a purchase decision. The group's choice?
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WriteSpark
APRIL 11, 2018
Good content is a shame to waste. Especially when it's right in front of you, ready to be adapted for a document, video, or presentation. So often when I'm working on a content marketing project, I see good stories and information go by the wayside simply because they don't fit the immediate need. For example, when interviewing customers for their perspectives on a white paper topic, I often gather a substantial amount of information that would be useful for a case study.
WriteSpark
APRIL 11, 2018
Good content is a shame to waste. Especially when it's right in front of you, ready to be adapted for a document, video, or presentation. So often when I'm working on a content marketing project, I see good stories and information go by the wayside simply because they don't fit the immediate need. For example, when interviewing customers for their perspectives on a white paper topic, I often gather a substantial amount of information that would be useful for a case study.
Speaker: Deniz Olcay, Senior Director of Product Marketing, and Jake Miller, Senior Product Marketing Manager
In this value-packed webinar, Deniz Olcay and Jake Miller will unravel and debunk the top three SCM myths and explain how to get the most from your SCM solution.
WriteSpark
APRIL 4, 2018
Your marketing team may produce dozens of new white papers each year, but how often do you refresh an existing one? For many technology marketers, once a white paper is written and posted it's instantly forgotten. Yet many older white papers can deliver renewed value to your promotional efforts with less expense, time, and effort than producing a new one.
WriteSpark
MARCH 28, 2018
One of your sales reps sends a breathless e-mail: "XYZ company just signed a contract. They'd make a great success story!" Or, you're preparing to launch a new product and you know that a strong customer case study would be very helpful for substantiating your marketing messages. So, you ask the product manager whether any of the customers involved in beta testing or early product release would be good candidates. In both cases, what input do you receive?
WriteSpark
MARCH 28, 2018
One of your sales reps sends a breathless e-mail: "XYZ company just signed a contract. They'd make a great success story!" Or, you're preparing to launch a new product and you know that a strong customer case study would be very helpful for substantiating your marketing messages. So, you ask the product manager whether any of the customers involved in beta testing or early product release would be good candidates. In both cases, what input do you receive?
WriteSpark
MARCH 21, 2018
Whether they like it or not, whether they feel capable or not, many technical subject matter experts (SMEs) are expected to be a white paper writer, a web content writer, and a blog post writer. However, in most cases, these writing assignments aren't getting done--which is frustrating to both the SMEs and the content marketing managers who oversee the projects. The question becomes: Should SMEs write technical sales materials?
WriteSpark
MARCH 21, 2018
Whether they like it or not, whether they feel capable or not, many technical subject matter experts (SMEs) are expected to be a white paper writer, a web content writer, and a blog post writer. However, in most cases, these writing assignments aren't getting done--which is frustrating to both the SMEs and the content marketing managers who oversee these projects. The question becomes: Should SMEs write technical sales materials?
Advertisement
What does the evolution of ESG programs mean for communicators? As it turns out - a lot. New challenges are coming into focus, driven by the increasing attention to corporate sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, and the evolving state of ESG reporting regulations. This new ebook from 3BL Media explores seven trends in detail and unpacks what they mean for communicators. Access your copy for free today.
|
WriteSpark
MARCH 14, 2018
Perhaps the most exasperating feedback you can get from a subject expert who reviews the draft of a technical marketing document? "It It has problems, let’s talk.". Your stomach sinks as you imagine having to listen to a complete destruction of text into which you (or your technology writer) put so much time, effort, and creative thought. But knowing several strategies for handling feedback can make this situation both positive and constructive for moving the project forward. Strategy #1.
WriteSpark
MARCH 14, 2018
Perhaps the most exasperating feedback you can get from a subject expert who reviews the draft of a technical marketing document? "It It has problems, let’s talk.". Your stomach sinks as you imagine having to listen to a complete destruction of text into which you (or your technology writer) put so much time, effort, and creative thought. But knowing several strategies for handling feedback can make this situation both positive and constructive for moving the project forward. Strategy #1.
WriteSpark
MAY 14, 2013
A note from Janice: Professional services for activities such as infrastructure assessments, deployment planning, and outsourced IT operations are a significant revenue stream for many technology companies. However, these services aren''t often the focus of guidance for effective marketing. In this guest post, Hinge Marketing, which specializes in professional services firms, presents interesting data about online marketing strategies that can benefit any company offering technology services.
WriteSpark
MARCH 11, 2014
What do you do for viewers after they''ve watched your live webinar? What do you do with those who (gasp!) have left the session early, before they see the slide with your call to action and web link for more information? Based on my Webinar experiences lately, you may be abandoning valuable leads right at the point when you have their attention. See if this experience is familiar. Last month I was registered for two webinars during the same hour, so I left one early and joined the other late.
Speaker: Amanda Wener, Award-Winning Content Strategist and Brand Storyteller
In this exclusive webinar with award-winning content strategist Amanda Wener, you’ll learn the benefits of a strong editorial content strategy in building a brand identity, why functioning like a newsroom works, and how a structured approach to content creation and marketing can bring your brand to life.
WriteSpark
JULY 9, 2013
A recent series of TechTarget reports offers many helpful insights for content marketing that targets IT buyers. Four insights in particular caught my attention. Serial IT Specialists. TechTarget correctly notes that many IT professionals now move from one area to another as new technologies emerge and are adopted by their employers. These buyers seek content that will help them progress from basic to advanced topics in their new technology focus.
WriteSpark
FEBRUARY 14, 2012
When you ask questions during a case study interview, do you talk too much? If you're getting answers that are lackluster, confusing, or less complete or enthusiastic than you expect, the problem may be how you asked the questions. Common symptoms: Using more than two sentences for a question. Asking for too much information in a single question. Feeling the temptation to explain a topic or share a story of your experience after you state the question, but before you allow the customer to answer.
WriteSpark
APRIL 8, 2014
Your marketing department may produce dozens of new white papers each year, but how often do you refresh an existing one? For many technology marketers, once a white paper is written and posted it''s instantly forgotten. Yet many older white papers can deliver renewed value to your promotional efforts with less expense, time, and effort than producing a new one.
WriteSpark
DECEMBER 12, 2012
This month's list focuses on my best posts and recommended resources for content marketing as it applies to technology products, services, and companies. If you are involved in producing any type of technical sales or promotional materials, you'll find these posts helpful: What does the content tell you? How to look beyond the standard collateral list to create fresh ideas for marketing content. Decision makers like details.
Advertisement
Intent signal data helps B2B marketers engage with buyers sooner in the sales cycle. But there are many confusing terms used to describe intent data. Read this infographic to better understand three common areas of confusion.
WriteSpark
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
Do you have the interviewing skills that can help you get a great case study.and strengthen your relationship with the customer at the same time? Or, do you just "wing it," relying on the right information to magically emerge during the interview call, as long as you can keep the customer talking? Anytime you interview a customer, you have a golden opportunity to elicit powerful, effective content for a case study.
WriteSpark
OCTOBER 23, 2012
In this blog, I frequently write about case studies, white papers, and content marketing for technical products and technology companies. Over the next few months, I'll list what I consider to be my very best posts on these topics, along with a few "must have" books and other resources to further your knowledge. If you are involved in writing or managing customer case studies for high-tech marketing, you'll find useful ideas in these posts: Does your team know what makes a good case study?
WriteSpark
JUNE 11, 2013
Go to the website of many technology companies and find the link for case studies. The page that appears is likely a long, undifferentiated list of all the case studies the company has ever produced. What a lost promotional opportunity! Instead of taking time to look through the list, most customers will click on just the first one or two links. Or, they''ll look for a company name they recognize, even if that case study isn''t necessarily relevant to their interests or situation.
WriteSpark
OCTOBER 8, 2013
Good content is a shame to waste. Especially when it''s right in front of you, ready to be adapted for a document, video, or presentation. So often when I''m working on a content marketing project, I see good stories and information go by the wayside simply because they don''t fit the immediate need. For example, when interviewing customers for their perspectives on a white paper topic, I often gather a substantial amount of information that would be useful for a case study.
Speaker: Ardath Albee, B2B Marketing Strategist and CEO of Marketing Interactions
Acting on intent data when applied to buyer context can be a game-changer for gaining attention by increasing relevance, which drives purposeful engagement toward purchase. But all intent data is not the same. In this webinar, learn the difference between interest and intent, and the best ways to use the right data.
WriteSpark
AUGUST 14, 2012
"How long have you been freelancing?" is a question I rarely hear when I am discussing my copywriting services with a potential client. But it's a question you will want to ask any freelance copywriter you hire. The reason? A writer who is experienced in running a business and managing projects as a freelancer can save you time, money, and headaches through more effective project activity and relationships.
WriteSpark
MARCH 12, 2013
A prime customer has just agreed to participate in a case study for your product--great news! But it can be tempting to turn what should be a focused case study interview call into an extended grilling of the customer for every bit of product feedback you can get. That's update mistake for two reasons: The customer may lose patience with the process and back-out of the case study.
WriteSpark
AUGUST 13, 2013
A typical job ad for a copywriter includes a statement like this: "Must be able to write all types of content, from white papers to webpages to tweets.". Sounds good, right? Indeed, some freelance writers promote themselves as the one person who can take care of all your copywriting needs. But that single-source approach may not in fact be the best way to serve your content marketing projects. Different project types simply have differing needs for a writer''s knowledge, skill, and focus.
WriteSpark
JANUARY 9, 2013
At the beginning of the year, your content marketing plans are likely focused on new, new, new: New white papers, sales brochures, Web articles, and customer case studies. But equally valuable marketing opportunities may await you in the old--through a relatively simple, fast, and inexpensive refresh of your best existing materials.
Advertisement
Search metrics can drive conversion by helping website owners, and marketers learn from their online visitors. The data provided by an onsite search engine can help personalize the eCommerce experience and turn a visitor into a repeat buyer.
WriteSpark
MAY 8, 2012
What can a catalog about sewing threads teach a technology marketer about writing effective sales content? A lot about missed opportunities for engaging prospects and motivating them to make a purchase. I create art quilts as a hobby and at a recent trade show I eagerly picked up a catalog from a well-regarded specialty thread manufacturer.
WriteSpark
MARCH 11, 2014
What do you do for viewers after they've watched your live webinar? What do you do with those who (gasp!) have left the session early, before they see the slide with your call to action and web link for more information? Based on my Webinar experiences lately, you may be abandoning valuable leads right at the point when you have their attention. See if this experience is familiar. Last month I was registered for two webinars during the same hour, so I left one early and joined the other late.
WriteSpark
APRIL 10, 2012
It's easy to understand that not every freelance writer is a good match for every marketing project. Yet, how can you recognize when you need a specialty writer and identify what kind of writer to seek? These ideas can help your search. You need a writer with specific technical or subject knowledge. Teaching a generalist writer about your products, customers, and applications probably isn't a good use of time--for yourself or your subject experts.
WriteSpark
FEBRUARY 11, 2014
Do you have the interviewing skills that can help you get a great case study.and strengthen your relationship with the customer at the same time? Or, do you just "wing it," relying on the right information to magically emerge during the interview call, as long as you can keep the customer talking? Anytime you interview a customer, you have a golden opportunity to elicit powerful, effective content for a case study.
Speaker: Jonathan Meyer & Jonathan Read
Headless CMS is redefining the way online content is presented. But don't worry––it’s not nearly as spooky as it sounds. Connect with Hawksearch’s Jonathan Meyer, joined by Sitefinity’s Jonathan Read, where the pair will define Headless CMS, the benefits it offers, and outline its eCommerce potential,
WriteSpark
JANUARY 14, 2014
Last month I was on the website of a major technology company, looking for basic information about a product. I entered the product name into the search field and the first page of links to come up were all related to developer's notes. Not exactly what I was looking for. Going through the product menu was no help either, because the overview page I found there was so full of photos and fancy formatting and there was no option to get a simple print version.
WriteSpark
JANUARY 14, 2014
Last month I was on the website of a major technology company, looking for basic information about a product. I entered the product name into the search field and the first page of links to come up were all related to developer''s notes. Not exactly what I was looking for. Going through the product menu was no help either, because the overview page I found there was so full of photos and fancy formatting and there was no option to get a simple print version.
WriteSpark
APRIL 9, 2013
Although April Fool''s Day was last week, its mischievous spirit is active year-round in technology marketing projects. And this mischief often reflects the proverbial Murphy''s Law, that "whatever can go wrong, will.". So, with tongue firmly in cheek, here are my top 12 ways that Murphy''s Law applies to technical copywriting projects. The product feature for which you have written the cleverest messages won''t be ready when the product ships.
WriteSpark
DECEMBER 10, 2013
The quiet that comes when work slows for the the holidays is a good time to catch up on the best marketing resources of the past year. Here are three that I recommend: 101 Examples of Effective Calls to Action from Hubspot. Full of useful examples for presenting an eye-catching, action-motivating call to action on a webpage.
Speaker: Jonathan Meyer, Danielle Erwin, Jeremey LaDuque, Nathan Hedley & Nils De Moor
To help eCommerce merchants set themselves up for success, Bridgeline's leading eCommerce, SEO, and marketing experts are coming in an all-star roundtable to discuss Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023. As a group, they will showcase the checklist for how to prepare your eCommerce site, how to identify the latest online shopping trends, and how to seize new revenue-generating opportunities.
120 
Let's personalize your content