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The Best & Worst of Agent/Dealer Direct Mail: 2 Case Studies

Direct mail is a common marketing tactic for supporting dealers and agents who sell consumer products and services. Using geographically targeted data, the home office or corporate headquarters sends direct mail to prospects with content personalized to the local dealer or agent. When it works, it can be marketing dynamite. Effective agent/dealer campaigns generate leads from qualified buyers, drive retail traffic, and make the phones ring. When it fails, it can be a disaster. Campaigns that miss the mark irritate prospects, waste the marketer’s money, and wind up in the trash. Here are...

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Media Marketing Strategies | Smart Marketing Cleveland

Paid, Owned & Earned Media: Why Marketers Need All Three

The term “media” used to have a simple definition in marketing: "Media" were the paid advertising channels marketers used to deliver promotional messages to prospects. But today’s definition of "media" is decidedly different. If fact, there are three kinds of media that belong in a marketing plan: Paid, owned, and earned media. Here’s what "media" means today and why paid, owned, and earned media should be part of your smart marketing strategy. New Elements of a "Media" Plan When I studied advertising at Ohio University, my textbook defined a media plan as “the overall...

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Sales Presentation Success | Gianfagna Strategic Marketing Ohio

Sales Pitch Fails: 7 Errors to Avoid in Your Next Presentation

You’re about to make a sales presentation to a prospective customer. You have the right experience, the right products and services, and competitive pricing. You’re an ideal fit for the customer’s needs. This should be a winning sales formula. But too often, it isn’t, because vendors make dumb mistakes during presentations that cost them the business. Here are seven things NOT to do when making a sales pitch to a prospect....

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B2B Marketing Strategy: 10 Goals that Belong in Every Plan

The most important step in developing a business-to-business marketing strategy is the first one: Setting your goals. Why are you investing in marketing? What do you want that investment to achieve for your business? For B2B marketers, the answer to these questions can be surprisingly straightforward. In fact, in my experience as a B2B marketing consultant, there are 10 critical goals that apply to almost every B2B marketing strategy, whether you’re selling manufactured products, professional services, or commodities. Here are the 10 goals that belong in a smart B2B marketing...

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7 Reasons Banks Fail at B2B Direct Marketing

Banks are spending big money marketing products and services to small businesses via direct mail. Most of these direct marketing campaigns are terrible. Here are seven reasons why so many banks fail at B2B direct marketing and some lessons for your smart marketing strategy....

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