In today’s business environment, professional services firms face a unique challenge: balancing the tried-and-true methods of traditional marketing with the rapidly evolving demands of digital channels. The modern B2B buyer expects both personalization and accessibility, making a hybrid approach crucial for firms aiming to engage and retain clients effectively. For professional services firms rooted in traditional approaches, the shift to digital marketing can feel daunting—but it also represents an opportunity to connect with clients in meaningful new ways.

The Changing Landscape of B2B Marketing for Professional Services

Buyer expectations have changed significantly over the past decade. B2B decision-makers now prefer a blend of digital touchpoints, from educational webinars and engaging social media content to insightful blog posts and targeted email marketing. Traditional marketing approaches—such as in-person networking, relationship-building, and referrals—remain valuable. However, they no longer fulfill the full range of buyer needs, especially as many decision-makers now conduct extensive online research before even contacting a provider.

For professional services firms, the challenge is to create a seamless experience that combines digital and traditional interactions. Today’s B2B buyer expects convenience and immediacy, along with the depth and reliability associated with established brands. By carefully integrating digital channels, firms can strengthen client relationships while meeting modern expectations.

Core Challenges in Transitioning from Traditional to Digital

Transitioning to a hybrid marketing strategy is easier said than done. Many professional services firms face challenges that slow their adoption of digital methods:

1. Resistance to Change: Established firms often have well-defined processes and are accustomed to traditional marketing’s tangible returns, like word-of-mouth referrals and direct networking. Embracing digital marketing can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory.
2. Measuring ROI: Digital marketing offers a wealth of data, but the learning curve can be steep. Many firms are uncertain about how to measure the return on investment (ROI) for digital campaigns, making it harder to justify shifting resources from traditional channels.
3. Maintaining Client Trust and Expertise: For firms known for their expertise, there is a concern that digital methods could appear impersonal or detract from their credibility. Balancing the transparency and immediacy of digital content with a reputation for quality and trustworthiness can be tricky.

 

Key Strategies to Bridge the Gap

To navigate this shift, firms can employ specific strategies that bring the strengths of both traditional and digital marketing together.

1. Leverage Data-Driven Insights
   Digital marketing provides access to extensive data on customer behavior, preferences, and touchpoints, allowing firms to create highly personalized experiences. By analyzing this data, firms can gain insights into which strategies resonate most with their target audience and adjust accordingly. For instance, monitoring engagement with content like blogs, case studies, or newsletters can reveal client interests and needs, guiding future campaigns.
2. Incorporate Content Marketing
   Thought leadership is central to building credibility, and digital channels offer an ideal platform for showcasing expertise. By developing valuable content—such as industry insights, how-to guides, and webinars—firms can engage their audience, nurture leads, and solidify their position as trusted advisors. This approach not only reaches clients digitally but also strengthens traditional relationships by providing clients with informative resources they can share and discuss in person.
3. Utilize Targeted Advertising
   Digital advertising allows firms to target specific industries, job roles, or geographic areas with precision. Platforms like LinkedIn, which cater to professional audiences, offer advertising options tailored to reach relevant B2B decision-makers. Retargeting ads, which appear after someone has visited your site, can also keep your brand top-of-mind among potential clients, making this strategy highly complementary to traditional networking efforts.
4. Blend Offline and Online Experiences
   Professional services firms can create memorable experiences by combining offline and online elements. For example, hosting an in-person event that is also live-streamed can engage both local clients and remote participants, expanding the reach of a traditional approach through digital channels. Similarly, webinars, which provide educational value and interaction opportunities, serve as digital extensions of traditional seminars and roundtables, offering clients flexibility in how they engage with your brand.

Steps to Get Started

For firms ready to bridge the gap, taking the first steps toward a hybrid marketing strategy can be streamlined with a structured approach:

1. Conduct an Audit: Evaluate your current marketing efforts to identify gaps where digital tactics can complement traditional methods. Determine which areas are underperforming or could benefit from digital reinforcement.
2. Identify Digital Opportunities: Consider where digital channels could amplify existing strengths. If your firm excels in thought leadership, start by building a content marketing program. If networking is central to your success, explore how LinkedIn advertising or webinars can enhance your reach.
3. Set Clear Goals: Establish measurable goals for each digital channel, whether it’s to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or boost client engagement. Goals help justify the investment in digital and serve as benchmarks for success.
4. Take a Phased Approach: Transitioning from traditional to digital is a journey. Consider rolling out digital initiatives in phases to ensure that each step is manageable and measurable. Start with a pilot project, gather feedback, and make adjustments before expanding.
5. Commit to Continuous Improvement: Digital marketing requires adaptability. Regularly review data from campaigns, client interactions, and feedback to refine your approach and ensure alignment with both traditional values and digital expectations.

Embracing a Hybrid Future

For professional services firms, the shift to digital marketing represents an evolution in how they connect with and engage clients. By adopting a balanced approach, firms can preserve the strengths of traditional marketing while leveraging the efficiency and reach of digital methods. Ultimately, a hybrid strategy enhances relationships, drives engagement, and positions firms for long-term success in an increasingly digital world. Transitioning may feel challenging, but the rewards of a thoughtful blend of traditional and digital are well worth the effort.

Ready to take your marketing to the next level? Contact Bluetext today to learn how we can help you seamlessly bridge the gap between traditional and digital marketing.

The healthcare industry is undergoing a digital revolution, with technology increasingly central to patient care, data management, and hospital operations. For healthcare technology firms, this transformation presents a unique opportunity to connect with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare networks. However, breaking through to this market demands a targeted approach that emphasizes trust, addresses sector-specific needs, and communicates real-world value. This post dives into actionable strategies for reaching B2B healthcare audiences and building partnerships that support the industry’s vital mission.

Understanding the B2B Healthcare Landscape

Unlike many other B2B sectors, the healthcare market is defined by strict regulations, a focus on patient outcomes, and multi-layered decision-making processes. Stakeholders in hospitals and healthcare networks are cautious about adopting new technology, primarily because of high-stakes concerns around patient safety, data privacy, and operational compatibility. To successfully navigate this landscape, healthcare technology firms need a deep understanding of these priorities and a commitment to building trust.

A critical first step is to recognize that decision-makers, from C-suite executives to department heads, are evaluating technology not only for its features but also for its ability to integrate seamlessly into existing infrastructures and improve long-term patient outcomes. Demonstrating an awareness of industry pain points—such as budget constraints, regulatory requirements, and the need for interoperability—sets a strong foundation for engaging these audiences.

Crafting Relevant Messaging for Healthcare Audiences

Effective healthcare marketing begins with messaging that speaks directly to healthcare providers’ specific concerns. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare networks are focused on improving patient outcomes, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Marketing content that emphasizes these values will resonate far more than generic tech-driven language.

To appeal to healthcare professionals, highlight how your solution addresses critical challenges. For instance, a data analytics platform for hospitals might prioritize HIPAA compliance, seamless integration with electronic health records (EHR) systems, and real-time patient monitoring. Position your product as a partner in improving patient care rather than just another tech solution. Including testimonials, case studies, or data points that underscore proven results can enhance credibility and illustrate tangible benefits.

Building Digital Marketing Channels for Maximum Reach

Reaching healthcare decision-makers requires a strategic selection of digital channels, as traditional B2B approaches may not have the same impact. LinkedIn is essential for healthcare marketing, as it’s where professionals actively engage with industry-specific content. Utilize LinkedIn’s advanced targeting to reach executives, department heads, and procurement professionals who play a role in tech adoption decisions.

In addition to LinkedIn, hosting webinars tailored to the healthcare industry allows potential clients to engage with your product directly. Consider creating webinars focused on regulatory compliance, cost savings, or enhanced patient care enabled by your technology. This format not only provides an opportunity to answer questions in real-time but also builds trust by demonstrating your team’s knowledge of healthcare needs.

Email campaigns remain highly effective but should be crafted carefully to avoid information overload. Segmenting email lists by role—such as clinical leadership, IT administrators, and procurement officers—enables you to send tailored content that speaks to each audience’s specific priorities. Whitepapers and in-depth case studies can also be promoted through email, providing a resource that healthcare professionals can review at their own pace.

Leveraging Thought Leadership and Content Marketing

In healthcare marketing, establishing authority through thought leadership is critical. Thought leadership shows that your brand is not only knowledgeable but committed to contributing to the broader conversation around healthcare improvements. Regularly publishing informative, research-backed content—whether through blogs, industry journals, or social media—can help position your firm as an industry authority.

To create impactful thought leadership, address current healthcare challenges in your content, such as data security concerns, the shift toward value-based care, or the role of artificial intelligence in diagnostics. Collaborating with healthcare professionals for interviews, insights, or guest articles can also lend credibility and provide authentic perspectives that resonate with readers.

Whitepapers, case studies, and research reports are particularly valuable, as healthcare decision-makers tend to rely on in-depth analysis when considering new solutions. Distributing these materials on your website, via email campaigns, or through targeted LinkedIn ads can increase visibility among your ideal audience.

Optimizing for Mobile and Digital Health Trends

Healthcare professionals are increasingly reliant on mobile technology, both for patient interactions and professional information. Marketing content optimized for mobile devices can make a substantial difference in engagement, as busy healthcare professionals often access information on the go. Mobile-friendly design, short-form video content, and infographics cater to these needs by providing digestible, quick-access information.

Digital health trends, such as telemedicine and wearable health tech, are on the rise and impacting how healthcare organizations approach patient care. By aligning your marketing strategy with these trends, your brand can present itself as forward-thinking and attuned to the future of healthcare. For instance, case studies that explore successful telehealth implementations can resonate with hospitals considering similar initiatives.

Consider creating educational resources that highlight how your technology aligns with these digital trends. By positioning your product as an enabler of mobile and digital health solutions, you appeal to organizations focused on meeting modern healthcare demands.

Measuring and Adapting Strategies

For healthcare marketers, data-driven insights are essential for refining strategies and proving ROI. Measuring metrics like lead generation, engagement rates, and conversions can shed light on what resonates with healthcare audiences and where adjustments are necessary. Establish a feedback loop that gathers insights from sales teams, client feedback, and industry developments to continuously optimize your approach.

In addition to quantitative metrics, qualitative feedback from healthcare clients can provide invaluable insight. Healthcare technology is a fast-evolving field, and understanding the specific preferences and pain points of your target audience helps you stay ahead of the curve. Regularly reviewing and adapting your strategies based on these insights demonstrates your firm’s commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of healthcare providers.

Building Lasting Connections in Healthcare Marketing

As healthcare technology continues to evolve, the opportunities to create lasting connections with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare networks will only expand. With the right approach—rooted in credibility, tailored messaging, and an understanding of industry trends—healthcare marketers can effectively reach and resonate with their target audiences. Adopting a digital-first mindset and embracing mobile, data-driven strategies will further enhance your ability to engage this essential market.

Ready to take your healthcare marketing to the next level? Contact Bluetext today to learn how we can help you navigate the healthcare market with innovative, results-driven strategies.

Even though the weather still feels like summer, now’s the perfect time for businesses to start developing their fall marketing strategies. For B2B companies, seasonal marketing is often underutilized, but it can offer a significant edge in building connections, driving engagement, and generating leads. As we transition into autumn, the season brings a host of opportunities for businesses to create timely, impactful campaigns that resonate with their audience.

At Bluetext, we know how powerful seasonal campaigns can be in the B2B world. From autumn-themed promotions to messaging aligned with the traditions of fall, companies that strategically plan their marketing initiatives around this season can stand out in a competitive marketplace.

1. Back-to-Business: Align with the Post-Summer Push

As we move out of the summer slowdown, many businesses are refocusing on year-end goals. This presents an ideal time to target decision-makers who are getting back into full swing. Position your services or products as tools to help companies finish the year strong. Consider launching Q4-specific campaigns that emphasize solutions for increased productivity, streamlining operations, or hitting revenue targets before the close of the fiscal year.

2. Leverage Fall Conferences and Trade Shows

Autumn is a key season for B2B events, including trade shows, conferences, and networking opportunities. Make sure your marketing aligns with the industry calendar. A targeted email campaign or social media strategy that ties your offerings to specific events can help you capture the attention of potential clients. You can also create fall-themed content for event collateral, such as white papers or case studies, that highlights your ability to meet the changing needs of businesses during this crucial period.

3. Seasonal Content that Engages and Educates

B2B buyers are often looking for informative, insightful content to guide their decisions. Align your thought leadership with fall trends by publishing articles, case studies, or webinars that focus on Q4 challenges and solutions. Highlight industry-specific insights that show how your business can help others adapt to seasonal shifts, budget reallocation, or end-of-year planning. For example, you could create content about optimizing operations ahead of the holiday rush or preparing for the following fiscal year.

4. Harvest Opportunities: Focus on End-of-Year Business Needs

As fall signals the final quarter, many businesses are re-evaluating their budgets and making strategic purchases to close out the year. This is the perfect opportunity for B2B companies to promote services or products that address immediate needs. Consider offering limited-time pricing or service bundles that provide value before the year-end. Highlight how your solutions can help businesses tackle Q4 objectives, such as streamlining operations, achieving compliance, or meeting customer demands before the calendar flips.

5. Embrace Fall Traditions and Themes

While B2C brands often lean into seasonal aesthetics, B2B companies can also incorporate fall themes into their messaging. Subtle touches, such as incorporating fall colors, seasonal imagery, or metaphors about the harvest and growth, can make your campaigns more relatable and engaging. For instance, you could develop a campaign around “reaping the rewards” of your business solution or helping clients “gather insights” to fuel future growth.

As summer starts to wind down, it’s the perfect time to start planning your autumn-inspired marketing strategies. By leveraging fall themes, traditions, and the changing season, your brand can stay top of mind and create meaningful connections with your audience. Need help developing a fall campaign that drives engagement? Bluetext is here to help you navigate the season with creativity and success. Contact us today.

In the dynamic and competitive landscape of B2B marketing, the ability to leverage data effectively has become a key differentiator between success and failure. While creativity and intuition still play crucial roles in content marketing, it’s data-driven insights that provide the foundation for informed decision-making, enabling marketers to create content that is not only engaging but also highly effective in driving business outcomes.

The Evolution of Data in B2B Content Marketing

The use of data in marketing is not a new concept, but the way it’s applied has evolved significantly over the years. In the early days, data was primarily used for basic demographic segmentation and campaign reporting. However, with advancements in technology and analytics, the scope of data usage has expanded dramatically. Today, B2B marketers have access to a wealth of data points, from website behavior and social media interactions to CRM data and third-party research.

This evolution has transformed the content marketing landscape. No longer are marketers left to rely on broad assumptions about their audience. Instead, they can tap into detailed insights that reveal specific preferences, behaviors, and pain points. This shift towards data-driven content marketing allows B2B companies to create highly targeted and personalized content that resonates deeply with their audience.

The Role of Data in Crafting B2B Content Strategies

Data is the linchpin that holds together a successful B2B content strategy. It informs every stage of the content lifecycle, from planning and creation to distribution and optimization. Here’s how data-driven insights can elevate your content marketing efforts:

1. Audience Segmentation and Profiling: Understanding your audience is the first step in creating relevant content. Data-driven audience segmentation goes beyond basic demographics. It involves analyzing behavioral data, such as how different segments interact with your content, what topics they engage with most, and how they progress through the buyer’s journey. This deeper level of segmentation allows you to create content that speaks directly to the specific needs and challenges of each group, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion.
2. Content Ideation and Creation: Data can be a powerful tool in the ideation phase of content creation. By analyzing search trends, social media discussions, and competitor content, you can identify gaps in the market and uncover topics that are highly relevant to your audience. Additionally, insights from previous content performance can guide the creation of new content, helping you to focus on formats and themes that have proven successful in the past.
3. Personalization at Scale: Personalization is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a critical component of effective B2B content marketing. Data-driven personalization enables you to deliver tailored content experiences at scale. By leveraging data such as past interactions, purchase history, and content preferences, you can create personalized email campaigns, dynamic website content, and targeted social media ads that resonate with individual prospects and customers. This level of personalization can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your content, leading to higher engagement rates and stronger customer relationships.
4. Predictive Analytics for Proactive Content Strategy: One of the most powerful applications of data in content marketing is predictive analytics. By analyzing historical data, predictive models can forecast future trends, behaviors, and needs of your audience. This foresight allows you to be proactive rather than reactive in your content strategy. For example, if predictive analytics indicate that a particular industry is about to experience a surge in demand for a specific solution, you can create content that addresses this need ahead of time, positioning your brand as a thought leader and a go-to resource.
5. Content Performance Measurement and Optimization: The ability to measure and analyze content performance is essential for continuous improvement. Data provides insights into how your content is performing across different channels and audience segments. Key metrics such as engagement rates, time on page, conversion rates, and social shares can reveal what’s working and what’s not. Armed with this information, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your content strategy, such as adjusting your content formats, refining your messaging, or reallocating resources to high-performing channels.
6. Optimizing Content Distribution: Even the best content won’t deliver results if it doesn’t reach the right audience. Data-driven insights are invaluable in optimizing your content distribution strategy. By analyzing data on where and when your audience is most active, you can strategically distribute your content across the channels that are most likely to drive engagement. This could involve refining your email marketing strategy, choosing the optimal times to post on social media, or identifying niche industry platforms where your content can gain traction.
7. Enhancing User Experience with Data-Driven Design: Data isn’t just useful for content creation; it also plays a critical role in enhancing the overall user experience (UX) on your digital platforms. By analyzing user behavior data, such as click paths, bounce rates, and heatmaps, you can gain insights into how users interact with your content. This information can inform the design and layout of your website, ensuring that your content is easy to find, read, and engage with. A seamless UX, supported by data-driven design, can greatly enhance the effectiveness of your content marketing efforts.

 

Turning Data into Actionable Insights

The use of data-driven insights in B2B content marketing is not just a trend; it’s a necessity in today’s competitive landscape. By harnessing the power of data, B2B companies can create more targeted, personalized, and effective content strategies that resonate with their audience and drive meaningful business results.

At Bluetext, we understand the critical role that data plays in content marketing success. Our team of experts specializes in helping B2B companies unlock the full potential of their data to create compelling content that drives engagement, builds trust, and converts leads into customers. Whether you’re looking to enhance your content strategy, improve your content distribution, or leverage predictive analytics for proactive planning, Bluetext has the expertise and tools to help you achieve your goals.

Ready to take your content marketing to the next level? Contact Bluetext today to learn how we can support your data-driven content marketing efforts and help you stay ahead of the competition. Let’s turn your data into actionable insights that drive real results for your business.

In the fast-paced world of B2B marketing, where competition is fierce and trust is paramount, establishing credibility and authority in your industry can make all the difference. One powerful way to achieve this is through thought leadership content.

What is Thought Leadership?

Thought leadership goes beyond simply promoting your products or services. It involves sharing valuable insights, expertise, and perspectives on industry trends, challenges, and innovations. Thought leaders are seen as trusted advisors and influencers within their field, driving conversations and shaping the direction of their industry.

The Power of Thought Leadership in B2B Marketing

In the B2B sector, where purchasing decisions often involve complex considerations and long sales cycles, thought leadership content plays a crucial role. Here are some reasons why:

1. Builds Trust and Credibility: By consistently delivering high-quality, insightful content, you demonstrate your expertise and establish trust with your audience. This trust is essential for building long-term relationships and winning business in competitive markets.
2. Differentiates Your Brand: Thought leadership content sets you apart from competitors by showcasing your unique perspective and depth of knowledge. It positions your brand as a leader in your industry, making it more likely that potential clients will turn to you for solutions to their challenges.
3. Drives Engagement and Leads: Thought leadership content attracts and engages your target audience, driving traffic to your website, social media channels, and other digital platforms. It provides opportunities for meaningful interactions with prospects, ultimately generating leads and conversions.
4. Supports Sales Efforts: Thought leadership content can be a powerful asset for your sales team, providing them with valuable resources to share with prospects and demonstrate your expertise. It helps to nurture leads throughout the sales funnel and overcome objections by providing valuable insights and solutions.

Creating Effective Thought Leadership Content

So, how can you create thought leadership content that resonates with your audience and establishes your credibility? Here are some tips:

1. Know Your Audience: Understand the pain points, challenges, and interests of your target audience, and tailor your content to address their needs.
2. Stay Informed and Relevant: Keep abreast of industry trends, news, and developments, and share your insights and perspectives on timely topics.
3. Be Authentic and Transparent: Authenticity is key to thought leadership. Share your experiences, successes, and even failures openly and honestly.
4. Provide Actionable Insights: Offer practical advice, strategies, and solutions that your audience can implement in their own businesses.
5. Use Multiple Formats: Experiment with different content formats such as articles, blog posts, videos, podcasts, and webinars to reach a diverse audience and keep them engaged.

In today’s competitive B2B landscape, thought leadership content is a powerful tool for building credibility, trust, and influence. By sharing valuable insights and expertise with your audience, you can differentiate your brand, drive engagement, and ultimately, win business. Invest in thought leadership content as part of your marketing strategy and position yourself as a trusted advisor and leader in your industry.

Ready to take your B2B marketing to the next level with thought leadership content? Contact us today to learn how we can help you create compelling, impactful content that drives results.

Within the previous blogs in our marketing acronym series, we took a look at the top acronyms used in the sales and advertising realm, as well as the website design and development side of marketing. In today’s acronym review, we explore the top 45 acronyms most commonly used in and around the office (whether you work from the office or WFH) and those used in the contracting and legal departments. While we’re sure you know what PTO is, you may not know what TOFU means, and no, we’re not talking about the soy product. 

• SLA (Service Level Agreement)

A contract (sometimes it’s internal, and sometimes you have a set expectation that you’ve discussed with your customer) outlining the level of service they can expect.

 

• NPS (Net Promoter Score)

A measure of customer satisfaction and loyalty, based on the likelihood of them recommending your product or service.

 

• MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue)

The amount of predictable recurring revenue generated each month from your subscription-based products or services.

 

• ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue)

The money you can count on every year from your loyal customers who just can’t get enough of your product or service.

 

• DTC (Direct-to-Consumer)

A business model where you sell your products directly to consumers, no middleman needed.

 

• DR (Direct Response)

A marketing approach that aims to get a quick response from your target audience. Think of it like a call-to-action, but with more urgency.

 

• QA (Quality Assurance)

The process of making sure your product or service is up to snuff and meets all necessary quality standards.

 

• TOFU (Top of the Funnel)

The beginning of the customer journey, where a potential customer is first introduced to your product or service.

 

• MOFU (Middle of the Funnel)

The stage of the customer journey where a potential customer is considering your product or service.

 

• BOFU (Bottom of the Funnel)

The final stretch of the customer journey, where a potential customer is close to making a purchase.

 

• UGC (User-Generated Content)

Content created by your customers, like reviews, comments, or social media posts. People trust other people, so this type of content can be powerful.

 

• USP (Unique Selling Proposition)

What sets your product or service apart from the competition. This is what makes you stand out in a crowded market.

 

• SaaS (Software as a Service)

No more bulky software installations on your computer, now it’s all about subscribing to the latest and greatest software via the internet.

 

• WOM (Word of Mouth)

When your friends give you the lowdown on the latest product or service, that’s WOM.

 

• FB (Facebook)

It’s where everyone goes to check in on their mom’s friends, and share memes with their high school BFFs.

 

• IG (Instagram)

The ultimate platform for posting those #Foodie pics, #OOTDs, and #TravelGoals.

 

• MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

It’s like the beta version of a product, with just enough features to get people hyped. 

 

• DAU (Daily Active User)

A user who’s all about that daily engagement life.

 

• MAU (Monthly Active User)

Basically, a user who pops in once a month for some good times.

 

• TAM (Total Addressable Market)

The whole shebang of people who could potentially be into your product or service. 

 

• SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market)

The portion of the total market that a company can realistically reach and sell its products or services to.

 

• SMB (Small and Medium-Sized Businesses)

These are the cool, up-and-coming businesses that are killing it with fewer than 500 employees.

 

• SME (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises)

A term used in Europe and some other regions to describe businesses with fewer than 250 employees. It’s like the European version of SMBs.

 

• RFP (Request for Proposal)

Basically, it’s like asking “Yo, who wants to do some work for me and my biz?” to potential suppliers or contractors.

 

• TOS (Terms of Service)

The legal agreement between you and the service provider that outlines what’s expected from both parties.

 

• PM (Project Manager)

Your one-stop-shop for getting things done and keeping the team on track.

 

• EOW (End of Week)

The end of a workweek and the start of the weekend.

 

• EOM (End of Month)

The end of a month and the start of a new one.

 

• P&L (Profit and Loss)

A financial statement that keeps tabs on the money coming in and going out of your business.

 

• AMA (Ask Me Anything)

A financial statement that keeps tabs on the money coming in and going out of your business.

 

• TK (To Come)

A placeholder used in text when a piece of information is not yet available. It’s like the “Coming Soon” sign on a movie poster.

 

• H/t (Hat Tip)

A way to show appreciation for someone or something that inspired or helped you.

 

• WFH (Work From Home)

The freedom to work from the comfort of your own home.

 

• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

A list of questions and answers to help you quickly find what you’re looking for.

 

• DM (Direct Message)

A private chat between you and another person on social media.

 

• RT (Retweet)

When you share someone else’s tweet with your followers.

 

• PO (Purchase Order)

A document sent by a buyer to a seller, indicating the type, quantity, and agreed price for goods or services.

 

• TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

A summarization of a long piece of text.

 

• CMO (Chief Marketing Officer)

The person in charge of a company’s marketing strategy.

 

• TBD (To Be Determined)

A placeholder for something that hasn’t been decided yet.

 

• OOO (Out of Office)

A message indicating that you’re not available to respond to emails or calls.

 

• PTO (Paid Time Off)

Time off work, paid – because you deserve a break!

 

To learn more about any of the services attributed to these acronyms, contact us today. 

 

Launching your new or revitalized brand is the most important stage of the rebranding process. You’ve done all the hard work at this point, determining the right look and feel, message, and character for your brand. The crucial next step is to announce yourself to the world, both from an internal and external point of view. In today’s blog post, we’ll cover how to launch your new brand into the market and how to ensure your employees are ready to be your top brand ambassadors.

1. Brand Launches are Non-Linear in the Rebranding Process. Prepare Ahead of Time.

Preparation is the key to success. Without it, you run the risk of reducing the impact of your brand launch. You only get one shot at this so be sure to make the most of it. Begin ideating on how and when to launch your new brand at the start of your rebranding process. You’ll want to have a clear sense of the rationale behind the rebrand and how it impacts the broader narrative you want to communicate to the market. This foundation creates meaning and purpose, giving you a chance to engage with your existing customers and create new ones.

If you wait too long to start planning your brand launch, you risk confusing the market and your employees, leading to increased turnover and a decrease in market share. Be intentional and calculated as you determine the best course of action.

2. Increase Your Market Impact By Properly Determining Your Market

A successful brand launch reaches all notable audiences including both internal and external stakeholders. You’ll want to think strategically about your key audiences and prioritize your brand launch activities accordingly. For example, you may want to provide your high-value clients, key partners, and investors with a personalized introduction to your new brand. Making sure you create a positive trustworthy impression with your key audiences will increase the impact of your launch and the chance of success.

3. Communicate Efficiently, Communicate Effectively

The narrative you bring to the market for your brand launch is the most important aspect of the entire undertaking. Document your communication plan via a spreadsheet to ensure your tactics are on track from a timing and budget standpoint. Think through the most effective channels you can use to communicate the launch of your new brand to your key audiences.

Tactics can and should include: emails teasing the new brand, a pre-launch event for your most strategic audiences, and a landing page for people to visit to understand how the rebrand affects them in the short and long term. An effective communications strategy prepares your customers and investors for what’s to come and creates buzz around the new brand.

Think through a phased approach to your brand launch, utilizing a variety of tactics and channels to create the biggest impression. We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: you only get one shot at this. Make it count.

When in partnership with Arlington Capital Partners, we launched Centauri. Our team developed and executed an integrated go-to-market strategy including PR, digital advertising, and social media. A key component of this campaign was a series of emails teasing the new logo, message, and brand into the market.

4. Saying Sayonara to Your Old Legacy Brand

While it may be hard to let go of the past and the brand assets that got you to this stage in your company’s lifecycle, you made the decision to rebrand and enter a new phase of growth. Migrating your brand from the old to the new creates consistency in your overarching brand narrative.

Create a brand migration list of all of the places your old brand is visible from both an internal and external view. Your website, building signage, virtual backgrounds, mugs, business cards, ad campaigns, etc. should all be added to the list of touchpoints. Determine what it will take to update each asset and work backward from the items that will take the longest to finalize. Ensuring each of these touchpoints is taken care of prior to your brand launch means minimizing confusion for your key audiences and the market at large.

5. The Key to a Successful Rebrand is Getting Your Internal Stakeholders Onboard

In many senses, your employees are your brand’s most important ambassadors. Getting them to embrace the changes and preach the narrative you’ve created with authenticity will ensure a smoother transition from the old to the new brand. Educate your staff on the brand’s mission, vision, and core values, articulating the direction of the new brand. Provide your employees with your updated brand guidelines, outlining how your brand should look in white papers, PowerPoints, data sheets, etc. Outfit your team in branded swag to make them feel like part of the team and drum up excitement ahead of the brand launch. Your people are your greatest asset; use them to their full potential and reap the benefits.

When ARKA came to Bluetext following a merger, they needed new messaging, brand creative, website design, and a brand launch program to unite the legacy companies. As part of the brand launch, our team implemented a full brand ambassador program, email announcements, a central inventory of brand assets, and FAQs. To get employees excited and geared with new brand creative, a ‘Welcome to the Brand’ kit was designed and coordinated to arrive with the announcement of the new logo & brand.

6. Launching Your Brand Externally – Patience is Key

The most important thing to remember for any external brand launch is to be patient. It’s an exciting time; pressure is high and the fruits of your labor over the last few months are about to be realized. Just remember, patience is required to achieve maximum impact, and timing is everything. Coordination is an integral component of your brand launch, ensuring everything launches without a hitch, and no one accidentally jumps the gun by updating their LinkedIn header with a graphic featuring your new logo. Using your brand migration list, execute accordingly, launching your new website, updating social media assets, and distributing press releases. Many brand launches culminate in a public event, where you unveil your new logo, mission, core values, etc.

Following a series of mergers and acquisitions, BigBear.ai came to Bluetext with the goal of creating a new unified brand identity, revamped external messaging, and strategic public relations that would help them stand out in the crowded AI space. As part of the external brand launch, our team designed a jaw-dropping trade show booth experience that brought the spirit of the BigBear.ai brand to life with a 3D video wall. It had event attendees stopping in their tracks.

7. Your Brand Launch is Just the Beginning

You did it! Your brand is officially in the market. While you may have thought this day would never come and it feels like you just crossed the finish line, remember that launching your brand is only the start of the journey. Keep tabs on all ongoing brand development and ensure that any new materials stay within your outlined brand guidelines. Consistency is king and has the power to make or break your new brand. Remember, a brand is a living, breathing organism that requires constant upkeep and preening. Conduct regular brand audits to ensure your brand is working for you and not the other way around.

Is your brand ready for a refresh? Contact us today at Bluetext to learn more about our rebranding services. We work with premier private equity companies, launching updated brands for newly merged or acquired companies into the market and generating massive successes.

The technology industry, especially B2B, is high-paced, extremely complex, and simply put overly saturated. From start-ups to the legacy giants, the constant evolution of cybersecurity, managed IT, SaaS, AI, and not to mention the emergence of FinTech, HealthTech, and EdTech has widened the competition pool. Beyond a sea of overly hashtagged buzzwords, there are millions of companies trying to make or sustain a name for themselves. This makes marketing more critical than ever. 

Marketing technologies start with building brand awareness but involves consistently showcasing proof of concept, case studies, and current customer experiences with the ultimate goal of driving lead generation. As technology companies grow, those that leverage marketing strategies in partnership with engineering, product development, and sales will become market leaders.

Taking a technology start-up to an enterprise, accelerating company growth, and disrupting the status quo require a powerful marketing strategy that solidifies and shares core messaging, generates attention, and creates demand. But no marketing strategy exists without challenges. Here are the top challenges Bluetext sees across marketing in the technology industry:

1. Messaging to Experts, Not Decision-makers

Let us state the obvious: technology is built by smart people. Highly educated, highly technical and well versed in a technology tongue the average person doesn’t use day to day. But when companies attempt to explain their product or service to primary audiences (usually the person with the purchasing power) as if they were an insider with perfect knowledge, they don’t support the customer decision process. Successful marketing strategies acknowledge and accommodate a natural learning curve to deliver digestible information. No matter how impressive the technology product or service, it still must serve a business benefit.

Marketing teams should strive must meet the audience halfway, understand where they are in the decision-making process and deliver ongoing, accessible, and understandable value.

2. Riddling With Industry Jargon

When you have mere seconds to capture prospects’ attention on a website, it’s critical to make the product relevant, instill its value, and motivate the prospect to learn more. Getting deep in the weeds with specs and jargon-filled content wastes everyone’s time because it often has no meaning to the prospect, and simply wastes time as for a user to scan, find no interest, and give up. A common mistake in attempts to establish expertise; is alienating the user.

Instead, marketers must speak in the prospects’ language, not their own. Messaging should convey everything a customer needs to know and lead with high-level business value.

3. Overlooking the Journey

Marketing is a journey, often not a straightforward linear point solution. When done successfully, it guides prospects and customers through the twists and turns of purchase decisions. Technology marketers should work backward from the business value of their products. No matter how flashy, impressive, or advanced the technology your prospect is tasked with solving a business challenge. To prove you can offer a business benefit, break down the steps your prospect must take to find a solution, evaluate the effectiveness or get the ultimate purchasing decision.

Rather than focusing on immediately driving revenue, technology companies must understand their target audience and the overall journey so that marketing efforts can weave in the right information at the right times.

4. Fine Line of Pushing vs Telling

Marketing and sales teams in any industry have a bad rap for coming on too strong, too soon. Cold calls, aggressive or unsolicited emails, and unqualified leads rarely result in success, because they don’t account for their audience’s stage of the decision cycle. Your sales and marketing team can shout impressive stats and flashy specs all day, but unless you convey a relevant and necessary value, you may as well be on mute. Consider how can you establish credibility by illustrating, not telling, and specific ways your technology impacts their business.

Technology marketers should strive to anticipate what information prospects need to learn in advance of purchasing — and create compelling, helpful content that will answer their questions before even asked. While we know marketers can’t be mind readers, but you can leverage historic customer profiles and past learnings to cater your content. 

So How Can You Be Sure Your Strategy is Effective?

Data, data, data. The amount of data available from a tech product creates unique opportunities for marketers to make decisions quickly, optimize products, develop campaigns, and reach customers where they are. The effectiveness of your technology marketing efforts depends on your organization’s unique goals. Whether that be selling more products, raising awareness in a new audience, or solidifying a reputation to an existing customer base, make sure your marketing campaigns are adaptive and always optimizing. 

Regardless of industry, marketing is getting the right information in front of the right people. Successful technology marketing comes with its fair share of nuances, especially in identifying the right target audiences and ensuring your message resonates to enhance the customer experience. Partnering with an expert with the right skills and experience in the technology industry landscape, such as a technology marketing agency like Bluetext, can help your organization overcome these challenges and reach your goals.

Sales strategies are constantly evolving, but transitions are rarely seamless and each comes with a distinct set of challenges. One digital marketplace trend many B2B companies are experimenting with is expediting the sales process to enable direct e-commerce features. Perhaps new products or promotions are being debuted, or a-la-carte features are newly available for specific use cases. All may have high growth potential, but for a company that has been built and scaled within the B2B sphere, it can be difficult to bridge the e-commerce gap and offer the B2C experience consumers have grown to need. Let’s break down 3 essential steps to bridging the e-commerce gap for B2B success. 

Optimize UX Design

When website users are accustomed to the latest and greatest UX experiences in their personal lives, there will be a natural expectation for these features in their professional settings. Not only do users expect a streamlined design, but they also demand speed and ease. Think about your last Amazon purchase or Uber Eats order. Forgot to grab milk at the grocery store? No problem, millions have gotten into the habit of turning to AmazonFresh. Within a matter of seconds, you were likely able to find the desired product, add it to the cart, check out and viola your milk can be at your door within an hour. B2C experiences have never been faster. 

Now while your customers will not be expecting a one-hour delivery window, they will be accustomed to that ease of browsing, comparison, and checkout process. It is critical for any B2B company entering the e-commerce space to centralize product and pricing information. Important information for each product offered should be clearly presented, along with transparent pricing information. Interactive pricing tables are a great way to enable a self-service UX and efficient feature evaluation. Even if your business isn’t offering an e-commerce channel, interactive pricing sliders such as the ones used by Apprsl are positive ways to exemplify transparency and autonomous browsing. 

The UX is arguably the most important piece of a B2B e-commerce strategy in optimizing e-commerce features. Your website user experience determines how users navigate the sales funnel, from start to finish. Brands should follow established best practices like making calls-to-action stand out, ensuring important elements are easily identifiable using color or size, and making the navigation experience just as intuitive on tablet and mobile as it is on a desktop. But a lesser acknowledged aspect of UX design is the ability for the user to manage all order fulfillment scenarios in a single viewport. Complex scenarios like sourcing, consignment, and delivery should be easily accessible in one place online to improve the sales experience from start to finish.

Contact 

Speaking of self-service, contact information is absolutely critical. A B2B e-commerce optimization strategy must also include making it easy for prospects and customers to contact you. This is particularly true for new customers, as while you may be offering direct purchases on your platform, some may prefer to discuss their particular needs over the phone or chat.

Beyond generic contact forms, brands should seriously consider customer self-service tools, like chatbots, that can provide fast and efficient support while providing increased flexibility for the customer. A chatbot, as long as it is non-invasive and provides relevancy, is a great way for brands to efficiently complete simple communication tasks, gather information, and answer commonly asked questions. There has been an evolution toward self-service in B2B industries—for good reason. It enables customers to research and purchase on their own terms while reducing overhead costs for the company. Read more about why chatbots are becoming critical to businesses of B2B, B2C, and everything in between. 

Make Relevant Recommendations

Finally, providing recommended product information and resources is the icing-on-top feature that will go a long way in improving the customer user experience. Many businesses put all the focus on the early stages of the sales funnel and neglect the follow-through. When users become so accustomed to the “Recommend For You” or personalized content across digital touchpoints, it can leave them unsatisfied and wanting more. The power of the right product recommendation and personalization overall should not be understated. Accenture found that 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that provide relevant offers and recommendations. Following up on an e-commerce purchase with a recommendation for supplementary solutions or relevant product resources is an easy way to keep a personal touch on the impersonal individual checkout experience.

With so many recent technologies coming to market, B2B brands can leverage AI-driven product recommendation engines that improve the customer experience by serving up personalized, relevant content that buyers might not have discovered otherwise. Read more on why Bluetext recommends the benefits of website personalization for increased conversion rates, customer acquisition, and brand perception.

A shift into e-commerce channels may seem like a big lift for your business’ website. However, with the right strategies and keen focus on the three areas above, it can be achievable and sustainable for your business to boost conversions and sales. Bluetext has helped many clients implement e-commerce channels within their website’s UX strategy, such as SixFifty’s document marketplace and Centre Law’s course catalog. Contact us to learn more about the untapped potential of bridging B2C e-commerce features into the B2B world.

The last decade has made giant leaps in diversity & inclusion initiatives, especially for the LGBTQIA community. For the month of June, many companies switch from their traditional monochrome logo to a rainbow-colored design, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. While this rush of public support for LGBTQIA communities is a popular way of engaging in Pride Month celebrations, companies must consider how their actions reaffirm their pro-LGBTQIA branding. 

First, it’s important to understand the purpose of the rainbow branding used throughout Pride month. By implementing a temporary rainbow branded logo change that showcases the colorful LGBTQIA Pride flag, companies can generate discussions about discrimination and visibility for members of the queer community. For a company sporting a Pride month logo, the rainbow design serves as a reminder to consumers, employees, and associates that the company values LGBTQIA inclusion and representation.

The Pride month logo design is most common among B2C companies who are trying to capture the attention of consumers. In this day and age, corporate responsibility and values are critical factors in purchasing decisions. Millennials are 32% more likely to do business with a company that openly supports the queer community. However, many large B2B companies also serve to benefit from showing support for the LGBTQIA community. The rainbow logo signals to employees and partners that the company is an ally to the community. Inclusive values attract diverse talent, improve employee welfare, and increase business across numerous demographics. About 15% of Gen-Z adults in the US identify as queer, a growing target market in corporate America. 

Some of the largest tech, finance, and consulting companies—like Microsoft, IBM, Bank of America, and Deloitte—have used rainbow logos throughout the month of June to show support for the LGBTQIA community. Even prominent federal contractors, like Leidos and GDIT, have joined the display of pro-LGBTQIA branding. Corporate support for the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month is a major step forward for the LGBTQIA community compared to past suppression and ignorance. But beneath the rose-colored glasses, the reality is a flash of rainbow branding is not the end goal of pride month.  Companies need to provide more than just temporary logos in support of the queer community.

Take Skittles as an example, an extremely colorful brand naturally in its everyday marketing decided to go in the opposite visual direction to completely greyscale packaging and marketing materials. This campaign went viral when Skittles announced they decided to give up their rainbow to ‘celebrate the one that matters.’ (aka the Pride rainbow symbolizing the LGBTQ+ community). Partnering with GLAAD, an American non-governmental media monitoring organization, they gave six talented artists within the LGBTQ+ community to create pack designs that represent how they see the rainbow. Special edition pride packs were sold with $1 per pack donated to GLAAD.    

Because of the clear economic benefits of promoting Pride month, this can be perceived as an exploitation of social initiatives and conversations as a means to reach business goals. In this instance, the use of the rainbow flag in marketing materials, without the actions to support the queer community in meaningful ways, is referred to as rainbow-washing. Before a company considers implementing a new rainbow logo or a Pride month campaign, they need to reflect on what other actions the company can take to support the LGBTQIA community in meaningful ways: 

• Donate a portion of business proceeds to LGBTQIA-friendly charities or in support of pro-LGBTQIA legislation. 
• Show support for the queer community year-round, not just through the month of June with supportive messaging and practices.
• Ensure representation of LGBTQIA persons in marketing and advertising.
• Refuse business in countries or states with discriminatory laws against LGBTQIA persons.
• Show representation of LGBTQIA persons in positions of leadership, like on the Board of Directors or within the C-Suite.
• Provide support and protection for LGBTQIA employees and their families.
• Educate yourself and those around you on the history of pride month before using the circumstance for profit.

While not every company can achieve all the points listed above, marketing and branding alone do not affirm the allyship of a company. Instead, marketing should be used as a means of promoting the other good works that a company does in the LGBTQIA community. 

If your company is a true ally to the queer community, but you’re struggling to convey these values through your messaging or advertising, contact an agency like Bluetext that specializes in digital marketing. Whether looking for a refreshed pride month logo or a representative campaign for the month of June, Bluetext can help you create materials that get the right message across.