Category: Sales

  • Why LinkedIn is a Must for Professionals, Brands, and Especially B2B

    Why LinkedIn is a Must for Professionals, Brands, and Especially B2B

    https://www.linkedin.com/

    LinkedIn is a must-have social media platform for anyone looking to grow their career, business, or organization. Many people think of using for LinkedIn to network for career growth, but we especially love using LinkedIn for the brands we serve! We often see brands out there posting on other platforms but making the mistake of leaving LinkedIn out of their marketing strategy. Too often they are unaware of the exceptional traction that LinkedIn can provide their business or organization.

    LinkedIn has quickly become a powerhouse in the professional networking world, providing endless opportunities for individuals, brands, and especially B2B companies. With over 740 million users worldwide, this platform offers a unique space where professionals can connect, collaborate, and grow their careers or businesses.

    Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network, enhance your brand, or generate leads for your B2B company, LinkedIn is an invaluable tool. It allows you to showcase your skills, experience, and expertise through your profile, share engaging content, and engage with industry thought leaders and potential clients or partners.

    For professionals, LinkedIn offers a platform to establish credibility, highlight achievements, and connect with like-minded individuals in your industry. Brands can leverage LinkedIn to enhance their visibility, build brand authority, and attract a target audience. As for B2B companies, LinkedIn provides a fertile ground for generating leads, nurturing relationships, and closing deals.

    In today’s digital age, having a strong presence on LinkedIn is crucial for professionals, brands, and B2B companies alike. So whether you’re a job seeker, an entrepreneur, or a business looking to expand, harnessing the power of LinkedIn is a must.

    Some Quick LinkedIn Stats

    LinkedIn has experienced exponential growth since its inception in 2002. As of 2021, it has over 740 million users, with more than 55 million registered companies. This vast user base presents an immense pool of potential connections, clients, and partners for professionals, brands, and B2B companies.

    Whether you are using LinkedIn in Toronto or Tokyo, you can grow your network and represent your brand both locally and globally.

    LinkedIn 277% More Effective for Lead Generation Than Facebook & Twitter (Hubspot 2020)

    Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/30030/linkedin-277-more-effective-for-lead-generation-than-facebook-twitter-new-data

    77% of content marketers say LinkedIn has the best organic results”

    Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/28-linkedin-stats-you-need-know-2023-joe-apfelbaum

    LinkedIn is the largest B2B display advertiser in the U.S. at 32.3%. (eMarketer, 2021)

    Source: https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics

    Over 90% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn for organic social marketing. (Content Marketing Institute, 2021)

    Source: https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics

    36% of buyers “strongly agree” that an informative LinkedIn profile is important for salespeople to have. (LinkedIn, 2020)

    Source: https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics

    Benefits of LinkedIn for Brands

    LinkedIn offers numerous benefits for brands looking to enhance their visibility and build authority in their respective industries. One of the key advantages is the ability to showcase company culture and values through the brand’s LinkedIn page. This allows potential customers or clients to gain insight into the inner workings of the company, fostering trust and credibility.

    Another benefit is the opportunity to position the brand as an industry thought leader. Brands can share valuable content, such as articles, whitepapers, and case studies, to establish themselves as experts in their field. This not only helps attract a target audience but also increases brand recognition and authority.

    LinkedIn also provides a platform for brands to engage with their audience through meaningful conversations. By participating in industry-specific groups and discussions, brands can showcase their expertise, answer questions, and build relationships with potential customers or partners.

    Benefits of LinkedIn for B2B Businesses

    For B2B companies, LinkedIn is a goldmine for generating leads, nurturing relationships, and closing deals. With its advanced search filters, B2B businesses can easily identify and connect with decision-makers in their target industries. This targeted approach significantly increases the chances of reaching the right audience and generating quality leads.

    LinkedIn’s messaging and InMail features also make it easier for B2B companies to initiate conversations with potential clients or partners. By personalizing messages and demonstrating a genuine interest in their needs, B2B businesses can establish meaningful connections and build trust.

    Moreover, LinkedIn offers advertising options specifically tailored for B2B businesses. Sponsored content, sponsored InMail, and LinkedIn ads allow B2B companies to reach a wider audience and promote their products or services effectively.

    Benefits of LinkedIn for Professionals

    LinkedIn provides professionals with a platform to establish credibility, highlight achievements, and connect with like-minded individuals in their industry. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile acts as a digital resume, allowing professionals to showcase their skills, experience, and expertise to potential employers or clients.

    Networking is a crucial aspect of professional growth, and LinkedIn offers an extensive network of professionals from various industries. By connecting with relevant individuals and participating in industry-specific groups, professionals can expand their network, gain insights, and open doors to new opportunities.

    In addition to networking, LinkedIn provides professionals with a platform to share engaging content and contribute to industry conversations. Publishing articles, sharing insights, and commenting on posts demonstrate thought leadership and increase visibility within the professional community.

    Gaining Visibility: Grow Your Network and Post Often

    To fully harness the power of LinkedIn, professionals, brands, and B2B businesses must focus on growing their network and posting valuable content consistently.

    Growing your network starts with optimizing your LinkedIn profile. Ensure that your profile is complete, including a professional headshot, a compelling headline, and a concise summary highlighting your key accomplishments and skills. By including relevant keywords in your profile, you increase the chances of appearing in search results when others are looking for professionals in your field.

    Posting often and regularly is essential to build visibility on LinkedIn. Share valuable content, such as industry news, insights, case studies, or success stories, that resonates with your target audience. Engage with other users’ content by commenting, liking, and sharing, as this helps expand your reach and attract more connections.

    How to Optimize your LinkedIn Profile

    Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is crucial to ensure that it accurately represents your personal brand and attracts the right audience. Here are some key tips to optimize your profile:

    1. Use a professional headshot: A high-quality headshot helps create a positive first impression and establishes credibility.

    2. Craft a compelling headline: Your headline should grab attention and clearly communicate your expertise and value proposition.

    3. Write a concise and engaging summary: Use this section to showcase your achievements, skills, and experience. Include relevant keywords to increase your visibility in searches.

    4. Highlight your experience and accomplishments: Provide detailed descriptions of your past and current roles, emphasizing key achievements and responsibilities.

    5. Showcase your skills: Add relevant skills to your profile, as this makes it easier for others to endorse your expertise.

    6. Request recommendations: Recommendations from colleagues, clients, or supervisors add credibility to your profile. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations from those who can vouch for your skills and work ethic.

    7. Customize your URL: Personalize your LinkedIn URL to make it easier for others to find and remember your profile.

    Why Create a LinkedIn Business Page

    Creating a LinkedIn Business Page is essential for brands and B2B businesses looking to establish a professional online presence. Here are some reasons why you should create a LinkedIn Business Page:

    1. Increased brand visibility: A LinkedIn Business Page allows you to showcase your brand’s products, services, and values to a vast audience. It also provides a platform to share company updates, industry insights, and thought leadership content.

    2. Build brand authority: By consistently sharing valuable and relevant content, you can position your brand as an industry expert and build trust among your target audience.

    3. Attract talent: A LinkedIn Business Page helps attract top talent by showcasing your company culture, values, and job opportunities.

    4. Engage with your audience: Engaging with your audience through comments, messages, and posts on your LinkedIn Business Page helps foster relationships and build brand loyalty.

    5. Analyze performance: LinkedIn provides analytics tools that allow you to track the performance of your LinkedIn Business Page. This data helps you understand your audience, evaluate the effectiveness of your content, and make informed decisions to optimize your strategy.

    LinkedIn Advertising

    LinkedIn offers various advertising options that can significantly boost your visibility and reach on the platform. Sponsored content, sponsored InMail, and LinkedIn ads allow you to target specific audiences and promote your brand, products, or services effectively.

    Sponsored content appears directly in LinkedIn users’ news feeds, allowing you to reach a wider audience. It is an effective way to share valuable content, such as articles, videos, or infographics, and engage with potential customers or clients.

    Sponsored InMail allows you to send personalized messages directly to LinkedIn users’ inboxes. This targeted approach ensures that your message reaches the right audience and increases the chances of engagement.

    LinkedIn ads offer a range of advertising formats, including text ads, sponsored ads, and dynamic ads. These formats allow you to customize your advertising campaigns to meet your specific goals, whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, or driving website traffic.

    Conclusion: The power of LinkedIn for professionals, brands, and B2B businesses

    In today’s digital age, having a strong presence on LinkedIn is crucial for professionals, brands, and B2B companies. LinkedIn offers a unique platform for professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow their careers. Brands can leverage LinkedIn to enhance their visibility, build brand authority, and attract a target audience. For B2B businesses, LinkedIn provides a fertile ground for generating leads, nurturing relationships, and closing deals.

    By optimizing your LinkedIn profile, growing your network, and consistently posting valuable content, you can harness the power of LinkedIn to achieve your professional and business goals. So whether you’re a job seeker, an entrepreneur, or a business looking to expand, LinkedIn should be an integral part of your digital marketing strategy. Start maximizing the potential of LinkedIn today and unlock endless opportunities for growth and success.

  • 5 SMS Text Marketing Trends to Use for Your Restaurant

    5 SMS Text Marketing Trends to Use for Your Restaurant

    SMS text marketing can be a powerful tool for restaurants, cafes, and other food businesses looking to boost their customer base and increase sales. From promoting special deals to sending personalized messages, there are many ways to use SMS text marketing to your advantage. In this guide, we’ll explore five effective strategies for using SMS text marketing in the food industry.

    Photo by Lan Pham on Unsplash

    1. Offer exclusive deals and promotions.

    One of the most effective ways to use SMS text marketing for your restaurant is to offer exclusive deals and promotions to your subscribers. This can include discounts on menu items, free appetizers or desserts, or even special events like wine tastings or cooking classes. By offering these exclusive deals to your SMS subscribers, you can create a sense of exclusivity and urgency that can drive more customers to your restaurant. Just be sure to make the deals compelling enough to encourage people to sign up for your SMS list in the first place.

    2. Send personalized messages to loyal customers.

    Another way to use SMS text marketing for your restaurant is to send personalized messages to your loyal customers. This can include birthday messages with a special offer, thank you messages after a visit, or even just a friendly check-in to see how they’re doing. By showing your customers that you value their business and care about their experience, you can build stronger relationships and encourage repeat visits. Just be sure to segment your SMS list so that you’re only sending these messages to your most loyal customers, rather than bombarding everyone with irrelevant messages.

    3. Use SMS to promote events and specials.

    SMS text marketing is a great way to promote events and specials at your restaurant. Send out a message to your subscribers announcing a new menu item, a special deal for a holiday, or a live music event. You can even offer exclusive discounts or early access to events for your SMS subscribers. This not only helps to increase attendance at your events, but also keeps your customers engaged and excited about what’s happening at your restaurant. Just be sure to include all the important details in your message, such as the date, time, and location of the event or special.

    4. Collect feedback and reviews from customers.

    SMS text marketing can also be a great way to collect feedback and reviews from your customers. After a customer dines at your restaurant, send them a text message asking them to rate their experience and leave a review. This not only helps you gather valuable feedback to improve your restaurant, but also encourages customers to share their positive experiences with others. You can even offer a small discount or free appetizer for customers who leave a review, as an incentive to participate. Just be sure to follow up with any negative feedback and address any issues to show your customers that you value their opinions and are committed to providing a great dining experience.

    5. Use SMS to remind customers of reservations and upcoming events.

    One of the most effective ways to use SMS text marketing for your restaurant is to send reminders to customers about their reservations and upcoming events. This not only helps reduce no-shows, but also keeps your restaurant top of mind for customers. You can even include a special offer or promotion in the reminder message to encourage customers to visit your restaurant again. Just be sure to personalize the message and make it clear and concise, so customers know exactly what to expect.

  • Top 5 Ways to Use SMS Text Marketing for Your Next Event

    Top 5 Ways to Use SMS Text Marketing for Your Next Event

    SMS text marketing can be a powerful tool for promoting events and increasing attendance. With its high open and response rates, it’s a great way to reach your target audience quickly and effectively.

    Here are five unique ways to use SMS text marketing to promote your event and boost attendance.

    Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash

    1. Send out event reminders and updates.

    One of the most effective ways to use SMS text marketing for your event is to send out reminders and updates to your attendees. This can include important information such as the event date, time, location, and any last-minute changes or updates. By sending out timely reminders, you can help ensure that your attendees show up on time and are prepared for the event. You can also use SMS text marketing to send out post-event surveys or feedback requests to gather valuable insights and feedback from your attendees.

    2. Offer exclusive discounts and promotions.

    Another creative way to use SMS text marketing for your event is to offer exclusive discounts and promotions to your subscribers. This can include early bird ticket discounts, VIP access, or special offers on merchandise or services related to the event. By offering these exclusive deals, you can incentivize your subscribers to attend your event and increase attendance. Additionally, you can track the success of these promotions by including unique discount codes or links in your SMS messages and analyzing the redemption rates.

    3. Use SMS to gather feedback and opinions.

    SMS text marketing can also be a great tool for gathering feedback and opinions from your event attendees. You can send out surveys or polls via text message to get a better understanding of what your audience enjoyed about the event, what could be improved, and what they would like to see in future events. This feedback can be invaluable in shaping your future event planning and marketing strategies. Plus, by engaging with your audience in this way, you can build stronger relationships and increase loyalty among your subscribers.

    4. Create a text-to-win contest.

    One creative way to use SMS text marketing for your event is to create a text-to-win contest. Encourage attendees to text a specific keyword to a designated number for a chance to win a prize. This can be a great way to generate excitement and engagement leading up to the event, as well as during the event itself. You can even use the contest as a way to promote specific sponsors or vendors by offering their products or services as the prize. Just be sure to clearly outline the rules and regulations of the contest to avoid any confusion or legal issues.

    5. Send out personalized messages to VIP attendees.

    Another way to use SMS text marketing for your event is to send personalized messages to VIP attendees. This can include special offers, exclusive access to certain areas or activities, or even just a personalized thank you message for their attendance. By making VIP attendees feel valued and appreciated, you can increase their loyalty and encourage them to attend future events. Just be sure to segment your audience and only send these messages to those who qualify as VIPs to avoid alienating other attendees.

  • Top Appointment Reminders Software for SMS Marketing in 2023

    Top Appointment Reminders Software for SMS Marketing in 2023

    What is SMS marketing?

    SMS marketing is a form of mobile marketing that involves sending promotional messages and updates to customers via text message. It is a highly effective way to reach customers directly on their mobile devices, as text messages have a high open rate and are typically read within minutes of being received. SMS marketing can be used for a variety of purposes, including appointment reminders, sales notifications, and customer engagement campaigns.

    Benefits of Using Appointment Reminder Software for SMS Marketing

    Using appointment reminder software for SMS marketing can provide numerous benefits for businesses. Firstly, it can help reduce no-shows and missed appointments, which can be costly for businesses. Additionally, it can improve customer satisfaction by providing timely reminders and reducing the likelihood of scheduling conflicts. Appointment reminder software can also save time and resources by automating the reminder process, freeing up staff to focus on other tasks. Finally, it can help businesses stay organized and on top of their scheduling, ensuring that appointments are not overlooked or forgotten.

    Top Appointment Reminder Software for SMS Marketing in 2023

    If you’re looking for the best appointment reminder software for SMS marketing in 2022, you have plenty of options to choose from. Some of the top software solutions include TextMagic, Twilio, EZ Texting, and SimpleTexting.

    TextMagic is a popular choice for appointment reminder software, offering a user-friendly interface and a range of features to help you manage your appointments. With TextMagic, you can create custom templates for your reminders, schedule automated messages, and track your results in real-time. Twilio is another great option, offering a powerful API that allows you to integrate appointment reminders into your existing software. EZ Texting and SimpleTexting are also worth considering, with features like two-way messaging and advanced reporting to help you stay on top of your appointments. No matter which software you choose, investing in appointment reminder software for SMS marketing can help you save time, reduce no-shows, and improve your overall customer experience.

    Features to Look for in Appointment Reminder Software

    When choosing appointment reminder software for SMS marketing, there are several key features to look for. First, make sure the software offers customizable templates so you can tailor your messages to your brand and clients. Automated reminders are also important, as they can save you time and reduce the risk of human error. Real-time reporting is another valuable feature, as it allows you to track the success of your SMS marketing campaigns and make adjustments as needed. Finally, consider the pricing and scalability of the software to ensure it fits your budget and can grow with your business.

    Tips for Successful SMS Marketing Campaigns

    To ensure the success of your SMS marketing campaigns, it’s important to follow a few key tips. First, keep your messages short and to the point, as most people prefer brief and concise messages. Personalize your messages by including the recipient’s name and any relevant information about their appointment or purchase. Use a clear call-to-action to encourage recipients to take action, such as confirming their appointment or making a purchase. Finally, track your results and make adjustments as needed to improve the effectiveness of your campaigns.

  • Online Document Creator with focally.io

    Online Document Creator with focally.io

    I took the online document creator focally for a test drive yesterday. The timing was perfect for introducing me to focally as I have been prioritizing developing my marketing agency’s documents to be more visually appealing for my clients. I was also working on organizing them so that I can process my leads and proposals faster.

    “Focally helps business pros create stunning documents that close more deals with less work.”

    Online Document Creator –
    Templates & Customizer

    Focally helps make your proposal game strong. The easy guides and customizer make it a breeze for anyone to create quality documents for proposals, quotes and marketing material.

    Create your own unique documents from scratch or enjoy this web based app’s pre-made templates for business, consulting and marketing purposes. Customize documents with the easy editor that allows you to swap out and rearrange text, images, video & more. The app features a robust library of image assets and you can always upload your own images as well. Branding is a cinch when you can set your colours and fonts at document level. The documents can even include a navigation menu, allowing clients to jump to sections for quick reference. focally allows you to share documents with team members.

    Responsive Documents

    The app is design to close deals so naturally this includes receiving signatures so your clients can sign and accept your proposal’s. One of the features that most appealed to me was that these documents are responsive, so they adapt wonderfully to any screen size. My previous process of sending docs meant using pdf’s. With so many people using their smart phones to open documents, I had to think about the fact that pdf’s are not responsive and this could pose a barrier for some of my clients.

    Close More Deals with focally

    The idea is to make my marketing agency’s process of client communication and closing deals as efficient as possible. The app’s team is based in Toronto and is dedicated to great personalized & friendly customer support. I like how focally is helping me to level up my brand and customer experience in a way that makes it easy for both me and the client. focally offers a 14 day trial so you can try it out for yourself. https://focally.io/

  • Mailchimp and why e-newsletters are a top performer for increasing and marketing business

    Mailchimp and why e-newsletters are a top performer for increasing and marketing business

    Mailchimp has been my solution for making and sending e-newsletters. I use it for my business and for my clients. https://mailchimp.com  You can sign up for a free account which is plenty good for many small businesses. The free version offers up to 2000 subscribers and provides the means to make quality designed e-newsletters. You can collect email subscribers by adding a sign-up form to your website. You can even put the sign-up form on your Facebook Page. It’s also possible to add new subscribers to a Mailchimp list manually. For instance, If you have a shop put a sign-up form at the till. If you’re a local musician put it at the door to the event. Just make sure you make it clear that you are collecting these emails for the purpose of your newsletter. Mailchimp doesn’t like when people add the emails of those who never asked to be included.

    Other features include analytic insights of your audience’s interaction with your e-newsletter once you’ve sent it. I am a data hound because this kind of data is valuable to understand what’s working, and what’s not. You can see metrics for how many people opened your e-newsletter and how often. It also shows how many clicks it got to links within the e-newsletter. It shows the times of day when your e-newsletter gets the most opens. These are just some of the helpful features this free app provides.

    Here’s an article about how one such store ‘Highway Robbery’ uses e-newsletters to market its business and increase sales. https://mailchimp.com/resources/issue-105-featuring-highway-robery/