Event Marketing Looks Very Different Post-Pandemic

Flexible options are the norm as events cater to varying preferences

Since the pandemic halted in-person events five years ago, interest in getting together in real life (IRL) has soared. Event marketing is making a resurgence, but these aren’t the events of the pre-pandemic era. Expectations have changed and new technology has emerged to help event planners better engage with their audiences—wherever they are.

How planners are embracing the shifts

Continue reading “Event Marketing Looks Very Different Post-Pandemic”

Events and Event Planning in a Post-Pandemic World

COVID-19 had a massive impact on many aspects of business life, and events were certainly one of them. SXSW was one of the first events to announce its cancellation at the beginning of the pandemic and, of course, virtually all others followed suit. Live events have been re-emerging, but event planners are approaching the process differently from how they have in the past. Splash’s “2023 Events Outlook Report” (its third annual report) indicates that Continue reading “Events and Event Planning in a Post-Pandemic World”

“More” is Not a Good Marketing Goal. Why Specificity Matters.

Many of you have probably been at goal-setting seminars or workshops where the leader will pose a question like: “Would you like to make more money?,” and, of course, everybody nods or raises their hand. Then the leader will approach a workshop participant and  Continue reading ““More” is Not a Good Marketing Goal. Why Specificity Matters.”

The Importance of Aligning Marketing and Sales

There is often tension between marketing and sales in many organizations. But why? Shouldn’t these two functions be closely aligned to most effectively achieve the revenue and ROI goals of the organization? What causes this tension, why is alignment important, and what steps can you take to bring these two important organizational functions closer together? Continue reading “The Importance of Aligning Marketing and Sales”

Methods of Measurement: Don’t Cop Out When It Comes to Measuring Communication Impact

It’s hard to imagine which position would be worse: the small business owner agonizing about the wisdom of spending money on a new marketing campaign with seemingly vague and uncertain results, or the marketing manager struggling to find a way to demonstrate the financial value of her efforts to her boss. Marketing has traditionally been notorious as an expense for which the ROI is hard to measure. And according to a McKinsey & Company study on marketing measurement, Continue reading “Methods of Measurement: Don’t Cop Out When It Comes to Measuring Communication Impact”

Leveraging Digital Loyalty Programs

Rewards programs are a commonly used practice by certain types of businesses. Airlines offer frequent flyer miles, while Starbucks offers free coffee after a certain number of purchases.  There are many other examples of these programs, but what does it take to really make these programs take off?

Continue reading “Leveraging Digital Loyalty Programs”

Think Before You Give That Next Customer Discount

A few years ago I was lamenting my cable bill with a friend who told me she had recently told her cable company she wanted to cancel her service because, based on how little she watched TV, she couldn’t justify the monthly fee. Rather than lose a customer, the cable company offered a steep discount. I’ve heard of others who have used the same strategy successfully.

I recently came across a Harvard Business Review piece called “The Downside of Discounts,” which reminded me of these cable company discounts. Continue reading “Think Before You Give That Next Customer Discount”

Challenges on the Horizon for Marketers in 2014

As 2014 rapidly approaches (I can’t believe how rapidly it’s approaching…) businesses are looking ahead to the New Year and thinking of the challenges and opportunities they will face. We recently responded to a reporter’s inquiry about marketing challenges lying ahead in 2014. Here’s our perspective:

There are two key challenges that businesses are likely to face in 2014 from a marketing standpoint: one is evergreen, the other is continuing to emerge: Continue reading “Challenges on the Horizon for Marketers in 2014”

The Big Benefits of Traditional Direct Mail

Despite the fact that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is struggling and about to cut back on their delivery, there are some (including me) that believe that traditional direct mail still holds benefits for both marketers and consumers. In an increasingly cluttered email environment, after all, marketers will be challenged to come up with new ways to “capture eyeballs.” Traditional direct mail may hold some opportunities for a number of reasons: Continue reading “The Big Benefits of Traditional Direct Mail”

The Reports of the Death of Direct Mail Are Greatly Exaggerated

A couple of years ago I proposed a book update to one of my publishers. I had written a book on direct mail marketing back in 1992 and, obviously, things have changed quite a bit since then. Not surprisingly, as I began my research, I discovered that the direct mail landscape had changed quite a big to accommodate–and capitalize on–new media. I found that my personal belief that traditional direct mail might be seeing somewhat of a resurgence was right on. Effective marketers were beginning to seize upon the ability to communicate in a less-cluttered space. For example: Continue reading “The Reports of the Death of Direct Mail Are Greatly Exaggerated”