Tag: message
Trump’s Winning Marketing Strategy: Rage Against the Machine
November 9, 2016
The world awoke to a whole new reality show. As astounded Americans try to make sense of last night’s election results (and feverishly apply for a Canadian passport), let’s examine how President-elect Trump’s marketing strategy contributed to his stunning triumph. Donald Trump’s political campaign nailed several basic marketing principles, which elevated his brand from brash […]
5 Questions Your B2B Marketing Must Answer
September 28, 2015
If you sell to businesses, you’ll profit by anticipating what B2B buyers expect from your message. B2B marketing has changed. Today the buying process is longer and, amid all the digital clutter, attention spans are shorter. Decision makers are busier than ever. They often lack staff, budget and time. Far too often, B2B content misses […]
10 Ways Effective Leaders Gain Influence
July 14, 2015
Without exception, effective leaders are also superior communicators. These leaders carefully craft their messages to connect with clients, employees and investors on an emotional level. Their words influence and inspire others to achieve more than they could ever imagine. Use these 10 secrets of effective leaders to deliver powerful, influential messages: 1. Know Your Audience […]
Spring Cleaning for Strategic Communications
April 7, 2015
Spring is the perfect time to organize your communications, sort out the winners and declutter anything that wastes your company’s resources. So, tap into your inner Molly Maid to make your communications sparkle and shine – and achieve your business goals. For a strategic spring cleaning of your communications, consider these 10 things: Strategy: What […]
Position Yourself as an Expert
March 31, 2015
Think about it: Right this minute you’re already a goldmine of valuable industry insights. With more than a decade of progressive experience in your industry, you’ve seen it all. You understand consumer and market trends better than most. People look to you for answers and you feel energized when you share your wisdom with others. […]
Strut! Self-promotion tips from business leaders
March 24, 2015
To get ahead, you need to promote yourself. Research proves that business and career success is highest among people who feel comfortable with selling themselves and their strengths. How self-promotion can help you These findings on self-promotion apply to entrepreneurs and executives alike. If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re the face of your brand; to boost […]
7 Secrets of Successful Speeches
March 10, 2015
Delivering a captivating presentation can help you and your brand stand out and look good. Whether you’re trying to connect with customers, employees or investors, presenting with poise will help you grip your audience and feel confident. To prepare a powerful presentation, use these tips: Show your passion: What aspect of your topic makes you […]
Share Your Strategy, Wow Your Staff
May 6, 2014
To remain agile and competitive, your company must continuously adapt to keep pace with today’s increasingly fast-moving business world. How do you keep your staff “in the loop,” aligned and enthusiastic in the face of rapid-fire strategic challenges? Leadership guru and Harvard business professor John Kotter suggests the following tips to share your strategy with […]
Case Study: Measuring Marketing Success
January 28, 2014
Situation One of my clients serving pharmaceutical companies relies on email campaigns to communicate with clients. However, the company did not measure the performance of three potentially lucrative email campaigns. Approach To understand the client’s process, I analyzed the three campaigns and considered: Who received each email? What is the call to action? Did the […]
Sell With Words: 10 Tips
January 14, 2014
Captivating content marketing is all about starting with a solid plan. Here are some tips on what to do before you start writing. 1. Focus on your goal. You want the reader to respond, whether it’s though buying your service or visiting your website. Identify the main objectives of your content marketing strategy then focus […]
Start 2014 With a Bang
January 7, 2014
This week is when it all begins: Our goals for 2014 come alive, moving off the pages of a business plan and into action. To achieve your business goals this year, make sure your communications plan revolves around them. Start 2014 with a bang with these strategic communication plan best practices: Tie communications to business […]
Strategic Brief for Successful Projects
December 3, 2013
Do cross-functional projects make you think everyone speaks a different language? To achieve project success, you can help establish clear communication from the very start of your projects. Use this Strategic Brief template to help your project teams speak a common language based on a shared vision: Audience(s): Who do you want to reach? Is […]
Breaking Bad Business Writing Habits
October 22, 2013
Bad habits – like using jargon, acronyms and clichés – ruin business communications like Walter White’s drug empire ruined lives. In our digital world of 140-character messages, bad writing habits lead to ineffective communications that readers ignore. To break bad habits and create clear communications your audience will read, use these tips: Know why you’re […]
Pinpoint Your Target Audience
October 8, 2013
Tired of playing hide and seek with your target market? To identify a suitable target, successful entrepreneurs recommend these tips: 1. Pick an audience you can relate to. Choose and audience you understand and admire — then tailor your product to their pain points. 2. Consider long-term potential. Among customers that will adopt early, which […]
7 Tips for Strategic Copy
September 3, 2013
To create copy that gets results, use these tips: Focus on your audience: what do they want? Make your point up-front Keep your objective or call to action clear Emphasize your benefits Answer the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, why) … and how Use simple keywords and short, clear sentences Limit the number of […]
First Things First: Communications Basics
August 25, 2013
It’s no coincidence that the most successful companies communicate effectively. Clear communication saves time, effort and headaches. Market leaders know that before they can achieve their business goals, they need strong relationships with their employees, customers and the public. To build those strong relationships, an organization must first apply these communication fundamentals: Know your subject: […]