Marketing and sales
Marketing spreads awareness of your organization to its potential customers, while sales transforms them into actual customers. Read about the latest advances in marketing and sales force technologies, the different strategies each requires and the ways the two fields intersect.
Top Stories
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Feature
25 Sep 2024
Does influencer marketing work?
The quick answer is yes. Influencer marketing can help brands increase engagement and sales. Yet, it only works if marketers give influencers creative control. Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Sep 2024
Benioff’s Agentforce gambit might just work
At Dreamforce 2024 in San Francisco, Salesforce announced the potential for its customers to embed virtual agents on its platform, so avoiding what the supplier dubs DIY GenAI. Will it work? Continue Reading
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News
20 Sep 2024
Amazon offers new generative AI tool for e-commerce sellers
Project Amelia is a selling expert that provides sellers with answers to questions. It makes use of broad knowledge and will soon provide answers to complex problems. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Sep 2024
What is Salesforce Einstein 1?
Salesforce Einstein 1 refers to an integrated set of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies developed for the Salesforce platform. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Sep 2024
What is a sales pipeline?
A sales pipeline is a visual representation of sales prospects and where they are in the purchasing process. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Sep 2024
What is transactional marketing?
Transactional marketing is a business strategy that focuses on single, point-of-sale transactions. Continue Reading
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News
18 Sep 2024
HubSpot adds Breeze generative AI agents, analytics to platform
Hubspot users get their generative AI infusion that includes souped-up bots, a no-code workflow builder, sophisticated content generation and marketing analytics. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Sep 2024
What is Hootsuite?
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that helps organizations deliver enhanced social media experiences to their customers at every stage of the customer journey. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Sep 2024
How important is authentication in email marketing?
Marketers who have email strategies must understand the importance of authentication protocols to ensure campaigns are successful and bad actors don't reach customers. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Sep 2024
Customer retention vs. acquisition: What's the difference?
Finding new customers can be a challenge, but so is keeping them happy and loyal to the business. This makes customer acquisition and retention critical to successful marketing. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Sep 2024
The role of machine learning in multitouch attribution
As customer journeys have become more complex, marketers often struggle to determine which touchpoints lead to sales. Explore how machine learning can help. Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2024
Salesforce intros action models to fuel AI agentic workflows
Salesforce looks to push itself into a leadership position with new large action models. The first mover advantage is good but puts the vendor in a delicate position. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Sep 2024
What is multichannel marketing?
Multichannel marketing refers to the practice of companies interacting with customers via multiple direct and indirect channels to sell them goods and services. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Sep 2024
Technical sales rise when you tap into soft skills
Evgeniy Kharam published a book exploring soft skills in technical sales to improve sales success and minimize turnover. In this Q&A, you'll find key takeaways from the book. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Sep 2024
MTA vs. MMM: What's the difference?
MTA and MMM help marketers improve their strategies, but MTA has a narrower focus. Key differences between these techniques include focus and data requirements. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Aug 2024
What is demand shaping?
Demand shaping is an operational supply chain management (SCM) strategy where a company uses tactics such as price incentives, cost modifications and product substitutions to entice customers to purchase specific items. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2024
FTC Click to Cancel, other regs coming to CX tech
The FTC, FCC and DOT are flexing their muscles to help consumers. Some rules are regulatory law; other proposals await the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Aug 2024
How does DMARC affect email marketing?
Marketers must prepare for DMARC to ensure their emails reach customers' inboxes -- rather than their spam or junk folders -- and to build trust between consumers and the brand. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Aug 2024
What is podcasting?
Podcasting is the preparation and distribution of digital audio files to the computers of subscribed users using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2024
Salesforce GenAI, data tools likely major Dreamforce themes
We read the tea leaves of Salesforce's summer product releases, executive interviews and Winter '25 release notes to figure out what's coming at Dreamforce. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Aug 2024
Personalized pricing explained: Everything you need to know
Personalized pricing is a strategy that sets different prices for the same product based on a customer's purchase history, location and browsing behavior. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Aug 2024
What is customer segmentation?
Customer segmentation is the practice of dividing a customer base into groups of individuals that have similar characteristics relevant to marketing, such as age, gender, interests and spending habits. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Aug 2024
What is customer experience (CX) and why is it important?
Customer experience (CX) is the sum total of customers' perceptions and feelings resulting from interactions with a brand's products and services. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Aug 2024
What are buyer personas?
A buyer persona is a composite representation of a specific type of customer in a market segment. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Aug 2024
The top 7 video marketing trends
Video marketing trends, such as user-generated content, influencer marketing and virtual and hybrid events, can help brands expand their reach and engage more customers. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Aug 2024
What is sales motion?
A sales motion is the particular sales method an organization uses to sell and deliver a product or a service to its customers. Continue Reading
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Video
13 Aug 2024
Explaining third-party cookies vs. tracking pixels
Websites personalize content using third-party cookies and tracking pixels but do so in different ways. Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2024
Adobe rolls out B2B generative AI app for CRM, marketing
As enterprises determine where the value is in deploying and paying for generative AI in their marketing and sales operations, Adobe releases its own entrant. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Aug 2024
What is a 360-degree customer view?
The 360-degree customer view is a comprehensive approach to understanding customers by compiling their individual data from various touchpoints into a single view. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jul 2024
6 benefits of video marketing
Video marketing can help organizations engage audiences on an emotional level. Key benefits include building trust, enhancing SEO and improving the sales process. Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2024
Salesforce, Box integrate document AI into Slack
As Salesforce prepares to roll out its own generative AI tools for Slack this fall, Box adds AI for joint users, who can use GenAI on their Box content in Slack channels. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2024
Google isn't killing third-party cookies: What now?
The end of third-party cookies was on the horizon for years. For marketers, this termination meant finding new strategies and alternatives to third-party data. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2024
First-party vs. third-party cookies: What's the difference?
First-party cookies track user engagement, while third-party cookies are central to many marketing and sales strategies. Yet the two types are more similar than one might think. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jul 2024
9 omnichannel marketing platforms to consider
To reach customers consistently on any platform, marketing teams should embrace omnichannel marketing. These software options can help marketers in any industry boost their reach. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jul 2024
What is the law of diminishing returns?
The law of diminishing returns is an economic principle stating that as investment in a particular area increases, the rate of profit from that investment, after a certain point, can't continue to increase if other variables remain at a constant. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2024
Adtech, regulators react to Google's third-party cookie reversal
Following many delays and an alternative still in development, Google has relented to advertisers on the timing of depreciating third-party cookies. Continue Reading
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Definition
17 Jul 2024
What is lead-to-revenue management (L2RM)?
Lead-to-revenue management (L2RM) is a set of sales and marketing methods focusing on generating revenue throughout the customer life cycle. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jul 2024
Why does data privacy matter in marketing?
Marketers frequently use customer data for their strategies. They must properly secure that information, so they comply with privacy laws and customers trust the business. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jul 2024
Know when to use a headless CMS and when it's not worth it
Headless CMSes aren't a silver bullet for every circumstance. Evaluate four use cases for a headless CMS and four scenarios when a headless CMS isn't worth the investment. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jul 2024
6 generative AI tools to consider for marketing and sales
Generative AI tools can write marketing content, score leads and personalize sales emails. Explore six generative AI tools for marketing and sales, such as Jasper and Flick. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jul 2024
Pros and cons of AI-generated content
Artificial intelligence is growing rapidly in the tech sector and assisting with various tasks such as creating images and generating content. However, it cannot do everything. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jul 2024
Machine customers explained: Everything you need to know
In this fast-paced digital age, the concept of a machine customer has emerged, changing how businesses interact with their online platforms and services. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2024
Gong adds GenAI conversational intelligence for sales insights
Generative AI tools in Gong's Smart Trackers provide deeper analysis into sales reps' communications with customers. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jun 2024
5 marketing campaign failure examples
Apple aimed to showcase the new iPad's versatility. Instead, they faced backlash for a thoughtless ad that crushed dreams, marking a notable marketing failure. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Jun 2024
digital marketing
Digital marketing is the promotion and marketing of goods and services to consumers through digital channels and electronic technologies. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Jun 2024
feedback loop
A feedback loop is the part of a system in which some portion (or all) of the system's output is used as input for future operations. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Jun 2024
share of wallet (SOW) or wallet share
Share of wallet (SOW) is a marketing metric used to calculate the percentage of a customer's spending for a type of product or service that goes to a particular company. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Jun 2024
digital profiling
Digital profiling is the process of gathering and analyzing information about an individual that exists online. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Jun 2024
customer retention
Customer retention is a metric that measures customer loyalty, or an organization's ability to retain customers over time. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Jun 2024
Eloqua
Eloqua is a marketing automation platform that follows a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) model. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jun 2024
Headless CMS vendor Contentstack integrates generative AI
Incorporating consulting services and flexible accommodations for different LLMs, developer-focused Contentstack offers its own take on GenAI for CMS. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 May 2024
Pardot
Pardot is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) marketing automation platform by Salesforce that offers email automation, targeted email campaigns, and lead management for business-to-business (B2B) sales and marketing organizations. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 May 2024
5 real-world examples of omnichannel marketing
The most successful marketing strategies reach customers where they are, on every available channel. Here, explore examples of omnichannel marketing strategies from real companies. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 May 2024
AIDA marketing model
The AIDA marketing model is a framework that describes a buyer's journey through four key stages: Attention, Interest, Decision and Action. Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2024
Salesforce to roll out marketing, e-commerce Einstein Copilots
Salesforce drops a number of new features for commerce and marketing users. Chief among them are generative AI copilots for marketing and e-commerce. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 May 2024
Tracking pixel vs. cookie: What's the difference?
While tracking pixels and cookies accomplish similar tasks, they work in different ways. Here's how. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 May 2024
10 notable zombie brands
Remember those nostalgic brands like Sears and Toys R Us? They might not be officially dead as they try to come back to life and become a zombie brand. Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2024
Sprinklr's AI digital twin for CX emulates whole companies
Sprinklr CEO Ragy Thomas 'bets the company' on its moonshot digital twin technology that emulates a whole customer's organization, with AI assistance, to complete CX tasks. Continue Reading
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Podcast
06 May 2024
Salesforce open model AI strategy aims for trust, automation
The CRM and CX giant is leaning on generative AI for sales and customer service applications and is aiming to ensure that users can trust the output of large language models. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 May 2024
How to optimize for the zero moment of truth
A zero moment of truth shapes CX, yet many organizations don't know they have control over it. Learn how to tackle the zero moment of truth expertly. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 May 2024
affinity marketing
Affinity marketing is a type of direct marketing in which a business forms a partnership with an organization to provide goods or services in exchange for access to a new market. Continue Reading
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News
02 May 2024
With Tribble, RFP writers get their own shot of generative AI
Some large enterprises' sales organizations respond to a hundred or more requests for proposals daily. A new GenAI tool from ex-Salesforce execs could ease the workload. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Apr 2024
Marketo
Marketo is a comprehensive marketing software-as-a-service platform designed to automate and streamline marketing tasks across multiple digital channels. Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2024
Google delays third-party 'Cookiepocalypse' until 2025
Google has yet again delayed the deprecation of third-party cookies. Marketers and advertisers now have until 2025 to remediate their ad tech. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2024
Oracle expands generative AI across its CX applications
Oracle beefs up its Fusion Cloud Customer Experience applications with GenAI tools for users of its sales, field service, marketing and contact center. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Apr 2024
Marketing automation checklist for beginners
How can SMBs and small marketing teams develop a proper marketing automation strategy? With a checklist. Here's what to include in a checklist for a successful strategy. Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2024
HubSpot embraces GenAI with Service Hub updates and more
A reimagined, generative AI-infused Content Hub leads the way for a passel of HubSpot updates for users of its sales, service, marketing and digital payment platforms. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Apr 2024
6 common social media privacy issues
Social media usage continues to grow as people share posts, videos and photos. However, there are data privacy issues and risks with sharing on social media. Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2024
SAP Emarsys launches Product Finder AI shopping tool
SAP Emarsys moves deeper into generative AI with Product Finder, a product recommendation tool that promises to improve e-commerce and marketing message relevancy. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Apr 2024
Traditional CMS vs. headless CMS: What's the difference?
Traditional CMSes let users design websites, yet they lack the flexibility of headless systems. Differences between these tools include purpose, architecture and ease of use. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Apr 2024
How to create an omnichannel marketing strategy
Marketers often struggle with the complexities of omnichannel implementation. To get started, they can set their business goals and invest in the right technologies. Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2024
Google releases GenAI Creative Agent for designers, marketers
Google plants its stake in the marketing and advertising vertical with a bot tuned to help creatives craft campaigns, storyboards, images and text with generative AI. Continue Reading
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News
08 Apr 2024
Sendbird launches in-app business messaging, dashboard
SMS and email channels are so noisy and subject to so many regulations that in-app messaging has appeal for businesses who want a direct customer communication channel. Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2024
Why Alphabet might acquire HubSpot: Data, data and more data
If Alphabet were to buy HubSpot, it would come with a hefty price when interest rates are high. Experts discuss what HubSpot assets might interest Google's parent company most. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2024
Marketing in the metaverse: What marketers need to know
The key to marketing is to stay in front of the target audience. With the evolving metaverse, companies can learn new ways to market to customers in this immersive, digital world. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Apr 2024
6 social media conferences to attend in 2024
Social media is changing how businesses market products, interact with customers and build awareness. Here are events where businesses can learn to make the most of social media. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Apr 2024
Generational values in the workplace explained
Baby boomers and Gen X, Y and Z make up the modern workforce, bringing various skills to the table. Effective teamwork requires understanding the values each generation holds. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2024
Adobe intros new GenAI tools and apps for marketers
The new applications and tools are for marketers looking to connect the different processes of the content supply chain in a safe and responsible manner. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Mar 2024
6 challenges of omnichannel marketing
When marketers use omnichannel strategies to engage customers across touchpoints, they often face challenges with personalization, campaign tracking and brand consistency. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Mar 2024
6 real-life examples of effective diversity marketing
Inclusive marketing can take many forms but always requires authenticity. Explore these real-life examples from companies like Breezit, LLYC and Stallion Express. Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Mar 2024
Salesforce TDX reveals how consumer and enterprise AI differ
The soaraway success of GenAI chatbots has obscured how enterprise AI differs from consumer AI. Salesforce's TDX developer conference threw those differences into some relief. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2024
8 free marketing automation tools for SMBs
Marketing automation can help any business engage more customers, but SMBs might need it most. These free tools can help small marketing teams get started with automation. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Mar 2024
digital strategy (digital media strategy)
A digital strategy, sometimes called a digital media strategy, is a plan for maximizing the business benefits of data assets and technology-focused initiatives. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Mar 2024
6 benefits of omnichannel marketing
Omnichannel marketing shares data between interaction channels, like email and live chat, to improve CX. Key benefits include enhanced personalization and customer loyalty. Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2024
Google unfazed by advertiser criticism of third-party cookie plan
Google is working with U.K. regulators on its plan to phase out third-party cookies this year, despite pushback from an advertisers group. Meanwhile, bots are affecting ad traffic. Continue Reading
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Definition
26 Feb 2024
data broker (information broker)
A data broker, also called an information broker or information reseller, is a business that collects large amounts of personal information about consumers. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2024
How to create a diversity and inclusion marketing strategy
Diversity marketing helps organizations attract new customers, but to implement a strategy, marketers need an internal D&I initiative and to learn about their audience. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2024
Top 6 marketing automation certifications and courses
With the right marketing automation certifications, SMBs and small marketing teams can gain the skills and expertise needed to compete with larger companies in their markets. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Feb 2024
10 marketing trends to watch for in 2024
Marketers in 2024 must embrace AI, voice search, chatbots, personalized marketing, video, social commerce, influencers, VR, sustainability and big data for a competitive edge. Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2024
Email marketers feel Google, Yahoo DMARC policy change
As marketers face changes to email authentication and third-party cookie deprecation, contact centers are a treasure trove of first-party data to drive multichannel campaigns. Continue Reading
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Definition
06 Feb 2024
uncanny valley
The uncanny valley is a common unsettling feeling people experience when androids or humanoid robots and audio/visual simulations closely resemble humans in many respects but aren't quite convincingly realistic. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Feb 2024
Why authenticity in marketing is important
Discover why authenticity in marketing is more important now than ever, and learn how brands can cultivate a more authentic presence to earn customer trust. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Feb 2024
How to get started with marketing automation for SMBs
Marketing automation can help SMBs, which may lack marketing budgets and resources. With certain processes automated, an SMB's marketing team can spend more time creating. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Jan 2024
consumer data
Consumer data is the information that organizations collect from individuals who use internet-connected platforms, including websites, social media networks, mobile apps, text messaging apps or email systems. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2024
Compare the top 10 marketing automation software
With the right marketing automation software, marketers can streamline their workflows and focus more on creative tasks. This list compares the top vendors in this space. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jan 2024
content analytics
Content analytics, also known as content intelligence, is the process of measuring and analyzing how users interact and engage with digital content. Continue Reading
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Definition
29 Jan 2024
competitive differentiation
Competitive differentiation is a strategic positioning tactic an organization can undertake to set its products, services and brands apart from those of its competitors. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Jan 2024
white hat link building
White hat link building is a search engine optimization (SEO) technique for increasing the number of high-quality backlinks to a webpage. Continue Reading
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Answer
22 Jan 2024
Why is marketing automation important?
Marketing automation can eliminate repetitive tasks and create a more personalized customer experience. Learn more about the future role of AI in marketing automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jan 2024
Vodcasting: Everything you need to know
Vodcasting, the rising star of video content, offers immersive content by blending audio and video for deeper engagement, community building and growth. Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2024
Salesforce unveils retail shopping and marketing AI tools
The CRM vendor brings generative AI to analytics and management tools for businesses' marketing teams and Copilot for Shoppers for swifter product discovery and purchase. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jan 2024
8 types of marketing automation, with examples
Just as there are different types of marketing, automation types differ, too. Explore real-world examples of each type and learn how businesses can benefit from them. Continue Reading