CONVERSATION
STARTERS
Ideas for finding and converting strangers to extraordinary clients and partners
Conversations Starters is written and edited for B2B consultants and coaches who want to build more and better business relationships, achieve visible thought leadership roles and serve more of the clients you deserve.
There are no hacks or gaming of the system here.. If you want sound ideas and advice about how to look good, sound good and fill your sales pipeline, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome!
Secret Weapon of North America’s Most Effective B2B Content Marketers Revealed
The findings of the 2014 State of B2B Content Marketing study are out and now we know how highly effective content marketers get so far ahead of everybody else. It’s pretty simple. They have a formal content marketing strategy.
The 3 Phases of LinkedIn Effort and Where the ROI is Hiding
I make a living helping B2B companies put social media to use as a legitimate marketing channel. For that reason – and because I’m passionate about results-oriented marketing – I look at a heck of a lot of LinkedIn efforts and constantly experiment to find new and better ways to use the network.
We’re Connected on LinkedIn. Now What?
We all have a lot of LinkedIn connections. There is no lack of information online or off about how to get connections on LinkedIn, and any semi-serious LinkedIn user has amassed a list of connections well into the hundreds.
Why You Need a LinkedIn Profile Makeover Now
Open letter to IT and Software marketers
Why – and How – to Get Your Whole IT Company involved on LinkedIn
Most of our clients invest in LinkedIn marketing programs to generate and develop leads. A few of them are more focused on establishing thought leadership positions. Ultimately, both groups have the same objective.
Why Your LinkedIn Network Is Not as Valuable as You Think
Feeling pretty good about yourself now that you’ve gathered 500+ LinkedIn connections? Don’t. The number itself is meaningless.
Your LinkedIn Influence May Be Close to Zero – Take This Test
What does it mean to be an influencer
IT Buyers Don’t Trust Your Content and What to Do About It
That’s basically what the CMO council found in a recent study where only 9% of B2B buyers said they trust content from vendors. And content, as we all know, is the new sales team when it comes to engaging buyers early in the decision process.
How – and Why – to Create Content that Gets Shared
Over the last three months, my blog articles have gone from zero LinkedIn shares to over 30. What did I change, and why does it matter?
4 Business-Critical Reasons to Stop Postponing Content Creation
If you’re not quite ready to start producing more marketing content right now, I have two words for you: DO IT!
7 Reasons Why LinkedIn is the Best IT Social Media Lead Generation Tool
why is LinkedIn so much better for IT lead generation?
IT Marketers: 6 Types of “Must-Have” Content for LinkedIn Marketing Success
Of all the elements that make for a great LinkedIn marketing program, relevant, original content ranks number one.
4 Reasons IT Decision Makers are Letting Social Networks Influence Buying Decisions and 5 Things You Can Do About It
IT decision makers are using social media for business purposes in wildly increasing numbers.
Critical LinkedIn Marketing Mistake #1 – The Profile Setup Trap
As an IT/Software CEO or marketer, you’re not on LinkedIn to find a job; but chances are great your profile reads like a resume
A New Old Way to Use Content Marketing to Get More Leads and Customers
Content marketing isn’t new. Neither, at a high level, is the process that gets you the best leads for your company.
How to Build a Simple Content Grid
This is the third in a series of articles on content marketing for software & technology marketers: How to Build a Simple Content Grid. The intent of this series is to lay out a clear roadmap for content marketing success.
5 Signs You’re Talking to the Wrong Content Writer
Finding someone to write marketing content for a technology company can be tricky. As with any type of company, the quality, style and tone of the writing contribute mightily to your image.
5 Questions to Ask When You Hire a Content Writer
With all the pressure to ramp up content marketing, technology firms are rapidly finding it necessary to hire a dedicated content writer – either in-house, freelance or via an external content writing service.
Why Tech Marketers Must Have a Blog
Corporate blogging can be a pain in the butt. I get that. Subject matter experts are busy with other more “mission critical” work. Some of them can’t write well anyway.