Article Overview: A comprehensive study of Chief Marketing Officers finds their greatest challenge - generating high quality sales leads.
“THE VAST MAJORITY OF CMO’S IN THE STUDY INDICATED THAT GENERATING HIGH QUALITY LEADS IS THEIR TOP CHALLENGE. NEARLY TWICE AS MANY RESPONDENTS INDICATED THIS WAS A PERTINENT CHALLENGE OVER ANY OTHER CHALLENGE LISTED.”
Source: MarketingSherpa B2B Marketing Benchmark Study, August 2010 of 297 CMOs
Free Download - Marketing Made Simple TV is looking for a few good sponsors By Jeff Ogden
If the lack of quality B2Bsalesleads is such a massive problem, how should CMOS attach this challenge head-on? Certainly, marketing automation software helps and plays a key role. But if you think buying marketing automation will fix your problem, you're barking up the wrong tree. Software alone does not deliver qualitysalesleads.
Marketing automation is needed, but it's only a small part of the solution. Marketing software is the engine that powers marketing, but you need fuel and a skilled driver. Or to say it another way, buying marketing automation is like buying a new set of golf clubs - you might shave off a stroke or two, but you won't be great golfer.
The study agrees, saying that software alone will note "make for an optimizedsalesfunnel." Without resources dedicated to the things here, they say the software will not do much for the organization.
You really fix the problem, you'll need deep buyer personas, content marketing, lead nurturing,lead scoringand more. It's hard work, requires careful planning, and good teamwork. Most of that needs to be done BEFORE you make a big commitment to marketing automation. But almost no one has the skill and experience in-house. Trying to teach yourself golf and you'll have a fool for a client. By same token, B2Blead generationis one hairy beast - best left to the professionals.
This is why great companies like Nuspark Marketing, Allinio, Bluebird Strategies, and PointClear exist (Not to mention Find New Customers, our own company.) They are uniquely positioned to help your company solve this problem once and for all. Click on their websites to check them out and contact one of them today. (I've added links for each to make that easy for you.)
How do you plan to address the high qualitysaleslead problem?
President of the B2B lead generation company Find New Customers. Also the host of the B2B marketing show, Mad Marketing TV. We help companies rapidly grow revenue by transforming the ways they attract, engage and win new customers.
With 8 out of 10 companies saying the lack of quality sales leads is their biggest problem, they need help. SiriusDecisions also found that fewer than 1 out of 10 companies that implement lead management software went beyond the basics. They need help.
Related Forum Posts Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional
- Hi Evan,
I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing
Re: Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional
- [quote="ltrahan":31w9r2iz]Hi Evan,
I am noticing that many of the posts in the Sales/Marketing section deal with online marketing, SEM and and SEO and Affiliates. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to separate that section into two; 1) Online Sales and Marketing; 2) Traditional Sales and Marketing[/quote:31w9r2iz]
I second the request...
Seek Venture Capital & Funding
- Hello,
Greetings from India.
I am Seeking Venture Capital for Offshore Software Company Start-up. Need advise along with Business Model Sample.
I have a basic outline for an offshore company.
1. Technology - like Microsoft Dot Net, Java, LAMP
2. Talent Team - Found Good Technology Developers.
3. Where I can get the leads/potential customers - Leads have been identified who are willing to move forward offshore projects.
4. I do not have resources like funding. It is a very critical factor to me
Industries: Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail, Insurance, Distribution & Logistics, Healthcare, Industry Associations and Software Product Development, Agricultural Industries and Etc.
Services: Offshore Software Development Company.
Offices to be located: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India and USA.
Products/Services/Applications in areas like POS & Billing, Sales & Distribution, Production Planning, Material Management, Inventory Control, Plant Maintenance, Purchasing, Accounting and Logistics. Dynamic Web Programming with Database Driven Content Management Systems, Online Stores for E-Commerce, B2B Solutions, Community Portals, Website Redesign and Development, Custom ERP with Enterprise Wide Functional Modules such as Marketing, CRM, Accounting, Inventory Control, Sales & Distribution, Production Planning, Purchase & Stores, Logistics and Supply Chain.
Seek your further questions and help.
Thank you,
Best Regards, Jayapratap.
Re: What Do You Want To Be Taught?
- Hi Jeff,
Congratulations.
Basically I think there is a need to discuss all kind of internet marketing methods, all leading to the big problem - Generating Traffic.
My biggest challenge is time management, and tracking. I recently noticed that my tracking is lacking something, and i don't know what.
Getting Started In Your New Internet Business
- I always think it’s fun and exciting to start a new Internet business. I know for me that I would do something that I’m interested and passionate about. Otherwise the new venture doesn’t last for long. As it’s just as important to have passion, motivation and interest, there are a few areas that help me succeed in business.
Promoting Your Internet Business
I would call this the “show me the money” part of the business. Without money or income, there is no business. Therefore it’s important to promote your business and turn your promotional activities into sales. At every opportunity, try to promote your business through passive means: e.g. through your stationary, letterheads, emails, brochures and any other promotional material you may use. Even if it’s just an article you write for a directory, remember to put your website address at the bottom of it. In the past, I made stickers of my logo that I could easily stick on my products. Also I made sure that every email I sent out to a customer had a company logo in it. This all helps with creating the brand for the business.
It’s crucial to develop a marketing plan that will not only sell your products, but also your brand. Here are some other articles I recommend to read to help you promote your Internet business:
* Spreading The Word: Turbocharge Your Traffic
* Converting Traffic Into Sales Part 1: Generating Leads
* Converting Traffic Into Sales Part 2: Profiting From The Back-End
* 12 Sales Effective Marketing Tips
Operating Your Business
This is the “lifeblood” of the business and I’m amazed at the amount of businesses that still operate without having good systems in place. An electrician I use from time to time asked me how I maintain my book work and said he doesn’t know how to do it. I was shocked because I’d known him to be trading for over 2 years and he probably doesn’t know how much money is being made in his business or let alone lost. What I am saying is to not be like my Electrician friend and make sure you buy an accounting software to track all your accounts and paperwork. I would suggest hiring a book keeper because it will save you the hassle and time of doing it all yourself. Some good software packages out there that are under $500 like MYOB Accounting and QuickBooks will be more than sufficient when you start out.
Another area that most people forget or get caught out on are getting the appropriate insurances for your business. The most common are public liability insurance, fire, burglary, vehicle and workers compensation insurance. All these can be easily found via a quick search on Google. I would recommend ensuring both public liability and fire insurances are in place before even running your business.
Keeping Pace And Staying Up To Date
This may sound all too overwhelming when you have to promote, operate your business and keep up to date with your industry. Believe me it’s not as hard as it sounds. Take the first step and join a trade association or your local Chamber of Commerce. You will find it both informative and beneficial to your business. To know what is happening in your area and within your industry can help you make better decisions for promoting your product or service. Whether it may be time to change a product line or add more services to your business, you will be keeping up with the industry and making sure you are not missing out on opportunities. Also it’s a great way to network and promote within your trade associations and Chamber of Commerce. Simply write an article to contribute and it can be used as great public relations (P.R) for your business.
Also I emphasise to have a well prepared business plan created before starting your business, because this will be your starting point. A business plan is useful for so many areas for your business from sourcing finance to implementing a growth strategy for the next 5 years. Once it’s written down, it will become a living breathing document that you can update and review over time. I’ve just finished preparing my business plan for this business which took nearly 3 weeks to complete but I can tell you that it is well worth the time and effort to do. Learn how to put your own business plan together and I can guarantee you that you’ll get finance and negotiate business deals much easier.
The Future Of Your Internet Business
Starting your Internet Business is rewarding and if you look into those areas I have mentioned, then you will have a good foundation to running a successful Internet Business. Take action today and know that you deserve to live your dream.
Tyrone Shum
Internet Business Coach
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva.
Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing!Learn more.
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.