Business Improvement and Social media

I selected this article from Curatti written by Tony Zambito because it explains how outdated buyer insights can affect our B2B sales.

You can reach your prospects through a better understanding of why customers make a purchase.

Exploring the B2B Buyer Journey

The digitization of business has changed the buyer landscape significantly. I agree that your customers will respond as you reach them where they are at.

Zambito shows you several ways to gain better insights on your prospects and how to improve your B2B sales.

Here's what caught my attention:

• B2B companies have to come to the realization that they are living within their own digital bubble. This includes over-reliance on activity-based data intelligence.

• Digital transformation is felt mostly in channels and distribution. For example, the way consumers purchase a book is now far different than in the past.

• Cloud-based platforms are now affecting how people take action and make decisions. A new virtual dependence is emerging merging users and buyers into one.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to answer your customers the right way online.

Some words can "add fuel to the fire" when it comes to engaging in customer service.

Improve Your Customer Communication

You can answer your customers with the right response. I agree that you can foster better relationships by using the right wording.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your online communication for better feedback and results.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Take responsibility of handling an issue even if the person is not actual customer. Help them to take action and then follow up with them.

• Go the extra mile when it comes to a making a purchase -- even if the product is not currently available. Do whatever you have to do the help the experience become a positive one.

• Instead of just explaining a policy try to find an alternate solution. There may be something better for the customer to take advantage of.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Patrick Foster
 because it explains the difference between B2B and B2C in eCommerce.

It's important to know how and why customers interact on your business website.

The Difference Between Buyer Journeys and Customers

When building a business in the digital age you need to understand how your prospects are making purchasing decisions and why. I agree that both B2B and B2C play into eCommerce websites.

Foster explains what causes your customers to make a purchase and how to improve your approach.

Here's what caught my attention:

• In B2B purchasing there is always a problem that needs to be solved within a business. Buyers in this situation want to look for the best deal and product or service for their employers.

• A B2C website is usually aimed at capturing the reader's attention right away. The next step is to convince them to make a purchase.

• It takes account management to make a B2B sale work along with relationship management. In B2C it's all about customer service and followup via email. 

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Michael Brenner because it provides insight on how to build an authentic brand that your audience will love.

Make your brand more attractive by humanizing the persona.

Effectively Reach Your Target Market

Trusted recommendations can help attract customers to your brand. I agree that you can accomplish this by creating incentives for influencers to share what you have to offer.

Brenner goes over how to improve the 'likability' factor for your business marketing.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Many people don't trust anyone trying to sell to them. You need to humanize your content in order to reach them in an trustworthy way.

• Talk to your customers in real-time, one-on-one. Answer their questions with helpful advice when they visit your website.

• We are not influenced by celebrities --- we take notes from each other. Encourage your community to make referrals and leave positive reviews.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Susan Gilbert because it provides insight into how to improve your email marketing with 15 different approaches.

Improve your open rates by catching the reader's attention.

Send Out Emails That Get Opened

You can improve your chances of your business emails being seen by using creativity and enticing content. I agree that this will help reduce your bounce rates and improve your reach.

Gilbert provides 15 tips in a helpful infographic with bonus tips covering email subject lines.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Tell a recent story your business experienced. Point out what you learned and how it changed your approach. People are drawn to transparency.

• Write about something simple that the reader can do right away. For example, a ten minute workout that they can begin now.

• Provide a hint about a new product release. Building anticipation makes great content and increase your sales once you launch your product.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Raymond Morin because it explains the latest results by PR Newswire in their study of CEO credibility.

How business leaders are perceived online today.

The All-Time Low of Trust in Leadership

Most people have come to distrust "the system." I agree that this raises questions on how we can better reach our community.

Morin explains the details of the study and sounds the alarm for business leaders to pay attention.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The public has generally lost confidence in all institutions of society over the last year. This is the case with 20 out of 28 countries.

• Some of the main culprits of mistrust are tax avoidance, overcharging for basic needs, and erosion of quality. There has only been a 7 point increase in the United States in 2016.

• The most credible spokespersons today are the employees. These are the people who spread the company messages and who handle customer service.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Martin Shervington because it explains how to successfully connect with your customers.

True marketing today is based on customer service online

Bring More to Your Clients

Being active and involved with your customers is the key to growth in sales. I agree that your business can better provide for them by staying on top of questions and feedback.

Shervington shows you several ways to improve your customer service strategy through relationship building.

Here's what caught my attention:

• When using social listening your business will need to pay attention to both the facts and the emotions of your community in order to be effective in meeting their needs.

• Evaluate your current sales process and how you are following up with your customers. Find out what results this is producing -- more than likely this can be improved upon.

• If your company includes a team or employees make use of their knowledge and expertise. This provides a friendly atmosphere for your clients.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Timothy (Tim) Hughes because it provides insights on how to best approach buyers through persona marketing.

Many potential customers do not make a purchase decision due to a lack of information and too much confusion about a product or service.

How Persona Marketing Affects Your Bottom Line

People respond when we listen and help solve their problems in a clear and effective way. I agree that businesses need to understand what their leads are looking for and why in order to better reach them.

Hughes explains what exactly persona marketing means from the customer's perspective.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Selling today is about social -- this means that businesses need to connect with their audience and engage them in conversation. It's people who make decisions -- not companies.

• Top performing sales agents use both research and social media to reach their prospects. These people are change makers and influencers who are looked up to as a trusted source.

• It is not persona marketing that is to blame for a lack of interest. Businesses can mislead or confuse their potential customers through a lack of information and attention.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to successfully engage your customers with great service on social media through mobile technology.

Improving customer service online is beneficial to growing your business.

Better Social Mobile Customer Experience

Your social media connections have specific expectations that need to be met. I agree that your business can better provide for your customers by understanding how they communicate on mobile.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your customer service strategy through social mobile.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Interactions over social/mobile have gone up over the last few years. This has raised the bar on customer expectations as far as the speed of response and resolutions.

• It's important to know which social networks your customers are engaging in the most. This includes what type of device they use such as a laptop, tablet, phone, ect.

• Do not underestimate instant messaging apps for customer service. According to a report by Software Advice 75 percent of adults aged 35-44 in the U.S. look for support via their mobile devices.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to successfully integrate social channels into customer service.

It's important to be active with your customers on social media in order to build trust and sales.

Improve Your Social Customer Experience

Great customer service begins with active and engaged social interactions. I agree that your business can better reach your community by communicating with them where they are most active.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your customer service strategy through social media.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Brands and customers have different ways to build relationships with new digital tools such as mobile messaging. Some embrace this faster than others.

• Find out if and how new trends can be beneficial to your brand. Remember that your audience is searching for information from the competition and to be one step ahead.

• Respond to your customers on social media in a timely manner. Use clear and concise language that speaks to them directly.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Shane Barker because it provides insight on how to connect with micro-influencers for more sales.

You don't need to know a celebrity to attract more customers to your business online.

Understand How to Effectively Reach Your Leads

In order to attract more customers for your brand you need trusted recommendations. I agree that you can accomplish this by building relationships with those who have a strong following and higher engagement rates.

Barker goes over how micro-influencers can help improve your marketing strategy.

Here's what caught my attention:

• A customer will be more like to trust a micro-influencer than a regular connection on social media. Building a relationship with them can help increase your conversion rates.

• Mid-level leaders are perceived to be more knowledgable. Your product recommendations can go a lot farther when they mention your brand.

• An increase in the number of followers can cause a decrease in the number of likes for posts on Facebook. Fewer, high-quality connections are better for engagement.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to better reach your customers through direct messages.

It's important to know the latest communication methods online in order to build a trusted brand.

Understanding Private Messaging in Customer Service

Technology has affected the way we approach brands and businesses. I agree that it's important to understand that not all questions are presented publicly on social media.

Fabrizio shows explains the current state of social customer service through private messages.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The new approach of communicating with your customers privately should be introduced slowly. This will help them transition from just relying on making comments publicly on social media.

• Speed up your response times with the use of integrated AI and bots. This is turn improves customer satisfaction as long as they do not know it is not an actual human who is replying to them.

• Set up a customized welcome message on Twitter when they write a DM. Customers also have the option now of selecting from a multiple choice menu.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Andy Capaloff because it explains how to understand your customers from their perspective.

We need to provide the same level of customer service that we would want to receive.

Improve Your Customer Relationships

In order to be a successful business we need to reach our customers where they are at. I agree that you can create a better experience by understanding their needs and desires.

Capaloff explains how to get into the minds of your customers by putting yourself in their shoes.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Ask yourself the same questions a customer would ask. Things like, "would you buy from you?" and "do your own employees with discounts make purchases from your company?"

• We are ultimately selling to people, and so we need to humanize our brand. That means we take care of the buyer before and after the sale.

• The customer experience is important no matter what size your business is. Make it easy for them to make a purchase with a helpful attitude.

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Good post on what makes a brand shareable on social media

Good post on what makes a brand shareable on social media

I selected this article from Curatti written by Megan Arevalo because it explains how customer opinion can increase your business sales.

Most online shoppers will read a review first before making a buying decision.

Improve Your Sales with Online Reviews

Feedback has the power to make or break a sale for an online shopper. I agree that in order to be successful you need to encourage positive reviews.

Arevalo explains how to leverage customer opinion in your favor.

Here's what caught my attention:

• A positive review can help improve your search engine ranking and boost your business up to the top pages of Google. This provides customers quick access to your business online.

• About 68 percent of millennials prefer online reviews to advertising. Authentic and positive feedback can increase your business sales by as much as 18 percent.

• A good review can encourage customer engagement. This is due to the fact that they will be more willing to take another step with your business.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to use social customer service to better connect with your customers.

Integrating digital channels can help you improve your sales and customer relations.

Make Better Connections Through Social Customer Service

You can nurture your customers each and every day. I agree that you can reach them through specific platforms and technology.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your social customer service with mobile and other social channels.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The use of smart phones has changed the way buyers interact with businesses. Mobile makes it faster and more comfortable to get the answers we need.

• Your brand can't afford to to waste time and money on the wrong digital platforms. It's important to carefully choose the best one for your business before taking on too much.

• Leverage live video events to answer your customers' pressing questions. This increases brand awareness and spreads the word about your business.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Susan Gilbert because it provides insight into how to improve your email marketing with 15 different approaches.

Improve your open rates by catching the reader's attention.

Send Out Emails That Get Opened

You can improve your chances of your business emails being seen by using creativity and enticing content. I agree that this will help reduce your bounce rates and improve your reach.

Gilbert provides 15 tips in a helpful infographic with bonus tips covering email subject lines.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Tell a recent story your business experienced. Point out what you learned and how it changed your approach. People are drawn to transparency.

• Write about something simple that the reader can do right away. For example, a ten minute workout that they can begin now.

• Provide a hint about a new product release. Building anticipation makes great content and increase your sales once you launch your product.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to choose the right platform to handle customer service through social media.

Interacting with your customers takes attention to all digital channels where they are active.

Establish a Successful Social Customer Service System

Being attentive and involved with your customers is the key to growth and trust in your business. I agree that you can better provide for them by choosing the right management system.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your customer service on social media with the right platform.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Create a plan of action before choosing a platform. This enables your business to make the right decisions at the right time -- especially when a team is involved.

• When looking at various services you will want to take a look at their capabilities. This includes omni-channel support, in-depth analytics, and whether is it fully scalable.

• There are a few things that are essential when choosing a social customer service platform. Things such as CRM integration, tasks allocation, sentiment interactions tracking, and more.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Bryan Kramer because it provides insights on how human experiences still rule over automation.

Understanding the human experience in the age of technology

Are You Relying Too Much on Automation?

We are experiencing new technological advances like never before. I agree that in order to reach your customers in the digital age you need to connect with them on a human level.

Kramer explains how to make meaningful connections and understand the balance of technology.

Here's what caught my attention:

• We are able to keep in touch with our community even more today online, but we can easily miss personal contact through this. In person meetings are still the best way to reach people.

• We are always on the hunt for more context and meaning. This is necessary to fully understand someone -- these subtleties are not possible with communication online.

• With the rise of chatbots we can lose the art of persuasion. Humans still crave understanding, and knowing that your business is actively listening to them.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Robert Caruso because it provides insights on how marketing experiences has transformed customer engagement.

Your audience is not only involved in your products -- they are also paying attention to your messaging.

How Digital Marketing Affects Your Customers

Experiences are always occurring online whether you would like it to or not. I agree that businesses need to pay attention to how their marketing footprint is affecting their communication and sales.

Caruso explains the current state of customer relations in the realm of digital marketing.

Here's what caught my attention:

• According to a study by Accenture, 34 percent of CMO and CEOs reported that their customers were more likely to engage with new entrant competitors. This is because the experience is more positive than traditional businesses.

• Startups breaking into an established market need to pay attention to new and innovative products in order to be successful. This is important if you want to stay relevant to your audience.

• True marketing experiences are specifically targeted and created for your niche audience. These should be a journey that your customer is taken through.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Timothy (Tim) Hughes because it provides new insights into how to better connect with your social media community.

It's important to connect with your fans and followers instead of just advertising to them.

Understand the Right Way to Interact as a Brand

Social media users are looking for authenticity, not sales. I agree that you can appeal to their needs by letting go of traditional sales and advertising methods.

Hughes shows how to get to know your audience better in order to provide value and increase sales.

Here's what caught my attention:

• "Social now reaches across the whole organisation, not just sales and marketing but human resources, finance, purchasing, research and development, returns, after market, supply chain, etc."

• "Your organisation needs a “top down and bottom up” social strategy that reaches across all departments. Where everybody know what the strategy is, how to interact with customers, the tone of voice and brand message."

• "People are more likely to buy from friends, from people they have a relationship with, people they feel have something in common with, and people they have been recommended. Build relationships on Social and those people are more likely to buy from you."

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Raymond Morin because it provides predictures on consumer behavior in the next two years.

The influence of buyers has dramatically changed and will continue to evolve.

Understand The 'Generaction C' Consummer

Customers are more connected online than ever before. I agree that in order to grab their attention you need find out what they are looking for in a brand.

Morin shows the latest changes in consummer behavior and how to best meet their needs and desires.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The trust meter has gone down over the last few years. Today people rely on review and recomendations -- especially from family and friends.

• Content that is spread through social media has become the main source of information. These outlets are priority over traditional media.

• With mobile platforms like Snapchat and Instagram consummers now want instant information. This has also created an emergence of niche bloggers to meet the demand.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by Robert Caruso because it provides insight on how to improve your B2B sales with better customer relations.

Why connecting with your customers is essential to your business sales.

Reach More Prospects with Customer Experience (CX)

It is important to implement a solid B2B strategy that provides the best possible experience for your customers. I agree that in order to increase your conversion rates you need to combine both tangible and intangible elements.

Caruso goes over how the customer experience methods works and how this can help your business gain a competitive advantage.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Marketing, discovery and messaging set the tone for the B2B customer’s expectation. This is then portrayed and measured against the competition and allows you to set the bar high.

• A great experience leads to more sales, especially when backed with real execution. This builds value in your customer's spending.

• You can avoid having your customer become an after thought through the right focus and action. A lack of priority equals a lack of results.

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I selected this article from Curatti written by John Jantsch because it provides insight into how to achieve your goals in generating new clients.

Lead funnels are great, but you still need a client generation system in place.

Why Your Business Is Not Experiencing Enough Sales

Building a profitable company takes several marketing methods in order to be truly effective. I agree that client lead generation is an essential part of growing your bottom line.

Jantsch explains why these techniques are important to attract the most leads and conversions.

Here's what caught my attention:

• You don't just want leads -- you want customers. You need  steady flow of the right people targeted for your business niche, not just a large influx of prospects.

• Build a system that generates a consistent appointments -- at least 10 to 12. Make sure these are qualified leads who are interested in what you have to offer.

• Create valuable content that will resonate with your audience. This is the workhorse for your lead generation system.

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