It's Finally Friday! We're bringing you some fun & informative articles to start your weekend off right!
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It's 'Finally Friday' and we're bringing you some fun & informative articles to start off the weekend right! Enjoy!


P.S. - Will you be attending BIMS next week?

If so, stop by to listen in on Steve's session and round table discussion on Selling Business Outcomes, Not Impressions

   

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DON'T SET IT IN STONE

What’s the reason that strategies so often break down upon entering the execution stage? Because strategies are often looked at as set rules rather than working hypotheses. Stringent rules do not allow for flexibility in the face of curves in the road to success. The simple truth is that a strategy built in a board room, isn’t built to survive the unpredictable reality of the industry. On the other hand, a hypothesis is structured to accept its own limitations. It is designed to incorporate and analyze new information, whether it is good or bad. A hypothesis strategy means you're willing to test out new approaches to see what does and doesn’t work. Furthermore, it helps leaders identify gaps between blueprint and execution. This tactic requires that everyone, from managers to interns, be willing to learn. Try implementing hypothesis strategizing in your next business plan.


TIS' THE SEASON

Major holiday sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are approaching, is your business ready? Last holiday season, these two major sale days raked in a grand total of about $12.8 billion. Forbes predicts that businesses that utilize mobile conversations with customers will see huge results. Conversing with customers is always a great idea that can build trust and affinity for your business, especially when 60% of shoppers use their phones for product research. Try creating welcoming calls to action and engaging with those who engage with your company! For more upcoming holiday trends, check out Forbes’ latest article. 


SEO MYTHS

SEO is a major buzz word in almost every industry. Everyone is seeking a prized SEO ranking, constantly revising strategies to achieve it. Hand in hand with the buzz comes a lot of articles, blogs, and advice about how to take advantage of your business’s SEO.  With all of the information out there, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Unfortunately, it’s easy to miss out on authentic industry updates. That’s why Forbes has broken down 13 common myths about SEO. For example, placing a huge focus on SEO isn’t guaranteed to drive all leads. Instead, your business should focus on a healthily diversified digital strategy if you want to get your name out there. Link building, offsite blogs, and social media optimization are just a few you could focus on. Furthermore, meta descriptions do not directly factor into your SEO ranking. This doesn’t mean it’s not important, meta descriptions continue to play a major role in attracting higher click through rates and generating traffic. Read the rest of the article to ensure that your SEO strategy is focused on the right (and factual) things. 


JUST HOLD YOUR HORSES

Alarm goes off. Wake up. Check your inbox. This is the daily morning routine of many high functioning people. However, experts say that you should hold off on checking your email so early in the day. Author Carson Tate says, “Your inbox is everyone else’s to do list for you, aligned to their goals and objectives, not necessarily your goals and objectives,” There is validity in this statement. An inbox full of demands, critiques, and requests can hinder your motivation and productivity for the rest of the day. Instead, try starting your day by creating a mental list of all of YOUR top priorities, and wait to check your email until your in-office. Another new email habit you can incorporate into your day to day is to try picking up the phone more. Avoid back and forth style emails with excessive length and frequency. Additionally, communicating vocally minimizes the risk of miscommunication and creates clarity. Business Insider has provided a list of even more healthy email habits. 


 HOW TO STAND ALONE IN YOUR MARKET

If you're selling digital media, you are always competing. Whether you realize it or not, you’re up against competitors that you know about AND those you don’t. It's safe to assume there are 10-30 competitors per day reaching out to your customers and prospects trying to win them over, right under your nose. Competitive positioning is about defining how you’ll “differentiate” your offering and create value for your market. It’s about carving out a spot in the competitive landscape, putting your stake in the ground, and winning mindshare in the marketplace – being known for a certain “something.” Positioning yourself against the competition as a seller is crucial to helping you get meetings and close deals, but it can be difficult to know where to start.


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