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
29 Sep 2023
Customer success vs. sales: What's the difference?
Customer success and sales teams both interact with clients, but customer success prevents churn whereas sales teams focus on loyalty and acquisition. Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2023
Shopify adds Audiences integrations for more segmentation
The e-commerce vendor builds on its customer segmentation capabilities by adding platform integrations with Snapchat, Criteo and TikTok for creating lists of target contacts. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Sep 2023
5 email marketing challenges and their solutions
Most organizations primarily use email to connect with customers. Yet, marketers often struggle with engagement due to spam filters and crowded inboxes. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Sep 2023
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
20 Sep 2023
4 email A/B testing best practices
A/B testing can help marketers improve email campaigns one variable at a time. Best practices include designing the right test, starting with the sender's name and using AI tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2023
Social media marketing strategies: Cut cliches, add opinions
Effective online engagement with customers starts with conversations that use feelings and opinions, rather than cliches and facts, to build lasting relationships. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Salesforce unveils Einstein 1 to embed AI in every app
The CRM vendor unveils a suite of new capabilities for its revamped AI platform, including a genAI Copilot in every app, and a way to customize the Copilot's functions. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Sep 2023
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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News
06 Sep 2023
HubSpot unveils AI-based Campaign Assistant, LinkedIn tie-in
The CRM vendor unveiled a virtual assistant tool, Campaign Assistant, to help marketers build campaigns and an integration between HubSpot and LinkedIn Sales Navigator. Continue Reading
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Answer
06 Sep 2023
What does a sales enablement manager do?
A sales enablement manager helps sales reps boost productivity and improves their workflows to generate more revenue. Some organizations may have a full sales enablement team. Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2023
HubSpot unveils AI capabilities, releases Sales Hub tools
The CRM vendor unveiled virtual assistants to automate customer service and project future sales, and released tools to centralize sales reps' daily tasks and prioritize leads. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Sep 2023
Sales vs. account management: What's the difference?
Sales and account management teams work together to increase revenue. However, these roles have different goals, responsibilities, skills and relationship timeframes. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2023
10 sales enablement best practices
A proper sales enablement strategy can help businesses improve revenue, training for sales teams and overall CX. And, with the right tools, teams can become more efficient. Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2023
Twilio's new CDP tool unites data for more personalization
Twilio's new tool uses its customer data platform, Segment, to connect real-time unified customer profiles with isolated data and boost marketing customization for better CX. Continue Reading
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Answer
21 Aug 2023
6 must-have customer experience roles for success
A well-rounded CX team is essential for meeting and exceeding customer expectations when engaging with a company. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Aug 2023
How sales teams can use generative AI
Sales teams can use generative AI to create personalized content, coach sales reps and improve forecasting. However, risks include data protection and a lack of empathy. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Aug 2023
Online forms tool offers custom designs and user insights
Digital marketing agency SmartBug Media uses digital customer survey platform Typeform to create custom-designed, brand-appropriate questionnaires and collect user data insights. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Aug 2023
Customer communications management key to CX success
Companies of all sizes are using the latest tech such as generative AI, online store apps, and collaboration tools like video calling to improve CX for B2B and B2C businesses. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Aug 2023
7 ways to successfully align your sales and marketing teams
Learn how to create a close collaboration between sales and marketing that can lead to more effective marketing campaigns, an increase in qualified leads and a boost in revenue. Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2023
Salesforce offers tighter Slack integration with Sales Cloud
The CRM giant released tools that bring customer data and insights to the collaboration platform, such as instant account updates sent directly to channels for review. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Aug 2023
10 popular digital marketing podcasts of 2023
Podcasts are popular among digital marketers, offering insights, trends and advice on SEO, social media and email marketing. They provide a time-saving way to stay competitive. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Aug 2023
What is account-based marketing? A guide to ABM strategy
Companies increasingly use ABM to target high-value accounts and boost sales revenue. Here's the lowdown on the key terms and technologies, plus expert advice on getting started. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jul 2023
7 ABM challenges and how to solve them
Navigating through account-based marketing program headwinds in team collaboration, budgeting, resource allocation, scalability, and tool selection requires a unique approach. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jul 2023
12 essential ABM metrics and KPIs to measure success
Account-based marketing metrics let teams effectively engage with key decision-makers within target accounts, strengthen customer loyalty and identify areas of improvement. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jul 2023
Account-based marketing vs. lead generation, explained
Discover the key differences between lead generation and account-based marketing, as well as pros and cons and how to decide which approach is best for your organization. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2023
CX personalization: Why it's important and how to deliver it
A personalization strategy can increase brand loyalty and customer retention by providing relevant content to customers when they need it. Here's how to get started. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jul 2023
A guide to account-based engagement
Account-based marketing strategies can unify marketing, sales and customer service objectives to prioritize, personalize and monetize engagements with high-value accounts. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jul 2023
How to use generative AI for marketing
Organizations can use generative AI to write marketing content and analyze customer data quicker than a human. However, the tool requires basic prompt engineering skills. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Jul 2023
How to effectively personalize your ABM strategy
The traditional approach of marketing to the masses is yielding to a more targeted, personalized account-based marketing strategy that caters to high-value clients and boosts ROI. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jul 2023
Meta's Threads erupts as potential customer service channel
Threads may or may not be a Twitter-killer, but if 100 million people signed up for it in its first five days, your customer service team should consider supporting it -- and fast. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2023
5 steps to integrate a content personalization engine into a CMS
Customer experience is a top focus in the modern business world, and personalized content can go a long way toward delivering that exceptional experience. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2023
Microsoft releases Sales Copilot, teases Insights tools
The tech giant released generative AI-supported functions for sellers to generate text and summaries, and unveiled new Dynamics 365 Customer Insights tools for marketers. Continue Reading
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Answer
14 Jul 2023
How does bulk SMS marketing work?
To start a bulk SMS marketing strategy, marketers should create message templates, monitor engagement and ensure that customers can opt in or out of communications. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jul 2023
11 social commerce statistics for 2023
As consumers spend an increasing amount of time on social media, it's important for brands to meet them where they are and integrate social commerce into marketing strategies. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2023
The new social media landscape in 2023 and how to navigate it
Navigating the changing social media landscape can be challenging. Stay adaptable in the evolving digital environment with goal setting, engagement and mindful communication. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2023
8 top marketing certifications and courses for 2023
In 2023, marketers seek certifications to stay updated and gain an edge. By staying current on trends, they differentiate themselves and bring value to teams and customers. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jul 2023
7 benefits of SMS marketing
An SMS marketing strategy can benefit organizations and customers alike, with tactics like personalization, real-time results and communication, and loyalty between both parties. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Jul 2023
How AI in marketing can empower creativity
'Marketing Artificial Intelligence' co-author Paul Roetzer explains why and how AI can change marketing and gives insight into how marketing professionals can prepare. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jul 2023
Event analytics tool answers CX data queries using ChatGPT
Mixpanel aims to improve users' CX strategy with its new generative AI-supported data query tool, which lets users type CX data-related questions and get answers in chart format. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Jul 2023
Bard vs. ChatGPT: What's the difference?
ChatGPT took the spotlight for AI-generated content, and Google answered with Bard. While Bard and ChatGPT may perform similar tasks, there are differences between the two. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2023
Salesforce brings more AI tools to Sales GPT and Service GPT
The CRM giant brings generative AI-supported tools like message creation and call summaries to sales and service workers, and teams with Deloitte Digital for AI safety resources. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
26 Jun 2023
The 5 indicators of healthy sales-marketing alignment
How can a business ensure sales and marketing teams communicate and are on the same page? Ask these five questions and make sure both teams share a common language. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2023
8 SMS marketing software to know in 2023
SMS marketing is the best way to reach customers where they are. These platforms can help organizations send automated replies, add personalization and integrate with other tools. Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 Jun 2023
Monitor generative AI in customer experiences -- or else
As marketers and customer service leaders deploy generative AI tools that tech vendors are rapidly commercializing, they should monitor U.S. FTC guidance. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jun 2023
Top 9 best SMS marketing examples, with templates
How can marketers write the perfect text message to engage customers? Templates can help. Explore examples of common SMS marketing messages, like product alerts and event invites. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2023
LinkedIn unveils generative AI-based tools for B2B marketers
The professional network's new products let marketers create ad copy, message other company Pages, and post different types of ads to attract buyers throughout the buying process. Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2023
Salesforce adds GPT to Commerce and Marketing clouds
The CRM giant adds generative AI capabilities and an expanded Google partnership to help marketers bring personalized content to customers and improve CX. Continue Reading
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Answer
19 May 2023
What are the different types of SMS marketing?
How should marketers text their audiences? First, ensure customers opted in to receive texts. Then, promote, incentivize and update customers on products and orders. Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2023
SAP's new CX tools for retailers include generative AI assistant
The vendor's new tools include Digital Assistant for better personalization, accelerators to use customer data to improve CX, and a platform to sell excess products on the market. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 May 2023
Tips and tools to help you write emails with AI
Emails can be taxing, but are vital to give the right impression. Using concise text and the right tone can make all the difference, and AI can help make the email process easier. Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2023
Google adds Adobe's image generator, Firefly, to Bard
The AI-backed chatbot will have artmaking abilities with Firefly, an image generator that was trained on hundreds of stock images to avoid copyright infringement. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 May 2023
Top 10 SMS marketing best practices
Customers may be willing to opt into receiving texts from a brand, but marketers should follow various best practices to ensure they don't overload or overstep with customers. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 May 2023
Generational marketing explained: Everything you need to know
Marketers need to meet consumers on the platforms with which they are most comfortable, whether that be print, digital or a combination of the two. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 May 2023
How to avoid greenwashing as a marketer
Greenwashing can erode customer trust and damage brand reputation. To avoid it, organizations can offer evidence to support their claims and use sustainability certifications. Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2023
Salesforce brings GPT to customer service, sales platforms
The CRM giant brings generative AI capabilities to its sales and service platforms for fast, relevant email, message and article creation, as well as multilanguage transcription. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Apr 2023
How businesses improve customer experience with AI
AI bolsters the consumer journey by improving personalization for enterprise marketing and unlocking data extraction for customer calls to the contact center. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Apr 2023
Top 8 digital asset management platforms to consider in 2023
DAM platforms help marketers manage digital assets for customer-facing channels like websites and social media pages. Top DAM products include Acquia DAM, Bynder and Canto. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Apr 2023
MAM vs. DAM: What's the difference?
Digital asset management is the reigning champion of managing digital and multimedia assets. Now, media asset management offers the same, with more support for larger files. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Apr 2023
11 TikTok alternatives to check out in 2023
TikTok wasn't the first of its kind, and it won't be the last. Check out these alternatives. Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2023
Overcoming data privacy challenges in digital marketing
As access to customers' personal data tightens, online marketers must reevaluate their strategies to reach their desired targets in an effective and creative way. Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2023
Salesforce forms new Trailblazer community group for sales
The CRM software giant aims to fill sales personnel gap with new sales-focused learners group named Salesblazer and sales certification for existing courses. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2023
5 best practices for a sustainable marketing strategy
Sustainable marketing can boost brand loyalty, but marketers need an effective strategy. Brands should commit to a larger purpose, take a long-term approach and remain consistent. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2023
How account-based marketing can improve personalization
An ABM strategy can help B2B marketers personalize marketing efforts for top prospects. An ABM strategy includes an ideal customer profile, personalized messaging and a CRM system. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2023
Advice for marketing personalization
Business professionals have become numb to the plethora of marketing emails they receive every day. However, personalized messaging can grab their attention. Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2023
Canva steps up design game with new AI-powered design tools
The platform provides accessible tools for small businesses that need design help. Canva is also escalating its technology to compete against bigger design platforms such as Adobe. Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2023
Adobe unveils new collaboration tool for marketing teams
The CX giant revealed new technology for faster workflows between marketing, product and data teams to collaborate on marketing campaigns in its new Product Analytics platform. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Mar 2023
Why version control is necessary in digital asset management
Creative teams often use different versions of their digital assets across marketing channels. Learn how version control in DAM systems helps teams track these versions. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2023
Adobe Firefly brings generative AI image marketing tool
The CX giant's Firefly is an image creator trained on millions of visuals from Adobe stock content to understand written commands and make images for better marketing. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Mar 2023
20 social media terms to know
Social media marketing can be an easy way to reach consumers and build brand awareness. Check out this glossary to understand popular social media terms. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2023
Adobe and RainFocus pair for more data insight at events
The CX software giant pairs with the event marketing services vendor to provide customers with tools for deeper personalized experiences at in-person and online events. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Mar 2023
How Gen Z will shape the future of customer experience
The future of customer experience is in the hands of Gen Z -- and new technologies, like generative AI and XaaS. These trends will affect consumer and enterprise markets alike. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Mar 2023
5 examples of greenwashing claims
Sustainable marketing can improve brand loyalty, but greenwashing diminishes it. Explore five examples of organizations that have faced greenwashing claims. Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2023
CX personalization drives strategy for customer data mining
Users are more likely to engage with custom-made, exclusive digital experiences, which ease the flow of zero- and first-party data back to the vendor for improved CX strategies. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Mar 2023
7 examples of sustainable marketing
Organizations can help the environment, society and their bottom line at the same time with sustainable marketing. Examples include charity partnerships and social transparency. Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2023
Salesforce joins generative AI ranks with Einstein GPT
The CRM giant capitalizes on GPT 3.5 tech, weaving generative AI into code creation, Slack tools and customer interactions. The vendor also launched a $250M AI investment fund. Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2023
Microsoft's new Dynamics 365 Copilot uses generative AI
Copilot accelerates routine tasks for marketing and sales teams like creating email responses and collecting customer insight data, intensifying the AI race in CRM software. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Mar 2023
Deinfluencing explained: Everything you need to know
The influencer market tells people about the latest trends and shows them products to purchase. But some influencers -- deinfluencers -- are trying to stop overconsumption. Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2023
Generative AI-supported tools coming from Pegasystems
CRM platform Pega Infinity will incorporate artificial intelligence language tools for quicker task management, insight visualization and app development. Continue Reading
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Infographic
27 Feb 2023
A brief history of Google algorithm changes
Google frequently updates its algorithm to improve search result quality. These updates often enhance search query interpretation and prevent spam tactics. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Feb 2023
Rolling recession explained: Everything you need to know
Talks of a looming recession and tech layoffs dominated the news in 2022 and 2023, but job and spending reports have outpaced predictions. Enter the term 'rolling recession.' Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Feb 2023
Learn the basics of digital asset management
DAM systems offer a central repository for rich media assets and enhance collaboration within marketing teams. However, users may struggle with metadata and business processes. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Feb 2023
Why is sustainable marketing important?
On a grand scale, sustainable marketing brings awareness to environmental and social issues. On a business level, this practice can improve brand loyalty and worker engagement. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Feb 2023
What are the different types of marketing personalization?
Marketing teams use multiple personalization strategies for customer outreach, like emails, targeted ads and chatbots. Each approach brings several benefits and can improve CX. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jan 2023
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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Feature
27 Jan 2023
How do green marketing and sustainable marketing differ?
Many organizations use green and sustainable marketing to build trust with consumers. Green marketing focuses on the environment, whereas sustainable marketing is broader. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jan 2023
5 examples of e-commerce content marketing strategies
Content marketing strategies with personalization, thought leadership research, SEO and diverse content types can help e-commerce companies reach and engage more customers. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2023
Google faces new DOJ lawsuit over advertising technology
The DOJ alleges that Google maintains an illegal monopoly over advertising technology used by website publishers and advertisers. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jan 2023
How AI and marketing will influence our future
AI changes marketing strategies by using predictive analytics and automating some time-consuming tasks to increase efficiency; however, there are considerations as you adopt AI. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2023
Latest Google Cloud AI shines spotlight on retail automation
AI-powered automated inventory tracking systems aren't perfect. However, retailers with high rates of lost sales from missing items in stores could still achieve a decent ROI. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2023
Microsoft and Salesforce step up smart store retail tech
The tech giants are quickly evolving their technologies aimed at the brick and mortar commerce market, with new software for smart store analytics, CX and retail associates. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jan 2023
6 e-commerce email marketing strategies to heed
Building a database, nurturing existing customers and using an email service provider are some e-commerce email marketing strategies to help businesses increase revenue. Continue Reading
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Answer
09 Jan 2023
Personalization vs. segmentation: What's the difference?
Personalization and segmentation both bring different benefits to marketing teams and use different types of customers data. Find out the main differences between the two terms. Continue Reading
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Answer
04 Jan 2023
Why is personalization important?
Personalization is key in many marketing teams' strategies. It plays an important role in helping organizations retain customers, build trust among audiences and stay relevant. Continue Reading
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News
04 Jan 2023
Salesforce 2023 layoff plans follow recent executive exodus
Changes continue to shake up Salesforce, with a 10% workforce reduction and office space closures this year following recent departures of top executives. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Jan 2023
Digital marketing tips for growth amid economic uncertainty
Budgets are down, social media is unreliable, the economy is rough. That could make first-party data, loyalty programs and streaming video better marketing investments. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Dec 2022
Digilantism explained: Everything you need to know
With the rise of digital communications, some people turn to digilantism for justice and support. Here is how digilantism is used to gain advocacy for various causes. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Dec 2022
Top 8 e-commerce marketing platforms to consider
An e-commerce marketing strategy is no longer optional. Organizations need a marketing platform that meets their e-commerce teams' needs, can customize websites and is affordable. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Dec 2022
5 ethical issues in marketing to avoid
Marketing is about attracting customers and making sales. However, there are some unethical advertising and promotion tactics that may cause people to mistrust your brand. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Dec 2022
5 examples of personalization strategies
These real-world personalization strategies -- mixed with intent-based marketing, targeted emails and multimedia -- helped create long-lasting relationships with engaged customers. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2022
10 e-commerce marketing strategies for your business
Marketers have myriad tools in their belts -- from SEO to influencers to technology and tools. These strategies can improve anyone's e-commerce marketing plan. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Dec 2022
How to efficiently measure customer loyalty
Most organizations don't measure customer loyalty often or thoroughly enough to improve CX. This book excerpt explores tips and suggestions to measure loyalty more efficiently. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2022
How to choose a customer data platform
CDPs centralize customer data, which can improve marketing insights. To choose the right CDP, CX leaders can create a team of stakeholders, identify goals and compare products. Continue Reading