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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News
07 Oct 2025
Oracle adds AI agents to Fusion CX applications cloud stack
Oracle beefs up agentic AI capabilities for users of CX Fusion apps. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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News
06 Oct 2025
SAP CX adds loyalty management, AI agents
SAP lands and expands its CX lineup with agentic AI. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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News
06 Oct 2025
SAP CX adds loyalty management, AI agents
SAP lands and expands its CX lineup with agentic AI. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
06 Oct 2025
Short-form video alternatives to TikTok
TikTok wasn't the first of its kind, and it won't be the last. Check out these alternatives if you're looking for a new platform with similar features. Continue Reading
By- Jim O'Donnell, Senior News Writer
- Ben Lutkevich, Site Editor
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Tip
01 Oct 2025
How to conduct a content audit: Step-by-step with template
To conduct a content audit, enterprises should follow eight comprehensive steps to improve their content performance, audience engagement and digital presence. Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2025
Contentsquare previews agentic AI-driven content analytics
Content analytics can be complicated, but natural language and agentic AI can simplify the process. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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News
30 Sep 2025
ServiceNow makes the case to users for AI management
ServiceNow keeps up its campaign to own AI orchestration, challenges Salesforce with new CRM tools as Salesforce claps back with its own ITSM offering. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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News
29 Sep 2025
Sprinklr adds AI agents for marketing, CCaaS, more
Sprinklr users get their AI agents for marketing, service and customer feedback, custom-tuned to verticals. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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News
24 Sep 2025
Sitecore CEO: Embedded agentic AI is the future of business
As AI disrupts website traffic and remakes marketing techniques, Sitecore CEO Eric Stine discusses the future of agentic AI for customer experience. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
23 Sep 2025
12 sales pipeline management best practices
A few sales pipeline management best practices include monitoring key metrics, ensuring data is accurate and prioritizing high-value and high-intent prospects. Continue Reading
By- Robert Peledie, 365Knowledge Ltd.
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Definition
23 Sep 2025
What is a chief marketing officer (CMO)?
A chief marketing officer (CMO) is a C-suite executive responsible for overseeing the planning, development and execution of an organization's marketing and advertising initiatives. Continue Reading
By- Scott Robinson, New Era Technology
- Katie Terrell Hanna
- Mary K. Pratt
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Tip
18 Sep 2025
What are the 7 stages of the sales pipeline?
The seven stages of the sales pipeline are prospecting, lead qualification, initial contact, proposal, negotiations, deal closing and customer retention. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Feature
16 Sep 2025
Is SEO dead? How GenAI changed search
No, SEO is not dead. Despite the rise of AI search, SEO remains the biggest source of web traffic and can help brands appear in AI search. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Tip
11 Sep 2025
8 tools to support a content audit
These leading content audit tools can enhance content optimization and refine SEO strategies, ultimately boosting organic traffic performance. Continue Reading
By- Christine Campbell, The Alpha Content Company
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News
10 Sep 2025
Adobe releases AI marketing agents, orchestration platform
Adobe users can now orchestrate prefab AI marketing agents, and soon will be able to create their own. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
04 Sep 2025
How to create customer profiles, with examples
Creating customer profiles gives brands a deep understanding of customers' needs and results in more successful marketing strategies. Here are the steps to get started. Continue Reading
By- Beth Schultz, Metrigy Research
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Tip
04 Sep 2025
How to integrate GEO with an SEO strategy
Marketing teams can research conversational queries, add FAQ sections to content and use natural language to integrate GEO into an existing SEO strategy. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Definition
03 Sep 2025
What is sustainable marketing?
Sustainable marketing is a purpose-driven strategy that promotes products, services and brand values aligned with long-term environmental, social and economic well-being. Continue Reading
By- Kinza Yasar, Technical Writer
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News
03 Sep 2025
HubSpot adds 200 features to platform, much of it agentic AI
HubSpot adds to its Breeze agentic AI componentry. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
03 Sep 2025
How to manage your sales pipeline
Proper sales pipeline management can enhance forecasting, spot bottlenecks and drive revenue growth. Learn essential strategies to manage a sales pipeline effectively. Continue Reading
By- Robert Peledie, 365Knowledge Ltd.
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Feature
28 Aug 2025
How to use generative AI for sales
Sales teams can use generative AI to create personalized content, coach sales reps and improve forecasting. However, challenges include scaling and data readiness. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Tip
20 Aug 2025
8 challenges customer success teams face
Effective customer success improves retention and growth, but many teams struggle to understand customers' goals, create a smooth onboarding process and align with sales teams. Continue Reading
By- Robert Peledie, 365Knowledge Ltd.
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Feature
12 Aug 2025
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 tools require basic prompt engineering skills. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Definition
07 Aug 2025
What is direct marketing?
Direct marketing is a type of advertising campaign that seeks to elicit an action (such as an order, a visit to a store or website or a request for further information) from a selected group of consumers in response to communication from a marketer. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Aug 2025
Mastering AI search optimization: Key trends and strategies
As AI transforms search, brands must master both GEO and SEO to maintain visibility across evolving digital landscapes. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Tip
07 Aug 2025
9 sales pipeline management tools
CRM platforms and sales tools can help teams manage their sales pipelines and improve productivity across the board. These tools include Freshsales and Salesforce Sales Cloud. Continue Reading
By- Christine Campbell, The Alpha Content Company
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News
05 Aug 2025
Salesforce, ServiceNow invest in Genesys agentic AI workflow
Two rivals pump cash into CCaaS leader Genesys in hopes that their respective AI agents grow roots into its users' contact centers. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
05 Aug 2025
The top 10 RFP response software
As B2B organizations grow, the RFP response process can become too time-consuming for manual workflows. Top tools, such as Loopio and Responsive, can automate the process. Continue Reading
By- Christine Campbell, The Alpha Content Company
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Definition
01 Aug 2025
TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform that allows users to create, share and discover short-form videos. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
- Madeleine Streets, Senior content manager
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Infographic
31 Jul 2025
A history of Google algorithm updates
Google frequently updates its algorithm to improve search result quality. These updates often enhance search query interpretation and prevent spam tactics. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Definition
29 Jul 2025
What is X (formerly Twitter)?
X (known as Twitter until 2023) is a free social networking and microblogging site where registered users can broadcast short posts, commonly known as tweets. Continue Reading
By- Rahul Awati
- Amanda Hetler, Senior Editor
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News
24 Jul 2025
How Salesforce deploys its AI agents internally
Is 30% to 50% of the work at Salesforce really done by AI, as CEO Marc Benioff claimed? We put that question to the company's chief digital officer. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
22 Jul 2025
The role of technology in shaping consumer behavior
Technology has fundamentally changed how consumers research and buy products. Businesses must adapt their strategies to meet evolving digital expectations and behaviors. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Feature
22 Jul 2025
GEO vs. SEO: What's the difference?
GEO can increase a brand's visibility in AI search, while SEO focuses on traditional search engines. Other differences include best practices and how they generate web traffic. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Tip
16 Jul 2025
Create a video marketing strategy in 10 steps
Video content can quickly engage people and reach broader audiences. A successful video marketing strategy should embrace different types of videos and SEO best practices. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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News
11 Jul 2025
'Click to Cancel' left to the states, for now
'Click to Cancel' laws are still on the books in many states. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
11 Jul 2025
Influencer marketing best practices for B2B brands
Influencer marketing can help B2B brands engage audiences across the entire marketing funnel. Best practices include setting goals and tailoring content for specific funnel stages. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
- Kogan Page
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Answer
10 Jul 2025
Customer loyalty vs. retention: What's the difference?
Customer retention focuses on keeping customers long term, while customer loyalty aims to make customers want to stay. Here, learn how these practices differ and work together. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Feature
10 Jul 2025
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 acquisition. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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News
08 Jul 2025
The road to agentic AI is paved with good data
Structured data drives agentic AI. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Definition
07 Jul 2025
What is an application support engineer (ASE)?
An application support engineer (ASE) is an IT professional who is responsible for troubleshooting the software applications a company uses and ensuring that help desk tickets are resolved in a timely fashion. Continue Reading
By -
Tip
07 Jul 2025
How to avoid greenwashing as a marketer
Greenwashing can erode customer trust and damage a brand's reputation. To avoid it, organizations can offer evidence to support their claims and earn sustainability certifications. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Definition
01 Jul 2025
What is a property management system (PMS)?
A property management system (PMS) is a software application that supports the operations of hospitality accommodations and commercial or residential rental properties. Continue Reading
By -
Tip
23 Jun 2025
5 steps to integrate a 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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Tip
18 Jun 2025
10 sustainable marketing strategies
Sustainable marketing can boost brand loyalty, but marketers need effective strategies, such as committing to social causes and partnering with key influencers. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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News
17 Jun 2025
Adobe takes on AI search optimization with LLM Optimizer
SEO isn't dead yet, but new tools are needed to optimize content for generative AI search engines. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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News
13 Jun 2025
Salesforce Marketing Cloud Next employs more agents, CDP
Salesforce overhauls Marketing Cloud with agentic AI. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Definition
11 Jun 2025
What is A2P messaging (application-to-person messaging)?
A2P messaging (application-to-person messaging) is a type of SMS messaging technique in which a person receives text messages from a software application rather than from another user. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Jun 2025
13 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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Tip
22 May 2025
Compare the top 20 CRM software options
With the right CRM software, CX leaders can improve customer interactions and enhance their support strategies. Top providers include HubSpot, Microsoft and Salesforce. Continue Reading
By- Christine Campbell, The Alpha Content Company
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Tip
20 May 2025
How to write a winning RFP response
Sales teams face constant pressure to write winning RFP responses. Best practices, such as personalizing responses, can help them stand out from competitors. Continue Reading
By- Robert Peledie, 365Knowledge Ltd.
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News
20 May 2025
SAP to add AI agents for catalogs, order management
SAP deepens its footprint in agentic AI. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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News
15 May 2025
Salesforce acquisition of Convergence adds Agentforce talent
Salesforce beefs up its Agentforce engineering corps, leadership. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
13 May 2025
The top 4 sustainable marketing challenges
Sustainable marketing shows consumers that an organization takes environmental and social responsibility seriously. Yet, marketers must use careful language to avoid greenwashing. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Definition
13 May 2025
What is RCS messaging (RCS chat)? Explaining how to use it
RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is a messaging protocol used in mobile devices. Continue Reading
By- Alexander S. Gillis, Technical Writer and Editor
- Sean Michael Kerner
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Feature
13 May 2025
5 social media conferences to attend in 2025
Social media is changing how businesses market products, interact with customers and build awareness. Here are events where businesses can learn to make the most of social media. Continue Reading
By- Rosa Heaton, Content Manager
- Amanda Hetler, Senior Editor
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Opinion
08 May 2025
The brutal customer experience lesson of Nike's RTFKT NFTs
Nike sinks as Adidas rises in the NFT world. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
07 May 2025
Why is sustainable marketing important?
Sustainable marketing is important because it raises awareness of environmental and social issues. On a business level, it can improve brand loyalty and worker engagement. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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News
06 May 2025
ServiceNow rolls into Salesforce territory with CRM agentic AI
ServiceNow makes its pitch to be a CRM, adding CPQ and order management features. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
29 Apr 2025
The top challenges of influencer marketing and their solutions
Brands can partner with influencers to build credibility and connect with their audiences. However, marketers often struggle to find the right influencers and spot fake followers. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Definition
22 Apr 2025
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky is an open source social media platform -- similar to X, formerly Twitter -- allowing users to create posts with a 300-character limit, which can include text, photos or videos. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Apr 2025
Why are loyalty programs important?
Loyalty programs can help organizations retain their most valuable customers with special offers. They can also gather useful marketing data, increase referrals and more. Continue Reading
By- Robin Gareiss, Metrigy
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Feature
11 Apr 2025
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
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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News
10 Apr 2025
HubSpot users get more Breeze generative AI agents
HubSpot users get agents for sales, service and marketing. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
08 Apr 2025
12 benefits of influencer marketing
As modern consumers use social media to discover products and get recommendations, influencer marketing can help brands stand out, gain their trust and boost engagement. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Tip
03 Apr 2025
The importance of being proactive in customer service
Proactive customer service can help businesses keep customers more engaged, yet tools to support the strategy might cost more than CX leaders are willing to spend. Continue Reading
By- Robin Gareiss, Metrigy
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Tip
01 Apr 2025
The top 10 influencer marketing tools in 2025
Influencer marketing tools help brands find influencers and manage relationships with them. Top tools include Sprout Social, Traackr and TikTok Creator Marketplace. Continue Reading
By- Christine Campbell, The Alpha Content Company
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Definition
31 Mar 2025
What is conversational commerce?
Conversational commerce integrates messaging and communication tools into the online buying process. Businesses engage with customers through real-time, personalized interactions. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Opinion
28 Mar 2025
What comes next after AI agents? We had to ask
Agentic AI is so 2024. What's next? Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
28 Mar 2025
Customer loyalty vs. brand loyalty: What's the difference?
Low prices can generate customer loyalty, whereas reliability and reputation foster brand loyalty. To maximize customer retention, organizations should strive for both. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Feature
27 Mar 2025
Tech buyers swamped with agentic AI choices
Enterprise tech buyers, if you're overwhelmed by the array of autonomous AI platforms, it's not just you. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Answer
24 Mar 2025
SEO vs. SEM: What's the difference?
SEO and SEM strategies help marketers put digital content in front of the right audience. However, SEO strategies focus on organic search, whereas SEM generates paid traffic. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Tip
21 Mar 2025
How to incorporate social media into SEO strategies
While social media marketing and SEO seem like two separate practices, when used together, they can enhance any organization's digital marketing strategy. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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News
18 Mar 2025
Adobe joins agentic AI fray with platform, prebuilt agents
2025 is the Year of Agentic AI -- and it's only March. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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News
17 Mar 2025
Qualtrics releases employee, customer service AI agents
Qualtrics joins the agentic AI free-for-all in CX. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Opinion
11 Mar 2025
Marketers, stand down if your company cancels DEI programs
Boycott or buycott, marketers need to sit this one out. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Definition
11 Mar 2025
What are social media metrics?
Social media metrics are the various data points that can help a company gauge the impact of social media activity on its revenue. Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2025
Amplitude voice of the customer capability targets 'rage close'
Amplitude rolls out VOC features from Command AI acquisition. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
06 Mar 2025
How to market a loyalty program effectively
Loyalty programs boost customer retention, but organizations must first convince customers to sign up. Marketers can incentivize referrals and use mobile apps to gain enrollment. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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News
05 Mar 2025
Microsoft rolls out sales agents, connector to Salesforce
Microsoft joins the autonomous sales agent fray. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
27 Feb 2025
Top 10 loyalty program management software options
Loyalty programs have come a long way from the days of pasting green stamps into booklets and redeeming them for rewards. These 10 tools can bring these programs into modern day. Continue Reading
By- Christine Campbell, The Alpha Content Company
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Definition
25 Feb 2025
What is LinkedIn and how does it work?
LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for the business community. Continue Reading
By- Mary E. Shacklett, Transworld Data
- Katie Terrell Hanna
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Definition
20 Feb 2025
What is social media marketing (SMM)?
Social media marketing (SMM) is a form of internet marketing that uses social media apps as a marketing tool. Continue Reading
By- Katie Terrell Hanna
- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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News
20 Feb 2025
Sitecore, Adobe update customer data platforms
Adobe and Sitecore refresh CDPs for generative AI. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
20 Feb 2025
How to use IoT for marketing
IoT devices can track people's fitness routines and monitor manufacturing equipment, but they also offer valuable customer data for personalized outreach. Continue Reading
By- Kogan Page
- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Definition
12 Feb 2025
What is CRM (customer relationship management)?
CRM (customer relationship management) is the combination of practices, strategies and technologies that companies use to manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. Continue Reading
By- Nick Barney, Technology Writer
- Cameron Hashemi-Pour, Former Site Editor
- Wesley Chai
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Feature
07 Feb 2025
Video marketing SEO: How to rank on search engines
Videos can improve SEO, but only if they add value to the page. Explore five tips, such as optimizing thumbnails, to help marketers create videos that improve search ranking. Continue Reading
By- Tim Murphy, Site editor
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Definition
07 Feb 2025
What is account mapping, and why do you need it (with template)?
Account mapping is a strategic process that involves researching and visually organizing the key stakeholders, decision-makers and influencers within a target customer's organization. Continue Reading
By- Nick Barney, Technology Writer
- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Definition
05 Feb 2025
What is account-based selling? Everything you need to know
Account-based selling (ABS) is a strategic sales approach in business-to-business sales and marketing that centers around building highly personalized and targeted relationships with specific high-value accounts. Continue Reading
By- Nick Barney, Technology Writer
- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Tip
04 Feb 2025
8 free SEO keyword research tools to explore
SEO keyword research tools can help marketing teams create the content their audiences want to see. Free options include Google Search Console, Keyword Surfer and Semrush. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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News
04 Feb 2025
Adobe releases generative AI contract management tool
Adobe AI Assistant 'contract intelligence' has the user base and technology to take on Oracle and Microsoft. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Feature
31 Jan 2025
10 top marketing certifications and courses for 2025
In 2025, 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
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Tip
29 Jan 2025
How to create a customer loyalty program in 9 steps
A customer loyalty program can help organizations better retain and understand their current customers and target audiences. These nine steps can lead to a successful program. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Definition
23 Jan 2025
What is social media?
Social media refers to websites and applications that focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration. Continue Reading
By- Katie Terrell Hanna
- Ben Lutkevich, Site Editor
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Tip
21 Jan 2025
Free event marketing plan, with a template
An event marketing plan can help brands organize their events, connect with audiences and achieve measurable outcomes. Key steps include defining goals and setting budgets. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Tip
13 Jan 2025
How to avoid and remove malvertising
Malvertising is an up-and-coming cybersecurity threat, but marketing and IT teams alike can take several important steps to avoid and remove this threat. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Feature
13 Jan 2025
10 brainrot marketing examples
Brainrot is 'skibidi' according to Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Businesses are using this trend in marketing to reach these generations. Check out these ten brainrot marketing campaigns. Continue Reading
By- Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education
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Feature
26 Dec 2024
Rise of the subscription economy: What it is and how it works
The subscription economy is reshaping consumer habits, offering flexible access over ownership. It drives convenience, loyalty and predictable revenue. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2024
Generative AI in CX promises benefits, but obstacles remain
Generative AI promises to boost efficiency in CX, but businesses face adoption and compliance hurdles. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
23 Dec 2024
7 types of loyalty programs and their benefits
Loyalty programs can improve brand recognition, increase sales and emphasize an organization's values. Get an in-depth look at seven loyalty programs and what they offer. Continue Reading
By- Reda Chouffani, Biz Technology Solutions
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News
18 Dec 2024
With Agentforce 2.0, Salesforce closer to autonomous AI
Agentforce 2.0 is here as Salesforce pushes for Slack to be its foundation. Continue Reading
By- Don Fluckinger, Senior News Writer
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Tip
12 Dec 2024
5 common malvertising examples
Malvertising is relatively new in the world of cyberthreats and can be the hardest to spot. Here are five examples of these malicious ads. Continue Reading
By- Christine Campbell, The Alpha Content Company