Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Digital Transformation is Still Largely Technology-First, People-Second

innovation-leadership


Digital transformation has officially become a ubiquitous term that describes any company's investment in digital infrastructure regardless of ultimate vision and intention. But, unless digital transformation takes a technology-second and a customer/employee first approach, investments will be unaligned with market evolution and more importantly, human behaviors, preferences and expectations. Technology is just a means to power business transformation. But technology can only get part of the job done. You need people. And, like technology, people are changing.


Each time I study the “state of” digital transformation, I learn time and time again, that companies are modernizing the back and front office with the best of intentions but not with new perspectives. As a result, IT continues to operate like a technology partner, marketing sells through creativity and touchpoints, support scales automated or dated customer engagement services at a technological arm's length, but little is done to upgrade business integration, continuity and value propositions through human-centered design.


When I published my first research report on the subject, I specifically reached out to companies lauded for their progressive advancements against digital Darwinism, the rate companies evolve compared to technology and society. What I learned from the onset was that digital transformation is (or should be) a story of business transformation and people. In the most interesting cases, digital transformation evolved from technology-first approaches to the quest to better understand the new generation of digital customers and employees and then invest in technology, leadership and operational strategies that steered the company in a more relevant and empathetic direction.


In my latest report, I surveyed over 500 executives around the world to understand where companies are in digital transformation, the challenges they face, the catalysts that spur change, the initiatives that take priority, how companies measure ROI and success, and more. The result is, “The 2016 State of Digital Transformation” and it is immediately available for download.


Following are some of the TL;DR highlights:


The Changing Customer and the Lack of Customer Appreciation


55% of those responsible for digital transformation cite “evolving customer behaviors and preferences” as the primary catalyst for change. At the same time, the number one challenge facing executives (71%) is understanding behavior or impact of the new customer. Despite more data being available about customers, this statistic (71%) increased from 2014, when only 53% cited understanding the new customer was a significant challenge. Knowing this, it's all the more surprising, nor not, that only half (54%) have completely mapped out the customer journey.


You would think by now that companies would understand the extent we're living in a mobile-first world Yet, a mere 20% of leaders surveyed are studying the mobile customer journey/behavior. That's right…20%.


This means that many companies are changing without true customer-centricity. More so, you can't know customer behaviors if you don't study them and appreciate it how they inform your next steps.


The Top 3 Digital Transformation Initiatives


1) Accelerating innovation (81%)


2) A modernized IT infrastructure with increased agility, flexibility, management, and security (80%)


3) Improving operational agility to more rapidly adapt to change (79%).


Define “Accelerating Innovation”


81% said innovation was at the top of their agenda, 46% stated their company has launched a formal “innovation center.” Right behind innovation was modernizing IT infrastructure (80%) and improving operational agility (79%).


Who Owns Digital Transformation?


Digital transformation is largely led by the CMO (34%) and not the CIO/CTO (19%).


What's the Long-Term Vision of Digital Transformation?


The easy answer is that most companies are focusing on the immediate horizon. Digital transformation appears to be driven by short-term plans: Just 29% of companies have a multi-year roadmap to guide to digital transformation evolution.


The 2016 State of Digital Transformation


As in every report I've published in this space, customer experience (CX) remains the top driver of digital transformation. I also learned that IT and marketing and other functions not only influence technology investments (even without fully understanding customer behaviors and expectations), they must work together to advance along the “Six Stages of Digital Transformation.


One of the top questions I'm asked right now is where most companies reside in the “six stages” based on the new data in the latest “state of” report. The answer is that in the broader scope of business transformation, many companies are still early in their development. But please do use this data and the maturity model to guide your next steps and bring about the change you wish to see…and you wish others to see…in your work.


The future of all of this starts with you.


Please download the report here.


Note: I want to send a very special thank you to Jaimy Szymanski who has been my long-time partner in research and who once again helped bring this report to life.


Connect with Brian!


Twitter: @briansolis

Facebook: TheBrianSolis

LinkedIn: BrianSolis

Youtube: BrianSolisTV

Snapchat: BrianSolis


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Monday, September 26, 2016

4 Dead Simple Ways to 10x Your Content and Drive More Traffic

4-dead-simple-ways-to-10x-your-content-and-drive-more-traffic


The process of creating content for your website in hopes of attracting a wave of traffic has changed in recent years.


In the past you'd be able to throw up a simple 500-word article onto your blog and get a stream of traffic. As long as it provided some semblance of value and had a few keywords thrown in, it was good enough. Ah the good ol' days!


Try doing that today and watch that piece of content be buried on the 800th page of Google's search results.


In today's race to produce content that hits the front page of the Google search results, your content must be more than stellar. It must be AT LEAST 10 times the value anyone's looking for if you want it to hit the front page of Google, attract traffic, shares, and mentions.


In this article I want to share with you 4 dead simple ways you can 10X the content you're producing to drive more traffic.


1. Include visual content


There are several roads to a 10x piece of content. One of them involves plenty of visual content.


Stunning photography and eye catching graphics build on top of the typical written blog post and help drive home the points you're making.


Lots of readers on the web are visual learners and the added visual aids help to elaborate on the points you're making. Web readers want their information quickly and in the most simple format. Why write a 500-word explanation when something like an infographic would suffice?


Take for example, Neil Patel's Advanced Content Marketing Guide, an extensive step by step guide for those looking to improve their content marketing strategy.


It is jampacked with graphics, visuals, and text that clearly and succinctly explain everything involved in the content marketing process.


advanced content marketing guide for drive more traffic


Image Source: QuickSprout


Why is this 10x content?


Aside from it being a visual masterpiece, the Advanced Content Marketing Guide perfectly blends both graphics and text in the best of ways for the reader. There are subsections that are explained with text and others that can be explained visually.


A content marketing newbie would be hard pressed to find another resource offering up more value than this one.


The tips and strategies Neil offers up are supported with visual aids that boils down a complex topic for the reader. It covers the content marketing gamut and delivers 10x the value of anything else on the web.


2. Recycle popular past content


When we're discussing 10x content we're thinking of ways to offer up more value than anything else that's available on the web.


It can mean starting from a blank slate and building something awesome OR it could mean building on top of what has already been made. The later being the path of least resistance.


Allow me to explain.


If you've managed to create a healthy stable of content surrounding one subject you've already done most of the 10x work.


Take a look back through your analytics to see what has garnered the most traffic and engagement. This will be the content you'll be doubling down on and recycling into another format. Maybe one of your articles on DIY desks performed above expectation and it would do well as an infographic on Pinterest. Maybe you've written all you can on the topic of french bulldog grooming, why not compile it into one big ebook.


One example I can share with you is Wishpond's article 100 Growth Hacks Learned as 5 Years as a Startup. This was an article we came up with, with the idea of creating a 10x piece of content.


After taking a look at the content on the web surrounding “growth hacks”, we set out to create a list that was 10x the value. We contacted popular influencers and brands to give the article a lift, and it took off spectacularly.






After the success of the article began to taper off we recycled it into a SlideShare presentation to hit an additional audience. The press began rolling again and the SlideShare presentation was featured on the front page!


It didn't stop there. We assumed our readers would be interested on how we were able to get featured, so we wrote a blog post explaining just how we did it.


It's all about finding product market fit for the content that you're producing. The more you know about your target audience, their likes, dislikes and problems, the greater you can 10x that content and recycle it into more content.


3. Unique data, opinions, or research


As I mentioned before, 10x content can be created off the back of another piece of content. But if you're really looking to shake things up there are types of content that are 10x the value unto themselves.


This type of content includes…



  • Unique data. Do you serve a specific target audience? Is there unique data that you're privy to? Consider capitalizing on unique data that you or your business is able to capture. Maybe this is user data within your industry. Maybe it's demographics for a specific product. Being the first to present unique data puts your content ahead of the race.

  • Original opinions. Don't have any unique data to present? Try voicing an original opinion. Take a divisive stance on a specific argument or debate. Be polarizing to a certain extent. It draws attention and creates conversations.

  • Original research. Do you have the ability and the resources to perform original research? Presenting original and quotable research promotes you as a thought leader in your industry.


An example of this comes from the SEO/keyword tool company Ahrefs. In a research-backed article (previously) entitled On-page SEO is Dead the company analyzed over 2 million random keyword searches and presented the data to its readers. Ultimately stating that on-page SEO is dead.


SEO tool company Ahrefs for drive more traffic


The article attracted a wave of comments and thousands of shares due to its findings. The fact that it was original research performed by a qualified and respected company made all the difference. Ahrefs was able to use the data only it had access to, to present something fresh for its audience and ended up with a 10x piece of content.


4. Outreach and amplification


Let's imagine that you've done your research, wrote some outstanding copy, and included a few helpful visual aids. A 10x piece of content is not complete without a post-publishing, outreach and amplification schedule.


Just because you've created a valuable resource does not mean it will magically be discovered and promoted. You need to get it in front of influencers and others in your industry.


How can you get your content noticed and amplified by influencers?


One technique we employ is to make a measured effort to include influencer names, quotes, and techniques within our content, which increases the likelihood of it being shared by the people mentioned.


After we publish an article, we shoot off a quick email or tweet to the influencer letting them know we'd mentioned them. We found that if the content is within their realm of interest, is professional and is helpful to their audience, there's a high likelihood they'd give it a share.


The key here is ensuring that the content is helpful and valuable to the influencer's audience.


Alex Turnbull, the CEO & founder of Groove, a help desk software company, wrote an extensive article detailing how Groove got 1,000 blog subscribers from one blog post. In the article Alex details what he did to engage with influencers in his industry and leverage those relationships further down the road.


anatomy of a relationship-building email for for drive more traffic


Image Source: Groove


Alex is a big believer in spending equal amounts of time promoting and creating each piece of content you create. By putting in the time to promote content it extends the life of each piece, allowing him to spend less time creating content.


We all would love to spend our time only creating content but it's all for naught if no one sees it. If you have the opportunity to include more opinions and input from influencers, jump on it, that way your content can become a part of the larger conversation.


Tying it all together


In your quest to create 10x content, don't expect your first attempt to hit the front page of Google and sky rocket you into a seat at the head table. Not all swings are going to be home runs.


Remember that 10x content does not happen without a little experimentation to see what sticks. Once you find content that works, double down on it by:



  • Including visual content

  • Recycling popular past content into new formats

  • Doing outreach and amplification

  • Using unique data, opinions, or research


Before you hit the publish button, make sure your content is…



  1. Sure, almost everything under the sun has been written about before but have you put your own unique spin on it?

  2. Does your content flow cohesively and maintain the reader's attention throughout?

  3. Does this piece of content have a clear use and provide value? Does it solve a problem? Does it answer questions? Why should it be published?


If you can confidently answer yes on all these points, your content is well on it's way to becoming a 10x piece of content.


What strategies do you follow to create 10x content?


What works for you and what doesn't?


Leave a comment for me below and weigh in!


Guest Author: Jordan Lore is a Content Marketer at Wishpond in Vancouver, BC. Wishpond makes it easy for marketers to run lead generation and marketing automation campaigns, all in one place. When he's not writing he has a camera attached to his arm. Follow him on his budding twitter account @jordanlore6.


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How to Serve the Entire Customer Journey With Consultative Content

how-to-serve-the-entire-customer-journey-with-consultative-content


Image via Unsplash



Marketing managers always try to get the most out of everything. If you're like me, you're always figuring out how to squeeze more out of every dollar you invest in your marketing mix, how to increase conversion rate on every landing page, and how to make your team more efficient. In this vein, we try to leverage each piece of content we create to its fullest potential.


For a single piece of content, I find the sweet spot lies at the intersection of what the marketing team believes will generate leads, what the sales team thinks will help close new business, and what the client experience team believes will help retain and expand revenue. By finding this balance, you leverage your most valuable resource-time-by hitting multiple birds with one stone.


Consider these ideas for creating content to help support your customers, while also boosting brand awareness and generating leads.


Consultative Content


The most effective content strategy we've tested produces consultative, downloadable resources like our employee training plan template. Though it's not the most downloaded offering on our site, it really wins at generating closed-won new customers for us. We don't intend the playbook as a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all game plan. Rather, it teaches team leaders how to create a training plan from scratch.


Through this, we've learned that the best content for both new leads and existing customers provides guidance on how to do their jobs successfully. In our situation, it could mean teaching our readers how to create a training plan, how to measure training success, or how to create the best possible training content as a few examples.


Marketing benefits from this content when the prospect walks through the process and asks which system will work best to implement their training plan. For us, this leads to the conversation that they should consider Lesson.ly as a solution. It sets us up for success through the buying cycle because we've already helped this prospect, whereas our competitors usually haven't reached a single touch point yet.


From the client experience side, the benefit comes from helping our customers familiarize themselves with our platform sooner. If a new client comes on board already armed with a game plan, we can better help them succeed in the long term.


So there you go: two birds (marketing and CX), one stone (consultative content).



Guidance Is Key


When creating this type of content, remember that your customers don't want you to catch them a fish-they want you to teach them how to catch one. While many of your customers will use your tool in similar ways, each business is unique with different products, processes, and procedures. Your customers and prospects want to hear best practices, but more importantly, they want to know how to apply them to their specific company and industry.


Our new employee onboarding checklist builder really sold me on this concept. It's much more interactive than our training plan. Managers select which items they want to include, then they download a unique, custom onboarding checklist in PDF form they can use over and over again.


Sounds great, right? Well, without coaching built into the experience, users are really flying blind when creating an onboarding checklist. They have no way of knowing whether they're building a complete resource that will help improve performance or if they're leaving something on the table.


So, we added in that guidance. We gathered up the data we collected from the checklist tool and found the most used items. We published this as a sample checklist for prospects and customers alike along with the customizable version.


Interestingly, the checklist builder by itself doesn't yield nearly as many customers as the one we provide with a guide. We learned that, yes, people want tools, but more importantly, they want advice on how to use them. (highlight to tweet) They want the hammer, but they want a pro to teach them how to use it.


Ideally, your customers already know what they want to do with your software before they sign the dotted line. But providing consultative guides will help provide your customers with a better onboarding experience, leading to better adoption. The better adoption, the more likely you are to meet your retention goals.


Get more content like this, plus the very BEST marketing education, totally free. Get our Definitive email newsletter.






       


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Sunday, September 25, 2016

What Does the Path To Success Look Like?

What Does the Path To Success Look Like?


I just want some joy in my life. That statement made me sit up and think. It was a cry for help.


And it made me ask……what is success and what does it look like?


That is a big question. Many of us don't know if we have arrived or even qualified to answer that with a yes.  Or say…..”I am now successful”.


Is it money, fame……power? Is the path to success a destination?


Watching the grown ups is our first yardstick. Then television gave us a glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous. Fame and fortune seemed to be something to aspire to.


Social media arrived and made everyone's lives visible and in plain sight. Other people's adventures and achievements were on display for all to see.


Success envy


This glimpse into the heartache and happiness of a planet has made success envy real and visceral. Often we just want to click away because……..their apparent lives are so much better than ours.


So comparisons are made and judgements about our level of apparent happiness and achievement are felt. Big cars, big houses and a big paycheck seemed to be the answer.


Also the statement “When I grow up I want to be like “him” was very real to me.


The schoolyard


When I turned up to school at the age of five the success question was a burning personal query. Just hidden inside.  I just didn't know it yet.


Leaving the relative safety of home to start school was a revelation. Mum's hugs and the quiet haven of home were replaced with the free for all of the playground.


Faster, further and stronger was often determined over a schoolyard fight, how far you could throw or a kicking competition.


Then the schoolroom.


Learning to count to 10 was the first metric. Then it was how well you could spell. This was success at seven.


Standing in front of the class and being tested on the power of your memory to recall the right spelling of words like “unique” was the next step to being seen as a success.


Mum and dad were provided with your ranking in the latest test sent home in the yellow envelope. Dad's response to being second in my class was confronted with this “why couldn't you do better”.


It was obvious to me. I hadn't achieved success yet. More to do


The arrival


Arriving at “big” school put another twist on the burning question. Dating the prettiest girl in the class, being invited to parties or hanging out with the cool crowd were now in the equation.


If that wasn't happening then……?


The arrival of hormones had suddenly changed the game. It wasn't so simple anymore.


Competition was now everywhere. Grades, getting into the football team and popularity.


So we stumbled and groped our way through a myriad of emotions and situations. But then it got more serious. Graduation loomed and career choices were starting to be confronted.


Accountant, doctor or teacher.


We boarded the train and headed towards a career and a college. Just wasn't sure what that was. But a step had to be made and decision was required.


Bad choices


One year in and accounting was looking like a serious mistake. I was good at adding up numbers in my head but didn't enjoy the discipline of detail.


So we pivoted. Just like a startup.


Teaching was the new career choice. People rather than numbers and learning instead of poring over spreadsheets and software seemed much more attractive.


Four years later we graduated and headed off to help teenagers grow up and prepare for life. But on looking back, I don't think that I was yet wise enough to help them.


It was small junior college and in general it was fine but as the years rolled by there was no passionate desire to become a headmaster or even a deputy.


Something was missing. So….I exited. We


Climbing the ladder


The choice of leaping into the tech industry was working and the money was great. We moved between companies and ascended the ladder.


Climbing the corporate rungs looked attractive at this point. I thought about an MBA, applied to work at IBM and received a rejection. But sometimes you need to be careful of what you wish for.


The cubicle where you show up every day and the treadmill of countless meetings was looking more like a prison. I started making a ton of money but I was screaming inside.


Joy had disappeared.


Then the company I was working for crumbled around me. My big six figure paycheck looked in danger.


I had no control.


Stepping into the unknown


We all think we can do it better when looking from the inside. So starting out on my own looked like the next path to “success”. So…..the first faltering steps of independence were made.


I had money in the bank and partnered up with an old business colleague.


It lasted about 3 months as our common vision started to dissolve and diverge. It was short nasty business divorce that forced me to step out on my own. Time to be a real grownup. To leap into the unknown on my own.


My “new” business grew fast. Sometimes hyper growth is sometimes seen as a measure of success. But as we ran out of capital it imploded. It was all about sales and revenue. I wasn't working at what I either loved and I discovered too late that I was a much better salesperson than a businessman.


Chasing the money wasn't working. But I now knew that independence was something that felt like success for me despite the pain of a failure.


Then the Internet happened. Discovered the Netscape web browser. I was hooked.


The webpreneur


We leapt into this exciting ecosystem and I knew that I had to play there. Then the social web emerged and that intersection of technology and humanity resonated.


The path now had clarity. My experience, innate ability and expertise had found a home I just needed to make the first steps.


I started writing and creating on the social web and shared it. I didn't care about the money but just the journey. It was my passionate purpose and I had stumbled onto it.


But I hadn't arrived, I had just discovered my path. It started to feel like true success.


Don't settle


Many of us are still looking for joy……..for success.


It means that you don't need to accept where you are but to keep stepping into the unknown. In life we need to keep searching. Despite the setbacks, challenges and failures you will find it if you make the time and the effort. It's all about persistence.


If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it” – Steve Jobs


It applies to life, business and relationships.


For me freedom is the real metric. Freedom to do what you want when you want. To spend it with family. To travel. To learn and grow. To have the time to spend creating the art you are meant to be sharing with the world.


To make that dent that is yours.


Success for me? “To be free to be me”. Not someone else.


Have I arrived? No……that will never happen. But I am on the right path.  Now the challenge is to keep following it.


So……don't settle.


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SnapChat Changes Name and Focus; Snap, Inc. Now a Tech Lifestyle Company

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SnapChat officially changed its name to Snap, Inc. as the company restyles itself from a one-[major] hit app company into a digital lifestyle brand. To mark the occasion, Snap, Inc. introduced Spectacles, fashion and tech-forward sunglasses that record 10-second clips, which can then be uploaded to SnapChat Memories via wifi. Following the Apple playbook, Snap, Inc. also designed a fashionable case that doubles as a charger. Spectacles will be available this Fall and will cost $130.


spectacles_by_snap_inc_v3


Spectacles are the result of a secret acquisition in December 2014 of VergenceLabs, which developed Epiphany Eyewear to record video clips with the press of a button on the side of the frame and upload them online via its app. Over the last 19 months, Snap, Inc. remodeled Epiphany into a fun, but thoughtful sunglass package to give Snappers a way to share their perspective hands-free.





By pressing a small button on the side of the glasses, Spectacles capture video through a 115-degree lens, which better conveys someone's natural perspective and field of vision. Those on the other side of the lens, will know they're being recorded because of a halo-like light that surrounds the lens. Unlike smartphones, which record video in a rectangular format, video via Spectacles is circular, allowing the viewer to watch the content naturally, whether in portrait or landscape mode, the way the user “saw” it. Essentially, clips offer a playback experience that simulates your natural point of view.



 


Co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel shared his experience with Spectacles to the Wall Street Journal, “I could see my own memory through my own eyes.”


I know what you're thinking, Google tried this with Google Glass and it failed while also creating an entirely new category of geekdom, the infamous Glasshole. As an aside, I wonder what some will call those who wear Spectacles? I can't help but remember comedian Andrew Dice Clay and his famous but derogatory moniker, “snapper head.”


But back to first person POV and Spiegel's quote about reliving memories. I owned a pair of Glass and once recorded my experience on the runway of a tech fashion show. Re-watching the video, I can relate to Spiegel's reaction. Having a hands-free, first person perspective is incredibly liberating…especially if you own a larger format smartphone. Plus, it's just a lot more realistic. It's what you see. Whereas with a phone, you see forced perspective, which was honestly fine until something different allows you to experience life without a device in hand to accurately share life experiences…albeit in 10 second bursts.


Now back to Google Glass. The comparisons are easy to make between Glass and Spectacles. They both have a camera. They both connect to wifi. But I think that's where the comparisons stop in my mind. I shared as much on Twitter. But as TechCrunch's Editor-at-Large, Josh Constine pointed out in response, “The fact that you have to tweet this underscores how much of a stigma Specs have to fight. Comparison < cognizance.” And, he's right. He thoughtfully discusses how the entire wearable industry must combat the stigma of Glassholes.


spectacles_by_snap_inc_2


At the same time, I believe that SnapChat's core user base never considered, and maybe never really had a clue of, Google Glass. Snap, Inc. even refers to its They're excited to have access to a fun, affordable connected camera that just happens to be embedded in what's arguably stylish, or not, sunglasses.


Remember, there's a bit of an accidental narcissist in all of us who use social networks and apps. Anything that allows us to better share special, random or everyday moments will always find ready people willing to at least give it a try. Remember selfie sticks and cases? They're still selling!


In all seriousness, Spectacles are an admirable entrant into the wearable space because it puts hardware into the background. This is what Apple does so well and what Google Glass couldn't do. Technology is invisible. Here, it's all about sharing experiences with other people and Snap, Inc.'s Spectacles represent a human-centered, first-person approach to doing so.


Connect with Brian!


Twitter: @briansolis

Facebook: TheBrianSolis

LinkedIn: BrianSolis

Youtube: BrianSolisTV

Snapchat: BrianSolis


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Friday, September 23, 2016

#SocialSkim: Twitter Rebuilding, Google Rejoins Messaging Wars: 13 Stories This Week

Twitter just helped brands become more customer-service-friendly, launched a live-streaming app, and finally expanded its character limit. Also: Google's new Allo app takes on Facebook Messenger, the new Instagram feature we've all been waiting for, and top 10 social trends for 2017. Read the full article at MarketingProfs

#SocialSkim: Twitter Rebuilding, Google Rejoins Messaging Wars: 13 Stories This Week

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5 Ways to Humanize Your Brand with Data and Social Media Insights





 


humanize your brand with data social insights


Have you ever thought about the quality of the human connections you make via social media? It's easy to get lost in the numbers, or to get over focused on followers, likes, shares, views, listens and the list goes on. It's easy to get lost in a sea of avatars and data insights.


As marketing leaders we must remind ourselves that behind every click, share, like, view, listen and subscribe is a person, a human being. It's the humans behind the clicks and actions you want to connect with. It's the humans taking the action that will make or break your business.


People buy from people. People invest in relationships with people. It's not a robot that is handing you a credit card, signing a purchase order or mailing you a check. It's a human that makes the decision to invest in you and your business.


Marketers must use the data and social media insights to connect in a more human way. We should use the data to build more quality relationships and emotionally connect with the humans we want to do business with. The data can help us deep dive into factors that enable higher quality of everything including relationships. The focus should not be just on quantity of likes and followers.


Success in business utilizing social media and digital marketing requires both art and science. Learning how to connect with your audience in an authentic and human way can help you stand out from the crowd, rise above the noise and build a relationship with your audience and customers that only you can do. Humanizing your brand enables you to build a relationship built on trust, authority and human connection that can be felt in the heart.


The social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn present a goldmine of data and insights that can help you learn about your audience, understand their behaviors and empower you to connect with your audience in a unique, relevant and human way.


Would you like to…



  • Earn trust with your target audience?

  • Establish thought leadership in your industry or niche?

  • Generate more leads and increase sales?

  • Connect emotionally with your audience and ideal customer?

  • Shorten the sales cycle because you establish trust and an authentic relationship faster?

  • Ensure your audience and potential customer remembers your brand when it comes time to make a purchase decision?

  • Speak in a way that your audience understands and relates to what you say and wants to contact you for business?

  • Help your potential customers know that you are the right fit for their business needs?


If you answered yes to the above questions then you have landed on the right blog post and podcast today.


Take a listen to the 220th episode of the Social Zoom Factor podcast to learn 5 easy ways to humanize your brand utilizing data and social insights.


Take a listen to episode 220 of the Social Zoom Factor podcast to learn the following: 



  • 5 easy ways to use data and social insights to humanize your brand

  • How to leverage social media insights to learn about your customer and social media audience / community

  • How to leverage data and insights to create better content that helps your audience solves their problems

  • Top free tools and social network data sources to leverage to humanize your brand

  • How to develop digital personalized experiences for your audience and website visitors by using data and insights

  • How to deliver better customer service using social media, data and insights

  • How to understand audience behavior to help you make important business and content decisions

  • How to speak human by leveraging more data and insights


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5 Ways to Humanize Your Brand with Data and Social Media Insights