Customer Relationships: How-to articles covering the latest marketing tactics, tips, and strategies.

• Four Outside-the-Box Ideas to Better Understand Customer ExperienceLinda Ireland
  In the show "Undercover Boss," senior execs go undercover as frontline employees to see how the company is really doing and what customers experience. CMOs should try that, too—with these ...
  Chief Marketing Officer, Customer Experience, Customer Insight, Customer Relationships, Management
• The State of Digital Content [Infographic]Verónica Maria Jarski
  In light of the increasing popularity of digital devices, video, and social networks, how has digital content readership changed? To answer that question, Uberflip researched key usage data from February ...
  Content, Content Marketing, Customer Insight, Customer Relationships, Digital Marketing, Email, Facebook, Mobile Marketing, Pinterest, Smart Phones
• How to Properly Close the Loop... and the SalePeter Gracey
  First impressions matter a great deal. That's why you need to structure your sales calls to establish rapport and drive toward a sense of trust and camaraderie with your prospects. ...
  Customer Behavior, Customer Relationships, Lead Nurturing, Management, Sales, Sales and Advertising, Telemarketing
• When Did Social Media Lose Its Way? [Infographic]Verónica Maria Jarski
  In the early days of social media, users interacted like real people do. However, in time, social networks evolved into pits of broadcast messages. Here's how companies lost their way ...
  Brand Management, Customer Relationships, Customer Retention, Digital Marketing, Facebook, Social Business, Social Media, Twitter
• A New Don: How the Sales Profession Has Evolved Since the Mad Men Era [Infographic]Verónica Maria Jarski
  How has the sales profession changed since the martini-soaked Mad Men era? In the following infographic, Lead360 explores how fundamental sales strategies have evolved in the world of sales since ...
  Advertising, Consumer Electronics, Content, Customer Communications, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Email, Facebook, Sales and Advertising, Social Media
• #SocialSkim: Social Media This Week, Including a Content Marketing Children's StoryAngela Natividad
  Learn why Facebook's blue and how eBay plans to data-woo advertisers. Get the scoop on paid YouTube subscriptions, a better way to manage B2B expenses, and Yahoo's winning content deal. ...
  Advertising, B2B Marketing, B2C, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Digital Marketing, Digital Theory, Facebook, Marketing Strategy, Pinterest
• Three Key Ways to to Help Your Business Find '2X' Profit GrowthJeanne Hurlbert
  Many companies turn to newer, hotter media and technology when they want to increase profits. But being successful isn't about tech; it's about effectively engaging customers. Here are three ways ...
  Case Studies, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Market Research, Marketing Tips, Sales
• Mobile Innovation (Part 6): Innovating Value Propositions Through MobileChristina "CK" Kerley
  Value propositions are the heart, soul, and epicenter of a business. They reflect its market positioning while communicating the core promises it makes to its customers. Let's look at three ...
  B2C, Brand Positioning, Content, Customer Experience, Customer Relationships, Digital Theory, Inbound Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Mobile Marketing, Positioning
• From Broadcast to Unicast: Quick, Easy Steps to Engage Your Customers via SocialKerry Reilly
  Moving from one-size-fits-all broadcasting to highly targeted communications that are personalized and timely, and in the consumers' preferred channel... that's the proven path to marketing success in today's world.
  Brand Loyalty, Customer Communications, Customer Engagement, Customer Loyalty, Customer Relationships, Digital Theory, Direct Marketing, Integrated Marketing, Social Media
• 10 Critical Actions for Enhancing Customer Loyalty: The Case of Travel CompaniesTed Wham
  The time has come for air travel and hospitality brands to address an existential threat to the travel industry: Customer loyalty has all but vanished.
  B2C, Customer Behavior, Customer Loyalty, Customer Relationships, Customer Retention, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Service, Data

Customer Relationships: Podcasts containing in-depth interviews with smart marketers from all walks of life.

• Trolls, Jerks, and 'Civility in the Digital Age': Author Andrea Weckerle Talks to Marketing Smarts [Podcast]by Kerry O'Shea Gorgone
  Online conflicts can cost businesses thousands of dollars (and hours) to resolve. Attorney Andrea Weckerle, author of Civility in the Digital Age, explains how you can protect yourself when a situation turns ugly.
  Customer Relationships, Marketing Challenges, Marketing Communications, Marketing Smarts, Public Relations, Social Media, Strategy
• Cause Marketing and Autism Awareness: Jason Falls of CafePress Talks to Marketing Smarts [Podcast]by Kerry O'Shea Gorgone
  Jason Falls of CafePress talks about cause marketing, Autism Awareness Month, and how businesses of any size can give back to the community.
  Community, Customer Relationships, Marketing Smarts, Marketing Strategy, Non Profits, Public Relations, Reputation Management
• Content, Social, Sales, and Community: Highlights From a Year of Marketing Smarts [Podcast]by Matthew Grant
  We covered a range of topics on the Marketing Smarts podcast in 2012. In this episode we share some highlights on creating compelling content, allowing social media to humanize your organization, building community, and navigating the sometimes tricky relationship between ...
  Community, community management, Content, Content Marketing, Customer Relationships, Marketing Smarts, Positioning, Sales, Thought Leadership, Vision Statements
• To Grow You Must Change: John Jantsch on Marketing Smarts [Podcast]by Matthew Grant
  John Jantsch believes that if businesses are to grow, they need to be ready, willing, and able to change. To navigate and instigate such change, business leaders need a clarity of purpose and they need to set big, audacious goals.
  Community, Customer Relationships, Marketing Smarts, Marketing Strategy, Small Business, Strategy
• Small Town Rules: Author Becky McCray on Marketing Smarts [Podcast]by Matthew Grant
  "There will be times when your income is zero and you just might as well plan for that right now," Becky McCray told me. She is a resident of Hopeton, Oklahoma (population 30), cattle rancher, liquor store owner, and co-author ...
  Community, community management, Customer Relationships, Local Marketing, Marketing Smarts, Recession, Word of Mouth
• Smart Marketers Road Show Rundown With Jeff Mayersohn and Lou Imbriano [Podcast]by Matthew Grant
  The final stop of the MarketingProfs Smart Marketers Tour was the beautiful deCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA, on July 10, and it was our best-attended. Our guests were Jeff Mayersohn, owner of the Harvard Bookstore in Harvard Square, Cambridge, and ...
  Community, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Ebooks, Local Marketing, Marketing Smarts, Promotions, Sales
• Is Giving the Secret to Getting? Bob Burg Guests on Marketing Smarts [Podcast]by Matthew Grant
  In this week's episode of Marketing Smarts, author Bob Burg explains why giving—consistently providing value to others—is not only a nice way to live life but also a financially profitable way that helps build valuable relationships.
  Customer-Centric, Customer Relationships, Marketing Smarts, Relationship Marketing

Customer Relationships: Online seminar broadcasts from the best minds in marketing

• Seven B2B Marketing Confessions That Will Improve Your Marketing Efforts NowBroadcast on 5/23/2013 with John Wall
  This PRO seminar will provide you with a framework that will help you navigate our ever-changing field, and increase your odds of success.
  B2B Marketing, Customer Relationships, Integrated Marketing, Lead Scoring, Marketing Strategy, Sales
• How to Create a Monster Fan BaseBroadcast on 4/25/2013 with Jackie Huba
  This PRO seminar will share seven of Lady Gaga's success lessons that can be applied to any brand. Be sure to tune in, and learn how to build a strong and loyal base!
  Brand Awareness, Customer Behavior, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tips, Relationship Marketing, Social Media
• MarketingProfs University: The Expanding Facebook UniverseBroadcast on 4/11/2013 with Jeff Bullas
  In this PRO seminar, we will look at what Facebook means to the modern marketer, given its central role on an increasingly social Web.
  Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Facebook, Marketing Strategy, Social Media
• How to Use a Customer Advocacy Program to Tap Into Your Customers' Hidden BudgetBroadcast on 3/28/2013 with Bill Lee
  This PRO seminar will show you how a growing number of firms are devising creative and effective ways to involve their customers in marketing and selling for them.
  Customer Behavior, Customer Engagement, Customer Evangelists, Customer Loyalty, Customer Relationships, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tips
• How to Effectively Engage Your Customers on FacebookBroadcast on 1/10/2013 with Ekaterina Walter
  This PRO seminar will provide you with actionable tips to effectively engage your fans on Facebook. We'll discuss how to scale your social presence globally, across multiple brands and business units.
  Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Facebook, Social Media
• How to Harness Big Data for Your B2B CRM EffortsBroadcast on 12/13/2012 with Cyndi W. Greenglass
  This PRO seminar will teach you all about big data and provide you with a road map that you can use to capitalize on the opportunities it presents.
  CRM, Customer Relationships, Integrated Marketing, Marketing Strategy
• Sales Messaging That Closes the DealBroadcast on 6/21/2012 with Tim Riesterer
  Discover how to develop content marketing messages that help your salespeople close the deal and convince prospects to choose you.
  Collaboration, Content, Content Marketing, Customer Relationships, Market Research, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tips, Sales, Value Propositions, Writing
• MarketingProfs University: Understanding and Engaging Today’s Connected BuyerBroadcast on 6/7/2012 with Tony Zambito
  This PRO seminar and first class of MarketingProfs University's Digital Advertising Academy will get you inside the minds of your buyers and cover why understanding them is the first step to successful branding, marketing, and demand generation.
  Advertising, Brand Awareness, Brand Management, Customer Behavior, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Customer Satisfaction, Demographics, Market Research, Marketing Tips
• Engaging with Customers 140 Characters at a TimeBroadcast on 4/26/2012 with Scott Monty
  Twitter can be a very difficult platform to master. It takes time, practice, patience, and gumption. In this PRO seminar, you'll learn how to effectively take advantage of this social platform in a way that will yield positive results for your brand.
  Brand Awareness, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Customer Service, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tips, Relationship Marketing, Social Media
• Cognitive Surplus: How Sharing and Collaboration Can Benefit Marketers in a Connected AgeBroadcast on 4/19/2012 with Clay Shirky
  In this seminar, Clay Shirky will show you how to tap into your customers' cognitive surplus by providing a platform for customer collaboration—and how this collaboration can turn into big positive results for your business. Plus you'll discover how you, as a marketer, can become more valuable to your company through the insights you gain by fostering this collaboration.
  Collaboration, Community, Customer Behavior, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Digital Theory, Market Research, Marketing Inspiration, Marketing Tips, Metrics

Customer Relationships: Tutorials — tactical marketing know-how in just 10 minutes from subject matter experts

• Take 10: Six Ways to Build a Trusted BrandReleased on 5/10/2013 with John Morgan
  In just 10 minutes, you'll learn six tips that will help you become a trusted brand with loyal customers!
  Brand Awareness, Customer Behavior, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Marketing Tips, Relationship Marketing, Take 10
• Take 10: How to Motivate Your Customers to Take ActionReleased on 3/15/2013 with Ruth P. Stevens
  In just 10 minutes, you'll learn how to communicate best with your customers and motivate them to take action.
  Customer Behavior, Customer Relationships, Marketing Strategy, Take 10
• Take 10: How To Create a Customer Advocate ProgramReleased on 10/19/2012 with Michael Brito
  In just 10 minutes, you'll learn how to create customer advocates and how to leverage them in a way that will help your bottom line!
  Brand Management, Customer Engagement, Customer Evangelists, Customer Loyalty, Customer Relationships, Take 10
• Take 10: How to Convince People to Take Action for Your CauseReleased on 3/30/2012 with Katya Andresen
  In just 10 minutes, you'll learn how to make your cause stand out by making it relatable; compelling donors to take action.
  Community, Customer Behavior, Customer Relationships, Marketing Strategy, Non Profits, Public Relations, Take 10
• Take 10: How to Integrate Social Media Into Your Daily RoutineReleased on 3/23/2012 with Beth Schillaci
  In just 10 minutes, you'll learn how to integrate social media into your marketing mix effectively by working it into your daily routine.
  Brand Management, Community, Customer Relationships, Relationship Marketing, Social Business, Social Media, Take 10
• Take 10: Using Email to Nurture Your Leads on a BudgetReleased on 3/16/2012 with Christine B. Whittemore
  In just 10 minutes, you'll learn how to effectively nurture your leads via email without breaking the bank.
  Customer Relationships, Customer Retention, Email Campaigns, Email Marketing, Lead Generation, Lead Nurturing, Lead Quality, Lead Scoring, Take 10
• Take 10 Author Series: How to Become a Go-To Resource for CustomersReleased on 2/24/2012 with Brian Solis
  In just 10 minutes, Brian tells you exactly what you need to do to become relevant and a go-to resource for your customer.
  Community, Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Marketing Strategy, Positioning, Social Media, Take 10 Author Series, Thought Leadership, Word of Mouth
• Take 10 Author Series: How Everything You Learned About Motivation Is Wrong—And How to Do It RightReleased on 12/9/2011 with Daniel H. Pink
  In this Take 10, Dan debunks the many myths surrounding motivation and offers a number of tips and tricks for cultivating a true culture of motivation in the workplace.
  Career Management, Customer Relationships, Customer Retention, Marketing Inspiration, Marketing Tips, Take 10 Author Series
• Take 10 Author Series: How to Enchant and Engage Your CustomersReleased on 11/11/2011 with Guy Kawasaki
  In this Take 10 Author Series webcast Guy Kawasaki walks you through the steps for building enchanting relationships. He talks about the importance of fast, flat, and frequent communication.
  Customer Engagement, Customer Relationships, Marketing Tips, Take 10 Author Series
• Take 10: How to Get Your LinkedIn Contacts Into Your CRM SystemReleased on 7/16/2010 with Jason Alba
  Learn how to use LinkedIn's export tool to get your first-degree contacts out of LinkedIn, clean up the exported data, and import the contacts into your CRM system.
  Community, CRM, Customer Relationships, LinkedIn, Marketing Tips, Take 10

Customer Relationships: Marketing downloads for the busy professional

• Influencer Marketing Success Stories
  Influencer Marketing Success Stories features 13 companies that have leveraged the influence of outspoken opinion-makers and ordinary online reviewers to achieve their marketing objectives. With examples including Forbes Digital and Virgin America, this new Case Study Collection will show you how use influencer to boost brand awareness, introduce new products, increase sales, and more.
  Brand Awareness, Case Studies, Customer Engagement, Customer Evangelists, Customer Relationships, Marketing Smarter, Sales, Word of Mouth
• Mobile Marketing Success Stories
  Mobile marketing campaigns can be inexpensive, easy to execute, and very profitable. See how 8 B2B and 11 B2C companies are using SMS, mobile websites, mobile ads, Smartphone applications, and Bluetooth marketing to achieve huge results.
  Branding, Case Studies, Customer Relationships, Lead Generation, Mobile Marketing, Sales, Smart Phones, SMS
• Email Success Stories: How 11 companies are pushing the (electronic) envelope
  Propel your email marketing efforts beyond the subject line. Read Email Success Stories: How 11 companies are pushing the (electronic) envelope to learn how to convert your emails into money-making machines.
  Branding, Case Studies, Customer Relationships, Email, Email Deliverability, Email Marketing, Lead Generation