ChannelPro-SMB - Cheryl Strege

Blogs, Links and Wasted Opps

Cheryl Strege — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:08:54 GMT

I had a call with a partner this morning about how to best leverage SEO (search engine optimization) for their blog post. They had essentially one page for their website. This is not ideal for a number of reasons too numerous to dive into for this post, but specifically not ideal for blogging.

Did you know that Google only “counts” each link in a blog post once? So if you link to your home page 5 times within your blog, you’re essentially wasting 4 other opportunities to get links to other pages of your website, wasting essential keywords that could bring in prospects...and losing potential traffic to your website.

This is why enhancing your website is very important if your company is blogging. In order to increase search engine optimization, it is best to have your blog post link to multiple (different) pages within your website, otherwise you may be missing potential business opportunities.

In the spirit of following my own advice, you can (1) opt into our newsletter with this link, (2) learn more about the services we offer to Microsoft partners at this link, or (3) grab some tips & trick or PPT presentations in our Consultant’s Corner at The Partner Marketing Group.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partners Go Extreme in November

Cheryl Strege — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:43:54 GMT

Las Vegas will host the first "extreme 2010" this November 7th-10th, the premier partner event focused solely on Microsoft Dynamics CRM and dedicated to advancing best practices and strategies for Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner organizations around the world.

extreme 2010 is organized around four distinct tracks (Developer, Implementer, Business Leadership and Sales & Marketing) that will provide in-depth learning opportunities across various roles within your organization. Each track will focus on a core role through presentations from industry experts as well as partner discussions. There are also sponsorship opportunities for ISVs with complementary products as well as other vendors who market to the Microsoft partner channel.

Check it out at http://extremecrm.com/default.aspx and register TODAY. You’ll get your name entered in a monthly drawing to win a complimentary Jacuzzi Suite upgrade at the Tropicana all 4 nights of the conference! If you register before July 31st, you will have 3 chances to win, if you register before August 31st, you will have 2 chances, etc.

Do Your Emails Generate Leads?

Cheryl Strege — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:29:39 GMT

If you’re sending emails to your installed base of customers, the answer had better be a resounding YES! It’s your best audience – after all, you already have a relationship with them, you have their email address, and you certainly have their permission to send information to them. Right?

What about prospect communications? Do your emails generate any leads for you? If not, check out this article from btobonline at http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100524/FREE/305189995. In essence, you should treat your prospects as you do your customers:

- Send relevant information, not just the “hard sell” of your product.

- Tailor your message to their needs and the business issues they’re trying to resolve.

- Remind the reader where or how their email address was obtained. “Thank you for visiting our website” or “I enjoyed meeting you at the tradeshow booth.”

After all, you don’t want your time wasted with irrelevant emails that flood your inbox asking you to buy something you don’t even think you need. Your prospects (and customers) feel the same way. Treat every interaction with them as “golden”.

For marketing ideas and tips, opt into monthly newsletter from The Partner Marketing Group. (We promise to send you relevant marketing information and not spam you!)

Cost effective way to target Canadian companies by Industry or NAICS

Cheryl Strege — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:16:59 GMT

Check out the Industry Canada web site (www.ic.gc.ca). The site is a virtual gold mine of information. It features several online directories that allow you to search for companies by industrial category or NAICS, and then provides you with comprehensive details about each business, including history, mailing address, phone number, names of key executives AND email addresses. The site also offers a wealth of statistical information. While you’re visiting, find out how many companies are established in a particular geography by NAICS, or learn which industries are performing better than others.

For more great tips and ideas, subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter from The Partner Marketing Group at www.ThePartnerMarketingGroup.com, your Microsoft-focused partner marketing resource.

No, They're Not Necessarily Dead

Cheryl Strege — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:55:38 GMT

I spent much of the weekend working on a project called the Microsoft Dynamics Distinction in Marketing awards. As a judge I have the opportunity to read the award applications and (not that this is new), the power of nurturing the relationship with the prospect became very obvious. In many of the applications, you could clearly see how the partner built a long term relationship with the client. In fact, some of these relationships go back 4-5 years with the prospect (who has yet to become a customer).

I realize it can be easy to give up and just write off that prospect as “dead”. True – sometimes they are. But does it cost a lot to include that person on your monthly e-newsletter? Or send them a direct mail letter when you send your others? Or to invite them to join your LinkedIn group or read your blog? When I look at these applications from some of the best marketers in the Microsoft Dynamics channel, I can see how their persistence and commitment to nurturing a relationship with customers and prospects pays off for their organizations. The sale doesn’t often close quickly (when it does, just consider it a bluebird) so the importance of being “there” with information, with an interesting article about their industry, or exhibiting at their association event, can eventually turn that prospect into a customer. As with many endeavors, persistence is key!

Brought to you by The Partner Marketing Group, serving the Microsoft partner channel with marketing consulting, a virtual marketing director, e-newsletter services and more. Sign up for our newsletter at www.ThePartnerMarketingGroup.com or contact Cheryl Strege at 605.574.9432.

B to B Marketers' Challenges

Cheryl Strege — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:56:39 GMT

This headline in the May 3^rd issue of BtoB magazine recently caught my eye – ‘BtoB’ survey reveals marketer skills, challenges.

I’m always curious about what other marketers in my space might be experiencing. (Aren't you?) This survey found that marketers generally rank their mission as….

To drive qualified leads (52%)
To raise awareness (40%)
To serve as the voice of the company (31%)
To nurture leads (21%)

I was a bit surprised to see “to nurture leads” as the lowest ranked goal of the four presented. Maybe that’s indicative of the type of business these marketers are in but in the technology industry that we all inhabit today, I believe marketers would rank lead nurturing as much higher. For example, it’s great to “serve as the voice of the company” but without leads in the pipeline being nurtured to the closing stage, there won’t be any company before too long.

If you want to learn more about the survey findings, register for the webcast on June 3^rd at 1:00pm ET at http://www.btobonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=webcasts1. The webcast is titled 7 Key Findings from BtoB's Survey on the State of Today's B2B Marketer.

To opt into the monthly newsletter from The Partner Marketing Group, and receive marketing ideas delivered straight to your inbox, go to www.thepartnermarketinggroup.com.