by Jennifer Hart Yim | May 6, 2014 | Blog, Content Marketing, Marketing, Social Media, Strategy
This is the first in a series of blog posts written by Adam Robinson, Director of Marketing at Cerasis. Founded in 1997, Cerasis is a top freight logistics company and truckload freight broker.
The purpose of this series of blog posts is to give others in our industry and especially those in the manufacturing industry, a guide to create an effective digital, social media, and content marketing strategy which will produce results for your company. If you have followed the Cerasis blog since its launch in March 2013, you have noticed that we work really hard at executing our strategy. The reason we work so hard is because we are passionate about educating the marketplace on information that matters to them. In that way, we want to be the de facto expert in the manufacturing and logistics industries. If we can help those who are our customers and potential customers (manufacturers and distributors) with best practices around logistics and freight, as well as manufacturing industry news, we are continuing our mission of driving long term value (even if we give the information away for free). The result (we hope and have seen) is that people view us as the expert and will want to engage us in a long term relationship as their logistics services provider. We hope this is helpful and you learn something from it!
Background of Cerasis use of Content Marketing and Social Media
- Company started formal marketing for the first time in October 2012, its 16th year.
- Little brand awareness, not thought of as a thought leader, but company still grew well by referral.
- It was important for us to establish our messaging, our target audience, and how we were going to best market the company.
- We didn’t have any budget for advertising, and with the rise of content marketing, we knew it was important to use social media and content as a way to start marketing and fine tuning the messaging of the company.
- We finished our market research phase (tips below on how to conduct one), and knew the content and who we wanted to reach.
- We then looked at all the social media channels and decided which platforms to use and what online communities to join.
- We built a strategy and started executing our content by simply posting one piece of content every business day.
Digital Marketing Strategy Approach for Cerasis
There is a process to strategic planning in order to lead towards sustainable marketing programs which yield a tangible return-on-investment (ROI). The process starts with understanding where social, digital, content, and traditional marketing fits in the world of inbound lead generation and increased brand awareness.
The goal of any strategic plan should be to find and acquire new customers and to grow existing customer relationships. The map on the next page shows how customer engagements happen online and in general. This map to the left helps us determine Cerasis’s route, analyze where we currently are, and hone in on where we should focus our attention to keep the strategy on track.
So, what are all the results from our social and digital marketing you ask?
Cerasis Quick Stats (Sept 12 to March 14)
- All Visits to Cerasis.com: 4,476 to 34,461 (669.91% Increase)
- Blog Visits: 0 to 28,271 (notice how without our content and social media, we would not have grown our website visits to where they are today)
- Social Media Visits: 4 to 8,546 (214,550% Increase)
- Search Visits: 711 to 16,275 (2,189.03% Increase)
- Social Community: 175 users total to 9,635 users total
- Twitter: 0 to 2,760 Followers
- FB: 0 to 492 Likes
- LinkedIn Group Members: 0 to 3,550
- LinkedIn Profile Connections: 120 to 1,456
- LinkedIn Company Page Followers: 51 to 529
- Google Plus Followers: 0 to 662 and over 310,000 views of the Company Page
- Pinterest Followers: 0 to 188
- Engagement Numbers:
- Twitter Mentions/RTs: 14,825/5,721
- LinkedIn Group Comments: 12,766
- Facebook Comments, Likes, Shares: 1,484
- LinkedIn Page Impressions/Interactions/Clicks: 247,359/566/1,560
- Pinterest Impressions/Repins: 73,698/327
- Blog Comments: 841
- Google Plus +1s: 2,976
- Conversion data (note, leads vary based on industry; 1 sale for us can mean a lot of revenue)
- Leads From Search Engines: 71
- Leads From Social Media: 65
- Leads From Webinars: 52
- Total Customers Gained: 35
Conclusion
Social media, content, and digital marketing are much like the Pareto Principle: Focus on the platforms and entities which yield the highest results, don’t just do something or be somewhere to do it! It all comes down to strategy! Now, if you have the resources to be on every social media platform, you should, but only if you do it well!
by Fronetics | May 1, 2014 | Blog, Content Marketing, Logistics, Manufacturing & Distribution, Marketing, Social Media, Strategy, Supply Chain
By launching a new digital, social media, and content marketing strategy, Cerasis saw a big, positive impact on its bottom line.
Companies within the manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, transportation, distribution and freight industries have been slow to create and execute digital, social media, and content marketing strategies. The primary reason: a lack of understanding of the business case or value.
These strategies utilize platforms that many within these industries perceive to be for socializing, sharing photos, and connecting with friends (e.g., Twitter and Facebook), and they turn the sales process on its head. Content marketing strategies are fundamentally different from traditional strategies employed by businesses to attract new customers, foster relationships with current customers, and grow their bottom line. Because of this, companies do not recognize how these strategies can positively impact their bottom line and therefore decide to steer clear — they feel engaging is too risky.
The reality is that not participating is risky. Like it or not, things have changed. The internet and social networks are where customers are. Content is how you can establish your company as a thought leader within the industry, and how you can attract and retain customers. If you want to grow your business you need to participate.
Looking at the manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, transportation, distribution and freight industries, there are a few companies that have emerged as leaders — companies that exemplify the business value of creating and executing digital, social media, and content marketing strategies. Cerasis, a freight logistics company, is one of them.
How Cerasis acquired 98 customers through content marketing
Cerasis was founded in 1997. For 15 years the company utilized traditional sales and marketing strategies: placing ads in industry print publications, and relying heavily on referrals. This strategy worked. The company acquired new customers, retained current customers, and realized positive growth.
There is a saying: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Cerasis ignored these words of wisdom.
In the fall of 2012, Cerasis launched a digital, social media, and content marketing strategy. The results have been impressive. For example, visits to the company website have increased by close to 670 percent, and search visits have increased by close to 2,190 percent. The company boasts an impressive number of Twitter followers, Facebook fans, and LinkedIn followers.
The business value of the strategy? Cerasis has acquired 98 customers. For the freight logistics industry, one customer can generate significant revenue; 98 new customers has a positive impact on the company’s bottom line.
Cerasis will be guest blogging for Fronetics for the next three weeks. The three-part series will begin with an overview of the company’s strategy and will discuss the results the company has realized through the execution of the strategy. The next two articles focus on how to create and execute a strategy.
When looking for best practices, Cerasis is a clear example. For companies within the manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, transportation, distribution and freight industries these articles are a great opportunity to learn why (and how) your company should create and execute a digital, social media, and content marketing strategy.
Download the case study to learn more about how Cerasis’ content marketing strategy helped the company acquire new business and increase sales.
Related posts:
by Fronetics | Apr 29, 2014 | Blog, Content Marketing, Logistics, Marketing, Social Media, Supply Chain
Content will help you grow your business; by creating and distributing valuable and relevant content in a strategic and consistent manner you can drive profitable customer action. But, it’s not all about you. It’s not all about the content you and/or your business creates. Here’s why content curation is an essential component of a successful content strategy.
The internet is a fire hose stream of content. Being able to navigate the deluge of content and identify the content that is valuable to your customers and to your business is essential. The process of identifying and sharing this content is content curation.
By consistently being able to identify, make sense of, and share content that is important and relevant to your customers and to your industry you will establish your business as a thought-leader and a trusted resource.
A 2014 survey found that 76 percent of respondents reported that content curation positively impacted their business goals in 2013. Ninety percent of respondents predicted that content curation will have a positive impact on their business goals in the upcoming year.
This article was originally published on DC Velocity.
by Fronetics | Apr 23, 2014 | Blog, Content Marketing, Logistics, Marketing, Supply Chain
Content infographic: how to grow your business with content
by Fronetics | Apr 21, 2014 | Blog, Content Marketing, Logistics, Marketing, Strategy, Supply Chain
When it comes to content your company doesn’t need to go it alone. Not only is it possible to outsource content, for many companies it may be the best solution. Here is how to determine if outsourcing content is right for your company, and what your company needs to consider when looking for an outsource partner.
Is outsourcing right for you?
Outsourcing is not the panacea. It may be the right solution for your company – or maybe not. Here is what to consider when determining if outsourcing content is the right solution for your company:
- What are your company’s core competencies?
- How can your company deliver the best value to your customers?
- A successful content strategy needs to be deliberate and needs to have someone in charge. Do you have in-house talent who can put together a content strategy for your company and manage the execution of the strategy?
- Does your company have in-house talent that can consistently create good content?
- Does your company have in-house talent that has the time to consistently create good talent?
- Does your company have in-house talent that can distribute your company’s content?
- Does your company have in-house talent that can track and analyze your company’s content strategy?
Be honest. Cobbling together staff or passing content like a hot potato from one person to another is not going to be effective. If content is not an area where your company excels, or if content could be carried out more efficiently and effectively if the service was outsourced – start looking for an outsource partner.
If you do decide that outsourcing is right for your company, know that you are not alone. Forty-four percent of B2B marketers report that they outsource content creation. Diving down further, 72 percent of large B2B companies (1,000 employees or more) outsource content creation and 34 percent of small B2B companies (10 to 99 employees) outsource content creation. Looking specifically at the manufacturing industry – 55 percent of manufacturing marketers report that they outsource content creation.
As shown in Figure 1 the content functions that B2B marketers outsource vary from writing to design to distribution to creating a buyer persona. When it comes to outsourcing content functions it doesn’t need to be the kitchen sink.
Figure 1
What to look for in an outsource partner
When it comes to finding an outsource partner you want to find a partner that will bring value to your company and to your customers. Whether you outsource all content functions or just one, here is what to look for in an outsource partner:
- Experience and knowledge of your industry;
- Willing to work with your company to help you achieve your goals;
- Open to exploring and furthering your company’s creative ideas;
- Able to follow instructions and execute with minimal oversight;
- Able to create the type of content your company needs;
- Interested in entering into a long-term relationship.
More generally, Frank Cavallaro wrote that when choosing your perfect outsource mate it is important to start by looking at the mission or value statement of your potential partner. Are these aligned to your company’s? If they are, move on and explore the partnership further. If not, walk away. “Mission and value statements speak to the core culture of the company, so if you can’t find common ground here, it is unlikely you will be able to build a positive working relationship.”
This post was originally published on DC Velocity.
by Fronetics | Apr 15, 2014 | Blog, Content Marketing, Marketing, Social Media, Strategy
When it comes to content, a strategy is essential for success
A 2014 study found that 93 percent of B2B marketers use content marketing and that there is a significant difference in the effectiveness of content marketing if a strategy is in place – 60 percent of companies who have a documented content strategy in place consider their efforts to be effective as compared to 11 percent of companies with no documented content strategy in place. Similarly, the study found that companies who put a person in charge of content marketing were more likely to be successful than those who did not (86 percent vs. 46 percent).
In short, the majority of companies do not have a strategy in place despite the fact that companies are budgeting for and creating content and, that those who have a documented content strategy in place are more effective than companies who do not have a strategy in place. If your company is going to be effective at using content to drive profitable customer action, your company needs to have a strategy in place. Arjun Basu wisely said: “Without strategy, content is just stuff, and the world has enough stuff.”
Here are 11 steps to a content strategy.
1. Put someone in charge
If you want your company’s content strategy to be effective, you need to put someone in charge. Make sure they are in charge not just in name, but also in execution. That is, make sure the person in charge is given the authority to execute the strategy.
2. Define your goals
Why does your company want to create content? Do you want to shorten your sales cycle? Increase leads? You don’t want your content to be just stuff. You don’t want content to be ineffective. Therefore it is important to define what it is you want your content to do for your company.
3. Define your audience
Who is your audience? Create a persona. Take your time. Be honest. If you identify and define your audience correctly you will be more likely to reach your target audience and engage them than if you get this step wrong.
4. Define your metrics
Determine how you are going to track and measure success. Determine the metrics that you are going to track on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis.
5. Identify the right distribution channels
When it comes to content, distribution is essential – your content will not reach your target audience and will not be read unless it is distributed. Take the time to identify the distribution channels that are right fit for your company, your content, and your goals.
6. Create a publishing calendar
A publishing or editorial calendar provides you with a framework to create and distribute content. It helps you create content that is consistent, that is quality, and is tailored to your company’s goals. It is also helpful in terms of managing workflows, meeting deadlines, and managing writer’s block.
7. Create content
Valuable and relevant content is not a sales pitch. It is not content that pushes your products and services. Rather, it is content that communicates valuable information to customers and prospects so that they have the knowledge to make better informed decisions. Moreover, it is content that establishes your business as a reliable source of knowledge – as the thought-leader within the industry. Be thoughtful when you create content.
8. Distribute your content
Distribute your content via your target distribution channels. Distribute the content consistently over time and at the right time.
9. Engage with customers and prospects
Once your content has been distributed, engage with your audience. Respond to comments, respond to questions, and provide clarification. Make your content more than words – make it a relationship.
10. Track and analyze your metrics
Track and analyze your metrics on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. Take a look at what is working and what is not. By tracking and analyzing your metrics you can see, for example, what type of content is most effective and which distribution channels are helping you achieve your goals.
11. Make adjustments as needed
Your strategy should not be set in stone. Your strategy should be flexible. Look at your metrics, look at the feedback you are getting through your engagement with customers and prospects – make adjustments to your strategy as needed.
Remember that when it comes to content it is important to think marathon not sprint. An effective content strategy requires patience and determination. Many companies make the mistake of giving up on a content strategy too early; make a long-term commitment to your strategy.
This article was originally published on DC Velocity.
