Although our research shows that SMB optimism is off its July 2017 peak, SMBs still have aggressive purchase and activity plans for 2019. And there’s a lot of sales potential for vendors in all kinds of categories, from banking and benefits to tech and telco. First, here’s a quick look at what SMBs have: Office…
One of many the challenges faced by SMB content marketers is the effort required to develop breakthrough content. Apart from the significant challenge of determining the optimal mix of formats, topics and placement, content marketers must also develop content that stands out from an increasingly crowded field. The fix? Data. Here are three ways that…
Small and midsized business (SMBs) use emails from vendors like you to get business advice and to decide what to buy. 63% of SMB principals in a recent Bredin survey cited email newsletters from vendors as their most-preferred content format. And close to half reported that they are more likely do business with a company…
Small and midsized business (SMB) principals want two things in a salesperson: an understanding of their business pain points and knowledge of their industry challenges. In fact, 81% of business owners in a recent Bredin survey of 500 U.S. SMB principals say it is “important” for vendors to understand their business and industry challenges. Here…
When we survey SMBs on the quality of vendor content, only half say it’s useful. This means that there’s an opportunity for your content — blogs, whitepapers, infographics, ebooks, etc. — to stand out, if it’s a cut above. The payoff can be big: 71% of SMBs say good content makes them think more favorably…
Video is an essential part of any content initiative targeting the SMB market. When it’s done right, video works to attract leads and nurture them until they are ready to buy. Bredin’s recent research found that SMBs cite videos as a top content format at every stage of the sales cycle. Specifically, at the awareness…
With the investment required to create great content for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), your content had better move SMBs towards a new or repeat purchase. The question is, what are the best types of content to move SMBs through the sales cycle? To find out, we surveyed 500 U.S. SMB principals on the formats…
As the cost of search terms and online ads rises and response rates decline, direct mail (DM) is emerging as a go-to tool for SMB marketers. Why? Two reasons. First, online advertising is increasingly expensive, and the performance of online tactics is becoming more difficult to predict. Second, new technology has made DM an even…
Our clients often ask us what topics their SMB content should cover. The answer depends on your target audience and what your brand represents. The most meaningful topics lie in the sweet spot between the challenges your audience faces and what your brand means to SMBs. These tips can help you select the right topics…
Email newsletters are the workhorse of content marketing targeting SMBs. They remain a surprisingly effective way to keep your brand top of mind, enhance your position as a thought leader and showcase your offerings. If you don’t have an email newsletter, read on to see why you should. Already have one? Use our tips below…