MARKETING
How To Turn Complex Topics Into Content Your Audience Will Understand
Recently, a client in the technology industry wanted to develop clear, easy-to-understand content that their audience could relate to. But it didn’t seem possible.
Without skilled writers to translate technical concepts into business outcomes, this company could not build its content program, which affected its ability to differentiate in a crowded market. The constraints of a difficult reality seemed impossible to overcome.
Yet, their goal really was possible. Let’s explore five ways that you can turn complex ideas into interesting, engaging, and original content.
Define your audience’s technical knowledge
Successfully writing about complex topics depends on the audience’s knowledge level.
Matthew Rayback, senior manager of UX content strategy at Adobe, has spent the last decade building content programs for technology companies. “Do the work of understanding who your audience is and what their tolerance – or even expectation – of complexity is,” he says.
Do the work of understanding who your audience is and what their expectation of complexity is, says @matthewrayback via @SarahLParkerUK @CMIContent. Click To Tweet
The challenge is to avoid being too technical or too simplistic, both of which can prevent readers from connecting with your message. “If you’re writing about a highly technical subject to a lay audience, you likely need to find ways to simplify (think metaphors or examples, etc.),” Matthew says. “But if you’re writing about the same topic to a specialist audience, they will likely be insulted by a simplistic approach and will be evaluating you on your ability to reflect the complexity they’re looking for.”
To match your language with the terms, concepts, and examples with which your audience is familiar, map their technical knowledge before you write.
Example: A List Apart, a site for people interested in web standards and best practices, published an article – Breaking Out of the Box – for a developer audience. The piece uses technical language, such as “device postures” and “Window Controls Overlay for Progressive Web Apps,” shown in the text below, that this audience would understand. However, a layperson likely would find those terms disruptive to their reading experience.
Understand the topic
Masooma Memom, a writer for SaaS brands, is experienced at mastering complex information to help educate audiences. She says the best way to write about complex topics is to learn about them first.
“After all, if you aren’t clear about the topic, you won’t be able to explain it to your readers,” she says.
The way to write about complex topics is to learn about them first, says @inkandcopy via @SarahLParkerUK @CMIContent. Click To Tweet
Build your understanding using one of these two approaches:
- Explain your topic to a rubber duck. This is an old programming trick. Because the duck knows nothing about coding, the expert breaks down the problem by talking aloud to it. “This helps you identify flaws in your understanding of the topic and also gives you ideas for how to explain it simply and clearly to your readers,” Masooma says.
- Visualize your topic with a concept map. If you don’t like talking to yourself, use a concept map to define the most important ideas. “Create one using arrows to explain how steps or concepts are linked. It’ll give you lots of clarity on the topic, prepping you well for writing about it in a clear manner,” Masooma explains.
These methods also help you frame your language to support your audience’s understanding.
Example: Moz’s internal links pillar page explains the topic in a way that demonstrates deep understanding of the topic. The image below shows how headings and subheadings – what are internal links, code sample, optimal format, SEO best practice – guide readers to the answers they need.
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Learn the lingo, then unlearn it
Knowing the topic is an important step. Yet, questioning how the word choices relate to the audience is what underpins success. Kim Grob, co-founder at Write On, leads a team of creative directors, content strategists, and writers who specialize in transforming complex information into compelling human stories.
“The really tricky part comes after you’ve got a good working knowledge of the subject. That’s when you’ve got to become something of a translator. You’ve got to take all that complex information and turn it into a story that people actually want to read,” Kim explains.
She says while understanding technical terminology and industry jargon helps create precise and clear writing, high-quality content comes from finding simple word choices to replace those complex terms.
“While some technical terminology will likely be needed to make your story precise and resonant for your readers, use it sparingly,” Kim says. “Focus instead on language that reflects the way people actually speak. This will help you find the human pulse in even the most technical content.”
Use technical terminology sparingly. Focus on language that reflects the way people actually speak, says Kim Grob of @WriteOnNetwork via @SarahLParkerUK @CMIContent. Click To Tweet
Amy Higgins, senior director, content strategy, at Twilio, has spent her career targeting content for specific audiences. Both Amy and Kim say simple word choices are crucial, but Amy suggests a novel approach to driving empathy.
“Use the ‘Will my mom understand this?’ testing method before you publish it,” she says. “Every mom is different, but let’s just say my mom is not the most technologically advanced. She once asked me, ‘How do I get on the Google? I can get on the Facebook, but not the Google’. If you simplified the topic and told a great, informative story, anyone should be able to understand the topic, no matter how complex.”
Use the ‘will my mom understand this?’ test before you publish content on complex topics, says @amywhiggins via @SarahLParkerUK @CMIContent. Click To Tweet
Example: This University of Utah article, What Causes Miscarriage, covers medical terminology – “congenital anomalies” – pairs it with clear and simple explanatory language – “anomalies you’re born with.”
Go straight to the source
Your specialists – internal subject matter experts and external influencers – are the best way to access deep industry knowledge.
Ashley Zeckman, vice president of strategy and customer success at Onalytica, has spent the last seven years leading B2B influencer marketing strategy for enterprise brands. She recommends going straight to the experts to turn complex information into interesting content.
Go straight to the experts to turn complex information into interesting #content, says @zeckman via @SarahLParkerUK @CMIContent. Click To Tweet
“Often, we find that the more complex topics are, the less interesting the final product tends to be. My best advice for writing about complex topics is to go straight to the source,” Ashley says.
Develop both internal and external expert outreach:
- Leverage your internal experts for specialist knowledge. “SMEs give you the opportunity to access a wealth of knowledge, but they aren’t trained in content creation,” says Ashley. “Create a brief that includes questions you’d like their insights on at least five business days ahead of the interview. Then bundle together questions that will help you create multiple content assets.”
- Scale your content creation with external experts and influencers. By boosting the depth of your expertise working with outside experts, you build credibility with your audience. Ashley suggests these ideas for external outreach:
- Highlight the benefit to the influencer (monetary or otherwise).
- Make participation easy in a medium that works best for them.
- Engage them to promote the content they created by providing social images and suggested social messages.
- Provide an individual tracking link to each expert so you can determine who resonates the most with your target audience.
“Then it’s your job to bring all these pieces together – by enlisting the help of others to provide deep expertise, you can focus your efforts on developing the red thread that ties the stories together and creates a memorable experience for your target audience,” Ashley says.
Example: The 2021 B2B Influencer Compensation Report from Onalytica and Convince & Convert combines influencer quotes, data, and customer challenges to create a single thread. This image reflects that package for the topic of authoring e-books and white papers.
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Be a storyteller
Speaking to subject matter experts is one piece of the puzzle. Translating their knowledge into a compelling story that closes the gap between your business and audience is another. Becky Lawlor, founder of Sparkifico, has developed content for leading technology companies.
“Get rid of the jargon and use stories,” she explains. “Whether that’s customer stories you already have that you can pull from or hypothetical ones you create. Stories will help your audience better visualize and understand how the concepts you’re talking about can be put to action in the real world.”
To simplify complex topics, get rid of the #jargon and use #storytelling, says @lawlor_becky via @SarahLParkerUK @CMIContent. Click To Tweet
Develop your story around your customer, i.e., the reader:
- Wrap solutions in customer stories. Use testimonials and case studies to make your customer the hero, navigating a series of conflicts to a successful outcome. “Don’t turn your case studies into long paragraphs or lists of information. Instead, build your customer’s context to make your content engaging and relatable,” Becky says.
- Hook your customers with original stories. The best narratives come from people who have the same problems as your customers. “Use surveys and interviews to find out what is and isn’t working for your audience. Your stories need to come directly from your customers – whether that’s through case studies and testimonials or original research,” Becky says.
“Content created or co-created by customers gives businesses a direct line into the problems their audience are trying to solve and adds an air of credibility that can’t be achieved in other ways,” she explains.
Example: Salesforce’s case study on Cytiva, a biopharmaceutical company, uses first-hand narratives to connect with the readers and build a shared experience, including this quote about advancing human health: “Our sense of purpose has never been greater. It normally takes around 10 years to bring a new pharmaceutical product to market; the industry had to pivot to deliver in a matter of months.”
This type of frontline story can then inspire readers to solve their own challenges.
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Turn technical jargon into powerful stories
I have learned the best way to write about complex topics is to tell stories developed from connections with audiences, experts, and industry knowledge. To get better at this, you need to identify your readers’ knowledge level, gain a basic understanding of the topic, write using the same language as the audience, and work with experts.
Only then can you connect these elements with powerful storytelling.
Translating technical jargon into stories is about following a process that enables the right balance for your readers. Marketers with this thinking can systematize high-quality content that delivers a clear message.
Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute
MARKETING
Tinuiti Marketing Analytics Recognized by Forrester
Rapid Media Mix Modeling and Proprietary Tech Transform Brand Performance
Tinuiti, the largest independent full-funnel performance marketing agency, has been included in a recent Forrester Research report titled, “The Marketing Analytics Landscape, Q2 2024.” This report comprehensively overviews marketing analytics markets, use cases, and capabilities. B2C marketing leaders can use this research by Principal Analyst Tina Moffett to understand the intersection of marketing analytics capabilities and use cases to determine the vendor or service provider best positioned for their analytics and insights needs. Moffett describes the top marketing analytics markets as advertising agencies, marketing dashboards and business intelligence tools, marketing measurement and optimization platforms and service providers, and media analytics tools.
As an advertising agency, we believe Tinuiti is uniquely positioned to manage advertising campaigns for brands including buying, targeting, and measurement. Our proprietary measurement technology, Bliss Point by Tinuiti, allows us to measure the optimal level of investment to maximize impact and efficiency. According to the Forrester report, “only 30% of B2C marketing decision-makers say their organization uses marketing or media mix modeling (MMM),” so having a partner that knows, embraces, and utilizes MMM is important. As Tina astutely explains, data-driven agencies have amplified their marketing analytics competencies with data science expertise; and proprietary tools; and tailored their marketing analytics techniques based on industry, business, and data challenges.
Our Rapid Media Mix Modeling sets a new standard in the market with its exceptional speed, precision, and transparency. Our patented tech includes Rapid Media Mix Modeling, Always-on Incrementality, Brand Equity, Creative Insights, and Forecasting – it will get you to your Marketing Bliss Point in each channel, across your entire media mix, and your overall brand performance.
As a marketing leader you may ask yourself:
- How much of our marketing budget should we allocate to driving store traffic versus e-commerce traffic?
- How should we allocate our budget by channel to generate the most traffic and revenue possible?
- How many customers did we acquire in a specific region with our media spend?
- What is the impact of seasonality on our media mix?
- How should we adjust our budget accordingly?
- What is the optimal marketing channel mix to maximize brand awareness?
These are just a few of the questions that Bliss Point by Tinuiti can help you answer.
Learn more about our customer-obsessed, product-enabled, and fully integrated approach and how we’ve helped fuel full-funnel outcomes for the world’s most digital-forward brands like Poppi & Toms.
The Landscape report is available online to Forrester customers or for purchase here.
MARKETING
Ecommerce evolution: Blurring the lines between B2B and B2C
Understanding convergence
B2B and B2C ecommerce are two distinct models of online selling. B2B ecommerce is between businesses, such as wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers. B2C ecommerce refers to transactions between businesses like retailers and consumer brands, directly to individual shoppers.
However, in recent years, the boundaries between these two models have started to fade. This is known as the convergence between B2B and B2C ecommerce and how they are becoming more similar and integrated.
Source: White Paper: The evolution of the B2B Consumer Buyer (ClientPoint, Jan 2024)
What’s driving this change?
Ever increasing customer expectations
Customers today expect the same level of convenience, speed, and personalization in their B2B transactions as they do in their B2C interactions. B2B buyers are increasingly influenced by their B2C experiences. They want research, compare, and purchase products online, seamlessly transitioning between devices and channels. They also prefer to research and purchase online, using multiple devices and channels.
Forrester, 68% of buyers prefer to research on their own, online . Customers today expect the same level of convenience, speed, and personalization in their B2B transactions as they do in their B2C interactions. B2B buyers are increasingly influenced by their B2C experiences. They want research, compare, and purchase products online, seamlessly transitioning between devices and channels. They also prefer to research and purchase online, using multiple devices and channels
Technology and omnichannel strategies
Technology enables B2B and B2C ecommerce platforms to offer more features and functionalities, such as mobile optimization, chatbots, AI, and augmented reality. Omnichannel strategies allow B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses to provide a seamless and consistent customer experience across different touchpoints, such as websites, social media, email, and physical stores.
However, with every great leap forward comes its own set of challenges. The convergence of B2B and B2C markets means increased competition. Businesses now not only have to compete with their traditional rivals, but also with new entrants and disruptors from different sectors. For example, Amazon Business, a B2B ecommerce platform, has become a major threat to many B2B ecommerce businesses, as it offers a wide range of products, low prices, and fast delivery
“Amazon Business has proven that B2B ecommerce can leverage popular B2C-like functionality” argues Joe Albrecht, CEO / Managing Partner, Xngage. . With features like Subscribe-and-Save (auto-replenishment), one-click buying, and curated assortments by job role or work location, they make it easy for B2B buyers to go to their website and never leave. Plus, with exceptional customer service and promotional incentives like Amazon Business Prime Days, they have created a reinforcing loyalty loop.
And yet, according to Barron’s, Amazon Business is only expected to capture 1.5% of the $5.7 Trillion addressable business market by 2025. If other B2B companies can truly become digital-first organizations, they can compete and win in this fragmented space, too.”
If other B2B companies can truly become digital-first organizations, they can also compete and win in this fragmented space
Joe AlbrechtCEO/Managing Partner, XNGAGE
Increasing complexity
Another challenge is the increased complexity and cost of managing a converging ecommerce business. Businesses have to deal with different customer segments, requirements, and expectations, which may require different strategies, processes, and systems. For instance, B2B ecommerce businesses may have to handle more complex transactions, such as bulk orders, contract negotiations, and invoicing, while B2C ecommerce businesses may have to handle more customer service, returns, and loyalty programs. Moreover, B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses must invest in technology and infrastructure to support their convergence efforts, which may increase their operational and maintenance costs.
How to win
Here are a few ways companies can get ahead of the game:
Adopt B2C-like features in B2B platforms
User-friendly design, easy navigation, product reviews, personalization, recommendations, and ratings can help B2B ecommerce businesses to attract and retain more customers, as well as to increase their conversion and retention rates.
According to McKinsey, ecommerce businesses that offer B2C-like features like personalization can increase their revenues by 15% and reduce their costs by 20%. You can do this through personalization of your website with tools like Product Recommendations that help suggest related products to increase sales.
Focus on personalization and customer experience
B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses need to understand their customers’ needs, preferences, and behaviors, and tailor their offerings and interactions accordingly. Personalization and customer experience can help B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses to increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy, as well as to improve their brand reputation and competitive advantage. According to a Salesforce report, 88% of customers say that the experience a company provides is as important as its products or services.
Market based on customer insights
Data and analytics can help B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses to gain insights into their customers, markets, competitors, and performance, and to optimize their strategies and operations accordingly. Data and analytics can also help B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses to identify new opportunities, trends, and innovations, and to anticipate and respond to customer needs and expectations. According to McKinsey, data-driven organizations are 23 times more likely to acquire customers, six times more likely to retain customers, and 19 times more likely to be profitable.
What’s next?
The convergence of B2B and B2C ecommerce is not a temporary phenomenon, but a long-term trend that will continue to shape the future of ecommerce. According to Statista, the global B2B ecommerce market is expected to reach $20.9 trillion by 2027, surpassing the B2C ecommerce market, which is expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2027. Moreover, the report predicts that the convergence of B2B and B2C ecommerce will create new business models, such as B2B2C, B2A (business to anyone), and C2B (consumer to business).
Therefore, B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses need to prepare for the converging ecommerce landscape and take advantage of the opportunities and challenges it presents. Here are some recommendations for B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses to navigate the converging landscape:
- Conduct a thorough analysis of your customers, competitors, and market, and identify the gaps and opportunities for convergence.
- Develop a clear vision and strategy for convergence, and align your goals, objectives, and metrics with it.
- Invest in technology and infrastructure that can support your convergence efforts, such as cloud, mobile, AI, and omnichannel platforms.
- Implement B2C-like features in your B2B platforms, and vice versa, to enhance your customer experience and satisfaction.
- Personalize your offerings and interactions with your customers, and provide them with relevant and valuable content and solutions.
- Leverage data and analytics to optimize your performance and decision making, and to innovate and differentiate your business.
- Collaborate and partner with other B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses, as well as with other stakeholders, such as suppliers, distributors, and customers, to create value and synergy.
- Monitor and evaluate your convergence efforts, and adapt and improve them as needed.
By following these recommendations, B2B and B2C ecommerce businesses can bridge the gap between their models and create a more integrated and seamless ecommerce experience for their customers and themselves.
MARKETING
Streamlining Processes for Increased Efficiency and Results
How can businesses succeed nowadays when technology rules? With competition getting tougher and customers changing their preferences often, it’s a challenge. But using marketing automation can help make things easier and get better results. And in the future, it’s going to be even more important for all kinds of businesses.
So, let’s discuss how businesses can leverage marketing automation to stay ahead and thrive.
Benefits of automation marketing automation to boost your efforts
First, let’s explore the benefits of marketing automation to supercharge your efforts:
Marketing automation simplifies repetitive tasks, saving time and effort.
With automated workflows, processes become more efficient, leading to better productivity. For instance, automation not only streamlines tasks like email campaigns but also optimizes website speed, ensuring a seamless user experience. A faster website not only enhances customer satisfaction but also positively impacts search engine rankings, driving more organic traffic and ultimately boosting conversions.
Automation allows for precise targeting, reaching the right audience with personalized messages.
With automated workflows, processes become more efficient, leading to better productivity. A great example of automated workflow is Pipedrive & WhatsApp Integration in which an automated welcome message pops up on their WhatsApp
within seconds once a potential customer expresses interest in your business.
Increases ROI
By optimizing campaigns and reducing manual labor, automation can significantly improve return on investment.
Leveraging automation enables businesses to scale their marketing efforts effectively, driving growth and success. Additionally, incorporating lead scoring into automated marketing processes can streamline the identification of high-potential prospects, further optimizing resource allocation and maximizing conversion rates.
Harnessing the power of marketing automation can revolutionize your marketing strategy, leading to increased efficiency, higher returns, and sustainable growth in today’s competitive market. So, why wait? Start automating your marketing efforts today and propel your business to new heights, moreover if you have just learned ways on how to create an online business
How marketing automation can simplify operations and increase efficiency
Understanding the Change
Marketing automation has evolved significantly over time, from basic email marketing campaigns to sophisticated platforms that can manage entire marketing strategies. This progress has been fueled by advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, making automation smarter and more adaptable.
One of the main reasons for this shift is the vast amount of data available to marketers today. From understanding customer demographics to analyzing behavior, the sheer volume of data is staggering. Marketing automation platforms use this data to create highly personalized and targeted campaigns, allowing businesses to connect with their audience on a deeper level.
The Emergence of AI-Powered Automation
In the future, AI-powered automation will play an even bigger role in marketing strategies. AI algorithms can analyze huge amounts of data in real-time, helping marketers identify trends, predict consumer behavior, and optimize campaigns as they go. This agility and responsiveness are crucial in today’s fast-moving digital world, where opportunities come and go in the blink of an eye. For example, we’re witnessing the rise of AI-based tools from AI website builders, to AI logo generators and even more, showing that we’re competing with time and efficiency.
Combining AI-powered automation with WordPress management services streamlines marketing efforts, enabling quick adaptation to changing trends and efficient management of online presence.
Moreover, AI can take care of routine tasks like content creation, scheduling, and testing, giving marketers more time to focus on strategic activities. By automating these repetitive tasks, businesses can work more efficiently, leading to better outcomes. AI can create social media ads tailored to specific demographics and preferences, ensuring that the content resonates with the target audience. With the help of an AI ad maker tool, businesses can efficiently produce high-quality advertisements that drive engagement and conversions across various social media platforms.
Personalization on a Large Scale
Personalization has always been important in marketing, and automation is making it possible on a larger scale. By using AI and machine learning, marketers can create tailored experiences for each customer based on their preferences, behaviors, and past interactions with the brand.
This level of personalization not only boosts customer satisfaction but also increases engagement and loyalty. When consumers feel understood and valued, they are more likely to become loyal customers and brand advocates. As automation technology continues to evolve, we can expect personalization to become even more advanced, enabling businesses to forge deeper connections with their audience. As your company has tiny homes for sale California, personalized experiences will ensure each customer finds their perfect fit, fostering lasting connections.
Integration Across Channels
Another trend shaping the future of marketing automation is the integration of multiple channels into a cohesive strategy. Today’s consumers interact with brands across various touchpoints, from social media and email to websites and mobile apps. Marketing automation platforms that can seamlessly integrate these channels and deliver consistent messaging will have a competitive edge. When creating a comparison website it’s important to ensure that the platform effectively aggregates data from diverse sources and presents it in a user-friendly manner, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.
Omni-channel integration not only betters the customer experience but also provides marketers with a comprehensive view of the customer journey. By tracking interactions across channels, businesses can gain valuable insights into how consumers engage with their brand, allowing them to refine their marketing strategies for maximum impact. Lastly, integrating SEO services into omni-channel strategies boosts visibility and helps businesses better understand and engage with their customers across different platforms.
The Human Element
While automation offers many benefits, it’s crucial not to overlook the human aspect of marketing. Despite advances in AI and machine learning, there are still elements of marketing that require human creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking.
Successful marketing automation strikes a balance between technology and human expertise. By using automation to handle routine tasks and data analysis, marketers can focus on what they do best – storytelling, building relationships, and driving innovation.
Conclusion
The future of marketing automation looks promising, offering improved efficiency and results for businesses of all sizes.
As AI continues to advance and consumer expectations change, automation will play an increasingly vital role in keeping businesses competitive.
By embracing automation technologies, marketers can simplify processes, deliver more personalized experiences, and ultimately, achieve their business goals more effectively than ever before.
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