MARKETING
The 2022 Guide to Marketing Automation Software
Introduction:
That’s where marketing automation comes in! Marketers spend most of their time connecting & engaging with prospects and managing customer information. Marketing automation has changed the way businesses operate, and you should consider using it.
Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-working-on-laptop-while-woman-takes-notes-3153199/
Marketing automation can cover a lot of tasks. These include prospecting for new leads, engaging with them to understand their preferences, and trying to turn them into paying customers. It can be a tough job to manage all these aspects of marketing. You need a streamlined process to help you get more done and increase your productivity. For example, marketing automation software can automate low-value tasks, giving you more time to put towards high-value leads. You can use marketing automation tools to make your prospecting process easier and faster. Create a prospecting template that emails the right people at the right time. Schedule a prospecting campaign to send out emails and follow-ups on certain days throughout the week.
Let’s dive in!
1. HubSpot
HubSpot’s automated emails can be a great way to naturally nurture leads by addressing their needs in a timely fashion. People addressed in this way tend to make faster decisions, often moving forward with the purchase. You can automate your marketing strategies on HubSpot using workflows, which are easy to build and can consist of various customer interactions ranging from simple follow-ups to complex multi-step processes.
You can automate several tasks with HubSpot. Examples include email marketing, lead conversions, lead data management, and follow-ups. You can also automate your social media marketing campaigns by scheduling posts in advance, tracking brand mentions and conversions, and giving you a closer look into your post engagement. Many reliable social media marketing companies work with clients to align social media marketing strategies with business goals and overall marketing strategy. They help identify the channels that best enable clients to reach their target markets.
2. SendPulse
Marketing automation is a process that has a lot of moving parts, but once you’ve done it right, you realize it is worth it.
SendPulse is a company that didn’t just become a marketing automation platform overnight, it gradually evolved into one. Starting out as a bulk email marketing service, SendPulse exploded in popularity, this led to adding more features to meet the expectations of new and existing users. One of the latest updates on the platform would be the launch of an online course creator.
At present, SendPulse helps marketers automate marketing processes like lead generation and nurturing through a variety of channels. These include:
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Automated flows of email, and SMS marketing campaigns (order conformation, abandoned cart email etc.)
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Chatbot builder (Facebook and Instagram chatbots, messenger chatbots for WhatsApp and Telegram)
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CRM tool (manage customer data, improve campaign personalization etc.)
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Landing pages (custom landing pages and pages for social media bio links)
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Email Verifier (email list cleaning, email deliverability improvement)
3. Salesmate
Salesmate provides marketing for over 4000 brands worldwide. It saves you time and hassle by automating customer engagement through trigger-based software. Whenever a successful action is made, keep an eye on your inbox for pre-written, automatically generated messages. You can also segment your users based on historical data & actions and send customized follow-ups.
Moreover, you can set your account to send notifications and reminders at crucial moments. As a result, you can empower your customers at every step of the customer journey with Salesmate.
4. MailChimp
Most brands face one big issue with marketing automation: they send generalized messages and e-mails that every recipient will likely disregard. However, Mailchimp collects customer data and helps you develop more customized messages and emails to market to them. In addition, Mailchimp’s email scheduler also collects and analyses your customer data to recommend the best time to contact them. This means you will no longer have to log in, time and again, to check when the right moment is!
If you want to set up a store and use eCommerce platforms, you can connect your Mailchimp account to the store. You’ll then be able to initialize automated emails based on purchase activity. The social media marketing tools are similar to HubSpot. You can schedule posts, track engagement, and diversify your efforts.
5. Marketo
Marketo Engage by Adobe is a leading marketing automation tool with features like email marketing, lead nurturing, and scoring features. It’s a powerful tool for improving your marketing efforts while saving time.
Furthermore, Marketo has some robust features that allow for more powerful marketing. For example, you can use this to retarget prospects on their mobile device and personalize your digital content. Although the system is mainly designed for enterprise-level clients, small businesses can also implement this system with ease.
6. Pardot
Pardot by Salesforce is yet another robust B2B marketing automation tool. It enables the marketing and sales team to collaborate, engage buyers and close more deals. These relationships last longer than before.
Pardot has powerful features that include managing leads, email marketing, and reporting better outcomes for your business. It’s good for larger enterprises and helps streamline marketing efforts.
7. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is a powerful marketing tool that can save you time & effort by automating your processes. It has simplified and advanced automation, integrations with other tools, & segmentation of your contacts. One of the best features of this system is that you can use it to quickly create marketing automation flows and customize them with 500+ pre-built automation, email templates, opt-in forms, etc.
ActiveCampaign can be an effective marketing automation software, but it does require some effort to figure out how to use it.
8. SharpSpring
SharpSpring has been around for quite some time and has become a popular marketing automation software. It provides sales and marketing automation that helps to boost conversions and deliver an excellent customer experience.
It has a full spectrum of solutions to automate all aspects of your marketing. Features include behavior-based email tactics, intelligent workflows, visitor tracking, CRM integration, and detailed reports that can help you create more scalable strategies. Essentially, it’ll automate your whole marketing process so that you can achieve marketing goals.
9. Omnisend
With Omnisend as your ecommerce assistant, your automation workflows will be more robust and better organized. Use pre-built basic automation to stay on top of cart abandonment emails, welcome series email chains, and reservation confirmation emails.
Omnisend is an omnichannel marketing tool with features such as customer segmentation, email and SMS marketing, etc. They integrate with a lot of ecommerce platforms like Bigcommerce, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.
In conclusion, this is a great marketing automation platform for anyone who runs email marketing campaigns.
10. Oracle Eloqua
Oracle Eloqua is a versatile marketing automation tool that is capable of managing cross-channel marketing campaigns efficiently, as well as nurturing leads. Oracle Eloqua is top marketing software with customer segmentation, efficient lead management, intuitive Advanced Intelligence, and Sales and Marketing alignment.
Oracle Eloqua is perfect for enterprises that need more from their marketing software than Google AdWords can offer, but still may not be insufficient for managing affiliate campaigns. This niche of Internet Marketing may still require affiliate software designed specifically to track and manage affiliates. Still, Oracle Eloqua has extensive features and tools to scale your revenue and build strong customer relationships easily. Inside this platform, you have near-limitless capabilities to help your company grow faster than ever before.
11. User.com
User.com is a powerful platform for converting leads into clients with engagement and streamlined conversion. Use this marketing automation platform to work faster and more brilliant for any size business.
User.com has features like email marketing, visitor tracking, live chat, and intelligent automation that are great for making your business more efficient. Along with analytics, User.com is an affordable option to make your business stronger and more productive!
12. Engati
Engati is the best AI chatbot platform that all your customer conversations over WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Slack, MS Teams, & 10+ other messaging applications, bringing everything under one view.
They offer native integrations to Zendesk, Freshdesk, Shopify, Google Calendar, JSON API, and much more. They also provide hands-on 100+ templates crafted specially for usecases like marketing, sales, support, HR etc.
With trusted brands like Jack Daniels, PwC, LivSpace, UK Gov, Cipla, iMile, Larsen & Toubro, GSK, etc. they won the CODiE award for the year 2021 in the Best AI-driven technology solution category.
Conclusion
Customer journey management is an integral part of any marketing strategy. That’s why you should use tools such as marketing automation to help improve a user’s experience.
Every marketing automation software will have different features, so it is crucial to list the most important requirements of your company and then find a marketing automation software with the features you need.
Our list of top automation software has something for every size company. We hope you find the solution that fits your budget and requirements and provides additional support to your company.
MARKETING
YouTube Ad Specs, Sizes, and Examples [2024 Update]
Introduction
With billions of users each month, YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine and top website for video content. This makes it a great place for advertising. To succeed, advertisers need to follow the correct YouTube ad specifications. These rules help your ad reach more viewers, increasing the chance of gaining new customers and boosting brand awareness.
Types of YouTube Ads
Video Ads
- Description: These play before, during, or after a YouTube video on computers or mobile devices.
- Types:
- In-stream ads: Can be skippable or non-skippable.
- Bumper ads: Non-skippable, short ads that play before, during, or after a video.
Display Ads
- Description: These appear in different spots on YouTube and usually use text or static images.
- Note: YouTube does not support display image ads directly on its app, but these can be targeted to YouTube.com through Google Display Network (GDN).
Companion Banners
- Description: Appears to the right of the YouTube player on desktop.
- Requirement: Must be purchased alongside In-stream ads, Bumper ads, or In-feed ads.
In-feed Ads
- Description: Resemble videos with images, headlines, and text. They link to a public or unlisted YouTube video.
Outstream Ads
- Description: Mobile-only video ads that play outside of YouTube, on websites and apps within the Google video partner network.
Masthead Ads
- Description: Premium, high-visibility banner ads displayed at the top of the YouTube homepage for both desktop and mobile users.
YouTube Ad Specs by Type
Skippable In-stream Video Ads
- Placement: Before, during, or after a YouTube video.
- Resolution:
- Horizontal: 1920 x 1080px
- Vertical: 1080 x 1920px
- Square: 1080 x 1080px
- Aspect Ratio:
- Horizontal: 16:9
- Vertical: 9:16
- Square: 1:1
- Length:
- Awareness: 15-20 seconds
- Consideration: 2-3 minutes
- Action: 15-20 seconds
Non-skippable In-stream Video Ads
- Description: Must be watched completely before the main video.
- Length: 15 seconds (or 20 seconds in certain markets).
- Resolution:
- Horizontal: 1920 x 1080px
- Vertical: 1080 x 1920px
- Square: 1080 x 1080px
- Aspect Ratio:
- Horizontal: 16:9
- Vertical: 9:16
- Square: 1:1
Bumper Ads
- Length: Maximum 6 seconds.
- File Format: MP4, Quicktime, AVI, ASF, Windows Media, or MPEG.
- Resolution:
- Horizontal: 640 x 360px
- Vertical: 480 x 360px
In-feed Ads
- Description: Show alongside YouTube content, like search results or the Home feed.
- Resolution:
- Horizontal: 1920 x 1080px
- Vertical: 1080 x 1920px
- Square: 1080 x 1080px
- Aspect Ratio:
- Horizontal: 16:9
- Square: 1:1
- Length:
- Awareness: 15-20 seconds
- Consideration: 2-3 minutes
- Headline/Description:
- Headline: Up to 2 lines, 40 characters per line
- Description: Up to 2 lines, 35 characters per line
Display Ads
- Description: Static images or animated media that appear on YouTube next to video suggestions, in search results, or on the homepage.
- Image Size: 300×60 pixels.
- File Type: GIF, JPG, PNG.
- File Size: Max 150KB.
- Max Animation Length: 30 seconds.
Outstream Ads
- Description: Mobile-only video ads that appear on websites and apps within the Google video partner network, not on YouTube itself.
- Logo Specs:
- Square: 1:1 (200 x 200px).
- File Type: JPG, GIF, PNG.
- Max Size: 200KB.
Masthead Ads
- Description: High-visibility ads at the top of the YouTube homepage.
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 or higher.
- File Type: JPG or PNG (without transparency).
Conclusion
YouTube offers a variety of ad formats to reach audiences effectively in 2024. Whether you want to build brand awareness, drive conversions, or target specific demographics, YouTube provides a dynamic platform for your advertising needs. Always follow Google’s advertising policies and the technical ad specs to ensure your ads perform their best. Ready to start using YouTube ads? Contact us today to get started!
MARKETING
Why We Are Always ‘Clicking to Buy’, According to Psychologists
Amazon pillows.
MARKETING
A deeper dive into data, personalization and Copilots
Salesforce launched a collection of new, generative AI-related products at Connections in Chicago this week. They included new Einstein Copilots for marketers and merchants and Einstein Personalization.
To better understand, not only the potential impact of the new products, but the evolving Salesforce architecture, we sat down with Bobby Jania, CMO, Marketing Cloud.
Dig deeper: Salesforce piles on the Einstein Copilots
Salesforce’s evolving architecture
It’s hard to deny that Salesforce likes coming up with new names for platforms and products (what happened to Customer 360?) and this can sometimes make the observer wonder if something is brand new, or old but with a brand new name. In particular, what exactly is Einstein 1 and how is it related to Salesforce Data Cloud?
“Data Cloud is built on the Einstein 1 platform,” Jania explained. “The Einstein 1 platform is our entire Salesforce platform and that includes products like Sales Cloud, Service Cloud — that it includes the original idea of Salesforce not just being in the cloud, but being multi-tenancy.”
Data Cloud — not an acquisition, of course — was built natively on that platform. It was the first product built on Hyperforce, Salesforce’s new cloud infrastructure architecture. “Since Data Cloud was on what we now call the Einstein 1 platform from Day One, it has always natively connected to, and been able to read anything in Sales Cloud, Service Cloud [and so on]. On top of that, we can now bring in, not only structured but unstructured data.”
That’s a significant progression from the position, several years ago, when Salesforce had stitched together a platform around various acquisitions (ExactTarget, for example) that didn’t necessarily talk to each other.
“At times, what we would do is have a kind of behind-the-scenes flow where data from one product could be moved into another product,” said Jania, “but in many of those cases the data would then be in both, whereas now the data is in Data Cloud. Tableau will run natively off Data Cloud; Commerce Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud — they’re all going to the same operational customer profile.” They’re not copying the data from Data Cloud, Jania confirmed.
Another thing to know is tit’s possible for Salesforce customers to import their own datasets into Data Cloud. “We wanted to create a federated data model,” said Jania. “If you’re using Snowflake, for example, we more or less virtually sit on your data lake. The value we add is that we will look at all your data and help you form these operational customer profiles.”
Let’s learn more about Einstein Copilot
“Copilot means that I have an assistant with me in the tool where I need to be working that contextually knows what I am trying to do and helps me at every step of the process,” Jania said.
For marketers, this might begin with a campaign brief developed with Copilot’s assistance, the identification of an audience based on the brief, and then the development of email or other content. “What’s really cool is the idea of Einstein Studio where our customers will create actions [for Copilot] that we hadn’t even thought about.”
Here’s a key insight (back to nomenclature). We reported on Copilot for markets, Copilot for merchants, Copilot for shoppers. It turns out, however, that there is just one Copilot, Einstein Copilot, and these are use cases. “There’s just one Copilot, we just add these for a little clarity; we’re going to talk about marketing use cases, about shoppers’ use cases. These are actions for the marketing use cases we built out of the box; you can build your own.”
It’s surely going to take a little time for marketers to learn to work easily with Copilot. “There’s always time for adoption,” Jania agreed. “What is directly connected with this is, this is my ninth Connections and this one has the most hands-on training that I’ve seen since 2014 — and a lot of that is getting people using Data Cloud, using these tools rather than just being given a demo.”
What’s new about Einstein Personalization
Salesforce Einstein has been around since 2016 and many of the use cases seem to have involved personalization in various forms. What’s new?
“Einstein Personalization is a real-time decision engine and it’s going to choose next-best-action, next-best-offer. What is new is that it’s a service now that runs natively on top of Data Cloud.” A lot of real-time decision engines need their own set of data that might actually be a subset of data. “Einstein Personalization is going to look holistically at a customer and recommend a next-best-action that could be natively surfaced in Service Cloud, Sales Cloud or Marketing Cloud.”
Finally, trust
One feature of the presentations at Connections was the reassurance that, although public LLMs like ChatGPT could be selected for application to customer data, none of that data would be retained by the LLMs. Is this just a matter of written agreements? No, not just that, said Jania.
“In the Einstein Trust Layer, all of the data, when it connects to an LLM, runs through our gateway. If there was a prompt that had personally identifiable information — a credit card number, an email address — at a mimum, all that is stripped out. The LLMs do not store the output; we store the output for auditing back in Salesforce. Any output that comes back through our gateway is logged in our system; it runs through a toxicity model; and only at the end do we put PII data back into the answer. There are real pieces beyond a handshake that this data is safe.”
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