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Why smart B2B brands are all in on Account-Based Marketing


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In B2B marketing, the old “spray and pray” approach is out. These days, it’s all about smart strategy, meaningful conversations, and real results. That’s where Account-Based Marketing (ABM) comes into play.

At Mach Media, we’ve been rolling up our sleeves and getting into the ABM trenches with clients across industries. And here’s the thing: when done right, ABM doesn’t just move the needle – it changes the entire game.

Here’s what we’ve learned from experience.

Focus on the accounts that actually matter

Imagine this: instead of chasing a hundred so-so leads, you’re laser-focused on 10 companies that are actually a great fit for your business. ABM helps you do exactly that.

Using real data – from firmographics to intent signals – you can prioritize high-value accounts that align with your strategy. That means your time, budget, and brainpower are spent wooing the right people, not just more people.

Pro tip: When you know who you’re talking to, everything – from content to conversations – gets sharper, smarter, and more impactful.

Sales and Marketing start playing on the same team

In a lot of (MOST!) organizations, sales and marketing are doing their own thing – sometimes even stepping on each other’s toes. ABM flips the script.

It aligns both teams around shared goals, metrics, and messaging. Everyone’s speaking the same language, aiming at the same targets, and (bonus!) getting wins they can actually measure.

Takeaway: When sales and marketing are in sync, you build momentum faster – and close deals with way more confidence.

Your messaging hits like a bullseye

With ABM, generic content just won’t cut it. This is your chance to create hyper-relevant campaigns that speak directly to the needs, pains, and goals of each account.

Whether it’s a tailored email sequence, a custom landing page, or a pitch-perfect LinkedIn message, you’re not just talking – you’re connecting.

Result: You build trust, boost engagement, and stand out as a brand that gets it.

You speed up the sales cycle

ABM isn’t just more effective – it’s also faster. Why? Because you’re reaching the right people with the right message, right when they need it.

You’re not wasting time educating someone who isn’t a fit. You’re engaging decision-makers with insights and solutions that make them want to move forward.

Translation: More closed deals. Less wheel-spinning.

You get metrics that actually matter

Say goodbye to vanity KPIs. ABM is about meaningful metrics: account engagement, pipeline velocity, deal size, and customer lifetime value. The kind of data that tells you what’s working – and what’s not.

At Mach Media, we geek out on this stuff. Because when you can tie your efforts directly to business outcomes, you’re not just justifying your budget…you’re growing it.

So, how can ABM help your B2B brand?

Well… ABM isn’t just a tactic. It’s a smarter, more human way to do marketing. It’s about putting your energy where it counts, building real relationships, and turning key accounts into long-term partners.

But ABM isn’t one-size-fits-all. It takes strategy, creativity, and collaboration to pull it off. That’s where we come in.

Mach Media helps B2B brands design and execute custom ABM programs that deliver the kind of results you actually want to talk about. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale up, we’re here to make your message matter.

Your best clients are out there. Let’s go get them — together.

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How to measure social media impact (without getting lost in the likes)


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We talk a lot about storytelling, but let’s be clear…. brands are not JUST storytellers. They’re conversation starters, relationship builders, and revenue drivers. But with every like, share, and comment, how do you actually know what’s moving the needle?

Let’s talk about measuring your social media impact. It’s not about vanity metrics; it’s about meaningful impact that drives business forward. So here’s a short answer to how to get to the metrics that matter.

Start with strategy, not statistics: Before diving into dashboards, let’s get crystal clear on your business objectives. Do we want to build brand awareness? Drive lead generation? Increase customer loyalty?

Each goal requires a different set of KPIs:

  • Brand Awareness → Reach, impressions, share of voice
  • Engagement → Likes, shares, comments, save rates, click-through rates (CTR)
  • Lead Generation → Website traffic from social, conversion rates, form completions
  • Customer Retention → Direct messages, brand mentions, response time, sentiment

Mach Tip: Align every post with a strategic intent. If it doesn’t serve a purpose, it’s noise.

Engagement > vanity: Yep, 10,000 likes sure looks good, but what does it actually mean? We suggest that you focus on engagement rates, which measure how actively your audience interacts with your content relative to your follower count.

Why it matters: High engagement signals resonance.

Mach Insight: Track saves and shares. These are powerful indicators of content your audience finds valuable enough to keep or spread.

Sentiment speaks louder than numbers: Are your followers champions of your brand or critics?

We use social listening tools like Brandwatch and Sprout Social to track:

  • Tone of mentions
  • Customer feedback
  • Trends and keywords associated with your brand

This helps you adapt quickly, jump into relevant conversations, and build brand trust.

Last thought: Measure metrics that matter to you. The right metrics aren’t universal – they’re tailored to your brand’s purpose and audience. When you measure with intention, you move from guessing to knowing.

If you’re interested in having a custom audit of your social media strategy and performance, let’s connect.

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How to avoid greenwashing in your sustainability communications


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Today, April 22nd, is Earth Day – and it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we communicate our sustainability efforts. After all, Earth Day isn’t just about planting trees or switching to paper straws; it’s about making real, impactful changes for our planet. But here’s the catch: if your sustainability messaging isn’t authentic, you risk falling into the dreaded trap of greenwashing.

Greenwashing is like slapping a “natural” sticker on a product and hoping no one asks questions. It’s misleading, it damages credibility, and it can hurt both your brand and the planet. So, how do you avoid it? Let’s break it down.

1. Keep it real with verifiable data

Vague claims like “eco-friendly” or “green” are red flags for savvy consumers. Instead, back up your statements with hard data. For example, say, “Our product reduces water usage by 30%, verified by [third-party certifier],” rather than generic buzzwords. Transparency is your best friend here—if you can’t prove it, don’t claim it.

2. Speak human, not jargon

Terms like “net zero” or “carbon negative” might sound impressive but can alienate your audience if not properly explained. Break down complex concepts into relatable language. For instance, instead of saying “biodegradable,” explain that your product naturally decomposes within a year under standard composting conditions. Clear communication builds trust and keeps your audience engaged.

3. Set realistic goals

Ambitious sustainability goals are great – but they need to be achievable. Overpromising (and underdelivering) is a fast track to greenwashing accusations. Be honest about what you’re working toward and share progress updates along the way. Remember, sustainability is a journey, not a sprint!

4. Don’t greenhush

While greenwashing is problematic, greenhushing – keeping quiet about legitimate sustainability achievements – is also a missed opportunity. Share your wins authentically but don’t shy away from discussing challenges too. People appreciate honesty over perfection.

5. Collaborate with experts

Partnering with independent auditors or sustainability consultants can help validate your claims and identify blind spots. Third-party certifications add credibility and show that you’re serious about making a difference – not just marketing it.

6. Involve your stakeholders

Sustainability isn’t just about what you say – it’s about engaging employees, customers, and communities in meaningful conversations. Solicit feedback through surveys or social media and use their input to improve your efforts. When stakeholders feel involved, they’re more likely to trust—and champion—your initiatives.

Earth Day: A reminder to do better

2025’s Earth Day theme – Our Power, Our Planet – is all about collective action for clean energy and environmental protection. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together: companies, governments, and individuals alike. Use Earth Day as an opportunity to showcase your authentic sustainability journey while committing to do even better moving forward.

Avoiding greenwashing isn’t just about playing defense – it’s about building genuine connections through transparency and authenticity. When you communicate honestly and back up your claims with data, you not only earn trust but also inspire action among your audience. This Earth Day, let’s pledge to move beyond empty promises and focus on real change – for our planet and future generations.

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Improve, Impress, and Impact with B2B Social Media


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Thought leader or an afterthought? Today, B2B marketing isn’t about pushing content to sell – it’s so much more.  It’s about the pull of authenticity and, building trust authority, and cultivating relationships to grow your brand. Our own Senior Consultant, Rana Walker, shares her expertise…

Three strategic ways to elevate your B2B social media:

1️ Everyone is not your Audience

Contrary to popular belief, your audience isn’t “everyone in the industry.” It’s the decision-makers, influencers, customers, and potential buyers. Get structured and refine your messaging to identify and address their pain points, goals, and objections. Sure, your employees, competitors, and others are listening too, so use LinkedIn to engage in niche industry discussions, share influencer insight with your own take, and create content that speaks directly to the challenges – and the opportunities – your company (and its audience) is facing.

Rana’s tip: Research, tag, and engage relevant voices in your industry to increase visibility and interaction. Don’t showboat; share, ask, and relate.

2️ Create Value, not Self Promotion

When was the last time you logged in just to read ads? Never, right? We believe the best B2B brands educate, entertain, and engage before they sell. Share industry insights, case studies, and actionable advice from professional experience. Create engaging content that is visually appealing and delivers valuable insight to encourage conversation. Do this, and your brand awareness and sales will follow naturally.

Rana’s tip: Leverage one piece of meaningful content for multiple touchpoints. For example, turn a webinar into: a new blog, create visuals of extracted quotes, an image carousel of the outtakes for relatability, and use key takeaways into short-form videos for repurposing.

3️ Personal Branding is Essential

People connect with people best, especially since AI is rolling in full force, delivering efficiency but sometimes also eradicating trust. Engage your team: Authentic, expert-driven content builds credibility faster than corporate posts alone. Encourage your leaders, sales teams, and employees to be active on LinkedIn. A well-crafted personal brand amplifies company reach and engagement while increasing opportunity and leaving a legacy. Inspire your leadership to actively post AND engage … which will, in turn, encourage others in the organization to emulate and follow suit.

Rana’s tip: Use images and storytelling to humanize your expertise. Professionals who share behind-the-scenes “insider” posts, real-world challenges (and how they’ve been overcome), passions, and purpose resonate more than corporate ads. Sure, you can start with AI for brainstorming ideas and researching hot topics to tap into … but always make the content your own.

We believe the best B2B social media strategy isn’t just about visibility—it’s about credibility, engagement, and action. To be successful, companies must bring valuable insights and an authentic human voice to their social media. It’s the only meaningful way to beat the changing algorithms long-term.

Mach Media is here to serve … it’s what we do best. Is your company leveraging LinkedIn to build relationships and drive impact?

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Does your B2B CEO stand out as a thought leader?


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A company’s reputation isn’t just about the brand; it’s increasingly tied to the personal brand of the CEO. Customers want to connect with the people behind the business, and positioning your CEO as a thought leader is a great way to build trust and credibility. And that ultimately drives growth…

So, what’s in it for your business?

  • Humanizing your brand: B2B transactions are built on relationships. And a CEO who actively shares insights, perspectives, and industry knowledge humanizes the company, making it more approachable.
  • Building credibility: Thought leadership demonstrates expertise and authority. When your CEO is recognized as a knowledgeable voice in the industry, it instills confidence in your company’s capabilities and vision.
  • Driving brand exposure: A CEO with a strong online presence and active engagement in industry conversations significantly expands your brand’s reach. Their insights shared on social media, at conferences, and in publications help to attract new audiences and generate much-wanted leads.
  • Attracting fresh talent: We’re in a competitive job market and top talent seeks out companies with inspiring leadership. Your CEO, as a recognized thought leader, can attract skilled professionals who want to be part of a forward-thinking organization.
  • Strengthening customer relationships: Important to note… Thought leadership isn’t just about broadcasting information; it’s about engaging in meaningful conversations. Your CEO not only needs to publish valuable content but should also participate in industry discussions and forums, helping to build stronger relationships with customers and partners.

So, how can you position your CEO as a thought leader?

  • Develop a content strategy: Identify key themes and topics that align with your CEO’s expertise and your company’s strategic goals. Create a content calendar that includes blog posts, articles, social media updates, videos, and speaking engagements – live or on podcasts.
  • Craft a compelling narrative:  Help your CEO develop a personal brand narrative that showcases their unique perspective, experiences, and vision for the future.
  • Go social: Make sure your CEO is actively engaging on relevant social media platforms, sharing insights, participating in discussions, and connecting with industry influencers.
  • Look for speaking opportunities: Position your CEO as a speaker at industry conferences, webinars, and other events to share their expertise and build their profile.
  • Amplify their voice: Use your company’s marketing channels to cross-promote your CEO’s content and amplify their message to a broader audience.

In short: For B2B companies, executive reputation management is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. Strategically position your CEO as a thought leader to build trust, enhance your brand’s reputation, attract top talent, and drive growth.

Need help? Download our Executive Reputation Management support guide below.

Pointillism Service

Download the Executive Reputation Management support guide

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How to Use AI to Boost SEO Performance the Right Way: 5 DOs and 5 DON’Ts


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Search engine optimization (SEO) has evolved dramatically with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a pivotal role in improving content strategy, keyword targeting, and search rankings. However, not all AI-driven SEO tactics lead to success—some can backfire and harm your site’s visibility.

To get the best results, follow these five DOs and avoid these five DON’Ts when using AI for SEO.

5 DOs of Using AI for SEO

1. Use AI for Keyword Research & Topic Clustering

AI-powered tools help identify high-intent keywords, related search terms, and content gaps. They can then be used to structure topic clusters that align with user search behavior and improve topical authority.

Example: A healthcare company offering telemedicine services can use AI to identify high-volume search terms like “best online doctor consultation” or “virtual healthcare for chronic conditions.” AI can also suggest related subtopics, helping the company create a cluster of articles addressing different patient needs and boosting rankings for multiple search queries.

2. Automate Content Optimization

AI can analyze competitor content and suggest readability, keyword density, and structure improvements. Use AI-driven SEO tools to refine existing content and ensure it meets search intent.

3. Leverage AI for Internal Linking

AI can identify internal linking opportunities that enhance site structure and improve crawlability. Automated linking strategies ensure pages pass link equity efficiently, boosting overall SEO.

4. Enhance User Experience with AI

AI-driven chatbots, personalized recommendations, and dynamic content help improve engagement and reduce bounce rates. Search engines reward websites that provide a seamless user experience.

Example: A healthcare provider using AI-powered chatbots to answer patient queries about symptoms or treatment options can improve user engagement. This not only enhances the patient experience but also increases dwell time, which positively impacts SEO rankings.

5. Monitor SEO Performance with AI Analytics

AI-powered analytics tools can track ranking fluctuations, identify technical issues, and predict trends. Using AI for real-time insights helps refine SEO strategies based on performance data.

5 DON’Ts of Using AI for SEO

1. Rely Solely on AI-Generated Content

AI-written content often lacks originality and depth. Search engines prioritize high-quality, well-researched content, so human editing and expertise are essential.

Example: A healthcare company using AI to generate blog posts about medical treatments should have experts fact-check the content. Incorrect or misleading information could damage credibility and lead to SEO penalties.

2. Overuse AI-Generated Keywords

Stuffing AI-recommended keywords into content disrupts readability and triggers search engine penalties. Focus on natural integration that aligns with user intent.

3. Automate Link Building Unethically

AI-driven link-building strategies that generate spammy or low-quality backlinks can lead to search penalties. Focus on organic link-building through authoritative sources.

4. Ignore AI Biases in Content

AI tools can amplify biases present in training data, leading to inaccurate or misleading content. Always review AI-generated insights for accuracy and relevance.

5. Depend on AI for Everything

AI is a tool, not a replacement for SEO expertise. Over-reliance on automation can lead to generic strategies that lack the nuance needed to outperform competitors.

Final Thoughts: Get AI-powered SEO Support from Mach Media

Using AI correctly in SEO means combining automation with human expertise. When implemented correctly, AI enhances efficiency, improves rankings, and drives better results.

Contact Mach Media for expert guidance if you want to integrate AI into your SEO strategy while ensuring quality and compliance. Let’s optimize your digital presence the right way.

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How is AI shaping B2B marketing communications in 2025?


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Stepping into 2025, the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on B2B marketing communications is writ LARGE. With advancements in technology and data analytics, AI is not just an operational tool but a transformative force reshaping how businesses engage with their customers. Including ours…

Enhanced Content Creation and Management

This year, AI is set to play a pivotal role in streamlining content creation processes. As marketers, we’re leveraging AI tools to automate repetitive tasks such as drafting emails and generating reports, saving significant time and resources. Consequently, marketing teams can better focus on high-value strategic initiatives rather than mundane tasks.

It’s no secret that AI-driven platforms facilitate more structured content creation, enabling marketers and communicators to produce high-quality, relevant content tailored to specific audiences. For instance, tools like ChatGPT and other generative AI models are being used to craft personalized messages that resonate with target demographics, enhancing engagement and conversion rates.

Data-Driven Insights for Strategic Decisions

One of the most significant challenges in B2B marketing has been the effective use of data. Today, AI is bridging this gap by providing advanced analytical capabilities that allow marketers to extract actionable insights from vast datasets. This capability empowers marketers to refine their strategies based on real-time data analysis, improving ad targeting and campaign effectiveness.

AI also enhances predictive analytics, enabling businesses to forecast customer behaviors and market trends accurately. This, in turn, is helping companies tailor campaigns to align with anticipated outcomes, ultimately driving higher ROI.

Personalization at Scale

Personalization has become a critical element of successful marketing strategies, and this year, AI will enable B2B marketers to deliver hyper-personalized experiences across all touchpoints of the customer journey. By analyzing customer interactions and preferences, AI is helping businesses create tailored content and recommendations that resonate with individual clients.

This level of personalization also fosters loyalty. Research indicates that personalized offers significantly increase conversion rates, making it essential for B2B companies to adopt AI-driven personalization strategies.

Revolutionizing SEO Strategies

With search engines increasingly relying on AI algorithms for ranking content, B2B companies must, must, MUST adapt their SEO strategies accordingly! In 2025, creating high-quality, authoritative content that addresses user intent is essential for achieving visibility in search results.

AI tools are helping to optimize content for search engines by identifying trending topics and relevant keywords, ensuring that companies remain competitive in today’s digital world. The integration of AI into SEO practices enables marketers to monitor performance metrics continuously and make real-time adjustments to improve search rankings.

Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO)

Already used by fast fashion brands, Dynamic Creative Optimization is set to revolutionize how B2B marketers approach advertising campaigns in 2025. With generative AI technologies, brands can create thousands of tailored ad variations in real time based on user data and preferences. This capability allows for deeper personalization and engagement with potential customers.

As brands increasingly adopt DCO strategies, they can deliver more relevant ads that resonate with their audience’s needs and interests, ultimately driving better results from their advertising spend.

In short, there’s no escaping Artificial Intelligence. The landscape of B2B marketing communications is undergoing a significant transformation driven by AI technologies. As we progress through 2025, companies (including agencies) that harness the power of AI will not only enhance their operational efficiency but will also unleash the creativity of brands to create more meaningful connections with customers through personalized experiences and data-driven insights.

Are you ready to harness the power of AI in your B2B marketing efforts? We’re always eager to discuss how we can help businesses stay ahead of the curve. Let’s explore how AI can transform your marketing strategy and drive real results for your business. 

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Don’t Lose Sight of your Stakeholder Management in the M&A Frenzy


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Mergers or acquisitions are challenging. Having a deliberate strategy to understand and engage stakeholders will dramatically increase your chances of success. Here is a short, three-step roadmap for how to approach this.

After a seismic shift in your market or within your own organization – like a change in leadership, a merger, or a large acquisition, changes can be unsettling to your stakeholders.

Even as you interact with stakeholders on a regular basis, having a nuanced understanding of their preferences and challenges cannot be taken for granted.

However, after a merger the landscape has changed, and your circle of stakeholders has likely grown significantly – perhaps you are suddenly big enough to warrant significant interest from the broader media, or you pop up on the union’s radar.

You cannot assume that your stakeholders will look at you the same. Perhaps an important small supplier is suddenly worried that you are going to leverage your newfound purchasing power which can hurt their business or perhaps you need to interact with new regulatory bodies. All these situations can be challenging.

Also, very importantly how will your stakeholders perceive the new leadership team? Your stakeholders will have many opinions and will be watching closely to see which directions you choose to take. Understanding their expectations, reservations, hopes and fears will help you navigate and stay several steps ahead as you move forward in your new reality.

How to approach stakeholders?

You need to understand and analyze your stakeholders with intention. Before you engage with anybody, you should know what you want to learn, who is important to you and why, and inside your own organization who should be involved. Engaging stakeholders without a focus, without internal ownership, or indiscriminately is not the way to go about it. A good roadmap is crucial and knowing how to manage your stakeholders is also extremely important. Below is our three-step roadmap guide to help you frame vital messaging to your stakeholders.

Three-step roadmap to stakeholder engagement

Step 1:

The first step is stakeholder mapping: Who’s important to us and why? Who’s responsible for each relationship inside your organization? This sounds simple and you should keep it as simple as possible, but you might be amazed at how there can be several different answers to this – or no answer at all. Especially right after a merger.

Getting a unified overview of who ‘owns’ each stakeholder group is also valuable and can sometimes be a point of contention or confusion which can hamper stakeholder dialogue.

Ideally, you want to map out your stakeholder landscape to a point where each group is distinct and with strategic relevance to you. Big or very diverse stakeholder groups (perhaps like your customers) might sensibly be divided into subgroups.

Step 2:

The second step is understanding: What are the important questions to ask? How does each stakeholder group potentially impact our strategic goals (positively or negatively), and which themes will they have opinions about? How are we changing and what input can we benefit from going forward?

A stakeholder analysis is best done as qualitative research but is never randomly exploratory. It is important to structure the inquiry to make sure the analysis gets real, relevant, and valid answers. Focusing the analysis requires careful preparation and typically the involvement of a broad range of internal stakeholders.

Step 3:

The third step is engaging: Conducting the actual interviews takes practice and skill to establish trust and mutual respect, and to maximize learning. You should aim to do at least 2-3 interviews with each stakeholder group, and ideally more if the groups are very diverse. You can never achieve a completely representative analysis, but try to cover as many bases as possible, and try to avoid a selection bias by avoiding stakeholders known to be very critical – those are probably the most important ones to include.

Orchestrating the entire process is an opportunity to send a positive signal: You’re listening and you care. That is a great look on most organizations, but it is important not to waste people’s time. Reaching out also creates expectations. Address these expectations by following up with them after you have decided on what to do going forward. Share some of your insights. Let them know you appreciate their input, their candor – and use the opportunity to further develop and mature your relationship.

A stakeholder analysis is just a stepping stone and a tool that can help you navigate. You should decide on a detailed plan for your stakeholder communication to ensure that you showcase your responsiveness and that the organization addresses any critical issues or concerns. The plan should set goals for each stakeholder group and should align with your overall communication strategy in terms of audiences, messaging, and specific activities.

Our final word of advice: While it is important to have a roadmap and a structured approach, the key to engaging with your stakeholders is to listen. So, do not get too caught up in your own agenda, and make sure to put people in charge of the process who master the skill of listening.

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Employee to Advocate: 5 Tips to Enhance Employee Experience


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Turn your employees into company advocates with our five top tips on enhancing employee experience.

Does Employee Experience Outweigh Customer Experience?

It is a riddle as old as time: which came first, the chicken or the egg?

While you ponder on that one, let us ask you this: in an organization, who matters most, the customer or the employee? Let’s think for a moment. Our customers bring us the business which keeps our organization afloat. But where would our customers be if our employees weren’t doing their job well? So, we ask you again. Chicken or egg?

In today’s world of influencers and online reviews, opinions matter almost as much as facts. With the wealth of information out there right at our fingertips, we have access to so much more than ever before. One thing we can’t seem to get enough of is other people’s experiences.

Not only do they appeal to our sense of curiosity, but even further, learning about others’ experiences gives us reference to determine our own!

While an unsatisfied customer can harm your company’s reputation with a single negative post, an employee’s bad comments can do just as much damage…if not more! Equally, just as a happy customer can do wonders for business, so too can a happy and fulfilled employee.

With all this in mind, it’s not a stretch to suggest that you should be considering both employees and customers as equally important audiences. So, while there is no doubt that we should appreciate and delight our customers, turning them into promoters and advocates for our company, can you say with certainty that you are doing the same with your employees?

Is Employee Experience Really Worth the Investment?

Yes, it is…because business (and life) is all about the experience!

How do we turn customers into advocates?

By delivering the right products or services? Check.

To the right people? Check

At the right time? Check.

And in the right way? Check, check, double-check.

In doing so, we aim to create unique experiences that are well-tailored to your customer’s needs. The same can be said about the employees. Offering employees a good paycheck or a company car may be nice, but when was the last time you heard someone share that on LinkedIn? We’ve noticed that posts garnish a lot of engagement when people talk about what’s happening at their workplace. This takes many forms, such as sharing a positive team experience or celebrating company-related milestones. In other words, people share experiences!

In the same way we think of our customers, we need to offer our employees the right working environment, fitted to their respective skillset, reflective of their respected personalities, all within the right setting. Organizations are moving beyond the “one-size-fits-all” approach where everybody is offered the same package or placed on a standard career ladder. After all, we are all different and our needs can differ greatly.

The focus today is much more about building company culture and engagement, this means enabling great work environments, cultivating a high-performing team, and enhancing happiness, all inside the workplace!

Take Your Employee Experience to the Next Level with These Tips

We’ve outlined five things you can do right now to enhance your employee experience. Read on and get prepared for all the “World’s Best Boss” mugs that are sure to come.

1. Personalize the employee approach

Just as we do with our customers, start by defining who our employees are and segment them into different employee personas, which are fictional representations of your workforce.

Develop a concise profile to include their goals, expectations and challenges, and then tailor your employee approach accordingly.

For example, someone from your operations team may have different needs as one of your sales representatives. Start with their functional needs, and then work further to their personal preferences. Do they have children and would value flexibility? Do they have a long commute and prefer more remote working? Are they more productive in the morning, or would rather brainstorm over lunch?

2. Mapping the employee journey

We know customers go through the buyer journey, so it is no surprise that employees go through their own journey as well.
The employee journey charts the entire time someone spends at your company, from the hiring process all the way through to offboarding. The journey needs evolution at every stage, so tailor the experience accordingly and identify critical moments that simply matter more.

Remember your first day at work? What about your tenth? Identify those key moments that matter, such as an employee’s birthday or the start of a big project, but also when the going gets tough, like when someone is sick or experiencing a difficult project roadblock. Think about how you can support them in such a circumstance and turn these into positive, memorable experiences by adding that extra personal touch.

3. Develop meaningful relationships

When you think back to a really great experience you had as a customer yourself, whether you were buying a mobile phone or at a restaurant, what do you remember the most? The product itself or the experience you had? Did you feel well understood and therefore got exactly what you wanted?

Now imagine if you could say that about your work. Spend time to get to know your employees on a personal level, know their pet’s names and what they like to do at the weekend, what makes them happy and what they find difficult. Take time to talk outside of work items and become friends beyond just professional needs. After all, loyalty is a two-way street, and you are certainly more loyal towards someone you like!

4. Bring purpose to everyday life

It may sound simple, but it really does all start with the WHY! What makes you get up and go to work every morning? What do you care about the most? What makes you proud? Quite simply put – why are you here?

There is more to a job than just a means to an end. Connect your people to something bigger, something more meaningful that you company stands for, and embed this purpose into everything you do. Link your “why” into your everyday communications: share stories, celebrate success, and have conversations about how an employee’s personal “why” can align to the company “why”. Make it about more than just the tasks at hand and connect this WHY to your employee’s experience every step of the way.

5. Commitment to personal development

Your company might already have a development program, which is great. But is there room to further customize this program? Consider a more agile approach to developing people, one that empowers employees to identify their own performance gaps and choose personalized learning methods best suited to them individually.

Aside from your bi-annual performance reviews, offer more regular guidance on their daily job performance. Take time to talk to your employees about challenges they face on a regular basis and find ways to support them. The key is making this a part of your regular routine. It’s great to go to the dentist every six months for a checkup, but you should brush your teeth every day as well, right?

Drive Employee Engagement with Powerful Comms

It’s no big secret that employee engagement drives performance. Take the time to enhance your employee experience and engagement will follow. Advocacy takes time, but it all starts here. Because when it comes down to it, there is no chicken or egg. Remember, employees have joined a company because of the great impressions during the interviewing stages. It is, however, a choice to stay and contribute every day, and even more so to then actively promote it to the world!

With our team of dedicated specialists, Mach Media is here to help enhance your employee experience every step of the way! By incorporating purposeful communications with creative designs and tailored messaging, we keep your internal audience in the know, so you can focus on building those meaningful relationships directly.

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Make Your Message Heard with Authentic Communication

Our inboxes are stuffed. Social media platforms inundate us with advertisements practically every other minute. The world feels constantly abuzz. It’s really no stretch to say that communication channels today are oversaturated.

So, how can you make your communication stand out? And perhaps more importantly, when you have something meaningful to communicate, how do you ensure your intentions are clear in your messaging and people are really hearing you?

Authenticity is your answer.

The Trend of Authenticity

We know, we know, authenticity is everyone’s favorite buzzword lately. That’s not lost on us. But taking a second to reflect, authenticity’s rise to prominence makes a lot of sense. Culturally, we’re in the midst of a purpose pursuit. Having a sense of purpose motivates us to drive forward and achieve, and helps us feel fulfilled in life. Take millennials, for example, who’d rather pass up a higher salary to work for a company driven by social purpose.

In our pursuits of purpose, we are constantly yearning for a sense of authenticity; it’s important for us to quickly distinguish what’s real and what’s not. No more fake news – we want truth and transparency. It’s the physical embodiment of #NoFilter. We don’t have time to waste on facades of falsities – give it to us straight or don’t bother at all.

This insatiable desire for realness is also reflected in attitudes towards brands and businesses.

authentic communication for businesses

90% of consumers admit that authenticity is crucial when deciding which brands to support. We want the brands and businesses we support to also be driven by a sense of purpose, and we want to be able to easily distinguish what this purpose is through brand communications.

The rise of social media influencers could also be explained by our desires for authenticity. Who better to promote brands and businesses than everyday people living a seemingly normal life just like you?

With transparency and honesty in vogue, we’re seeing many major brands responding. Some are opting for influencers to authentically tell a meaningful story that exemplifies a brand’s purpose. Others are delivering campaigns fully centered on purpose, even if that means telling customers not to buy their product. All in all, it boils down to offering authentic realness in the place of perfectly curated execution.

authentic communication for businesses

Authenticity’s Shelf Life

Many speculate that it was Dove’s Real Beauty campaign launched in 2004 that initially gave authenticity within marketing its footing. Seventeen years later, authenticity is still relevant for brands and remains a powerful marketing and communication tool. It’s not lofty to assume that authenticity will continue on as the dominant trend shaping and maintaining how businesses market themselves and communicate to consumers.

If you haven’t yet introduced authenticity into your brand’s communications yet, now might be a good time to do so. However, it’s necessary to consider how exactly you will utilize authenticity, especially within your communications. This is something that should take critical thought and reflection because, while we can consider authenticity a trend in some ways, it’s also important to also recognize it as a philosophy. As such, we see authenticity’s salience, which hopefully discourages ill-intended businesses from capitalizing on authenticity to mislead consumers.

Don’t think about authenticity as a trend-wave to jump on. Recognize that implementing authenticity within your brand and communication should be a nuanced process. After all, there is no “one size fits all” method to creating authentic communication. Let’s dig a little deeper into authentic communication to understand this more.

What is Authentic Communication?

Most simply, for a business, authentic communication is messaging that transparently reflects the business’s values, motives and aspirations. Normally, authentic communication doesn’t stand alone. Rather, it’s backed up by the actions taken by a business to support what it believes in. And vice versa. Although, it should go without saying: if you say you’re going to do somethingdo it, otherwise don’t bother with authentic communication at all.

authentic communication for businesses

When it comes to tone, authentic communication doesn’t beat around the bush. It doesn’t hide or obscure truth (which, coincidentally, is what marketing and communication have historically been devised to do). It’s communication without hyperbole, fluff, or corporate buzz words.

It’s important to note that communicating authentically also has a lot to do with listening authentically. Creating truly authentic communication is a symbiotic process, requiring that you actively listen to the people your business engages with. Take responsibility for your communication and its impact. You should not only mean what you say but additionally, ask for feedback on what you say to ensure your messaging is resonating properly and genuinely.

One final principle of authentic communication is its ability to foster connection between the communicator and their audience. If done correctly, authentic communication should demonstrate a genuine interest and willingness to engage in dialogue with an audience in order to learn more from them and ultimately develop a lasting connection with them.

Authentic Communication to the Rescue?

So, if authenticity is the answer to amping up your communications to ensure they’re being heard and seen, shouldn’t you just cut the corporate lingo, put pen to paper and write directly from the heart?

Not so fast.

What’s interesting about authenticity and notably authentic communications, are the strict unspoken norms that govern what can actually be deemed authentic. Ironically enough, perfecting your authentic voice in order to produce genuinely authentic communication takes practice.

As we mentioned, there is no “one size fits all” method for creating authentic communication. Finding your business or brand’s authentic voice should take time and effort, and most importantly, reflection. To help you get started, we’ve outlined three top tips for crafting authentic communication for an external audience.

3 Top Tips for Authentic Communication

Tips for authentic communication

What is Your Why?

Get serious about your business’s guiding purpose and evaluate how your values and goals underline your purpose. You should be crystal clear on what your business stands for and how its operations are aligned in supporting your purpose. This is a serious exercise to undertake and will ultimately aid you in developing a solid foundation to base your communications on. Remember, “to thine own self be true.” When it comes to authentic communication, don’t just copy what other businesses are doing. Your purpose should be unique to your business, making your messaging just as unique.

tips for authentic communication

What’s Standing in Your Way?

Come face to face with what you feel is holding you back from speaking and communicating authentically. Maybe you’re worried that relevant stakeholders might take issue with a new communication methodology that champions transparency over the bottom line. Sit down and have an open and honest chat with them. Express that in today’s world, focusing on transparency could likely make a positive impact on your bottom line.

Concerned with how your customers would react to your authentic voice? Gauge the temperature by opening up a dialogue with a few customers you’ve already established a relationship with. Maybe this is something they’ve been long awaiting. Remember that a major part of authentic communication is authentic listening.

Worried that what you have to say might be considered controversial? If it’s potentially harmful to an audience, then your communication might be better left unsaid.

tips for authentic communication

Step 1: write your messaging utilizing your brand or business’s authentic voice.

Step 2: reflect on what you’ve written by yourself and with others.

Step 3: revise your messaging based on internal reflection and external feedback.

Step 4: do it all over again and don’t be afraid to continually repeat steps 2 and 3 until you feel your communication genuinely conveys your feelings and clearly transmits your authentic message.

Need help with Your Authentic Communications?

When it comes to authentic communications, there’s a lot to consider. But it doesn’t need to be complicated! We’re communications experts skilled in helping brands and businesses find and develop their authentic voice. We love supporting our clients in creating authentic communications that truly resonate with their audiences—it’s a part of our purpose! At Mach Media, we’re all about crafting communications to make an impact and make a difference. Ready to make a splash with your authentic communication? Contact us today!

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