Learn the 5 most common things digital marketers get wrong with HubSpot, and what to do about it…
Marketing is an imprecise craft. It is not a science, and it is not an art. What we have observed is it's essential to start with your processes first, and use technology to solve the automation of that process. If a piece of technology is implemented without a clear marketing strategy and set of tactics to back it up, you run the risk of the system not being fit for its purpose. It is like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut.
If your key stakeholders (e.g. CEO and CMO) aren’t 100% clear about the value and necessary commitment of a long-term inbound approach, then expect a hard time getting results. The cost of the technology should represent no more than 5% of your total marketing operational budget. The commitment to inbound should not be taken lightly. The good news is that it works, but you must have the appetite for it to work.
How big your potential market is, makes a huge difference to the effectiveness of a platform like Hubspot. Marketing automation systems are designed to deal with large contact and interaction volumes. Small markets require an approach that leverages relationship building versus "burn & churn" contact strategies. Make sure you are clear about the size of your target market and segments, so that the tactics you use with Hubspot marry to the outcomes you seek.
…not just transacting. The advent of social media has changed the playing field. Social by definition is all about relationship building. This is especially true for Business to Business (B2B), Education and the Public Sector. Understanding your customer lifecycle, then making appropriate offers based on their stage of the buying journey is key. Hence marketing success increasingly relies on automation and analytics.
Developing buyer personas are crucial when implementing Hubspot. Buyer personas should inform your overall marketing plan, NOT just your marketing automation. The biggest mistake is using buyer personas for the wrong purpose, and in too little depth. They are then often too trivial to really make a difference. A serious investment that you need to make is to understand your buyers - as this video from Deloitte shows.
Before the first day, you might also consider leaving a note on your new hire.
