Social networking, evangelism, community

SUMMARY: Can a social media strategy boost your lead generation effort? Absolutely. Read this Case Study.

A technology marketer at a startup firm needed an immediate, cost-effective way to reach their niche audience and bring qualified visitors back to their website. They tested and measured activity from several social media channels to help fill up their sales funnel with prospects. read the complete case study

SUMMARY: Mixing customer reviews into email campaigns improves response, according to MarketingSherpa. But many marketers still wonder to what extent UGC and email can be happily married.

Check out how Zappos.com created a 100% UGC-driven newsletter that keeps their best shoe buyers engaged with the online retailer at little cost. Their newsletter strategy also drives their Web 2.0 tactics on Facebook and Twitter. read the complete article

SUMMARY: A rolodex is a powerful tool for a consultant – as long as it’s up to date. Your contact list has to stay fresh to be useful. And, refreshing it doesn’t have to break your budget.

Discover 8 low-cost strategies a consulting veteran uses to build meaningful relationships with business contacts and to keep them aware of her services. read the complete interview

SUMMARY: Jason Billingsley, Elastic Path Software’s vice president for innovation, talks about his B-to-B Demand Generation Summit presentation, “How an Integrated Social Media Program Doubled Lead Volume at Elastic Path Software.”

Billingsley provides insight into how marketers can take advantage of blogging and tie their blogs into their marketing strategies. He brings with him the experience gained from launching a blog on a shoestring and making it the most subscribed-to eCommerce blog online.

Click here to listen:
http://podcast.marketingyak.com/flash/elastic_path/index.html?1148
(Podcast... read the complete article

By Anne Holland, Founder

This year, I suspect that marketers are considering becoming consultants more than at any other time in history. It's due to a confluence of factors, including recession layoffs and insecurities, boomer demographics, and the work-from-home fad.Is consulting for you? Take this quick quiz:

#1. Networking
Are you the sort of person who instinctively networks with other professionals? Do you actively participate in industry associations or clubs? Do you... read the complete blog post