MarketingProfs has just released their B-toB Marketing in 2008 report, their latest survey of B2B marketers. In it, they asked which tactics will be most important in the 2009 marketing mix. According to the results, they are:
1. Websites
2. Email campaigns/newsletters
3. Webinars
4. Inside Sales
5. Blogs
6. Social Networks
63% said the top tactics they named have changed significantly in the last year. Some of that is certainly due to current economic austerity, but that’s not slowing down marketers adoption of new tactics. Consider that items 5 & 6 have only come along in the last 5 years, and items 2 & 3 barely existed 10 years ago. If I had to say, the shift is being pushed just as much by tight budgets as it’s being pulled by the power of online technologies.
Of course, those of us who love demand creation find it inspiring to see “Inside Sales” made the list. We believe that no matter what the business cycle or the technology curve are doing, using a person to build leads into real prospects never goes out of style.
