How We're Pivoting Our Marketing: Behind the Scenes
Feb 1, 2025
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Dan Sanchez, a Senior AI marketing strategist at Social Media Examiner, joins CEO Michael Stelzner to discuss their innovative pivot in the marketing landscape. They tackle challenges like social media algorithm changes and email deliverability. The duo introduces eight fresh strategies, including using humor in marketing and the role of storytelling to engage audiences. They also dive into the benefits of AI in enhancing customer experience and content reach, all aimed at boosting interest in their flagship conference.
Marketers face challenges due to changing social algorithms, now needing to create interest-based content to engage audiences effectively.
Increased email restrictions are hindering promotional reach, prompting marketers to diversify strategies and explore personal outreach alternatives.
The integration of AI solutions, like chatbots, is transforming customer interactions, enabling companies to maintain engagement and streamline sales processes.
Deep dives
The Shift in Marketing Dynamics
Marketing strategies that once thrived are struggling to yield the same results due to evolving algorithms and increased competition. Marketers used to have a broader reach with their posts, often engaging 10-80% of their audience, but now that number is drastically lower. The shift to interest-based content, largely influenced by platforms like TikTok, has transformed how content reaches audiences, focusing more on trending topics rather than dedicated followers. This creates challenges for marketers who must adapt to constantly changing dynamics while staying relevant.
Challenges of Short-Form Video and Content Creation
The rising demand for short-form video content has made it imperative for marketers to invest significant time and creativity into producing engaging videos. While the appeal of quick clips is undeniable, creating compelling content can take several hours, which is a demanding task for busy marketers. Compounding this is the fact that organic promotional posts are often sidelined by performance algorithms, leading to frustration when trying to convert audience engagement into actual sales. This shift necessitates marketers to innovate continuously, seeking new ways to grab attention amid the flooding competition on social media.
Email Marketing Challenges
Recent changes in email systems have made it exceedingly difficult for marketers to reach their audience, even if they have maintained a flawless sender score. Emails, including promotional and transactional content, can end up going unnoticed due to increasing restrictions and spam filters imposed by major providers like Google and Microsoft. This has created a significant barrier to connecting with potential customers, leading to frustration and underscoring the importance of diversifying marketing efforts. Marketers must now rethink their email strategies and consider alternatives like personal outreach to re-engage their customer base.
Leveraging AI and Human Resources
In response to the pressing need for effective engagement, businesses are increasingly integrating AI solutions into their marketing strategies. For instance, deploying AI chatbots can streamline customer interactions, handle inquiries, and assist with sales processes, thereby enhancing efficiency. This shift allows companies to maintain a human touch while managing high volumes of interaction, especially during after-hours. Furthermore, hiring specialized talent has proven beneficial, as experts can create innovative content strategies that tap into current trends and engage with audiences in fresh, impactful ways.
The Power of Storytelling in Marketing
Storytelling has emerged as an essential tool for marketers to connect with audiences on a deeper emotional level. By sharing personal struggles, transparency about challenges, and identifying shared experiences, marketers can foster community and engagement. This narrative approach can create an authentic bond between the brand and its audience, making the messaging more relatable and resonant. As stories remain memorable, incorporating them into marketing strategies can effectively enhance audience loyalty and drive conversions.
In this behind-the-scenes episode, Social Media Examiner's CEO Michael Stelzner and marketer Dan Sanchez reveal how they're pivoting their marketing strategy in response to 2025's challenges. With social algorithms deprioritizing promotional content, email deliverability issues, and AI impacting SEO, they've implemented eight new approaches—all while promoting their flagship Social Media Marketing World conference.