Kerri Amodio, Director of Demand Generation at Refine Labs, shares her expertise on shifting from lead generation to demand generation. She discusses the complexities of this transition, particularly in larger organizations and emphasizes the importance of data-driven strategies and leadership buy-in. Kerri highlights the need for a focus on customer experience and solving real problems. She also touches on utilizing video advertising and diverse attribution sources to strengthen B2B marketing efforts, ultimately enhancing brand reputation and market share.
Shifting from lead generation to demand generation necessitates leadership alignment, data-driven business cases, and a phased implementation approach for effectiveness.
Emphasizing demand creation alongside demand capture fosters sustainable growth by addressing real customer needs and leveraging unique value propositions.
Clear communication and collaboration are crucial for successful change management, ensuring that all teams understand and adapt to new marketing strategies.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Lead Generation to Demand Generation
Organizations are increasingly recognizing the necessity of shifting from traditional lead generation strategies to a focus on demand generation. This change is driven by tighter budgets and the need for more efficient marketing practices, prompting companies to reassess their marketing expenditures and their overall strategy. As firms with established practices attempt to pivot, they must navigate various organizational constraints and processes that have been ingrained over the years. A strategic shift involves not only updating marketing tactics but also ensuring alignment throughout the organization over a longer-term plan of 6 to 18 months.
The Importance of Historical Strategy Reevaluation
Many established companies have relied on successful lead generation tactics for years, but evolving market conditions necessitate reevaluation of these outdated strategies. The landscape has transformed significantly due to factors such as increased competition and changes in buyer behavior, requiring organizations to adapt more dynamic marketing approaches. Acknowledging that previous methods were effective is crucial in helping leadership understand why a transition is needed now. Communicating these changes effectively can lay the groundwork for gaining buy-in from key stakeholders.
Understanding Changes in Buyers' Consumption Patterns
The rapid evolution of social media has altered how buyers consume information, making it essential for B2B companies to adapt their marketing strategies accordingly. Today, B2B buyers are just as likely to engage with content on social media and other non-business platforms, and expectations for authentic interactions are higher than ever. This shift emphasizes that B2B organizations must treat their marketing approaches with the same considerations applied in B2C marketing. A successful strategy involves understanding this duality and redefining how brands interact with their markets.
Phased Approach to Change Management
Implementing a new marketing strategy requires a systematic, phased approach to ease transitions within an organization. By segmenting change into manageable phases, companies can educate teams about new strategies and pilot tests that allow gradual adaptation rather than an abrupt overhaul. Each phase should be defined with specific goals and measurable outcomes to assure leadership of ongoing improvements. By focusing on consistent communication and transparency, marketers can foster trust and encourage collaboration across the organization during this transformation.
The Role of Data in Driving Marketing Strategy
Data plays a critical role in shaping the marketing strategy, offering insights about performance and customer behavior. Marketers must leverage clean, relevant data to support their recommendations for strategy adjustments, while also being candid about any gaps or limitations. Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with business objectives helps facilitate meaningful discussions with leadership about necessary changes. Ultimately, striking a balance between objective data analysis and the realities of the market allows marketers to present a compelling case for change.
CEO Megan Bowen and VP of Marketing Evan Hughes hosted Director of Demand Generation Kerri Amodio to walk through the shift from a Lead Gen to Demand Gen strategy, especially focusing on the complexity of making the transition in a larger organization.
They explored how to build a compelling business case using historical data, manage the change process effectively, and guide your organization through a mindset shift, and gave insights on the phases of GTM transformation and how to influence leadership buy-in.
Key Takeaways:
Transitioning from lead gen to demand gen involves understanding current state, obtaining leadership buy-in, and segmenting changes into manageable phases.
A deeper focus on demand creation, in addition to demand capture and conversion, helps companies sustainably grow their market share over time.
Leadership alignment and clear communication, bolstered by data-backed business cases, are essential for successful change management.
Emphasizing customer experience as a marketing strategy can significantly enhance word-of-mouth referrals and overall brand reputation.
Demand creation strategies should focus on solving real customer problems and delivering unique value propositions through the right digital channels.