Networking is perhaps an undervalued, but critically important aspect of marketing. In the world of marketing, staying ahead of trends, understanding emerging technologies, and leveraging innovative strategies are immensely important. However, amidst the whirlwind of digital campaigns, content creation, and market analysis, one fundamental aspect remains critically vital: networking. This week, as some of our team is attending the Marketing 2.0 Conference, let’s delve into the significance of networking within our industry, particularly through conferences and conventions. 

Networking is a Gateway to Opportunities 

Networking serves as a gateway to a multitude of opportunities; including partnerships, client leads, mentorship, and the exchange of ideas. More often than not, who you know can be as important as what you know. Creating meaningful connections can catapult your career and business to new heights. 

The Value of Face-to-Face Interactions 

While social media and digital platforms offer convenient ways to connect, they cannot always replicate the value of face-to-face interactions. Conferences and conventions provide a unique environment for marketers to engage in real-time conversations, offering a depth of communication that virtual encounters cannot match. The exchange of ideas, the use of body language and the immediate feedback of in-person discussions enrich the networking experience and can foster stronger, more meaningful connections. 

Networking Means Learning from the Best 

Attending conferences and conventions exposes you to impressive leaders and innovators in the marketing world. Keynote speeches, classes, and panel discussions provide exceptional insights and knowledge, highlighting cutting-edge trends that have yet to become mainstream. These learning opportunities not only inspire but also equip you with fresh ideas and approaches that can be applied to your own business. 

A Platform for Visibility 

Participating in these events offers an invaluable platform to raise your personal or brand’s visibility within the industry. Presenting a paper, leading a workshop, or simply engaging in discussions can position you as a thought leader. In turn this can open doors to media coverage, speaking opportunities, and collaborations. The exposure gained can significantly enhance your reputation and credibility among peers and potential clients. 

The Ripple Effect of Sharing 

One of the most underrated aspects of networking at conferences is the ripple effect it creates. Sharing your own experiences, challenges, and success stories not only contributes to the collective knowledge but also helps in creating meaningful connections. This mutual exchange fosters a sense of community and support within the industry. 

Looking Ahead 

As our team prepares to immerse ourselves in the upcoming Marketing 2.0 Conference, the focus extends beyond just attending. It’s about actively participating, engaging with new faces, and absorbing every bit of knowledge and insight available. The importance of networking in marketing cannot be overstated, and conferences and conventions represent a place for nurturing connections that could shape the future of your business. 

This is anniversary number 13 and it is sweet and humbling. And I am forever grateful for our team, clients and advocates.

13 is a lucky number.

It represents fearlessness. And, although at times fearlessness is hard amidst all that is going on with our business, clients, family, and in the world, for our business and me it is a guidepost.

Today I’m sharing 13 branding and marketing truths that still ring true, to celebrate our 13^th year of doing what we love.

1. Branding – Start-ups and small to midsize businesses who have defined and live their brand architecture achieve their business goals.
2. Conviction – Successful businesses and business leaders articulate their brand. They know it stands for a specific and meaningful promise. These business leaders champion it internally as well.
3. Consistency – Our clients deliver on their brand at every point of contact, internally and externally. They understand if they don’t it will dilute the competency of the organization.
4. Connection – The relevancy and persuasiveness of a brand must be realized by the business’ target. Emotional connections make target audiences more predisposed to your company and its products or services.
5. Knowing you are not your customer.
6. Yet, knowing who your key client or customer targets are key.
7. Defining and monitoring the competitive landscape.
8. Creating and integrating key messages into all communications.
9. Being grateful for your relationships. Give back to those who support you. Encouraging them and providing help to them professionally or their businesses along the way.
10. Networking – This doesn’t have to be large groups, weekly or monthly meetings. But those help. Always be open to meeting new people and trying to help or connect with them.
11. Email marketing is the bomb. Don’t underestimate its power.
12. Having and trusting strong account managers, creative directors and content specialists. They make magic happen.
13. Work with people who you love, for those you love, creating and executing work you love, whilst taking care of your loves.

LinkedIn continues to be a powerful sales and marketing tool. With other social networks manipulating algorithms, LinkedIn ranks in the top two where organic social media marketing is still effective.

And the user demographics for LinkedIn are a proof point for brands and business leaders to utilize this tool now to engage their audience and grow their business.

What Works on LinkedIn

Strategy and other things are critical to maximize results for brands and personal pages on LinkedIn.

• Provide value. Heavy, brand only content isn’t effective. Audiences want value. Be engaging. Tell stories. Share advice. Use testimonials. Give perspective on industry trends. Be a storyteller. Share what your team is passionate about at work and personally.
• Posting cadence. Have a content calendar and be committed to posting frequency.
• Message and visual consistency. Make sure you are following your message map, content buckets, brand style guide and visual guidelines.
• Encourage team members to interact with your brand page. As we always say, you can’t market externally if your team isn’t educated and engaged internally. Turn each team member into a brand champion. Provide them with the knowledge on how they can market the brand. Make sure content shared on LinkedIn is engaging to them. They should want to like and share the brand’s posts.

Where to Start On LinkedIn

At a minimum, business leaders on LinkedIn should:

• Have an updated headshot.
• Upload a branded timeline cover.
• Log into LinkedIn three times a week.
• Like team members’ and brand’s post.
• Accept relevant and meaningful connections.
• Reach out and ask for connections to team members, clients and other contacts you meet at conferences, conventions, etc.
• Monitor competition’s brand pages to get a snapshot of the competitive landscape.

Interested in assistance utilizing LinkedIn for your business? For you as a business leader? The time is now. Front Porch Marketing is here to help you succeed on this important business platform.

Finding inspirational websites when you’re designing for a brand can be tough, especially if you don’t know where to start. I have compiled a list of some of the best websites that you can use as a resource to give you some ideas when you’re stuck next project. 

Inspirational Websites For Branding

behance.net

Behance is a great resource to use if you want to see how some big designers display their portfolio. You can explore a wide range of creative projects, discover new trends, and get inspiration.

dribbble.com 

Dribbble is another great resource that is similar to Behance. It allows users to showcase their projects at any stage of their production. It is also great for UI/UX and web design trends. 

Typography Inspiration

creativemarket.com

Finding fonts is always time-consuming. They categorize fonts in certain styles so it is easy to find inspiration and the best fonts that fit your design needs. Creative market is a great place for not only fonts but other creative assets.

typewolf.com

Typewolf is a great resource for font pairings, and finding similar fonts that you like. It is also a great place to keep up with font trends and see the fonts you like on mockups.

Inspirational Websites for Overall Creativity

Pinterest

Pinterest is a great resource for all things considering branding. You can keep your ideas organized within your various boards and pins and even look at the boards of others. Once you find things that interest you, the algorithm is great at suggesting images that match your taste and interest.

Instagram 

Instagram is great for finding accounts that can give you inspiration on current trends and projects. Various accounts post their own projects or accounts that keep up to date with trends. There are also a lot of educational videos or posts that can help out with future projects. 

Color Inspiration

coolors.co

Coolors is a perfect website for all things color. You can generate your color palette as well as find colors that match your current colors. You can also explore color palettes that are trending. It is also helpful because it has all of the color codes you would need for a project. 

colorhunt.co

Colorhunt is also very similar to Coloors where you can generate your palette and explore others. You can also look up tones and hues that will give you various palettes of those colors. 

Finding Help From Inspirational Websites

Once you visit all of these websites, you’ll see that there are loads of resources out there to get you started, whether you are researching color, type, logos or branding. These resources can also be helpful when you’re trying to take your brand to the next level. Seeing what has been done, and what the possibilities can be can inspire you to create an even stronger brand.