Blog
(page 9)
2017
January
Guidelines for marketing analytics reporting
Six rules for managing marketing data including measuring actionable metrics, automation, pulling from multiple sources, and data visualization.
Digital advertising in the channel
How keyword competition between suppliers and partners drives up costs, and how pooled buying can improve placement for entire ecosystems.
Channel priorities for 2017
Channel leaders share their 2017 priorities including integration, visibility, partner segmentation, and ROI measurement.
2016
December
Top 10 Channel Chatter posts of 2016
The most popular Channel Chatter blog posts from 2016 covering email marketing, content strategy, and channel management.
Three mantras for channel sales managers
Three approaches for channel sales managers including keeping the best partners, being selective, and fueling motivation.
Writers of the lost art: Email subject lines
The subject line stands between you and a successful email marketing campaign. Four foundational tips for writing effective subject lines.
Zift's 2016 holiday giving program
Zift's 2016 charitable giving campaign supporting Alzheimer's Association, Save the Children, and Fill Your Bucket List.
Manufacturers and channel partners: a state of disconnect
Infographic on the MAPI research showing 69% of manufacturers value collaboration but only 5% effectively engage partners.
Shorter sales cycles demand better content
As buyers complete more research online before contacting sales, channel marketers must adapt their content strategy.
Blending platforms for direct and indirect channel revenue
A panel discussion on portal adoption challenges and how technology can address partner experience and marketing automation integration.
Content marketing and the buyer's journey
How to develop content for the awareness, evaluation, and purchase stages of the buyer's journey.
November
What makes them click? Digital ads in a noisy world
Smartphone owners are exposed to a sea of digital advertising. Factors that influence whether people click on your ads.
Zifters give thanks
Zift employees share what they're thankful for during the holiday season.
How Cisco adapts to channel change: a case study
Cisco's Chad Reese on digital marketing transformation, data-driven partner marketing, and the Partner Marketing Center platform.
Capturing mindshare and loyalty: treat channel partners like leads
Shift recruitment strategies by treating partners like leads, using systematic approaches to build loyalty and mindshare in today’s channel ecosystem.
Channel marketing enablement and partner engagement
How marketing certification and enablement programs drive partner engagement, with guidance on building holistic certification programs.
Drive channel sales with campaigns, buy-in, and metrics
Three steps for driving channel sales covering campaign creation, partner buy-in, and optimization through metrics.
October
Lead visibility gaps in manufacturing channels
Infographic from Zift and MAPI research showing 65% of manufacturers don't know what happens to leads sent to partners.
Top 10 TED talks for marketers
Ten TED talks for marketers on storytelling, viral content, choice psychology, and making better connections.
Key takeaways from the MAPI marketing council
Insights from the MAPI Summit on partner alignment, buyer alignment, and channel marketing opportunities in manufacturing.
Channel marketing insights from SiriusDecisions EMEA summit
Key channel marketing assessment areas from the SiriusDecisions EMEA Summit including demand planning, partner messaging, and customer experience.
September
Why channel sales leaders should care about marketing automation
How channel marketing automation helps sales leaders with partner recruitment, onboarding, and identifying high-potential partners.
SimpliVity partner MR2 Solutions navigates IT shifts
Guest post from MR2 Solutions on engaging IT professionals through educational content and marketing automation.
MAPI study on manufacturers and channel partners
MAPI study findings on how manufacturers underutilize digital marketing and collaboration tools with channel partners.
Zifters reflect on school lessons
Zift employees share lessons from their school years that still apply to their careers today.
August
Why I chose Zift Solutions
Laz Gonzalez shares five reasons for joining Zift Solutions after eight years at SiriusDecisions, including technology, flexibility, and vision.
Building a channel dream team
I enjoy the occasional Olympic event. Still, the Games demonstrate how teamwork and dedication combine to achieve outstanding channel program performance.
TCMA implementation planning checklist
Six steps to take before purchasing and implementing a through-channel marketing automation solution, from planning to partner evaluation.
Does blogging still fit in today's marketing mix
Why blogging remains valuable for SEO, content distribution, social sharing, brand reputation, thought leadership, and lead nurturing.
Campaign collaboration for channel marketing success
Developing smart marketing campaigns, getting partner buy-in, and improving campaigns over time with metrics.
July
Why marketing shouldn't take a summer vacation
Five reasons to maintain marketing efforts through summer, including momentum, always-on consumers, brand reputation, and lead generation.
Zift's summer and fall 2016 tour schedule
Zift's 2016 event schedule across the US and UK for channel marketing insights, networking, and best practices.
Marketing lessons from Pokémon Go
Channel marketing takeaways from Pokémon Go including experimentation, audience expansion, social engagement, and partnership dynamics.
Email marketing compliance for channel partners [infographic]
How to avoid email blacklisting through government compliance, ISP guidelines, and maintaining healthy email databases.
5 memorable social media campaigns and what makes them work
Five notable social media campaigns including the Ice Bucket Challenge, Old Spice, Dollar Shave Club, and Always "Like a Girl."
Making the most of your CRM tool
Tips for getting value from your CRM including team buy-in, integrations, automation, and reporting.
Marketing your marketing to partners
How to get partners excited about your marketing campaigns through personalization, training, incentives, and feedback.
June
Visual content that drives social media results
Using infographics, memes, GIFs, and varied content formats to stand out from competitors on social media.
Partner experience: measurement and iteration
Shared analytics and open platforms as key ingredients for partner experience, from the Zift and Oracle eBook series.
Signs you need a CRM system
Seven indicators that your business needs a CRM system, from lack of centralized data to inconsistent sales processes.
Maximizing social media channel efforts
How to identify your dominant social media channels by understanding where your audience is most active.
Channel management transformation at Channel Visionaries
Highlights from Channel Visionaries featuring Ken Romley and Cisco's Chad Reese on CMM optimization and the Cisco Engage launch.
Tracking partner program performance
SiriusDecisions research brief on the six channel program areas with critical data for measuring performance.
Best practices from SiriusDecisions summit 2016
Session highlights and takeaways from SiriusDecisions Summit 2016 on channel program management.
May
Measuring channel ROI with Maria Chien
Maria Chien on measuring channel ROI through campaign participation, marketing-qualified leads, and deal velocity.
Partner experience: simplicity drives adoption
Syndicated content, social media, and centralized marketing databases as key ingredients for partner experience.
Adapting to channel change with SiriusDecisions
Maria Chien of SiriusDecisions discusses how channel partners are adapting to cloud, recurring revenue models, and digital buyer behavior.
What's hot now in the channel [infographic]
An infographic on channel marketing tools and tactics powering partner efforts.
Email marketing best practices for lead generation
Six best practices for email marketing including content strategy, subject lines, calls-to-action, landing pages, and post-campaign analysis.
Partner experience drivers: portal, training, content
SiriusDecisions framework for partner experience and why lead distribution management is essential for partner engagement.