As managers of strategic direction and adaptable ingenuity, B2B marketers embody the multifaceted role of both a versatile Swiss Army knife and a guiding compass. When the BayCreative Team partners with our B2B tech clients on marketing strategies, our mission is not merely to follow trends but to forge new paths. We aspire to unravel the complexities of the marketing ecosystem and illuminate pathways that inspire and propel customers toward decisive action. So, let's embark on this expedition together, leveraging our insights to navigate the terrain and chart a course toward unparalleled growth and opportunity in 2024.
In a recent video, Maura Rivera, CMO of Qualified, and Sarah McConnell, VP of Demand Gen, provided their expert summaries on the key trends from 2023 and offered predictions for the year ahead.
Let’s unpack it together…
Pipeline Generation: The Backbone of Marketing
“Do more with less is out, do less but better is in” - Mai Green, SVP of Brand Engagement at Salesforce
The discussion kicked off with a focus on pipeline generation, which emerged as the dominant theme of 2023. Despite facing tighter budgets, marketers were tasked with maintaining or increasing pipeline targets. The consensus among industry leaders was clear: without a robust pipeline, there is no business. The mantra of "do more with less" echoed throughout the year, prompting marketers to rethink their strategies and prioritize efficiency over sheer volume.
Back to Basics: Finding Clarity in Messaging
Amidst the chaos of 2023, marketing leaders emphasized the importance of returning to basics. Shannon Duffy, CMO of Asana, highlighted the need to revisit core messaging and value propositions. By focusing on what truly resonates with customers and telling compelling stories, marketers can cut through the noise and forge meaningful connections, “How do you get back to your message?”.
The Rise of Data-Driven Marketing
In an era defined by data, marketers found themselves increasingly reliant on analytics to drive decision-making. The shift towards becoming data-driven marketers was evident, with Emma Chauhan, CMO of Workday, stressing the importance of measuring ROI and understanding the impact of marketing efforts. As budgets remained tight, the ability to demonstrate tangible results became more crucial than ever. If and when the purse strings loosen, the likelihood of gaining buy-in to prove budget worthiness from your CFO is high, so be prepared to demonstrate these results.
Embracing AI: The Role of AI in Marketing
The advent of artificial intelligence brought both excitement and apprehension. While AI promised to revolutionize marketing processes, there were concerns about job displacement and the need for human creativity. However, industry experts like Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong, reassured marketers that AI should be viewed as a valuable ally rather than a threat.
“AI is going to help us be better and go deeper and spend more time doing the things we are uniquely qualified to do as human beings.” - Udi Ledergor, Chief Evangelist at Gong
When developing products to go to market, a common concern is reverberated in the tech industry. This is summarized well by Ashley Kramer, who's the Chief Marketing and security officer GitLab, she says “You may feel the pressure to be the first to market a new AI product, but it’s actually about being the best to market.” CMOs don’t want just another tool, they want one place where they can leverage all AI technology has to offer, to bring that into their tech stack.
Content Marketing in the Age of AI
AI's impact on content creation was a topic of much discussion. While some feared a proliferation of low-quality, AI-generated content, others saw the potential for AI to enhance creativity and velocity. Ed from Gong emphasized the importance of human input in maintaining authenticity and unique brand voices, even as AI tools streamline the content creation process. “A point of view is required to create good content, AI averages out everything it is trained on and can not be controversial. So it's never gonna have a controversial polarizing, counterintuitive point of view. That's number one, two is your unique style and tone of voice. So we need to inject these things and AI can fill in the blanks. So the human writers are moving more into an editor position, but we're nowhere near not needing those people”
Event Marketing: Reinventing Experiences
As in-person events made a comeback, marketers were tasked with reimagining the event experience. From large conferences to intimate gatherings, the focus was on creating memorable moments that resonated with attendees long after the event concluded. Personalization and post-event follow-up emerged as key strategies for maximizing ROI and nurturing relationships. Sarah McConnell states “The real magic of in-person events is leaving your customers and your prospects with this lasting feeling that they're going to continue to associate with your brand. Well after that in-person event is done.”
The future for Pipeline generation and 2024 Predictions:
Looking ahead to 2024, the conversation turned to predictions for the year ahead. While uncertainty loomed over budget allocations and economic conditions, there was optimism about the potential for focused experimentation and innovation. AI integration, tech consolidation, and continued emphasis on pipeline generation were expected to shape marketing strategies in the coming year.
We would like to conclude this review with a quote from Sarah Franklin, the new CEO at Lattice, “You need to be creative in order to win. It’s a hard time, but a fun time”.
As a full-service creative agency, “Creative” isn’t just our namesake. BayCreative couldn’t be more excited to challenge each other and help our customers win.
