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Chili’s Creates A Nostalgic Marketing Moment to Reach Millennial Customers

Marketing News
March 10, 2023/by
Chili's Creates A Nostalgic Marketing Moment to Reach Millennial Customers Welcome to HubSpot Marketing News! Tap in for campaign deep dives, the latest marketing industry news, and tried-and-true insights from HubSpot’s media team. Chili’s is back with a new commercial, this time served up with a side of nostalgia. The brand’s infamous “I want my baby back ribs” commercials of the Y2K era were classics (the *NSYNC commercial in particular lives rent-free in my head). Now, the restaurant chain is reminiscing on that time period in its latest commercial starring singer Brian McKnight. The ad depicts a waiter named Brian who closely resembles McKnight (but insists he isn’t) serenading his customers to the tune of the singer’s 1999 hit “Back At One.” Spoiler alert: the waiter is indeed Brian McKnight. If the video’s comment section on YouTube is any indication, Chili’s knocked it out of the park connecting with its ideal customer. Comments on the video are overwhelmingly positive, with users commenting on how nostalgic the video was. In recent years Chili’s has zeroed in on millennials, particularly those with young families, as its target demographic. If there’s anything marketers have learned about reaching millennials, it’s that nostalgia sells. Millennials, or those born between 1981 and 1996, are a generation of people who are on top of most internet trends while still being old enough to remember the “before times” — the days before technology was at the center of...
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17 Events and Conferences for Black Entrepreneurs in 2023

Breaking the Blueprint, Networking
March 9, 2023/by
17 Events and Conferences for Black Entrepreneurs in 2023 Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn how they’ve grown or scaled their businesses, explored entrepreneurial ventures within their companies, or created side hustles, and how their stories can inspire and inform your own success. It can feel isolating if you’re the only one in the room who looks like you. Meeting peers and mentors with a unique understanding of your lived experience and business roadblocks can help you connect the dots needed to grow your business and community. However, finding spaces for this kind of connection can be challenging for Black Americans. In this post, discover in-person and virtual events nationwide where Black entrepreneurs can strengthen relationships and build expertise. How to Prepare for Attending a Conference The United States Census Bureau reported almost 1.4 million self-employed Black people in September 2022, an 11.9% increase from August 2022. Attending conferences, trade shows, workshops, and webinars puts you in rooms with consumers and entrepreneurs who have advice, real-life examples, and funds that can shift the trajectory of your business or nonprofit organization. To prepare for attending a conference: Review the programming, decide which sessions to attend, and jot down a few questions you want to ask during Q&As or one-on-one meetings. Pack your business cards, a notepad, and pens. Choose outfits and shoes that make you feel comfortable and confident....
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How TikTok Is Evolving From Social Media App to Entertainment Platform

Marketing News
March 8, 2023/by
How TikTok Is Evolving From Social Media App to Entertainment Platform Welcome to HubSpot Marketing News! Tap in for campaign deep dives, the latest marketing industry news, and tried-and-true insights from HubSpot’s media team. TikTok is one step closer to being an entertainment app. An example of this transition is its recent collaboration with Snoop Dogg. In early 2022, Snoop Dogg acquired Death Row records becoming the owner of the infamous label’s catalog of music. A few months later, he announced he was removing the catalog from major streaming platforms with the intention of re-releasing it on his own entertainment app. Though the status of his app is unclear, in 2023 Snoop Dogg decided to re-release the Death Row catalog on streaming platforms — after making it available exclusively on TikTok for a week. @snoopdogg Tha Dogg checcin in. Excited to tell y’all Death Row Records music is back for you to enjoy. Go get the songs on TikTok’s curated Death Row playlist available now 👊🏾🔥💨 #blackmusic #superbowl @musicontiktok @soundon ♬ Gin & Juice - Snoop Doggy Dogg  Getting exclusive rights to a popular music catalog (even for a short time) is a major move for TikTok, as the app distinguishes itself from other social media platforms by taking an entertainment-first approach. Prioritizing TikTok as part of a music rollout strategy can have a big payoff for...
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4 AI Controversies Marketers and Brands Should Avoid

Artificial Intelligence
March 7, 2023/by
4 AI Controversies Marketers and Brands Should Avoid Artificial intelligence is a hot topic, and a recent study shows over 61% of marketers have used AI in their marketing activities. By now, you've probably heard all the ways AI can assist you in crafting and executing your marketing strategy, but are there any drawbacks? To help you avoid missteps as you explore the world of AI, here are four cons of AI that marketers and brands should keep in mind. The Pros of AI in Marketing Before we get into AI's drawbacks in marketing, we must look at the positives. One helpful aspect of AI is that it can automate repetitive parts of the marketing process, such as task automation, data analysis, and campaign personalization. Automating the above tasks allows marketers to spend more time crafting their strategy, brainstorming content, and finding new ways to connect with consumers. AI can also significantly reduce errors made in the marketing process by avoiding missed deadlines, spelling and grammar mistakes, and incorrect math or data entry. Speaking of data, AI can also analyze large sets of data 24/7 without needing rest or getting burnt out.Ultimately, AI is a great tool that can be used to carry out tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible for humans to do. 4 Cons of AI in Marketing While there are many benefits to integrating AI into marketing, it does come with some disadvantages...
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How These 3 Content Creators Turned a Side Hustle Into a Full-Time Gig

Content Creation
March 7, 2023/by
How These 3 Content Creators Turned a Side Hustle Into a Full-Time Gig Content creator is a job title that didn't exist a decade ago. Now, 50 million people consider themselves creators, following their passion in a billion-dollar industry. Thanks to social media, it's easier than ever to create, share, and monetize content — flipping the "starving artist" trope on its head. And with massive demand for original and engaging content, there's never been a better time to jump in. Of course, turning a side hustle into a full-time gig is no easy feat. After all, creating content is just one small part of the equation. You also need to engage in community building, social media promotion, audience research, and networking. And while the business of content creation seems simple enough — create content, build an audience, then make money — these things take a lot of time. In other words, the dream of recording a video, hitting "upload," and making millions is exactly that — a dream. Despite the challenges, there are people who've succeeded in becoming full-time content creators. Here, I spoke with three creators to learn their biggest tips for quitting your 9-to-5 and becoming a full-time creator. Let's dive in. 1. Craft an exit strategy. "Sometimes, it's not about knowing exactly what you want. Instead, it's about uncovering what it is you don't want any longer," says Jenna Kutcher, author and host of the Goal Digger Podcast. Kutcher's revelation drove her to entrepreneurship, but...
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Fabletics Expands Product Line with New Scrubs Collection

Marketing News
March 3, 2023/by
Fabletics Expands Product Line with New Scrubs Collection Welcome to HubSpot Marketing News! Tap in for campaign deep dives, the latest marketing industry news, and tried-and-true insights from HubSpot’s media team.  Activewear subscription brand Fabletics is looking to cover a new market — clothing for medical professionals. In February, the company launched its first line of medical scrubs, which it calls “The World’s First Activewear Scrubs Collection.” The collection launched with 12 pieces for all genders, as well as the ability to customize with embroidery. In addition to creating a style quiz potential customers can take to find the items that will suit them best, Fabletics focused on a community-oriented launch. The brand pledged to donate 25,000 pairs of scrubs to medical professionals across the U.S. and has tapped company spokesperson Kevin Hart to help distribute scrubs to an organization in Philadelphia. Image Source Why did an activewear brand start making medical scrubs? The scrubs market is expected to be worth over $236 million by 2025, and Fabletics saw an opportunity to tap in. Fabletics surveyed its two million subscribers (referred to as VIP members) and discovered 15% of them wore scrubs for work each day. Realizing there was demand from its existing group of customers for scrubs, the brand got to work. During the development process, Fabletics got feedback and insights from over 6,500 professionals who wore scrubs to create the initial collection. Since Fabletics announced the launch of the line on social media, feedback has been generally positive. Social...
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Sampling Marketing — The Complete Guide

Uncategorized
March 3, 2023/by
Sampling Marketing — The Complete Guide Oh, samples, the small gifts that help justify any Costco membership. You can get everything from a warmed pizza bite to a smoothie to hand lotion, all in one pass-through. And don’t get me wrong, this strategy is an incredible tactic that can increase sales, in some cases, by as much as 2,000%. But there is much more to the sample marketing strategy than just enticing snacks and perks. Product sampling marketing offers benefits to brick-and-mortar companies, online B2C and B2B brands, and everything in between. You can expand your reach, grow customer loyalty, and ultimately increase conversion and decrease churn rates. Sounds intriguing, right? Keep reading to learn how sampling marketing can help your company. In this article, we will discuss: What Is Sampling Marketing — In More Detail Why Sampling Marketing Works Sampling Marketing Best Practices Sample Marketing Examples This can manifest in a variety of forms, from Sephora’s free gifts with a purchase to HubSpot’s 14-day free trial. Why Sampling Marketing Works The strategy behind sampling marketing is rooted in psychology and behavioral economics. Giving a customer a glimpse of your offering can show them the benefits before they buy. Here are three major benefits of sampling marketing backed by research. 1. Reciprocity As Dan Ariely, the modern-day king of behavioral economics at Duke University says, “Reciprocity is a very, very strong instinct. If...
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The 5 Phases of Project Management

Project Management
March 2, 2023/by
The 5 Phases of Project Management What problems and obstacles do you face as a project manager? For many, scope creep, poor communication, and task delays top the list. To state the obvious, project management can be tricky. Without careful planning and strategizing, it can feel like you're f working blind. So, if you’re in a project management position, starting with the basics is your best bet. Here, we'll break down projects into five phases to help you better understand what needs to be done and when. The Project Management Lifecycle The Five Stages of Project Management Stage 1: Project Conception and Initiation Stage 2: Project Planning Stage 3: Project Execution Stage 4: Project Monitoring & Controlling Stage 5: Project Close The future of project management is looking brighter than ever. The Project Management Lifecycle Regardless of size or scope, all projects follow a similar process. In project management, this process is called the lifecycle of a project. A project lifecycle generally consists of four phases: initiation, planning, execution, and closure. Some project managers, however, add a fifth phase called monitoring and controlling. The additional step can help managers keep the project on track and ensures that issues are identified and addressed promptly. As a result, five-phase models are considered more agile and effective in helping projects succeed. In fact, the Project Management Institute (PMI) also promotes a five-phase lifecycle. In the next section, we'll take a closer look at each stage in the project management lifecycle. ...
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