Kristin Harper

Marketing fatigue is incredibly real, common, and damaging to customer relationships. In few industries is "quality over quantity" true more than marketing—spamming with impersonal messaging can cause customers to feel not only annoyed, but unimportant to your brand. Taking the time to tailor your messaging and provide real value, however, can steer customers away from frustration and instead leave them impressed and loyal. It's all in breaking down departmental silos and increasing communication to guarantee personalization. #Marketing #CX #CustomerExperience

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In SimpsonScarborough's 2021-22 “State of Higher Ed Marketing” report, 60% of lead marketers at universities were part of the senior leadership team and reported directly to the president. This number continues to rise in Universities as institutions increasingly recognize the importance of brand management and strategic communication in navigating today’s competitive higher education landscape. Through my research and professional experience, I have seen how this dynamic plays out. Unfortunately, many leaders at the community college level still silo marketing and communications departments under other administrative units, often excluding them from the strategic decision-making process. This is a missed opportunity. Marketing isn’t just about promotion—it’s about aligning institutional strategy with the needs and perceptions of stakeholders. As my dissertation research confirmed, when chief marketing and communications officers are integrated into the highest levels of leadership, they significantly impact university performance, reputation management, and enrollment outcomes. If your CMCO isn’t sitting at the cabinet table and reporting to the president, you’re not just under-utilizing them, you’re undercutting your institution’s potential. This concludes my Monday evening stream of consciousness.

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If your customers have a pulse, then they have emotions. This article is almost 9 years old, yet it still holds the key to what’s holding a lot of companies back. “Our research across hundreds of brands in dozens of categories shows that it’s possible to rigorously measure and strategically target the feelings that drive customers’ behavior. We call them ‘emotional motivators.’ They provide a BETTER gauge of customers’ future value to a firm than ANY OTHER metric, including brand awareness and customer satisfaction, and can be an important new source of growth and profitability.” It’s not “new” any longer. A shift is happening. #brand #creative #customerexperience #emotions #beyondthebot https://lnkd.in/euwMST4u

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The Future is Fractional! Curious about "fractional" work? Learn more about how it offers expert talent, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness for both companies and skilled professionals. #fractionalCMO #brandmarketer https://lnkd.in/gMKikVPT

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What are the impacts of having a quality sign for your business? Well, according to a study done by the University of Cincinnati, good signage: 📈 Drives in-store traffic 📈 Implies quality 📉 Can cause loss of business or consumer frustration when not placed properly or the text is too small 📈 75% of consumers agree that the first thing they notice about a new local business is it’s signage 📈 29% of shoppers make store choices based on the information communicated by store signs 📈 33% of shoppers have been drawn into an unknown store based on the quality of it’s signage Get a quote from us today at https://lnkd.in/e58eGdX #HighQuality #NewSigns #BusinessSignage #FamilyBusiness

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Want to enhance your return on investment in marketing? Consider merging print and digital strategies for a wider reach and more significant impact. Want to learn more? Contact us at ONEpress, powered by the Nebraska Press Association to learn more. #MarketingTips #DigitalMarketing #PrintMedia

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It's already November and that time of year when we're looking ahead to predictions for 2025...to the marketers and marketing leaders in my network, what's top of mind for you as we steam ahead towards the New Year? #marketing #futureofmarketing #2025

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A Timely Direct Mail Reminder in Honor of National Poster Worker Day (July 1st) When your marketing efforts add up, so does your revenue. Our omnichannel solutions maximize your ROI by allowing you to reach your customers wherever they are - including in their homes. We're so grateful for the hardworking postal workers who help ensure our mail arrives at its destination! Check out our blog post to learn more about how direct mail can reinforce your advertising campaign. #DirectMail #Marketing #Omnichannel #NationalPostalWorkerDay

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Calendly Helps You Get Smarter About Meetings

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The perfect conference - the 11 ingredients that are essential: 1. ***Strong editorial focus***: a clear theme or purpose that resonates with a specific audience, avoiding generic topics. It needs to challenge attendees with fresh ideas and perspectives. 2. ***High-caliber speakers***: this is not about celebrities or overhyped figures with little substance but thoughtful, well-spoken individuals who bring unique expertise.  They need to be able to deliver a compelling narrative or actionable insights. 3. ***Engaged audience***: a perfect conference has a knowledgeable and curious audience, who are as much a part of the conversation as the speakers. It’s about fostering dialogue and exchange rather than one-way communication. 4. ***Impeccable venue***: the location should be comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional, offering natural light, good acoustics, and a layout that encourages interaction. The setting reflects the conference’s ambition and quality. 5. ***Exceptional food and hospitality***: offer high-quality, thoughtfully curated meals, snacks, and coffee. The food should reflect local flavours, be fresh, impart a sense of place. It's a chance to extend the experience and build connections informally. 6. ***Efficient time management***: stick to a well-planned schedule that is run as tightly as a well-produced TV or radio show. No one should feel rushed, but equally, sessions shouldn’t overrun or leave attendees with downtime.   7. ***Diverse formats***: keep energy levels high and attention focused. A blend of formats helps maintain engagement and stimulate different forms of learning.   8. ***Networking opportunities***: provide structured and informal opportunities for delegates to meet and exchange ideas. Networking is crucial, so creating spaces and moments for meaningful connections is key. 9. ***Curated attendee list***: an ideal conference doesn’t just sell tickets to anyone. The participants should be carefully chosen to align with the event’s focus, fostering a high level of conversation and interaction. 10. ***Memorable takeaways***: whether it’s a well-designed conference booklet, access to digital resources, or thought-provoking insights, attendees should leave with something valuable—mentally and physically. 11. ***Be a good host***: don’t outsource the essential role of host.  To enjoy high-quality content, impeccable organisation and attention to detail, do give the Monocle Quality of Life conference a go. Extend your summer and join Monocle’s editors in Istanbul 10-12 October 2024. There are still a few tickets left. It’s a conference experience that inspires, educates and connects. #Conference #QualityOfLife #Leadership #Networking

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While AI can help maintain consistency in branding and content, it can also generate misleading or biased information, which risks damaging trust and credibility. Marketing success depends on consistent, reliable, and authentic messaging, especially when leveraging new technology. Marketers have to stay vigilant and ensure AI-generated outputs are factual and aligned with the brand’s voice. Trust is a non-negotiable in B2B marketing, and AI should support—never undermine—that value. #AI #Marketing #MarTech #B2B

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💥𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲—𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.💥 Did you know people of color contribute $5.6 TRILLION in spending power to the US economy? And companies with diverse teams see 36% better financial performance—this isn’t a guess, it’s a proven strategy. Any political agenda (e.g. Project 2025) that devalues workers and derails diversity initiatives ultimately destroys America's global competitiveness.📊 Watch my Bloomberg News interview to understand how and why politics is undermining DEI—and what it’s costing your business. #DiversityEconomics #BusinessGrowth #SocialImpact #BusinessSuccess #Leadership"

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At Madison Air, the culture of this "growth mindset" is tangible - it can be felt in everything I do. Specifically, there is an overt bias for action which is empowered by everyone's fanatical focus on the customer. In a "growth mindset" culture, you'll hear "just do it" and "move quickly" more often. For me, this equates to an increase in trust, accountability and ownership of the business. It's pretty great to be experiencing this everyday. #MadisonAir #GrowthMindset #Culture #Leadership #Values #Justdoit

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Calling all local manufacturing Leaders and marketers! Join a data-driven lead generation workshop designed specifically for our local manufacturing community. The Manufacturing Roundtable: Data-Driven Lead Generation is happening on July 23rd at the Hilton Garden Inn in Brookfield, WI. Here's why this event is a must-attend for YOU: ✏ Learn actionable tactics to leverage data and gain insights into your customer buying journey. 🤝 Network with local industry experts and fellow SE WI manufacturers. 📈 Discover proven strategies to improve your lead generation efforts and amplify your results. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside your peers! Register at the link in the comments. #manufacturing #leadgeneration #manufacturingmarketing

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If you weren't among the 50 folks from 30+ companies who dialed into this webinar hosted by the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC), I'm pleased to share the video recording. I enjoyed leading the discussion and the dialogue with participants! ➡ "The Anatomy of Revenue Growth" exercise prioritizes the ways to grow volume (and/or price). ➡ The Simple, 4-Step Process to Find More Customers: 1️⃣ Understand, identify your target market via customer research (w/ 5 examples). 2️⃣ Create / write content that shows how helpful you are (w/ 3 examples). 3️⃣ Distribute it to the right sets of eyes (e.g., via email, LinkedIn). 4️⃣ Track who demonstrates interest; nurture, convert leads (w/ CRM). Many small- to mid-size B2B manufacturers don't need a full-time marketing resource, so they opt for fractional or interim help from someone who's seen the full cycle of marketing (and sales). Message me if you have any questions or would like to discuss how these principles can help you find more customers. #marketing #consulting #research #SMB https://lnkd.in/e3wX9Ayh

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The Best Way To Flex Your Measurement Muscles? 💪 CMM is it... 👇 Today, we successfully kicked off the highly anticipated 2024 edition of the Certified Measurement Marketer (CMM) program. This intensive three-month journey culminates in a rigorous certification test over the final four weeks. Each week, expect to immerse yourself in invaluable learning, transforming theory into actionable habits. 💡 This isn't your average certification. It's a high-octane experience, designed to challenge and reward in equal measure. The skills you acquire aren't just for show; they're practical tools you can wield to elevate your client's businesses and your own. 🏆 Plus, unlike my four-year-olds tee-ball game I went to this weekend, there are no participation medals for showing up. You need to put in the work. And while we toyed with the idea of awarding free bicep tattoos for passing the certification exam (admit it, it crossed your mind), we opted for something even better. A physical certificate, symbolizing your achievement and expertise. 🎓 The next round of certification awaits this fall, with eager participants already queuing up. Stay tuned for that announcement.

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Attention Associations: Tuesday in Cleveland at #ASAE2024! If you sometimes think there must be more to member engagement than clicks and likes, you're right. And If your association is navigating the social changes of DEI, and wondering how to get engagement and to move a community to action... Then My #ASAE2024 concurrent session with Baijul Shukla, MBA, CM of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers is for you. August 13 at 9 a.m. in LL10B of the Public Auditorium. Because true growth doesn't always come from traditional marketing campaigns, this case study of success will illuminate: - The use of the voice of the non-member to drive changes in OSPE's stance on DEI - Strategic communications that is future-member-focused and - A turn-around success story following 10 years of stagnant results. Bring yourself, a colleague and your questions to understand: - The theory behind the strategy - The execution, practicalities and challenges, and - The type of impact you can expect. https://lnkd.in/gsAptZNs

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If you are not in Marketing, you may be wondering how the Google leak impacts you. I discuss that in my latest Foundry Management & Technology article. #SEO #Digitalmarketing #websites https://lnkd.in/g4ZhzvyU

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