For those who are not “in the know,” National Positions’ CEO Bernard May is a frequent contributor to Forbes.com, with over 200 articles, placements, and published contributions.
Not only does Forbes give our CEO the opportunity to share his vast knowledge worldwide (gained from his 20+ years in the marketing industry), it also gives our company the opportunity to be featured alongside other notable industry professionals, experts, and thought leaders.
So, rather than just talk about our experience over the past three years (and counting) with Forbes, we thought we’d show you some of our highlights so far in 2021!
As you browse through the snippets below, you can click through to the original articles on Forbes.com if you’d like to get the full scoop.
And speaking of scoops…you better get a bowl ready!
We’re about to fill yours with seven hefty helpings of business and marketing insights. Let’s dive in!
Article #1: 12 Ways Super Bowl Ads May Evolve In 2021 (January)
“A Focus On Real-Time Experiences”
There is a huge opportunity to focus on real-time experiences during the game. Think “Touchdown Deals” on social media and in-commercial calls-to-action such as “Text XYZ before halftime to be entered.”
The real winners will be those creative brands that do low-budget, user-generated content campaigns showing real people. Customers need to feel connected to a brand now more than ever, so immersive experiences could be game-changers. – Bernard May, National Positions
Article #2: 14 Ways To Better Leverage AI To Connect With Consumers (January)
“Implement Chatbot Technology”
One of the most straightforward AI tools that most brands can use is chatbot technology. Chatbots are getting smarter and can be online 24/7 to help customers find answers, track down order statuses or even notify customers with updates. All in all, the customer will get a more personalized experience over time, and personalization is gold for building a better connection with customers. – Bernard May, National Positions
“Uncover The Bottlenecks”
You need to uncover the bottlenecks in order to find and implement the best tech solutions. Once you have your list of problems that need to be solved (processes, order confirmations, etc.), you can then match your list of problems to the solutions provided by the tech stack. This approach will keep you from being overwhelmed or blinded by shiny, often unnecessary features. – Bernard May, National Positions
Article #4: 13 Clever And Effective Content Hacks You Should Know (February)
“Batch Similar Products”
Batch “like” products. For example, if your fashion company sells polo-style shirts — when a customer chooses a certain color, make sure that specific product page shows a grid of all your additional color options for that product. This can help keep customers from clicking out to find another option, or bouncing from your site because they assumed you didn’t have what they were looking for. – Bernard May, National Positions
“Ensure It Supports The Brand’s Future”
Does this approach support the creed, mission and values of your company today as well as the future of your brand? Going viral, especially today, is a double-edged sword. If it works, it will likely be a “flash in the pan” in terms of attention. If it doesn’t work, the impact can linger for years. So don’t simply be controversial without weighing the risks. – Bernard May, National Positions
“Be Timely With Your Content”
Now more than ever, you need to be timely with your content. Make it about your potential customers (not about your brand) by creating content that is solution-based. Speak directly to your target audience and address their needs, their problems and the benefits they will gain. Make them the center of your content’s universe. – Bernard May, National Positions
“Take Emotions Out Of It And Look At The Data”
First things first: Take emotions out of it and look at the digital paper trail. Review emails, logged tasks, timestamps, etc. to see where things are actually slipping through the cracks according to the data. Then, have an honest heart-to-heart with all team members aimed at finding solutions, not pointing fingers. Show your team an example of the type of communication you expect. – Bernard May, National Positions
More Forbes to Come!
This is just the beginning (of 2021), and our CEO has several new articles (and bite-sized insights!) slated for publication over the next few months. If you have a subject that you really want to know more about, drop us an email so we can add your idea to our list. Our goal has always been to bring you the most current and helpful information on both Forbes.com as well as this blog. So don’t be shy!
As always, if you need our experts to answer any questions, or if you’re looking for a fresh set of eyes for your current digital marketing efforts, we’re just a click away.