man using a phone

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should be asking for client testimonials, the answer is a hard yes – and if you’re not doing it consistently, you’re leaving serious credibility on the table.

We hear the same questions from business owners all the time: “Do people actually read testimonials?” “Should I be doing video testimonials?” “How do I even bring it up without feeling awkward?”

This post breaks down exactly how to ask for client testimonials, why they matter more than ever, and the five-step process that makes collecting them simple. Our CEO, Andrew Marr, also walks through the video testimonial approach in more detail below.

Why Client Testimonials Are a Non-Negotiable Marketing Asset

You’ve done it yourself -scoured Google reviews before trying a new restaurant, or checked Yelp before booking a service. Your prospects do the exact same thing before deciding whether to work with you.

A strong testimonial can be the deciding factor between a prospect choosing you or your competitor. Boast found that 72% of consumers say positive testimonials directly increase their trust in a business. That’s not a small number – that’s the majority of your potential clients making decisions based on what others say about you.

Collecting and showcasing client testimonials lets your best clients do the selling for you. It builds trust before a prospect ever gets on a call, and it positions your business as one that consistently delivers results.

Why Video Testimonials Are Even More Powerful

Written testimonials are valuable, but video testimonials take it a step further. They put a face and a voice behind the words, which makes them far more persuasive and harder to dismiss.

Asking a client to record a short video testimonial might feel bold – many of us weren’t raised to talk openly about ourselves or ask others to advocate for us. But here’s the reframe: when you ask a client for a testimonial, you’re not asking for a favor. You’re giving them a platform to share a genuine success story.

The questions that resonate most with future clients are simple ones:

  • How did we solve a problem for you?
  • How did we help you save time or money?
  • What was it like to work with us?
  • Why would you recommend us to others?
  • How have others in your industry benefited from what we do?

Video testimonials don’t need to be long or highly produced. A focused, 30-second to one-minute video recorded on a phone or over Zoom is more than enough. If your clients need a little guidance on how to record one well, send them our article: “How to Record a Great Zoom Testimonial.”

Once you have the video, distribute it everywhere – your website, blog posts, LinkedIn, email campaigns, and beyond. A great testimonial should work hard across every channel.

How to Ask for Client Testimonials: A Simple 5-Step Process

The biggest obstacle most businesses face is overcomplicating the ask. Here’s a straightforward process that works.

Step 1: Ask – It Really Is That Simple

No testimonial has ever arrived without someone asking for it. Reach out to long-term clients who know your work well, newly satisfied clients who are still riding the high of a great outcome, and anyone in between. The ask itself is the hardest part, and it’s easier than you think.

Step 2: Remove All Friction

Make it effortless for your clients to respond. A short form with two or three guided questions takes them five minutes or less. Timing matters too – ask while your work together is still fresh, either during the engagement or immediately after wrapping up. A quick text message works just as well as an email.

Step 3: Offer Something in Return

You don’t have to send a gift card to incentivize a testimonial. Think about what your clients actually value – sometimes it’s as simple as featuring their business name and logo on your website, giving them added visibility with your audience.

Step 4: Publish It Where It Can Do the Most Work

A testimonial sitting in your inbox isn’t helping anyone. Post it on your website with a professional headshot, share it on social media, embed it in relevant blog posts, and include it in your sales materials. The more places a testimonial lives, the harder it works for you.

Step 5: Put Your Testimonials Where People Are Already Looking

Don’t let a great testimonial live in just one place. Your homepage and services pages are the obvious starting points, but think beyond your website. Post testimonials on your Google Business Profile, where they directly influence local search rankings and first impressions. Share them as social proof on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Drop them into email campaigns and proposals. The more surfaces a testimonial appears on, the more trust it builds – and the more work it does for your business without any extra effort on your part.

Start Collecting Client Testimonials Today

Knowing how to ask for client testimonials is only half the battle – the other half is building it into a consistent habit. The businesses that do this well don’t wait for clients to volunteer praise. They have a system, they ask every time, and they put those testimonials to work across every marketing channel.

If you want help building that system or turning client stories into compelling content, let’s talk.

Frequently Asked Questions About Client Testimonials

How do you ask a client for a testimonial?

The best way to ask for a client testimonial is to keep it simple and timely. Reach out shortly after delivering a successful result and explain that their feedback would help other businesses understand the value of your services. Providing a few guided questions makes the process easier and increases the likelihood of receiving a response.

When should you ask for a client testimonial?

The ideal time to ask for a testimonial is when a client has recently experienced a positive outcome. This could be after completing a project, reaching a milestone, achieving measurable results, or expressing satisfaction with your work. Asking while the experience is still fresh typically leads to stronger and more detailed testimonials.

Should I ask for written or video testimonials?

Both written and video testimonials can be effective. Written testimonials are easier for clients to provide and can be quickly added to your website and marketing materials. Video testimonials add a personal element by allowing prospects to see and hear real clients share their experiences, which can build trust more quickly.

What questions should I ask in a client testimonial?

Focus on questions that highlight the client’s experience and results. Helpful questions include:

  • What challenge were you facing before working with us?
  • How did our services help solve that problem?
  • What results did you achieve?
  • What was it like working with our team?
  • Would you recommend us to others, and why?

Can I use client testimonials on my website and social media?

Yes, but it’s important to get permission before publishing a client’s testimonial. Once approved, testimonials can be used on your website, Google Business Profile, social media platforms, email campaigns, proposals, and other marketing materials to build credibility and trust.

How many client testimonials should my business have?

There is no perfect number, but consistency matters. Businesses should aim to collect testimonials regularly rather than gathering a large batch once and stopping. A steady stream of fresh testimonials demonstrates ongoing client satisfaction and helps keep your marketing content relevant.

Do client testimonials help with SEO?

Client testimonials can support SEO by adding fresh, relevant content to your website and increasing trust signals for visitors. Reviews on platforms like Google Business Profile can also improve local search visibility and help potential customers find your business more easily.

What if a client doesn’t respond to my testimonial request?

It’s common for busy clients to miss or forget testimonial requests. A polite follow-up message a week or two later is often enough. Making the process as simple as possible, such as providing a short form or a few questions, can significantly improve response rates.

Should I offer incentives for testimonials?

In most cases, satisfied clients are willing to provide testimonials without financial incentives. Instead of offering gifts or payments, consider highlighting their business on your website or social channels, which can provide additional exposure and value.

How often should I ask for client testimonials?

Asking for testimonials should be part of your regular client process. Whether you serve a handful of clients each month or hundreds each year, creating a repeatable system ensures you’re consistently collecting fresh social proof and strengthening your credibility over time.

outsourced marketing

As a Financial Services Company, making the decision between outsource marketing efforts and keeping them internal can be a challenge.

marketing mistakes

What Algorithms Actually Do (and Why B2B Companies Get It Wrong)

In B2B marketing, “the algorithm” has become the easiest excuse in the room.

Leads slow down. Engagement dips. Content falls flat.

Blame the algorithm.

But algorithms are not working against you. They are doing exactly what they are designed to do, which is prioritize content that earns attention, builds relevance, and keeps users engaged.

For B2B companies, the issue is rarely the algorithm. It is how content is created, positioned, and distributed within it.

If you understand how algorithms actually work, you stop chasing them and start compounding results.

What Is an Algorithm in a B2B Context?

At its core, an algorithm is a system of rules used to organize and prioritize information.

In marketing, that translates into four outcomes:

  • What content gets seen
  • Who sees it
  • When it shows up
  • How long it stays relevant

For B2B companies, this directly impacts pipeline. Your visibility across search engines, social platforms, and digital channels is shaped by how well your content aligns with these systems.

Algorithms reward clarity, consistency, and usefulness over time.

How Google’s Algorithm Impacts B2B Growth

Search Is Where B2B Buying Starts

Before a prospect ever talks to your sales team, they are researching.

They are evaluating vendors, validating ideas, and comparing solutions long before a conversation happens. Google determines whether your business shows up in that process or disappears from it entirely.

What Google Actually Rewards

Google evaluates hundreds of signals, but a few consistently shape B2B performance:

  • Search intent alignment tied to real buyer questions
  • Keyword strategy connected to services and revenue, not just traffic
  • Authority signals built through backlinks and consistent publishing
  • Technical site performance that supports indexing and crawlability
  • Content depth that helps buyers make decisions, not just skim information

When these elements work together, visibility increases in a way that compounds over time.

Why Most B2B Content Never Ranks

Many companies approach SEO as a production exercise instead of a strategic one.

Content gets published without a defined audience. Topics are selected without understanding buyer intent. Distribution is treated as an afterthought.

The result is content that exists but does not perform.

Algorithms are built to filter that out.

How Social Media Algorithms Shape B2B Visibility

Organic Reach Still Drives Awareness

Social platforms determine what appears in a user’s feed, and for B2B companies, that visibility often starts on LinkedIn.

Your content is competing for attention in a crowded environment where the algorithm decides whether your message gets surfaced or ignored.

What Social Algorithms Prioritize

  • Early engagement that signals relevance
  • Consistency that builds recognizable audience patterns
  • Content formats that hold attention longer, especially video and carousels
  • Meaningful interaction such as comments and conversations

B2B content that earns attention early tends to travel further.

Why B2B Companies Struggle on Social

The challenge is not access to platforms. It is how content is positioned within them.

Many companies create content that reflects internal messaging instead of external insight. They focus on services instead of problems. They publish without a clear point of view.

When content does not resonate, distribution slows. The algorithm responds accordingly.

The Shift: From Chasing Algorithms to Building Authority

Algorithms evolve constantly. Strategy should remain grounded.

The companies that gain traction are focused on building a consistent presence that aligns with how platforms evaluate content. They answer real questions, publish with intent, and stay visible long enough to build momentum.

This is how authority is developed in B2B marketing.

What This Means for Your Marketing Strategy

If your content is not driving visibility, engagement, or pipeline, the issue is not unpredictability. It is structure.

Growth comes from building a system that aligns with how algorithms prioritize content. That includes clear positioning, intent-driven messaging, consistent publishing, and thoughtful distribution.

When those elements are aligned, performance becomes more predictable.

Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Ranking?

If your content is not showing up, not getting engagement, or not contributing to pipeline, it is time to rethink the strategy behind it.

Contact the Digital Storyteller team to build a content system designed to perform within the platforms your buyers are already using.

Woman conducting a work meeting

Why Sales Cycle Length Shapes Growth

In B2B industries, growth is closely tied to how quickly decisions move forward.

Sales cycles stretch when buyers need more time to understand the problem, evaluate options, and feel confident in the outcome. That time adds pressure to internal teams, slows pipeline velocity, and creates uncertainty in forecasting.

When the process becomes more efficient, conversations progress with clarity, expectations are aligned earlier, and decisions carry more confidence.

That is where digital marketing plays a meaningful role.

At Digital Storyteller, the work centers on helping financial services companies create that kind of momentum across their pipeline. Law firms, HR consultants, commercial real estate groups, wealth advisors, and insurance firms all operate in environments where decisions carry weight. Buyers take their time, and the process involves multiple touchpoints before any conversation begins.

Marketing has the ability to shape that experience long before sales gets involved.

What a Sales Cycle Actually Includes

A sales cycle is the full journey from first exposure to a signed agreement and beyond.

Key Stages in a B2B Sales Cycle

  • Initial awareness through content, referrals, or search
  • Early research and internal discussions
  • Evaluation of providers and solutions
  • Direct conversations with sales teams
  • Final decision and onboarding

Each stage carries its own set of questions. Buyers are looking for clarity around outcomes, process, risk, and long-term fit. When those questions remain unanswered, timelines extend.

When those questions are addressed early, the process becomes more fluid.

How Digital Marketing Shortens B2B Sales Cycles

Digital marketing works by preparing buyers before the first conversation ever happens.

Instead of entering a sales call with limited context, prospects arrive with a baseline understanding of your approach, your expertise, and how you think. That foundation changes the tone of the conversation and allows it to move forward with more direction.

Content That Builds Decision Confidence

Content plays a central role in helping buyers move forward.

Blog posts, videos, and educational resources give prospects a place to explore questions at their own pace. Over time, this creates familiarity and reinforces credibility.

As content accumulates, it begins to support multiple stages of the sales cycle simultaneously. Early-stage readers gain awareness, while later-stage buyers use the same resources to validate their decisions.

Email That Maintains Momentum

Email creates consistency across longer sales timelines.

Buyers in financial services often revisit decisions over weeks or months. Strategic email campaigns keep your firm present during that process, providing relevant insights without requiring immediate action.

This continuity helps maintain engagement and keeps conversations moving forward when the timing is right.

Websites That Support the Buying Process

Your website acts as a central hub for evaluation.

Prospects use it to understand your services, explore your perspective, and assess whether your firm aligns with their needs. Structure, clarity, and usability all influence how quickly someone can find what they are looking for.

A well-built site reduces friction and allows buyers to move through information in a way that feels natural.

SEO That Aligns with Buyer Intent

Search visibility connects your firm with buyers who are actively looking for solutions.

When your content appears in those moments, it becomes part of the research process. Over time, this positions your firm within the consideration set before any outreach occurs.

That early alignment helps accelerate the path from discovery to conversation.

Social Media That Reinforces Familiarity

Consistent social presence builds recognition over time.

Buyers may encounter your insights multiple times before engaging directly. Each interaction contributes to a sense of familiarity, which makes future conversations more approachable.

This ongoing visibility supports trust and keeps your firm top of mind during longer decision cycles.

Branding That Creates Consistency

Brand consistency brings all of these elements together.

Clear messaging, aligned visuals, and a defined point of view help buyers understand what your firm represents. When that experience remains consistent across channels, it strengthens recognition and reduces hesitation.

Why Financial Services Marketing Requires a Different Approach

Financial decisions carry long-term implications.

Buyers evaluate risk, consider multiple stakeholders, and take time to validate their choices. Marketing in this space requires depth, clarity, and consistency across every touchpoint.

Each interaction contributes to how confident a buyer feels moving forward. That confidence builds gradually through repeated exposure to useful, relevant information.

Building a Marketing System That Moves Deals Forward

Shorter sales cycles are the result of alignment across multiple channels.

Email, content, SEO, website experience, and social media each play a role in shaping how buyers move through the process. When these elements work together, they create a system that supports decision-making from the first interaction through final conversations.

Over time, that system compounds. Buyers arrive more informed, conversations become more focused, and decisions progress with greater clarity.

If your current marketing efforts are not contributing to that momentum, there is an opportunity to refine how each piece supports the larger process.

Connect with the Digital Storyteller team to build a strategy that keeps your pipeline moving forward with purpose.

Your deliverability numbers are great. ZoomInfo is doing its job. You’ve got the right DMARC and DKIM records in your DNS, your domain authority is strong, and you’ve kept your emails clean with just a few links and visuals.

You’re doing everything right… but your reply rates are still underwhelming.

What gives?

The $50,000 question on every marketer’s (and financial service provider’s) mind is: Is email marketing dead, or just slowly losing its edge?

Before we start writing its obituary, let’s get one thing straight. Email marketing isn’t dead. It’s just playing by a different set of rules now.

Gone are the days when a decent subject line and a polished message could carry the weight. Today, inboxes are smarter, buyers are more selective, and attention is earned faster and lost even faster.

That means doing everything “right” technically is no longer the differentiator. Relevance is.

Email marketing is still one of the most effective tools out there. But to make it work, your approach needs to evolve.

Let’s break down why your emails might be falling flat, what’s changed, and how to adjust.

Why Aren’t They Replying?

So what’s really going on? Why aren’t people hitting “reply” like they used to?

Overcrowded Inbox, Smarter Filters

It’s not just that people are getting more emails. It’s that both people and inbox providers are better at filtering what matters. If your message doesn’t signal immediate relevance, it’s easy to ignore.

Bland (or Familiar) Subject Lines

It’s not just about being catchy anymore. It’s about being specific. A lot of emails today follow the same patterns, and readers can spot them instantly. If your subject line feels like something they’ve seen ten times before, it’s getting skipped.

The “Who Are You Again?” Factor

If your audience doesn’t immediately recognize you or understand why you’re reaching out, you’re already behind. Attention spans are shorter, and people are less willing to connect the dots on their own.

Content That Feels Interchangeable

Even if your email is well-written, if it sounds like every other email in their inbox, it won’t stand out. With more AI-assisted writing in the mix, sameness has become a bigger problem than poor grammar.

The Disconnect Between Timing and Intent

You might be reaching the right person, but at the wrong moment. If your message doesn’t align with something they’re actively thinking about, it feels like noise, no matter how relevant it is on paper.

No Clear Reason to Respond

If your email doesn’t naturally invite a reply, most people won’t go out of their way to start a conversation. Clear next steps matter more than ever.

Making Email Marketing Work for You

Now that we’ve established that email marketing isn’t going anywhere, let’s talk about how to make it actually work.

Refine Your Audience

Keep your list clean, but go a step further. Focus on who is most likely to need your solution right now. Intent matters just as much as fit.

Craft More Intentional Subject Lines

Your subject line should quickly signal why the email is worth opening. Clear beats clever. Specific beats vague.

Personalize in a Way That Feels Real

Basic personalization isn’t enough anymore. Referencing real context, challenges, or situations makes your email feel relevant instead of automated.

Focus on Value, Not Volume

Every email should give the reader a reason to care. Insight, perspective, or a clear solution will always outperform generic messaging.

Use a Clear, Natural Call to Action

Make it easy to respond. A simple, direct question or next step lowers the barrier and encourages engagement.

Test, Analyze, Adjust

Keep testing, but focus on meaningful changes like tone, structure, and messaging angle. That’s where you’ll see real improvements.

Think Conversations, Not Campaigns

The goal isn’t just to send emails. It’s to start interactions. The emails that perform best feel like the beginning of a conversation, not a broadcast.

Email Marketing Works Best When Supported by Other Channels

Email marketing is still powerful, but it performs best when it’s part of a bigger picture.

People rarely respond to a single touchpoint. They respond to familiarity.

When your name shows up across different platforms, your email feels less like a cold outreach and more like a continuation.

Social Media Boost

Use social media to build recognition and drive sign-ups. When people are already familiar with your brand, they’re more likely to engage with your emails.

Content Collaboration

Tie your emails to valuable content like blogs or insights. This gives your audience a reason to keep paying attention.

Paid Advertising Alignment

Paid ads can reinforce your presence and make your name more recognizable when it lands in an inbox.

Event Engagement

Webinars and live events create natural opportunities to connect. Follow-up emails then feel more relevant and expected.

Feedback Channels

Encourage engagement beyond the inbox. The more touchpoints you have, the more insight you gain into what your audience actually responds to.

Final Thoughts

So, is email marketing dead?

Not even close.

But it’s no longer about checking the right boxes or following the same playbook everyone else is using. It’s about showing up with the right message, at the right time, in a way that feels intentional.

Keep your content relevant. Keep your approach fresh. And most importantly, make your emails feel like they were written for someone, not sent to everyone.

That’s where the difference is now.

We know cold emailing isn’t easy, which is why we’re here to help. Our team is here to help you navigate the complexities of email marketing and beyond. If you’re ready to dive deeper into digital marketing, check out our Ultimate Guide to B2B Marketing for Financial Services Companies here (Trust us, you won’t want to miss it!)

In-person events are back on the calendar, and competition for attention is real. Booth space is limited, schedules are packed, and everyone is trying to stand out in a sea of logos and lanyards.

So how do you make sure your presence actually drives conversations, not just foot traffic?

Don’t worry, marketing has your back. In fact, it is here to support your in-person events in more ways than you think.

Amanda Rogers, Owner and Chief Creative Officer, dives into all the details in the video below:

How Can Digital Marketing Support In-person Events?

Let’s explore how digital marketing can take your event strategy to the next level:

Digital Promotion: Broadcasting Your Presence

Digital marketing serves as the megaphone for your in-person event, spreading the word through invitations, reminders, and social media posts. It ensures your entire network knows you’ll be at the conference or booth, inviting them to swing by and join in.

Personalized Outreach: Targeted Communication

In addition to broad promotion, digital marketing enables personalized outreach. It segments distribution lists to send tailored invitations to key individuals, ensuring they feel valued and informed about your special event or booth presence.

Post-Event Follow-Up: Maintaining Connections

Once the event is over, digital marketing doesn’t leave attendees hanging. It facilitates post-event follow-ups, seamlessly integrating contacts into your CRM and initiating drip campaigns to nurture ongoing relationships. This ensures you stay connected and don’t lose touch with valuable leads.

Design Excellence: Professional Presentation

Your marketing agency, like ours at Digital Storyteller, ensures your brand shows up polished and intentional at every touchpoint, not just at the booth. Yes, that includes well-designed pull-up banners, tent folds, and tablecloths, but it also means event-specific landing pages, QR-code-driven lead capture connected directly to your CRM, and automated post-event nurture sequences that continue the conversation long after the exhibit hall closes, because in 2026 your event presence is not just physical, it is digital, measurable, and fully integrated into your broader marketing strategy.

Live Engagement: Interactive Experiences

Digital marketing doesn’t just stop at promotion; it can enhance engagement during the event itself. Live streaming, interactive polls, and social media engagement can create real-time connections with both attendees and those who couldn’t make it in person. This dynamic interaction adds depth to your event, making it memorable and fostering a sense of community among participants.

Data Insights: Informed Decision Making

One of the most powerful aspects of digital marketing is its ability to provide comprehensive data analytics. By leveraging tools like Google Analytics or social media insights, you can gather valuable data on attendee demographics, engagement levels, and content performance. These insights enable you to make informed decisions for future events, refining your strategies to better meet the needs and interests of your audience.

Content Amplification: Extending Reach

Beyond the event itself, digital marketing extends the lifespan of your content and messaging. Through blog posts, email newsletters, and social media recaps, you can amplify the impact of your event by reaching those who couldn’t attend in person. This not only maximizes your ROI but also keeps your brand top-of-mind long after the event has ended.

Community Building: Nurturing Relationships

In today’s interconnected world, building a community around your brand is essential for long-term success. Digital marketing provides avenues for ongoing engagement with event attendees, fostering a sense of belonging and loyalty. From online forums to exclusive content offerings, you can continue to nurture relationships with your audience, turning one-time event attendees into loyal advocates for your brand.

Integration with Sales: Driving Conversions

Ultimately, the goal of any marketing effort is to drive conversions and generate revenue. Digital marketing seamlessly integrates with your sales process, providing valuable leads and insights that can be leveraged to close deals. By aligning your marketing and sales efforts, you can maximize the ROI of your in-person events and ensure they contribute directly to your bottom line.

Any Questions?

The goal of an outsourced digital marketing agency is to understand your business and your brand voice, then amplify it in the right rooms, both online and in person.

We start every engagement with a Brand Storytelling Session where we identify your unique voice and strategic priorities. From there, our team works alongside you through bi-weekly calls and shared content calendars so your campaigns, events, and sales efforts all move in the same direction.

Because in-person events should not live in isolation. They should plug directly into your long-term pipeline strategy.

If you are ready to see how digital marketing can turn event conversations into qualified opportunities, download our Ultimate Guide to B2B Marketing for Financial Services Companies.And if you are weighing outsourced versus in-house marketing, we break that down for you as well.

Why Modern B2B Buyers Need More Than Repetition to Take Action

For years, marketers have repeated the same line: a prospect needs to see your brand seven times before they buy.

It is clean. Memorable. Easy to repeat in a meeting.

It is also outdated.

The Rule of 7 was built for a world with fewer channels, fewer competitors, and far less noise. Today, your buyer lives inside an endless scroll, an overcrowded inbox, and a search engine that serves them five alternatives in under a second.

Seven impressions do not build trust anymore. In most cases, they barely register.

What the Rule of 7 Actually Meant

The original idea was simple: repeated exposure builds familiarity. Familiarity reduces perceived risk. Reduced risk increases the likelihood of purchase.

In a traditional media environment, that worked. A buyer might:

  • See your print ad
  • Hear your radio spot
  • Receive a direct mail piece
  • Notice your brand again in a trade publication

Each touch reinforced recognition. But that model assumed something critical: attention was relatively stable. It is not anymore.

Why Seven Touchpoints Fall Flat Today

1. Attention Is Fragmented

Your buyer is not just “seeing your brand.” They are:

  • Googling solutions
  • Scrolling LinkedIn between meetings
  • Listening to industry podcasts
  • Skimming newsletters
  • Comparing vendors in multiple browser tabs
  • Asking peers for referrals

Seven scattered impressions across different platforms do not compound. They dilute. Instead of feeling familiar, you feel forgettable.

2. Algorithms Decide Who Sees You

You can publish consistently and still not reach the same person twice. Organic reach fluctuates. Search rankings move. Email open rates shift. Social platforms prioritize different content week to week.

You are not operating in a guaranteed exposure environment. You are operating in a filtered one.

Counting to seven assumes control. Most brands do not actually have it.

3. B2B Decisions Are Made by Groups

Most B2B purchases involve more than one person. There is often:

  • A financial decision-maker
  • An operational stakeholder
  • A technical evaluator
  • Sometimes a board or owner

Seven touches to one person do not move the deal forward if the rest of the room has never heard of you. Repetition has to reach the organization, not just the individual.

4. Generic Messaging Requires More Touches

If your seven impressions sound like this:

  • “We are strategic partners.”
  • “We provide customized solutions.”
  • “We care about our clients.”

You will need far more than seven. Vague messaging forces the buyer to do the interpretation work. Specific messaging reduces friction. Clear positioning shortens the trust cycle.

What Repetition Should Look Like Now

The issue is not the number. It is the definition of a “touch.”

A real touchpoint is not just exposure. It is reinforcement.

Modern repetition looks more like this:

  • They search your category and find a blog that directly addresses their risk.
  • They visit your website and immediately understand your positioning.
  • They see your CEO share sharp, relevant insights on LinkedIn.
  • A referral partner mentions your name in conversation.
  • They receive an email that actually speaks to their situation.

Now the interactions stack. Each one builds on the last. Nothing feels random. This is not about volume. It is about cohesion.

Depth Beats Frequency

One high-conviction piece of content can do more than months of generic posting.

For example:

  • A bold article that challenges common industry thinking
  • A case study with real numbers and outcomes
  • A clear breakdown of how you approach problems differently

When you take a stance and back it up, buyers do not need to see you 20 times. They need to see you clearly. Authority compresses repetition.

So How Many Touches Does It Actually Take?

There is no universal number. In reality, a B2B buying journey often includes:

  • 15 to 30 light exposures
  • 5 to 10 meaningful engagements
  • At least one referral or validation moment
  • A trigger event that creates urgency

The path is not linear. It rarely follows a clean funnel. Buyers research quietly, validate socially, and act when timing aligns.

The goal is not to hit a magic number. The goal is to create an ecosystem where every interaction strengthens credibility.

What This Means for B2B Leaders

If your marketing currently looks like:

  • Posting occasionally
  • Publishing blogs without a strong point of view
  • Sending newsletters when you “have time”
  • Hoping awareness eventually converts

You are relying on an old rule in a new environment.

Modern growth requires:

  • Clear positioning
  • Consistent narrative
  • Multi-channel reinforcement
  • Content with conviction
  • Alignment between marketing and sales

Repetition still matters. But repetition without substance is invisible.

The Real Update to the Rule of 7

The old rule was about familiarity. The new rule is about conviction.

You do not need seven reminders. You need repeated, aligned interactions that make a buyer think, “These people understand exactly what we are dealing with.”

When your marketing is cohesive and confident, you shorten the distance between awareness and action. When it is generic and fragmented, you lengthen it.

If your pipeline feels inconsistent despite steady activity, the issue may not be effort. It may be depth. 

If you are still counting impressions instead of building conviction, it might be time for a different strategy. Let’s make your marketing impossible to ignore. Contact our team to learn more about what outsourced digital marketing would look like for your company. 

Short answer: maybe.
Long answer: only if you understand exactly what you are buying.

Paid advertising has become one of the most misunderstood tools in B2B marketing, especially for professional services firms. Somewhere along the way, ads were positioned as a shortcut. Turn them on, feed the algorithm, and leads will appear.

That is not how it works. And in 2026, it works that way even less.

The Summer 2025 Shift That Changed Everything

In mid-2025, Google Ads rolled out major changes to its demand generation and audience allocation logic across search, video, and display. On paper, the update promised better performance through automation. In practice, it quietly changed where budgets were actually being spent.

And that matters more than most firms realize.

Before the update, when advertisers ran video campaigns on YouTube using algorithmic audience targeting, the system heavily favored in-feed and pre-roll placements. These ads showed up before relevant videos and inside content streams where intent actually existed.

For one of our clients, this worked exceptionally well.

A Case Study in When Ads Actually Work

Pre-update, this client was running YouTube video ads that appeared before industry-relevant content. Not flashy. Not viral. Just clear, competent explanations of what they do and who they help.

The result?
Four to eight warm leads per week.

Not spam.
Not tire-kickers.
Not cleaning companies or “cool opportunities.”

These were qualified, thoughtful prospects who understood the service, referenced the video, and booked conversations ready to talk.

It was not cheap. But it was absolutely worth every dollar.

Then July happened.

When the Leads Disappeared Overnight

After the summer 2025 update, performance collapsed. Not slowly. Instantly.

No gradual decline. No warning signs. Just nothing. No leads. No form fills. No meaningful engagement.

At first glance, nothing looked wrong. Spend was consistent. Campaigns were live. Creative had not changed.

The problem was not the ads. It was where they were being shown.

When we went into the backend, the issue became obvious. Roughly 80 percent of the budget had been automatically reallocated to the display network.

Why the Display Network Fails for B2B Services

The display network is built for impressions, not decisions.

It is optimized for consumer behavior, quick clicks, and impulse-friendly products. Think beauty products, mobile games, lifestyle offers. It is very good at that.

It is terrible for professional services.

B2B buyers do not decide because a banner ad followed them around the internet. They decide because something answered a question at the right moment.

For this client, the display shift effectively turned off lead generation while still spending the budget.

The algorithm did exactly what it was designed to do. It just was not designed for B2B.

So, Should B2B Companies Run Ads in 2026?

Sometimes. But only under the right conditions.

Ads are not a foundation. They are an amplifier. And amplifying the wrong thing just makes failure louder.

In our experience, ads work best when:

  • You already have strong organic content
  • Your website clearly explains what you do and who you help
  • Your messaging is proven through organic channels
  • Your sales process is defined and responsive

Without that, ads do not fix the problem. They expose it.

Why Search Ads Almost Always Disappoint

Search ads sound logical for professional services. Someone searches a keyword, you show up.

In reality, search ads for B2B services tend to underperform because:

  • Keywords are expensive and crowded
  • Intent is often unclear or research-based
  • Competitors and aggregators dominate results
  • One click rarely equals readiness to engage

Most firms spend heavily to learn that visibility does not equal conversion.

Display Ads and LinkedIn Ads: Proceed Carefully

Display ads, as discussed, rarely convert for B2B services.

LinkedIn ads can work in limited scenarios, but they are notoriously inconsistent. Costs fluctuate. Lead quality varies wildly. And algorithm changes are frequent and opaque.

They can support brand awareness. They are unreliable as a primary growth engine.

What Has to Be in Place Before Ads Have a Shot

Before spending serious money on ads, B2B firms need fundamentals locked in:

  • Clear positioning and messaging
  • SEO-optimized content that answers real questions
  • Video that builds trust, not hype
  • Email outreach that nurtures interest
  • Relationship-based business development

When those are working, ads can accelerate momentum.

When they are not, ads become an expensive experiment.

A Final Word of Advice

If you are considering reallocating your entire marketing budget to paid ads, do not.

That is not a strategy. That is a gamble.

Frankly, you would be better off going shopping and buying a horse. It is also an excellent way to throw money away, but at least you get a horse.

Ads can work. They can even work beautifully. But only when you know exactly what you are buying, where your money is going, and what role ads play in a larger, disciplined marketing system.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

It finally happened.

A one-star Google review showed up. No warning. No context. Just a public gut punch.

For many business owners, that moment triggers panic, defensiveness, or silence. None of those reactions help.

Recently, one of our clients, an insurance agency, received their first ever one-star review. The reviewer was frustrated that their claim had been denied and took that frustration public.

Here’s what actually happened and what businesses should do when this moment shows up on their Google profile.

What Was Really Behind the Review

The review centered on a denied insurance claim.

What it did not include was the full context. The client had not disclosed key information to their broker, which materially impacted coverage. That omission ultimately led to the claim being denied.

From the policyholder’s perspective, the experience felt sudden and unfair.
From the agency’s perspective, coverage decisions are governed by underwriting rules and disclosures that exist long before a claim is filed.

Two very different experiences collided in one public review.

Why Video Was the Right Next Step

The agency addressed the review in writing and used the moment to create a short educational video on their site, reminding clients why ongoing communication with their broker is critical to proper coverage.

The video walked through:

  • What happened
  • Why the claim was denied
  • How undisclosed information affects coverage
  • Why proactive communication matters before a loss ever occurs

The goal was not to rebut the reviewer. It was to educate current and future clients.

Video allowed the business owner to explain the situation with clarity, empathy, and confidence in a way a short written response never could. It shifted the conversation from emotion to understanding.

How This Became a Teaching Moment

The review did not just prompt a response. It prompted reflection.

The agency recognized that if one client misunderstood how disclosure impacts claims, others might as well. That realization led to proactive outreach to existing clients.

Those conversations focused on:

  • Reconfirming key disclosures
  • Walking through coverage details
  • Resetting expectations around claims
  • Encouraging clients to stay in regular contact when things change

The one-star review exposed a communication gap. The response helped close it.

Why This Approach Works

Most people reading reviews are not expecting perfection. They are looking for how a business handles friction.

A thoughtful written response signals professionalism.
An educational video signals leadership.
Proactive client outreach signals care.

Handled correctly, a one-star review can strengthen trust with the clients you already have and reduce the likelihood of the same issue showing up again.

What to Do If You Receive a One-Star Review

If this happens to your business, use this framework.

Pause Before Responding

Avoid emotional reactions. Take time to understand what actually went wrong.

Identify the Root Cause

Was this a service failure, a communication gap, or a misunderstanding of how your industry works?

Respond With Clarity

Your response should explain, not escalate. Remember the audience is everyone reading, not just the reviewer.

Use It as a Reminder to Educate

If one person was confused, others likely are too. Address it proactively.

Strengthen Communication Going Forward

Clear expectations upfront prevent public frustration later.

The Takeaway

A one-star review does not define your business.

How you respond does.

When handled with clarity and professionalism, even a negative review can reinforce trust, improve communication, and strengthen long-term client relationships.

sign pointing one way to b2b marketing and the other way to b2c marketing

B2B companies often look at B2C brands and assume the gap is budget, creativity, or platform choice.

It is not.

The real difference between B2B and B2C marketing is not where you show up. It is how buyers make decisions, how risk is evaluated, and how trust is built long before a sales conversation ever happens.

In 2026, B2B buyers behave more like consumers when researching, but they buy like risk managers when deciding. That distinction is where most B2B marketing breaks down.

This guide breaks down how B2B marketing truly differs from B2C marketing today, why copying consumer tactics rarely works, and why organic content has become the foundation of high-performing B2B growth.

What Is B2B Marketing Today?

B2B marketing is the process of attracting, educating, and converting other businesses into buyers.

But modern B2B marketing is no longer just about demand generation. It is about de-risking decisions.

Most B2B purchases involve:

  • Multiple stakeholders with competing priorities
  • Longer evaluation periods
  • Internal justification after the decision is made
  • Higher perceived downside if the wrong choice is made

As a result, B2B marketing must do more than generate interest. It must establish credibility, demonstrate expertise, and answer objections before sales ever gets involved.

In 2026, B2B marketing succeeds when it supports how buyers actually evaluate risk, not when it chases visibility for its own sake.

What Is B2C Marketing Today?

B2C marketing focuses on selling products or services directly to individual consumers.

While B2C strategies have matured significantly, the buying environment is fundamentally different:

  • Decisions are usually made by one person
  • The emotional payoff is immediate
  • The financial and reputational risk is lower
  • The sales cycle is short or nonexistent

B2C marketing optimizes for speed, impulse, and scale. B2B marketing optimizes for confidence, validation, and internal alignment.

Both use emotion and logic. The difference is how much risk the buyer carries after saying yes.

The Real Difference Between B2B and B2C Marketing

The traditional comparisons still apply, but they are incomplete. Here is how the difference actually shows up in 2026.

Decision Structure

B2C marketing targets a single buyer.
B2B marketing targets a group, often silently and asynchronously.

Your content must work for executives, operators, finance, and compliance, sometimes all at once.

Risk Profile

A bad B2C purchase is inconvenient.
A bad B2B purchase can cost someone their job.

That changes everything about messaging, proof, and pacing.

Sales Cycle

B2C marketing drives transactions.
B2B marketing supports conversations.

If your marketing cannot stand on its own without a sales rep explaining it, it is not doing its job.

Content Expectations

B2C content entertains and persuades.
B2B content educates and reassures.

Buyers are not just asking “Do I want this?” They are asking “Can I defend this decision internally?”

Why B2B Brands Struggle When They Copy B2C Tactics

Many B2B companies fail not because they lack effort, but because they optimize for the wrong outcome.

Common mistakes include:

  • Chasing reach instead of relevance
  • Running ads before building trust
  • Prioritizing brand voice over buyer clarity
  • Measuring success by traffic instead of sales alignment

In B2B, attention without credibility does not convert. It creates friction.

Why Organic Content Is the Foundation of B2B Marketing in 2026

Organic content is no longer the slow alternative to paid marketing. It is the system that makes everything else work.

Strong organic content:

  • Shapes buyer understanding before sales is contacted
  • Answers objections before they are raised
  • Builds trust across long buying cycles
  • Improves paid performance by qualifying traffic
  • Supports AI-driven discovery and search visibility

In a world where buyers research anonymously, organic content is often the first and most influential sales conversation you have.

Paid campaigns amplify momentum. Organic content creates it.

Why We Focus on B2B Financial Services at Digital Storyteller

We work with B2B financial services companies because the stakes are higher and the margin for error is smaller.

Financial services marketing must balance:

  • Regulatory and compliance constraints
  • Long sales cycles and high trust thresholds
  • Complex offerings that cannot be simplified without risk
  • Buyers who value clarity over hype

Our approach prioritizes organic visibility, buyer education, and credibility before acceleration. Not because it is safer, but because it works.

When your marketing mirrors how decisions are actually made, growth becomes more predictable.

A Final Word

B2B and B2C marketing are not opposites. They simply solve different problems.

B2C marketing helps people decide faster. B2B marketing helps people decide safely.

If your marketing strategy does not reflect that reality, no amount of spend will fix it.

Interested in finding out more? Read on to learn about the ROI of organic digital marketing (yes, it can be measured!) Then, get in touch with our team to schedule your FREE Brand Storytelling Session.

Rebranding is often misunderstood as a cosmetic exercise. A new logo. New colors. A refreshed website.

In reality, a successful rebrand is a strategic reset. It forces a business to clarify who it is, who it serves, and how it wants to be perceived going forward. When done well, rebranding aligns your internal reality with your external presence. When done poorly, it creates confusion, erodes trust, and feels disconnected from the business itself.

If you are considering a rebrand, here is how to approach the process thoughtfully, starting with the foundation and ending with the visuals.

Step One: Clarify Why You Are Rebranding

Before naming exercises or logo concepts begin, the most important work happens internally.

Ask the hard questions first:

  • Has the business evolved beyond its original positioning?
  • Has your audience changed or expanded?
  • Does your current brand no longer reflect how you actually operate?
  • Are you being misunderstood in the market?

Rebranding without a clear reason often results in surface-level changes that fail to move the needle. Rebranding with intention creates clarity and momentum.

Your “why” should guide every decision that follows.

Step Two: Define What You Want the Brand to Stand For

A brand is not what you say. It is what people understand.

Before choosing a new name or visual identity, define:

  • Your core values
  • Your differentiators
  • The problems you solve best
  • The tone you want associated with your business

This step is where messaging is born. It informs how you talk about your services, how direct or conversational you are, and what emotional response you want to create.

If this step is skipped, the logo may look good but feel hollow.

Step Three: Finding the Right Name

A business name should do more than sound nice. It should support clarity, memorability, and long-term growth.

When evaluating names, consider:

  • Does the name reflect who you are today, not who you were when you started?
  • Is it flexible enough to grow with the business?
  • Does it align with your tone and positioning?
  • Is it easy to pronounce, spell, and remember?

Avoid names that are overly clever but unclear. If someone has to ask what you do after hearing your name, the brand has already created friction.

The best names often feel simple, intentional, and grounded in meaning.

Step Four: Building a Logo That Matches the Message

A logo is not meant to explain your business. It is meant to support recognition and reinforce trust.

Strong logos share a few characteristics:

  • They align with the brand personality and tone
  • They are legible across sizes and platforms
  • They feel intentional rather than trendy
  • They support, not compete with, the messaging

Your logo should resonate with the audience you want to attract, not just internal stakeholders. A modern, minimal brand may alienate a traditional audience. A conservative logo may undercut an innovative positioning.

Design choices should be strategic, not purely aesthetic.

Step Five: Visual Identity Beyond the Logo

A rebrand is not complete with a logo alone.

Your visual system includes:

  • Color palette
  • Typography
  • Layout style
  • Imagery and graphic elements

These pieces work together to create consistency. Consistency builds trust. When your website, social content, proposals, and emails all feel cohesive, the brand feels established and credible.

This is where many rebrands fall short. They update the logo but leave everything else untouched, resulting in a fragmented experience.

Step Six: Rolling Out the Rebrand Thoughtfully

How you introduce a rebrand matters just as much as the rebrand itself.

Internally, your team should understand:

  • Why the change was made
  • How to talk about it
  • How to use the new brand assets correctly

Externally, the rollout should be clear and confident. You do not need to overexplain, but you should provide enough context to help clients and partners understand the evolution.

A rebrand should feel like a natural next chapter, not a sudden identity shift.

Rebranding Is About Alignment, Not Reinvention

The most successful rebrands do not abandon the past. They refine it.

Rebranding is about aligning how your business looks, sounds, and shows up with who you actually are and where you are headed. When the name, messaging, and visual identity work together, the brand becomes easier to understand, easier to trust, and easier to remember.

If your brand no longer reflects your reality, a thoughtful rebrand can be one of the most valuable strategic investments you make.

person using laptop on email with email icons popping up

Your Email Marketing Sucks… Here Is How to Fix It in 2026

So, you are a business owner, and your email marketing strategy still sucks. It might be ineffective for a number of reasons. Maybe:

  • Your business does not have the bandwidth to maintain consistent email output
  • Creative copy is not your strong suit
  • Your emails are boring or you have no idea how to optimize them
  • Or you did not even realize email marketing was something you should be prioritizing

Whatever the reason, poor email marketing does not cut it in 2026. Here is how to fix it.

What Is Email Marketing?

Email marketing, according to Mailchimp, is “a form of marketing that can make the customers on your email list aware of new products, discounts, and other services.”

Why Email Marketing Still Matters in 2026

Email continues to outperform nearly every digital channel in reach, cost efficiency, and conversion potential.

What Email Helps You Achieve

  • Incentivize customer loyalty
  • Educate your audience on the value of your brand
  • Keep clients and prospects engaged between purchases

Even today, many small businesses underinvest in email despite the high ROI.

Choosing the Right Email Marketing Platform

There are countless tools that support strong email marketing in 2026. At Digital Storyteller, we use a mix of CRM and automation platforms to build and optimize client campaigns.

Platforms We Use

  • HubSpot
  • HubSpot AI Writing Assistant
  • Buzz.ai for LinkedIn enrichment and sequencing
  • Apollo
  • Instantly
  • Mailchimp
  • Campaign Monitor
  • Stripo

These platforms are widely used, scalable, and effective.

How We Create Kickass Emails

Software matters, but the content inside the email and the strategy behind it matter much more.

A Recent Prospect Workflow Example

One of our recent sequences centered around converting prospects into booked calls for content marketing services. The lead email used the subject line:

Why Would You Outsource Your Marketing

The email drove strong open rates, long read times, and direct reply engagement.

Why It Worked

  • It matched our brand voice (we are hilarious)
  • It was sharp and informative
  • It included a clear call to action (“Find out more”)

Email formats differ by brand, but the fundamentals stay the same.

What Every Successful Email Should Include

Building impactful emails requires more than dropping text into a template. Strong emails share a set of core elements.

Define Your Target Audience

Most cold emails get ignored. Start with clarity on who your audience is and what they care about.

We use:

  • Andrew Marr’s (Owner and CEO of Digital Storyteller) existing LinkedIn network
  • Buzz.ai sequences (Buzz.ai is a LinkedIn automation, messaging, and outreach tool that we use)
  • Segmented outreach lists

These warm touches boost recognition and response rates.

Write a Subject Line That Deserves to Be Opened

Your subject line must be clear, relevant, and compelling.

One of our most successful examples:

We think our clients are sexy

It sparked attention because it matched our Jester brand voice.

Use Preview Text Strategically

Preview text is the short line that appears beside or beneath the subject line. About one in four readers depend on preview text to decide whether to open an email.

Personalize Beyond First Name

Personalization is no longer about “Hi Taylor.”

Modern Personalization Tactics

  • Referencing recent activity or milestones
  • Using dynamic content blocks tailored by industry or interest
  • Optimizing send times based on recipient behavior
  • Pulling platform data to create relevance
  • Mentioning shared connections or public actions

Campaign Monitor found personalization can increase revenue by up to 760 percent.

Add a Strong Call to Action

Your prospect should know exactly what you want them to do. Examples include:

  • Visit the website
  • Book a call
  • Download a resource
  • Follow on LinkedIn

Clarity matters more than creativity here.

Include Follow Up

Most conversions happen after multiple touchpoints. A single email is not a strategy. Build a sequence that nurtures and re-engages.

The Bottom Line

Email is not dead. If anything, with AI flooding inboxes with generic content, strong human-written email stands out more than ever.

Cold email is challenging, but when done correctly it shortens sales cycles and increases conversions. If you want to see how we help clients use email to drive measurable results, explore our full approach to content and outreach strategy.

Sometimes timing really is everything.

About four years ago, we had the opportunity to work with Mike Bourne while he was at Atéssa Benefits. At the time, he was exploring an idea that felt both bold and exciting, stepping away from exclusively serving massive employer groups and bringing that same large-plan expertise to small business owners.

With decades of experience in the retirement plan space, Mike saw a gap. Smaller to mid-sized businesses were not always getting the strategic, high-level guidance that large plans receive. He wanted to change that. We could tell from the beginning that he was energized by the possibility of doing something different.

As we do with all of our website and content clients, we started with a Brand Storytelling session. We dug into the passion behind the shift in demographic, the expanded services, and the long-term vision. From there, we began building a new site.

A year later, it was still in development.

Internally, not everyone shared the same enthusiasm for change, and the project stalled. It was the first time we had ever had a client not go live. It taught us an important lesson about ensuring all key stakeholders are aligned before significant marketing work begins.

Lesson learned. Relationship intact. We parted ways on good terms.

Until…

A year ago, Mike, Alison, and Rachel reached back out. They were launching a new brand, one that finally reflected the vision Mike had years earlier. A firm built specifically to serve small business owners. A firm focused on high-touch service, exceptional results, and doing things their way.

And we were genuinely grateful they came back to us.

We started fresh with a new Brand Storytelling session, this time with all three partners. They already had the name Mirador, but we collaborated on everything else: logo, brandmark, messaging, brand archetype, and the overall look and feel. We shaped how Mirador would show up in the world.

This time, the site launched.

From there, we moved into what we do best: organic digital marketing.

Blogs, video content, email campaigns, LinkedIn outreach, YouTube optimization, social posts, and backend SEO. Everything working together to tell their story consistently and authentically.

One year in, they are already seeing results. Clients have come directly from their outreach efforts, specifically from their videos. That matters.

Organic marketing takes time. It is not instant. But it compounds. It builds trust. And when your content is rooted in real conversations and real expertise, especially on video, it cannot be mistaken for something generic or AI-generated. It is clearly, unmistakably yours.

We wanted to highlight Mirador because they are doing meaningful work for small business owners. Because they are a collaborative, engaged client who invests in their own success. And yes, because backlinks matter too.

Most of all, it is a reminder that sometimes the first attempt is just preparation for the real launch. And when the timing is right, everything aligns.

Check out the Mirador Retirement Solutions Website here: https://miradorplans.com follow them on LinkedIn here: https://linkedin.com/company/mirador-retirement-solutions/ and reach out to tehm if your business wants to create the kind of retirement plan that attracts and retains the very best people while saving money for your own retirement. Check out Mike’s video on what a DB/DC plan is and how it works for Business owners here: https://www.youtube.com/@MiradorRetirement

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