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  • Driving Visibility into the Customer Journey: How Smurfit Westrock Transformed its Lead Management

    Smurfit Westrock , which operates in 40 countries with 100,000+ employees, is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. The B2B company has grown over the years both organically and by acquisition. While Sojourn Solutions has been helping Smurfit Westrock transform its marketing operations since 2017, a primary focus of the last 3 years has been on lead management. We recently spoke with Hee Suk Ko , Director of Enterprise Marketing for Smurfit Westrock, about the company’s lead management challenges, and how they were tackled. What follows is an excerpted version of that conversation:  What were the biggest challenges Smurfit Westrock faced around lead management? Ko: Our primary challenge was limited visibility into lead progression through the funnel. Previously, leads would be handed off to sales without a unified process for follow-up or optimization of the lead-to-conversion process. While certain divisions and teams may have had more mature processes, holisitically, we lacked comprehensive visibility to share learnings and improve our lead quality, lead velocity and closed/won deals.  What was the impact of that previous lead management process on (1) the relationship between marketing and sales, and (2) the customer experience?  Ko: The lack of visibility resulted in inconsistency in both the relationship between marketing and sales and in the customer experience. Some sales team members were eager to receive leads regardless of quality, while others might disregard leads they deemed insufficient. This disparity created misalignment in the customer experience where marketing communications often failed to align with the actual buyer journey and sales interactions. What needed to change?  Ko: We needed to standardize our approach and definitions regarding lead quality and scoring across the organization. Despite having a unified CRM, its usage and data quality were inconsistent. We had to develop a formal framework for lead quality and scoring and streamline the process for sales to follow up on leads, ensuring we – both marketing and sales – could track whether leads were accepted or not as well as their dispositions.  How did you go about working with Sojourn to gain more visibility into the customer journey? Ko: We began by consolidating data from our CRM and marketing automation platform to create initial enterprise marketing attribution dashboards. We then focused on standardizing the definition of a marketing qualified lead (MQL) and tracking key metrics such as MQL acceptance rates, contact rates, and conversion opportunities with each business unit and corresponding sales leaders.  This process evolved into a more holistic approach, incorporating data from additional sources like our web analytics platform and internal financial systems to enrich our understanding of our prospects and customers.  Note from Sojourn:   Smurfit Westrock’s Eloqua-Salesforce integration was updated to match its current business needs (each campaign response would create a new Lead (MQL) in Salesforce.).  The work included changing the lead model, lead assignments, and adding new fields for Lead/Opportunity objects to the integration, and adjusting the sync'd campaign fields.  Overall, these changes meant giving Sales greater context into Leads, and more rich data being available for Marketing to use in segmentation and scoring.  How did these changes impact how marketing and sales worked together? Ko: The improved visibility has fostered a more collaborative approach between marketing and sales. We’re now more intentional and data-driven in our resource allocation for external activities such as trade shows and campaigns. Collectively, we have a better understanding of our customers’ buying journeys, which allows us to identify gaps, improve channel performance, and optimize our targeting. This improved visibility ultimately drives better orchestration, engagement, and conversion rates.  What changes were made with your technology infrastructure and data? Ko: We enhanced our existing CRM-marketing automation platform integration to provide sales with more comprehensive and up-to-date lead information relevant to their division and end market segments. We implemented a contact validation tool and a thorough data cleanup process. Additionally, we optimized our form fields to ensure sales had sufficient information to effectively evaluate and follow up on leads. While we have made great improvements, we recognize that this is an iterative process as we introduce new data sources, technologies, and teams.  Note from Sojourn:  We created dashboards to analyze marketing's influence on revenue, while allowing analysis of channel, buyer role, and buyer journey.  All analysis is split by division giving insight into regional/solution and product differences. Sojourn's recommendations have covered:  (1) optimization of targeting by buyer role in the buying group, (2) optimization of segmentation, including earlier identification of contacts and increasing use of automation to manage contacts across the buying group, (3) optimization of channels, including which channels to prioritize because of their impact on pipeline and revenue. What have been the main benefits of the transformation? Ko: Tangibly, we’ve achieved significant cost and time savings that will compound over time. We now have greater visibility into the buyer journey and marketing influence, all while tracking conversion rates by division to have more informed decision-making conversations with our sales leaders. This improved visibility has also built trust in our data as well as within marketing and sales relationships, both of which were previously lacking and/or inconsistent across teams.  Marketing and sales teams now engage in data-informed conversations about lead prioritization and lead allocation. There’s been a cultural shift, with a heightened appreciation for lead management and tracking capabilities. The ability to have a 360-degree view of customers has become increasingly valuable, especially as we continue our focus on first-party data and consider factors beyond just closing deals, such as payment behavior and cross-selling opportunities. Note from Sojourn: $250K cost savings in FY24 when compared to implementing a productized attribution tool. 85% reduction in event data processing time (7 days reduced to 24 hours), thus speeding up follow-up emails and sending more timely, relevant communications. Open and click through rates improved 14.78% and 17.80% respectively, showing a positive trend in email engagement. What capabilities has Sojourn contributed to Smurfit Westrock? Ko: Sojourn brings two critical areas of expertise: 1. technical knowledge of our tools, integrations, and backend systems and 2. a strategic partnership that understands the nuances of our organization. Our day-to-day partners at Sojourn have been able to adapt to our needs, provide best practices, and offer insights from their consultative experiences while recognizing our unique challenges and requirements at Smurfit Westrock to build authentic relationships internally with sales and externally with our customers.  Learn more about how Sojourn Solutions can help improve your   Marketing Operations  - or feel free to   reach out  to us today.

  • Smurfit Westrock: Transforming marketing attribution for better insights and cost efficiency

    Understanding how marketing efforts influence buyer behavior is critical in today’s complex B2B landscape. For Smurfit Westrock, a global packaging leader, the challenge lay in accurately tracking marketing performance and justifying budget allocations. Historical decisions and anecdotal feedback drove marketing investments, leaving significant gaps in data-driven decision-making. This article covers how Sojourn’s tailored marketing attribution solution transformed their approach. The challenge: Bridging the attribution gap Smurfit Westrock faced several hurdles in their marketing attribution journey. A significant issue was the inability to validate the impact of marketing campaigns on revenue generation. Without robust tools and processes, the marketing team struggled to connect specific campaigns and channels to tangible business outcomes. This lack of visibility made it difficult to allocate budgets effectively or prioritize initiatives. Additionally, siloed and inefficient systems exacerbated the problem. Salesforce, for instance, was underutilized, with poor contact role usage against opportunities. Meanwhile, Eloqua’s Contact-Level Reporting (CLR) introduced blind spots in data, further limiting insights into channel performance. These systemic issues resulted in marketing strategies that relied heavily on anecdotal evidence rather than data-driven insights. To make matters even more challenging, the sales and marketing teams were not operating in harmony. The large, decentralized sales organization functioned independently - limiting marketing’s ability to influence outcomes and optimize strategies. The absence of actionable insights compounded the difficulty, leaving key metrics like channel ROI and campaign influence unmeasured and unoptimized. Our solution: A tailored marketing attribution framework To address these challenges, Sojourn developed and implemented a comprehensive marketing attribution solution tailored specifically to Smurfit Westrock’s needs. The first step was integrating data from multiple sources, including website tracking, offline events, marketing automation identity resolution, and CRM order data. This integration created a unified attribution database that provided a more complete view of the buying journey and marketing performance. Custom channel definitions were established to ensure accurate tracking and reporting. UTM parameters had been optimized for some time and now were categorized to align with Smurfit Westrock’s unique requirements. This customization allowed for greater precision in measuring the performance of individual channels and subchannels. In addition to these technical solutions, Sojourn introduced advanced analytics and delivered a monthly service to analyze marketing performance across various buying stages for each division. These insights informed strategic recommendations, enabling Smurfit Westrock to focus on high-impact areas and implement a roadmap for continuous improvement. Visualization was a critical component of the solution, with dashboards built in Looker Studio. These dashboards provided an accessible way for teams to interpret data, identify performance gaps, and take targeted action. Example dashboards Key results and outcomes The impact of this tailored solution was significant: Identified marketing gaps by division : Insights revealed opportunities to improve channel performance, target buying group members earlier in their journeys, and refine segmentation strategies. Cost savings : Smurfit Westrock realized savings of $250,000 in FY24. This was achieved by implementing a customized attribution solution rather than investing in a productized tool, which would have required additional implementation costs and a dedicated data analyst. Enhanced buyer journey understanding : The solution provided a deeper understanding of the buyer journey, allowing Smurfit Westrock to align marketing strategies with revenue goals more effectively. Actionable dashboards : The introduction of accessible dashboards empowered various marketing teams to collaborate more closely, fostering a shared understanding of performance metrics and strategic priorities. Insights for continuous improvement Throughout the project, several key learnings emerged. One critical insight was the importance of evolving attribution reporting to address blind spots and meet changing business needs. Regular engagement with stakeholders was essential in ensuring that the solution remained relevant and actionable. Another lesson was the necessity of pairing attribution solutions with ongoing analytics support. Attribution alone cannot drive results; it must be complemented by expert analysis to translate data into strategic actions. Cultural and understanding challenges also had to be addressed. Establishing a shared understanding of key metrics, such as the distinction between lead-level and touchpoint reporting, required consistent communication and education. The project also highlighted the value of visualization in gaining stakeholder buy-in. Visual representations of the buyer journey proved instrumental in helping both strategic and operational stakeholders understand and support the attribution solution. For detail-oriented team members, an architecture diagram and glossary were essential tools for clarity and alignment. Future enhancements: A path forward While the solution delivered significant improvements, opportunities for further refinement remain. Funnel optimization dashboards could provide deeper insights into conversion rates, equipping sales and marketing teams with tools to collaborate on improving performance. Advanced forecasting tools could help predict the impact of customer journey gaps on future pipeline and revenue metrics. Updating end-market dashboards to track engagement and audience growth is another potential enhancement. These updates would ensure that the solution continues to evolve alongside Smurfit Westrock’s needs, delivering sustained value over time. A collaborative success story This Smurfit Westrock case exemplifies the transformative power of a tailored marketing attribution solution. By addressing specific challenges and integrating data across systems, Sojourn enabled the company to transition from anecdotal decision-making to a data-driven strategy. The cost savings, improved insights, and enhanced collaboration between divisional marketing teams underscore the solution’s effectiveness. For businesses looking to optimize their marketing efforts and align strategies with measurable outcomes, a customized attribution framework is a game-changer. Smurfit Westrock’s success story serves as a compelling example of what’s possible with the right approach to marketing attribution. The benefits of integrating AI with your Marketing Operations

  • Fixing the inbox problem: The path to a higher sender score

    The Challenge A national telecomms client that we've worked with for a number of years and provide deliverability services to, were proactively alerted by ourselves to a significant decline in their "Sender Score" - a critical metric for email reputation. This drop started to lead to increased email rejections, adversely affecting their communication with customers and overall business operations. Our Approach To address these issues, we implemented a comprehensive strategy: DMARC implementation on subdomains : We extended DMARC policies to all relevant subdomains to enhance email authentication. DNS best practices alignment : Identified and implemented additional DNS adjustments to align their infrastructure with current best practices. Legacy configuration resolution : Addressed the outdated practice of using the same domain for both their sending IP and secure microsite, providing guidance to modernize this setup. IP rewarming & monitoring : Established a daily monitoring process to manage and rewarm their IP, stabilizing their Sender Score. Database health & sending strategy : Engaged in discussions about database hygiene and batch email sending, leading to improvements in their email marketing strategy. The Results Sender score restored : Returned to the upper 90s and has remained stable. Reduced rejection rates : Emails are now consistently reaching inboxes with minimal rejection. Improved deliverability : Overall email performance has significantly improved, increasing customer engagement and response rates. Future-proofed infrastructure : Updates have ensured their email system is aligned with current best practices, reducing future risks. Client Sender Score Conclusion By addressing technical gaps and refining the clients email infrastructure, we successfully restored and stabilized their email deliverability. This project also facilitated ongoing improvements in database management and sending practices, ensuring long-term success. Need to improve your email deliverability? Let’s talk.

  • R.I.P. MQLs: B2B Marketing no longer needs you...

    Let’s face it: the traditional way we’ve been handling leads in B2B marketing, specifically Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs), is starting to drastically show its age. For years, MQLs were the Holy Grail, the go-to metric to determine which leads were "sales-ready." But as buyer behavior evolved and new technologies have emerged, it’s become clear that MQLs are no longer the best way to measure lead quality. So, why the shift? Todays buyers are smarter, more self-sufficient, and don’t always follow the neat, predictable paths that MQLs were based on. The rise and popularity of MQLs Before we get into why MQLs are falling out of favour, let’s quickly rewind to when they were first introduced. MQLs were once the magic ticket for B2B marketing teams. An MQL was essentially a lead that had shown interest in your brand, whether by downloading an eBook, attending a webinar, or clicking on a CTA. The theory was simple: the more a lead engaged with your content, the closer they were to making a purchase , right? In theory, MQLs were great. They provided a clear, data-backed way to tell marketing and sales teams, "Hey, this lead is worth pursuing." Sales teams could focus their energy on people who seemed interested, and marketing teams could measure their success based on the number of MQLs they generated. This alignment was golden for streamlining B2B sales cycles. But here’s the catch: the way MQLs were defined and used was often too simplistic, and they didn't always mean a lead was ready to talk to sales. While marketers celebrated their ability to generate a ton of MQLs, the quality of those leads was sometimes questionable. Over time, teams began to realize that simply counting MQLs wasn't the best indicator of future sales. Why MQLs are no longer effective The evolution of buyer behavior Let’s start with the obvious: buyer behavior has drastically changed. In the past, prospects would land in your lap after a few clicks on your website or a webinar sign-up. Today, they’re researching solutions, comparing competitors, and reading reviews long before they even think about talking to a salesperson. This shift has fundamentally changed how companies should approach lead qualification. MQLs are no longer an accurate reflection of where someone is in their buying journey. Today, buyers often don’t need to interact with your brand before they make a purchase decision. They’ve already gathered enough information online to make up their minds, often bypassing the traditional sales funnel. The problem with lead scoring At the heart of the MQL model was lead scoring - essentially assigning points based on a lead's engagement with your content. But as digital marketing evolved, lead scoring became a bit of a guessing game. Lead scoring models were often based on a set of arbitrary rules that didn’t really reflect the true intent or purchasing power of a lead. For example, someone might download an eBook but still have no real interest in your product. On the flip side, someone could be engaging with your content without clicking on a CTA, but they might be closer to making a purchase. This is where MQLs fall short. Lead scoring doesn’t always accurately capture buyer intent, which is crucial in today’s B2B world, where deals can be complex and long-cycle. The disconnect between sales and marketing Another issue with MQLs? The ongoing disconnect between sales and marketing teams. Marketing’s job was to generate leads, and sales’ job was to close them, right? The problem was that marketing teams often flooded sales with MQLs that weren’t truly ready for a sales conversation. In fact, some studies have shown that as much as 80% of MQLs were unqualified for sales, resulting in wasted time and resources. Salespeople, tired of sifting through low-quality leads, started to view MQLs as a distraction rather than a useful tool. And when marketing and sales aren’t aligned, it’s bad news for both teams - and for the bottom line. Quality vs. Quantity The focus on generating large volumes of MQLs led many B2B organizations to prioritize quantity over quality. Sure, you could generate hundreds or even thousands of MQLs, but if they weren’t properly qualified, you were simply wasting resources. B2B marketing has shifted. Instead of aiming for a high number of MQLs, companies are focusing on high-value, highly targeted accounts that are more likely to convert into long-term customers. This is a major reason why MQLs are losing relevance: marketers are realizing that quality, not quantity, should be the goal. The impact of automation and AI The rise of marketing automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning has added even more complexity to the MQL model. With these tools, marketers can now analyze buyer intent with much more precision. Predictive analytics can tell you exactly where leads are in the buying cycle, making the need for MQLs obsolete. AI can track online behaviours - like what content leads are consuming, what they’re searching for, and how they’re engaging with your brand - giving marketers more insight into a lead’s readiness to buy. With these technologies, MQLs just don’t cut it anymore. Alternative approaches to lead qualification If MQLs are on their way out, what should B2B marketers focus on instead? Fortunately, there are several modern approaches that offer a more accurate and efficient way to qualify leads. The emergence of SQLs (Sales Qualified Leads) One alternative to MQLs is the rise of SQLs (Sales Qualified Leads). While MQLs are marketing’s responsibility, SQLs are the point at which marketing hands the baton to sales. These are leads that have shown clear signs of readiness to make a purchasing decision. SQLs are often defined by behaviors that indicate a real intent to buy, such as requesting a demo or engaging directly with a sales rep. The beauty of SQLs is that they involve collaboration between sales and marketing to define what makes a lead "sales-ready." This is a more refined and dynamic approach to lead qualification that ensures sales teams only get leads who are truly ready to engage. Intent data and predictive analytics Intent data is another game-changer. It’s no longer about waiting for leads to engage with your content - it’s about understanding what leads are already looking for and when they’re ready to buy. With intent data, you can track signals like content consumption, search behavior, and even third-party data to understand what’s driving a lead’s purchasing decision. By leveraging predictive analytics, B2B marketers can forecast which leads are most likely to convert into customers. This allows for a much more efficient qualification process than relying on traditional MQL scoring. Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Account-Based Marketing (ABM) is quickly becoming the go-to strategy for B2B marketers who want to focus on high-value accounts. Rather than casting a wide net and hoping for a good catch, ABM targets specific companies or organizations that fit your ideal customer profile. This personalized, high-touch approach allows you to focus your resources on the accounts that matter most. ABM eliminates the need for MQLs altogether. Instead, marketers work closely with sales to engage the right accounts and decision-makers with tailored messaging. The result is better-qualified leads, more meaningful relationships, and ultimately, higher conversion rates. Buyer journey mapping Understanding the buyer journey is crucial. Instead of relying on MQLs, marketers are mapping out the entire journey - from awareness to decision - to better understand when a lead is truly ready to talk to sales. By tracking engagement at every stage of the journey, marketers can identify when a lead is actually sales-ready, eliminating the guesswork that comes with MQLs. The role of technology in redefining lead qualification Technology has played a huge role in redefining how B2B marketers approach lead qualification. Marketing automation platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, and Salesforce now offer more nuanced ways to track and measure lead behaviour, moving away from simple MQL scoring. AI-powered tools are helping to qualify leads with greater precision. Predictive lead scoring, chatbots, and lead enrichment tools allow marketing and sales teams to make better-informed decisions about which leads are worth pursuing. By integrating these technologies with CRM systems, sales and marketing teams can have a unified view of each lead’s behaviour, making it easier to qualify leads based on intent rather than arbitrary scores. What’s next? The future of lead qualification in B2B marketing So, what’s next? The future of lead qualification is all about hyper-personalization, data-driven insights, and deeper sales-marketing alignment. Gone are the days of generic lead scoring models. The future is about delivering personalized experiences and understanding the true intent behind each lead’s actions. Data will continue to play a massive role in this shift. By leveraging closed-loop analytics, marketers will gain deeper insights into the entire buyer journey, allowing for more accurate lead qualification. And as sales and marketing teams work more closely together, the need for rigid MQL definitions will fade into the background. Final thoughts MQLs had their time in the sun, but the landscape of B2B marketing has changed. Buyer behaviour has shifted, technologies have advanced, and sales and marketing teams are becoming more aligned. As a result, MQLs are no longer the best way to measure lead quality. In the future, we’ll see a move towards more sophisticated, intent-based qualification models like SQLs, intent data, ABM, and predictive analytics becoming the norm. These approaches will help B2B marketers focus on quality over quantity, improving conversion rates and driving better ROI. So, if you’re still holding on to the old MQL model, it’s time to embrace the future of lead qualification. It’s a lot more nuanced, a lot more data-driven, and a whole lot more effective. Find out more about our Lead Management Services

  • The Pros and Cons of AI-driven lead scoring in modern Marketing Operations

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way businesses prioritize and nurture leads, making sales and marketing efforts more efficient. AI-driven lead scoring analyzes vast amounts of data to predict which prospects are most likely to convert, allowing teams to focus on high-value opportunities. However, while AI brings numerous advantages, it also comes with challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of AI in lead scoring and highlight leading marketing technology platforms that offer AI-powered lead scoring. Understanding AI-driven lead scoring Traditional lead scoring assigns numerical values to prospects based on predefined factors like demographic details, company size, website activity, and email engagement. AI-driven lead scoring, on the other hand, goes beyond these static rules by using machine learning to analyze patterns, detect correlations, and predict which leads are most likely to become customers. Unlike traditional methods, AI continuously learns from new data, adapting its scoring models over time to improve accuracy and effectiveness. Benefits of AI in lead scoring ✅  Enhanced Accuracy - AI processes large datasets and identifies patterns that human analysts might miss, leading to more accurate lead prioritization. ✅  Scalability - AI models can handle millions of data points across various customer touchpoints, making them ideal for businesses of all sizes. ✅  Real-Time Analysis - AI scores leads dynamically, allowing sales teams to engage with high-priority prospects at the right moment. ✅  Improved Personalization - By understanding user behavior, AI can help tailor marketing efforts to individual prospects, increasing engagement and conversion rates. ✅  Optimized Resource Allocation - By identifying high-value leads, businesses can direct their efforts toward the most promising opportunities, reducing wasted time and resources. Challenges of AI in lead scoring ⚠️  Data Dependency - AI models rely on high-quality data. If the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the lead scoring model may generate misleading insights. ⚠️  Complex Implementation - AI-driven lead scoring requires integration with CRM and marketing automation platforms, which can be costly and require technical expertise. ⚠️  Potential Bias - AI models can inherit biases from historical data, leading to unfair scoring that may exclude certain prospects. ⚠️  Lack of Transparency - Some AI models operate as "black boxes," making it difficult for marketers to understand how specific scores are assigned. ⚠️  Over-Reliance on AI - AI should complement human decision-making rather than replace it entirely, as relationship-building and intuition remain crucial in sales. Marketing technology platforms with AI-powered lead scoring Several marketing automation and CRM platforms offer AI-driven lead scoring to help businesses prioritize leads more effectively. Here are some of the top solutions: Oracle Eloqua AI Feature:  Advanced lead scoring powered by Oracle’s machine learning models. Key Benefits: Uses AI to evaluate lead engagement, behavior, and demographic data. Helps businesses prioritize leads based on likelihood to convert. Integrates seamlessly with Oracle’s suite of marketing automation tools. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement (MCAE, formerly Pardot) AI Feature:  Einstein Lead Scoring. Key Benefits: Uses Salesforce’s AI to rank leads based on behavioral data. Provides predictive insights for better targeting. Integrates with Salesforce CRM for improved sales and marketing alignment. Adobe Marketo Engage AI Feature:  Predictive content and AI-powered lead scoring. Key Benefits: AI analyzes past customer behavior to predict lead quality. Offers personalized content recommendations based on user engagement. Helps sales teams focus on the most valuable opportunities. HubSpot AI Feature:  AI-powered lead scoring and engagement tracking. Key Benefits: Uses machine learning to score leads based on their interactions with emails, web pages, and content. Helps marketers automate follow-ups and nurture campaigns. Provides insights into lead readiness to improve conversion rates. Final thoughts: Is AI-driven lead scoring right for you? AI-powered lead scoring has the potential to revolutionize sales and marketing by improving accuracy, efficiency, and personalization. However, businesses must be mindful of the challenges, including data quality, potential biases, and implementation complexity. The best approach is to combine AI-driven insights with human intuition, ensuring that marketing and sales teams leverage technology without losing the personal touch that builds relationships and trust. If you’re considering implementing AI-driven lead scoring, choosing the right platform is essential. Solutions like Oracle Eloqua, Salesforce MCAE, and Adobe Marketo Engage offer powerful AI capabilities, helping businesses maximize conversions and drive revenue growth. Want to explore AI-powered lead scoring for your business? Get in touch with our team to find the right solution for you!  🚀   Download our FREE whitepaper

  • Some key takeaways from Adobe Summit 2025 - Unlocking B2B marketing success

    Adobe Summit is one of the biggest annual events in digital marketing, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and practitioners to explore the latest trends, tools, and technologies. It’s a hub for learning about AI, automation, customer experience, and data-driven strategies that are shaping the future of marketing. Whether you’re a CMO, Marketing Operations leader, or technology specialist, Adobe Summit offers insights and strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve and Adobe Summit 2025 was a powerhouse of insights. Our team was in attendance, soaking up the latest trends and strategies shaping the future of B2B marketing. From AI-driven personalization to optimizing complex buying journeys, here’s what stood out to us from a few of our favourite sessions: Cracking the code: building and scaling B2B buying groups B2B marketing isn’t just about convincing one decision-maker anymore - it’s about engaging entire buying groups. This session broke down how marketers can adapt to this shift. Our key takeaways: Buying groups are getting bigger and more complex, meaning one-size-fits-all marketing doesn’t cut it. Instead, businesses need to personalize outreach for multiple stakeholders with different priorities. Intent data and automation are game changers. By understanding where prospects are in their journey, marketing and sales teams can engage them at the right time with the right message. Seamless, multi-touch engagement is key. Consistency across channels helps build trust and keeps the buying group moving toward a decision. Structuring Marketo Engage for multiple teams and regions Managing Marketo Engage across different teams and locations can feel like herding cats. This session provided practical tips to make it all run smoothly. Our key takeaways: Organizing workspaces and partitions properly prevents chaos and ensures different teams can work effectively while maintaining clean data. A real-world example from Minto Homes showed how Marketo can support both B2B and B2C experiences - proving it’s not just about software, but how you structure it for success. The right integrations can take Marketo to the next level, making reporting and scalability much easier across different markets. Making AI work for your business AI isn’t a buzzword anymore - it’s actively reshaping B2B marketing. This session showed how businesses can harness its power. Our key takeaways: AI-driven predictive analytics help marketers anticipate customer needs before they even realize them, leading to more meaningful interactions. Automating lead scoring and nurturing at scale frees up valuable time, allowing teams to focus on high-value prospects. The session also touched on the ethics of AI, emphasizing that while automation is powerful, the human touch is still crucial in building relationships and trust. B2B reimagined: transforming go-to-market strategies With AI and automation becoming central to B2B marketing, businesses need to rethink how they go to market. Our key takeaways from this session included: Account-based marketing (ABM) is gaining momentum, shifting focus from broad campaigns to highly targeted, high-value account strategies. AI-driven insights are helping marketers refine their messaging, optimize touchpoints, and create more personalized experiences. Aligning sales and marketing teams is more important than ever—when both are working toward the same goal with unified messaging, conversions happen faster. Final thoughts Adobe Summit 2025 made one thing clear: the future of B2B marketing is all about AI, automation, and personalization. Companies that embrace these technologies - while keeping a human touch - will be the ones that thrive. If you’re looking for ways to put these strategies into action, Sojourn Solutions is here to help. Discover more about our AI services

  • AI-Powered Marketing Automation: How leading platforms currently stack up

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing marketing automation, enabling businesses to engage prospects, personalize experiences, and drive conversions more effectively. However, not all AI-powered marketing automation platforms (MAPs) yet offer the same capabilities. Here, we compare how four major players - Adobe Marketo Engage, Oracle Eloqua, Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement (MCAE), and HubSpot - currently leverage AI to enhance their (and your) marketing performance. AI-Powered Email Content Creation Creating engaging email campaigns can be time-consuming, but AI is streamlining the process: Adobe Marketo Engage : Features a built-in AI assistant that generates rapid, brand-approved email content and visuals. Oracle Eloqua : Utilizes AI primarily for optimizing subject lines and determining optimal send times. Salesforce MCAE : Integrates with Salesforce's AI tools to automate certain aspects of content creation. HubSpot : Offers an AI-powered content assistant that drafts email copy, calls-to-action (CTAs), and other marketing messages. Winner:  Adobe Marketo Engage & HubSpot for their advanced AI-generated content capabilities. AI Chatbots & Conversational Marketing AI-driven chatbots are transforming customer interactions by providing real-time, automated responses: Adobe Marketo Engage : Introduces "Dynamic Chat," an AI-powered chatbot that offers real-time Q&A with customizable responses. Oracle Eloqua : Lacks a native chatbot feature, necessitating third-party integrations. Salesforce MCAE : Leverages Salesforce's AI to facilitate chatbot-like customer engagement experiences. HubSpot : Provides "ChatSpot AI," an assistant designed for conversational marketing and sales support. Winner:  Adobe Marketo Engage & HubSpot for their built-in AI-driven chatbot functionalities. AI-Enhanced Webinar Content Webinars are valuable marketing tools, and AI can enhance their effectiveness: Adobe Marketo Engage : Employs AI to generate webinar summaries and create video chapters for improved navigation. Oracle Eloqua, Salesforce MCAE, and HubSpot : Currently do not offer AI-driven webinar enhancements. Winner:  Adobe Marketo Engage for its unique AI-powered webinar content features. AI-Driven Meeting Scheduling Efficient scheduling can significantly boost lead conversion rates: Adobe Marketo Engage & HubSpot : Offer built-in AI-powered meeting schedulers. Oracle Eloqua & Salesforce MCAE : Require third-party integrations for scheduling functionalities. Winner:  Adobe Marketo Engage & HubSpot for their native scheduling automation features. Predictive Analytics & Lead Scoring AI assists marketers in prioritizing high-value leads and optimizing campaign performance: Adobe Marketo Engage : Utilizes AI-driven insights to measure ROI and refine marketing strategies. Oracle Eloqua : Features advanced AI-powered lead scoring for enhanced targeting. Salesforce MCAE : Employs Salesforce's AI to predict lead quality and engagement levels. HubSpot : Uses AI to prioritize contacts based on their engagement metrics. Winner:  All platforms provide AI-powered lead scoring, with Adobe Marketo Engage and Oracle Eloqua leading in advanced analytics. AI-Powered Content Personalization Personalized content enhances engagement and conversion rates: Adobe Marketo Engage : Adjusts content and CTAs in real-time based on user interactions. Oracle Eloqua : Employs audience segmentation for targeted campaigns. Salesforce MCAE : Dynamically modifies messaging based on customer behavior. HubSpot : Provides AI-driven content recommendations for emails, websites, and landing pages. Winner:  Adobe Marketo Engage & HubSpot for real-time, AI-driven personalization. Verdict: Which MAP currently offers the most AI integration? Each platform has its strengths: Best for AI Content Creation & Webinars:   Adobe Marketo Engage Best for AI-Powered Chatbots & Scheduling:   HubSpot Best for Predictive Analytics & Lead Scoring:   Oracle Eloqua & Salesforce MCAE Best for AI-Powered Personalization:   Adobe Marketo Engage & HubSpot If your goal is advanced AI-driven automation, content creation, and personalization, Adobe Marketo Engage  and HubSpot  lead the way. For AI-driven lead scoring and predictive analytics, Oracle Eloqua  and Salesforce MCAE  are strong contenders. Final thoughts AI is revolutionizing marketing technology, empowering businesses to automate processes, gain deeper insights, and deliver personalized experiences at scale. From predictive analytics and customer segmentation to AI-driven content creation and real-time campaign optimization, AI enhances efficiency and enables smarter decision-making. Sojourn Solutions can help you seamlessly integrate AI-powered solutions into your MarTech stack for maximum impact. Whether you're selecting the right tools, refining data models, or optimizing AI-driven strategies, we provide the expertise to harness AI’s full potential - so you can work more efficiently, make data-driven decisions, and accelerate growth. Download the FREE whitepaper *All information in this article is presumed correct as of 14th March 2025 - but please reach out to the prospective software companies for confirmation of their current AI capabilities

  • AI in B2B marketing attribution: Finally solving the multi-touch mystery

    The Challenge of Multi-Touch Attribution in B2B Attribution in B2B marketing has always been a complex puzzle. Unlike B2C, where customer journeys are often short and direct, B2B buying cycles are long, involve multiple stakeholders, and span several touchpoints across marketing and sales. Traditional attribution models - first-touch, last-touch, and even basic multi-touch - fail to capture the full impact of each interaction. Enter AI. By leveraging machine learning and advanced analytics, AI-powered attribution models can now analyze vast amounts of data, detect patterns, and assign value to each touchpoint in ways that were previously impossible. How AI is Transforming Multi-Touch Attribution 1. Moving Beyond Basic Models Traditional models assign credit in rigid ways: first-touch gives all credit to the initial interaction, last-touch credits only the final interaction, and linear models distribute credit evenly across all touchpoints. AI, however, dynamically evaluates real impact - determining which engagements truly drive conversions rather than treating all interactions equally. 2. AI-Powered Data Integration One of the biggest hurdles in attribution is consolidating data across multiple platforms - CRM, marketing automation, social media, paid ads, email campaigns, and offline events. AI can ingest, clean, and unify  data from these sources, eliminating gaps and giving a holistic view of the customer journey. 3. Predictive Attribution Modeling AI doesn’t just look at past data - it predicts future impact. By analyzing engagement patterns, AI can determine which touchpoints are most likely to influence pipeline acceleration and revenue growth, helping marketers allocate budget more effectively. 4. Understanding the Buying Committee B2B sales involve multiple decision-makers. AI-driven attribution accounts for interactions across the entire buying group , identifying the roles and engagement levels of different stakeholders within an account, not just individual leads. 5. Real-Time Attribution and Optimization With AI, attribution isn’t just a reporting tool - it’s an active optimization engine . Real-time insights allow marketers to adjust campaigns, shift spending, and refine messaging based on what’s actually driving results. The Impact of AI-Powered Attribution on B2B Marketing More Accurate ROI Measurement AI-driven attribution provides a clearer picture of marketing ROI , ensuring that investment is directed toward the most effective channels and tactics. Better Alignment Between Marketing and Sales By tracking interactions across both marketing and sales touchpoints, AI-driven attribution strengthens alignment—helping teams work towards shared revenue goals rather than separate KPIs. Smarter Budget Allocation With AI pinpointing high-performing channels, B2B marketers can make data-backed decisions to shift budget toward strategies that drive actual revenue impact. Enhanced Personalization Understanding which touchpoints matter most enables marketers to craft hyper-personalized experiences  that move accounts through the funnel faster. Final Thoughts AI isn’t just improving B2B attribution - it’s rewriting the rules . By moving beyond static models and providing real-time, predictive insights, AI is finally solving the multi-touch mystery  that has frustrated marketers for years. As AI-driven attribution continues to evolve, B2B marketing leaders must embrace it - not just to track performance, but to drive smarter, more effective strategies that fuel business growth. Download your FREE whitepaper

  • Measuring ABM success beyond MQLs

    Why traditional ABM metrics fall short Most ABM programs still rely on Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs)  as a primary success metric. While MQLs provide a basic measure of engagement, they don’t tell the full story of account-based success. ABM is about deepening relationships with high-value accounts , not just generating form fills. If your ABM reporting still revolves around MQLs, you’re missing key indicators of pipeline influence, deal acceleration, and revenue impact. To truly measure ABM success, you need to shift focus towards account-centric, engagement-driven, and revenue-focused  metrics. Here’s how. Key ABM success metrics Account Engagement Score (AES) What it measures:  The level of interaction key accounts have with your brand across multiple touchpoints (email, content, social, events, website visits, etc.). Why it matters:  ABM isn’t about individual leads; it’s about entire buying committees. A strong AES indicates that decision-makers and influencers within a target account are engaging consistently. How to track it: Track engagement across multi-channel interactions  (website visits, ad clicks, event participation, email engagement). Assign weighted scores  to high-value actions (e.g., attending a webinar = higher score than opening an email). Use tools like 6sense or Demandbase  to aggregate engagement signals. Pipeline influence & acceleration What it measures:  How ABM efforts contribute to moving accounts through the sales funnel faster. Why it matters:  Success isn’t just about generating interest - it’s about shortening sales cycles  and increasing conversion rates. How to track it: Compare deal velocity  (average time from first touch to closed-won) between ABM-engaged accounts vs. non-ABM accounts. Analyze whether ABM-targeted accounts progress faster  through sales stages. Use attribution tools like CaliberMind, Full Circle Insights, or Dreamdata to measure influence. Account-based pipeline contribution What it measures:  The percentage of total sales pipeline that originates from ABM efforts. Why it matters:  ABM should drive real business impact by sourcing or influencing high-value opportunities. How to track it: Compare ABM-driven pipeline against total sales pipeline contribution . Use CRM segmentation to analyze ABM-targeted accounts vs. general inbound. Track influenced vs. sourced pipeline - was the opportunity created through ABM efforts, or was it accelerated? Buying committee engagement What it measures:  The number and quality of interactions across multiple decision-makers within an account. Why it matters:  A strong ABM strategy doesn’t just engage one champion; it activates an entire buying committee. How to track it: Identify how many key stakeholders (decision-makers, influencers) within a target account engage with your brand. Track engagement distribution - are you reaching C-suite executives or just mid-level contacts? Use tools like Gong, Chorus, or People.ai  to map buying group interactions. Customer expansion & retention rates What it measures:  How ABM contributes to upsell, cross-sell, and retention  among existing customers. Why it matters:  The true power of ABM isn’t just in acquiring new accounts but expanding relationships within your highest-value customers. How to track it: Compare renewal and churn rates  between ABM-engaged and non-ABM accounts. Measure expansion revenue from targeted ABM upsell campaigns . Analyze account penetration—has engagement expanded into new business units? Marketing & sales alignment score What it measures:  The effectiveness of marketing and sales collaboration in ABM execution. Why it matters:  ABM success depends on seamless alignment  between marketing and sales teams. How to track it: Survey sales teams on ABM impact (lead quality, account insights, engagement tracking). Measure handoff efficiency - are ABM accounts being followed up in a timely and effective manner? Track ABM-driven Sales Accepted Leads (SALs)  to assess if marketing is delivering sales-ready opportunities. Revenue attribution & ROI What it measures:  The direct impact of ABM on revenue generation and return on investment. Why it matters:  ABM isn’t about vanity metrics; it’s about driving tangible revenue outcomes. How to track it: Use multi-touch attribution models to measure ABM’s impact on revenue. Compare revenue generated from ABM accounts vs. non-ABM accounts. Calculate ABM ROI : (Total ABM Revenue – ABM Spend) / ABM Spend. Final thoughts: MQLs are just the beginning MQLs are only a surface-level indicator of marketing engagement. To truly measure ABM success , organizations must shift their focus to metrics that align with business objectives—account engagement, pipeline acceleration, buying committee activation, and revenue impact. By adopting account-centric measurement frameworks , ABM teams can prove their impact beyond vanity metrics and establish marketing as a true revenue driver. Download the FREE Whitepaper

  • Overcoming team misalignment: The largest challenge in ABM success

    Account-Based Marketing (ABM) has revolutionized how B2B companies approach high-value accounts, promising increased ROI, shorter sales cycles, and stronger customer relationships. However, despite its potential, one challenge consistently stands out as the greatest barrier to success: Team alignment - particularly between sales and marketing. Without alignment, even the best ABM strategies will falter. In this article, we’ll delve deeply into the importance of team alignment, explore why it’s such a challenge for B2B companies, and offer actionable solutions to ensure your teams work in harmony and remain motivated throughout your ABM initiatives. Why team alignment is crucial for ABM success ABM requires a high degree of collaboration because it focuses on engaging a carefully curated list of high-value accounts. Unlike traditional marketing, which casts a wide net, ABM demands: Shared responsibility for results. Unified messaging tailored to specific accounts. Seamless handoffs and communication between sales and marketing. When teams are aligned, the result is a powerful synergy where sales and marketing amplify each other’s efforts. This leads to: Higher ROI :  Coordinated efforts reduce wasted resources and increase the likelihood of conversions. Better customer experiences :  A consistent, personalized journey builds trust and credibility. Faster sales cycles :  Clear collaboration ensures prospects move smoothly through the funnel. Conversely, misalignment can lead to missed opportunities, conflicting messaging, and strained relationships within teams. The root causes of team misalignment Differing objectives :  Marketing teams are often measured on lead volume, while sales teams focus on revenue and deal closure. These conflicting KPIs create friction. Lack of communication :  Without regular interaction, teams operate in silos, leading to disjointed strategies. Inconsistent data :  Misaligned data sources or inaccurate information can result in wasted efforts and mistrust between teams. Role confusion :  Unclear boundaries about responsibilities in the ABM process can cause duplication or neglect of crucial tasks. Cultural differences :  Teams may have different priorities, workflows, or even tools, making it harder to collaborate effectively. How to solve team misalignment in ABM Establish shared goals and metrics Start by defining what success looks like for your ABM strategy. Align sales and marketing on metrics such as: Account engagement rates. Pipeline contribution. Revenue generated from target accounts. Replace siloed KPIs with shared performance dashboards to foster accountability and transparency. Create a joint account selection process Selecting target accounts should be a collaborative effort. Use a blend of data-driven insights and input from both teams to: Identify high-value accounts. Prioritize accounts based on fit and readiness. Tools like predictive analytics platforms and intent data providers can help streamline this process. Implement regular communication cadence Schedule regular touchpoints between sales and marketing, such as: Weekly stand-ups to discuss account progress. Monthly strategy sessions to review ABM performance. Shared Slack channels or collaborative tools to ensure constant communication. Encourage open dialogue to address challenges quickly and build trust. Invest in the right technology Technology can bridge gaps between sales and marketing by enabling better collaboration. Key tools include: CRM systems :  To provide visibility into account activity. Marketing automation platforms :  For personalized outreach. ABM platforms :  To align efforts and measure impact. Ensure both teams are trained on these tools to maximize their effectiveness. Define roles and responsibilities clearly Map out the ABM workflow and clarify who owns each stage of the process. For example: Marketing can focus on crafting account-specific content and driving initial engagement. Sales can handle personalized outreach and lead nurturing. Having clear ownership reduces duplication of efforts and ensures accountability. Celebrate wins together Recognize and reward successes to keep both teams motivated. Whether it’s closing a high-value deal or achieving a significant milestone, celebrating together reinforces collaboration. Consider creating team-wide incentives tied to ABM goals, such as: Revenue generated from ABM accounts. Percentage of target accounts engaged. Customer retention rates. Provide ongoing training Offer regular workshops to help both teams stay aligned on ABM best practices. Training topics might include: Understanding account personas. Leveraging data for personalized outreach. Effective cross-team communication strategies. Ensuring team happiness throughout the ABM journey While addressing misalignment is critical, maintaining team morale is equally important. Here’s how you can keep your teams happy and engaged: Foster a culture of collaboration Encourage cross-departmental relationships :  Create opportunities for informal interactions, such as team lunches or joint brainstorming sessions. Promote empathy :  Help teams understand each other’s challenges and pressures by shadowing roles or attending each other’s meetings. Provide Resources and Support Offer adequate resources :  Ensure teams have the budget, tools, and time they need to execute their parts of the ABM strategy. Seek feedback regularly :  Conduct surveys or one-on-one check-ins to understand pain points and address concerns proactively. Emphasize Work-Life Balance Avoid overloading teams with unrealistic expectations or excessive workloads. Prioritize quality over quantity when setting goals. Recognize effort, not just outcomes, to show appreciation for hard work. Final thoughts Achieving team alignment for ABM success isn’t easy, but it’s essential. By addressing misalignment at its root and fostering a culture of collaboration, your sales and marketing teams can work as a cohesive unit, delivering exceptional results. Remember, ABM isn’t just a strategy; it’s a mindset that thrives on shared vision and mutual respect. With the right processes, tools, and a focus on team happiness, your organization can unlock the full potential of ABM and build stronger relationships with your most valuable accounts. Download our FREE whitepaper

  • Why your sender reputation determines your email channel performance!

    In the world of email marketing, getting your message into your recipient’s inbox isn’t as simple as hitting send. One crucial factor influencing whether your emails are successfully delivered - or lost in the abyss of spam folders - is your sender score. Understanding and managing this score can make the difference between a high-performing email campaign and one that never reaches its audience. But what is a sender score? A sender score is a reputation score assigned to an email sender by mailbox providers and third-party reputation services, such as Validity’s SenderScore.org . This score, typically ranging from 0 to 100, reflects the trustworthiness of an email sender based on various factors, including email volume, complaint rates, bounce rates, and spam trap hits. A higher sender score indicates a stronger reputation, increasing the likelihood of inbox placement. Why does your sender scores matter for email deliverability? Inbox placement and spam filtering Mailbox providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo use sender scores as part of their filtering algorithms. A poor sender score signals potential spam-like behavior, increasing the chances that emails will be blocked or sent to the spam folder. A high sender score, on the other hand, improves inbox placement rates. Email open and engagement rates Since sender scores impact deliverability, they indirectly affect open and engagement rates. If emails are consistently delivered to inboxes rather than spam folders, recipients are more likely to open, read, and interact with them. Protecting your brand’s reputation A low sender score doesn’t just hurt your deliverability—it damages your brand’s credibility. If customers consistently receive emails from your brand in their spam folder, they may associate your business with untrustworthy or irrelevant content. Lower bounce rates Maintaining a good sender score helps reduce bounce rates by ensuring that emails are sent to valid and engaged recipients. High bounce rates can further damage your sender reputation, creating a vicious cycle that diminishes deliverability. Avoiding blacklists A poor sender score can land your domain or IP address on email blacklists, making it nearly impossible to reach your audience. Once blacklisted, it can be challenging and time-consuming to restore your sender reputation. How do you improve and maintain a high sender score? Only use permission-based email lists Always send emails to recipients who have explicitly opted in to receive messages from you. Avoid purchasing email lists, as they often contain spam traps and disengaged users. Monitor your email engagement metrics Regularly track open rates, click-through rates, and spam complaints. High complaint rates can significantly impact your sender score, so remove disengaged or unresponsive subscribers. Authenticate your emails Implement authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to verify that your emails are legitimate. This reduces the chances of being flagged as spam and boosts your sender reputation. Maintain a consistent sending volume Sudden spikes in email volume can raise red flags with mailbox providers. Keep your email sending patterns consistent and gradually scale up when necessary. Clean your email list regularly Remove invalid or inactive email addresses from your database to lower bounce rates and improve engagement. Monitor blacklists and reputation scores Use tools like SenderScore.org , Google Postmaster Tools, and other email reputation monitoring services to keep an eye on your sender score and take corrective actions if needed. Final thoughts Sender scores are a fundamental aspect of email deliverability that can make or break your email marketing success. By actively managing your sender reputation, ensuring high engagement, and following best practices, you can maximize your email reach and effectiveness. A high sender score is not just an advantage - it’s a necessity. Download our FREE whitepaper

  • Proven strategies to improve email deliverability and boost engagement

    Even the best-crafted emails won’t yield results if they never make it to the recipient’s inbox. Poor deliverability and low engagement are common challenges, but they’re not insurmountable. Here are a few proven strategies to ensure your emails land where they’re meant to and resonate with your audience. Maintain a high-quality email list Your email list is the foundation of your email marketing strategy. Sending to outdated or irrelevant contacts harms your deliverability and reputation. Focus on quality over quantity: Use Double Opt-In:  Require subscribers to confirm their email address to ensure genuine interest. Regularly Clean Your List:  Remove inactive or invalid email addresses to maintain high engagement rates. Segment Your Audience:  Group contacts based on demographics, behavior, or preferences to send more targeted and relevant messages. Authenticate your emails with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Email authentication protocols verify your identity as a sender and prevent your messages from being flagged as spam: SPF (Sender Policy Framework):  Authorizes which servers can send emails on your domain’s behalf. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail):  Confirms that the email content hasn’t been altered in transit. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance):  Provides instructions to email providers on how to handle messages that fail authentication. Properly implementing these protocols builds trust with email providers and boosts your sender reputation. Optimize your email content The content of your email significantly influences deliverability and engagement. Follow these best practices: Write clear subject lines:  Avoid spammy language like “Free,” “Limited Time,” or excessive punctuation. Include personalization:  Use recipient names or other details to create a tailored experience. Balance text and images:  Avoid overloading emails with images, and ensure all visuals have descriptive alt text. Use a clear call-to-action (CTA):  Guide recipients toward the next step with compelling and straightforward CTAs. Monitor your sender reputation Your sender reputation is a critical factor in determining whether your emails are delivered. Tools like Google Postmaster Tools and Sender Score can help you monitor and manage it. Key factors influencing your reputation include: Bounce Rate:  Keep it below 2% by maintaining a clean email list. Spam Complaints:  Reduce complaints by setting clear expectations during the sign-up process. Engagement Rates:  High open and click-through rates signal to email providers that your emails are valuable. Send emails at the right frequency and time Finding the perfect balance for email frequency is key to maintaining engagement: Don’t overwhelm subscribers:  Bombarding your audience with too many emails can lead to unsubscribes and spam complaints. Analyze open times:  Use analytics to identify when your audience is most likely to engage and schedule emails accordingly. Provide a seamless unsubscribe option While it may seem counterintuitive, making it easy to unsubscribe can improve your deliverability. Frustrated recipients who can’t easily opt out are more likely to mark your emails as spam, which damages your sender reputation. Test and optimize continuously Email marketing is not a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. Continuously testing and optimizing your campaigns is essential: A/B test subject lines and content:  Experiment with variations to see what resonates best. Monitor deliverability metrics:  Keep an eye on bounce rates, spam complaints, and open rates to identify and address issues. Refine segmentation:  Update audience segments as you gather more data on preferences and behavior. Keep up with email regulations Compliance with email marketing laws like GDPR, CAN-SPAM, and CASL isn’t optional. Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines and a tarnished reputation. Ensure your emails: Include clear consent from recipients. Feature an easy-to-find unsubscribe link. Provide accurate sender information. Engage with inactive subscribers Not all inactive subscribers are lost causes. Implement a re-engagement campaign to win them back: Send a re-engagement email:  Remind them of the value you provide and ask if they still want to hear from you. Offer an incentive:  A special offer or discount can rekindle interest. Remove persistently inactive users:  If re-engagement attempts fail, it’s better to remove them to improve deliverability metrics. Final thought Improving email deliverability and boosting engagement requires a strategic, multi-faceted approach. By focusing on building a high-quality email list, optimizing content, leveraging authentication protocols, and continuously monitoring performance, you can ensure your emails not only reach the inbox but also inspire action. Take these strategies to heart, and you’ll be on your way to achieving email marketing success.

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