Channel activation is the name of the game this year, and the goal is boosting those partnerships and sales numbers. Let’s talk about the space of launching cool innovations, joining forces for success, and growing together.
We’re about to unwrap the big deal about channel activation and its important part in building stronger connections with partners.
Whether you’ve been around the block a few times and want to keep one step ahead, or you’re just jumping into the mix and eager to get the hang of channel activation, I have your back. We’re going to look at ways to improve your partner engagement, see how tech changes play out in marketing, and find the steps to improve your channel activation strategy!
Strategies for Successful Channel Activation
Getting ready for 2024 has meant we’ve really had to roll up our sleeves. Sure, it’s a bit useful, but it’s nothing a few clever strategies and strong partnerships can’t tackle.
At the heart of it all, we’re making sure our partners are just as clued in and fired up as we are. This is important. It makes them feel like they’re a part of our gang and will help spread the word about who we are with real excitement.
Important to our game plan is getting people around the table, pouring some coffee, and jumping into our strategies during our business planning meetings. This is where things start moving. We toss ideas back and forth, align our goals, and carve out plans that highlight our joint strengths. Side by side, we’re unstoppable.
Our goal is to hone in on the right signals that tell us we’re on the right track or if it’s time to steer a bit differently. And let’s be real: a simple process, like an easy registration page, just makes everyone’s life easier. Plus, a good challenge with incentives to boot really gets people moving towards the same finish line.
But none of this flies if we’re not keeping the lines of communication wide open. The goal is to stay updated, from the latest product launches to adjustments in our strategy, which makes sure we’re in sync and connected to our collective goal.
Looking to learn more about an incentive, rebate
or reward program for your business?
DemoCurious about costs?
Try our instant pricing calculator:
Sure, sometimes we might find ourselves a bit off course – maybe it’s a drop in partner involvement or our goals not lining up. The important thing is to catch these moments early, come together, and figure out how we sync back up.
Looking ahead, the goal is perfecting the art of being everywhere – or at least, which makes it seem that way. Mastery in multi-channel marketing is our play. We’re lighting up social media feeds, sending out emails people actually look forward to, hitting the top of voice search results, and venturing into augmented reality and personalization to capture and hold attention.
Why Is Regular Communication With Partners Important?
In 2024, talking out loud with your partners is important to understand the market and how you can converse, share, and genuinely connect with them.
Clear, regular conversations are important to making any partnership solid, especially where we’re practically glued to our tech. Sure, using newsletters and webinars to keep people in the loop about new things or shifts in the market is smart. But let’s take it up a notch. And swapping info and launching conversations that get people moving in the same direction.
From my experience, keeping these conversations going is important. Regular catch-ups keep people on the same page, and help dodge those pesky misunderstandings that can throw a wrench in the works. And I’m talking about dodging bullets. This kind of talk boosts the involvement of the partners. When they feel heard and are kept in the loop, they’re more pumped to promote what you’re selling.
Checking in on how partners are doing matters a ton, too. These updates give us a clear picture of where they stand with our goals and help us steer them right if they start to drift. And with people feeling comfy in the conversation department, partners won’t think twice about reaching out for a bit of help or guidance when they need it.
Plus, keeping the conversation flowing is important for quickly adjusting to whatever new curveballs the market or customers throw our way. With open lines of communication, we can smoothly pivot our strategies to stay buttoned down and reactive.
The trust that blossoms from honest and open conversations? It’s worth its weight and super useful. It lays the foundation for deeper, more meaningful partnerships that aren’t just great for the moment but have the potential to grow into something big and lasting.
What Tools Are Available?
To get ahead in 2024, having the right tech by our side. We’re stepping into a time where managing partner activities and boosting our channel activation game can’t happen without top-tier technology, especially Partner Relationship Management (PRM) tools. These tools are our ticket to tapping into that untapped potential and getting more done better.
Take the AI-based Cross-Platform Planning and Activation Tool from NBCUniversal, to give you an example. It’s changing the game by making it super easy to plan and buy ad campaigns across different channels with artificial intelligence. I’m talking about being more effective; and being smarter in who we target and saying goodbye to the old spray-and-pray methods. This tool alone is stepping up our game in care and effectiveness.
Then, there are analytics tools. This is the behind-the-scenes data that gives us the scoop on how our channels are doing, what’s trending in the market, and what our customers are into. It’s like having a crystal ball that shows us exactly how to change our strategies for better results and more bang for our dollar. They’re the deep talk about what makes our channel ecosystem tick and a big help in making smarter choices.
Impartner takes it a step further by offering advanced marketing automation to our partners. I’m talking about managing relationships and giving our partners what they need to grow in indirect sales channels. This support is important for growth and making the partnership process a success.
What Are Activation Campaigns?
To really get a channel going in 2024, mix the fresh with the familiar. We’re on a mission to catch the eye of both new people and keep our latest partners hooked, too. Kicking off a successful campaign is just throwing information out there and hitting the sweet spot that speaks directly to what our partners are in – what they need, what they’re interested in, and what goals they’re gunning for.
What’s my technique? I talk about making campaigns that don’t just make noise but really mean something. It all starts with really understanding our partners. However, understanding is just the first step; action is what matters. We lay down goals that don’t just fluff but steer the ship for everything that follows in our campaign. Clear goals mean we’re making sure every bit of communication is like a laser, targeted, and making a mark.
Things start really moving when we zoom in on our audience. Breaking down the market means we can customize our conversations and not waste words.
Picking where we talk is also huge. With so many ways to catch someone’s attention these days, picking the right spot means we’re broadcasting our message into the void and meeting our partners right where they hang out and are most likely to listen.
Personalization is my favorite part. When we create content that feels like it’s made just for you, based on what really matters to you, it’s a success. And this isn’t guesswork, but carefully digging into the data to make sure we’re spot on.
Backing up our partners? An absolute must. Giving them everything they need – from training to resources – means they can perform well with confidence. And when they shine, we all do.
Keeping tabs on our progress and listening to what comes back from the field is important. Without measuring, we’re just guessing, right? We kick off with clear KPIs and a solid plan for hearing what’s working (and what’s not), changing our course as we go.
Iteration is the name of the game. Decision-making powered by top-shelf data keeps us sharp and in tune with where we’re headed.
And looking at new territories? Absolutely. Testing the waters with new channels on a small scale lets us get everything just right, which makes sure they slide into our strategy without rocking the boat too much.
Omnichannel Marketing in Channel Activation
Omnichannel marketing is where mixing all your marketing tools together becomes useful. It’s like throwing a wide net across various platforms to grab attention far and wide but in a way that still feels personal and direct. The job? Make people involved feel in tune with what you’re saying and doing, improve the connection with partners, and customize things just right for your customers.
Talking about making things more personal is a big deal. Using the info and tech at your fingertips to give people customized experiences is important. This is selling and creating relationships that last because, let’s face it, feeling special is something people love. And in a world where it feels like people are shouting for attention, those personal touches can really set you apart.
Let’s not forget how important it is to base your moves on solid data. Watching how things perform and then changing on the go means you’re always one step ahead. And being smart and responsive, both going with your gut and leaning on data. This way, every decision you make has weight behind it and really adds to the game plan.
And communication? Well, that has to be spot on. Whether you’re emailing, tweeting, hosting webinars, or popping up on different platforms, getting the tone and timing right is how you make sure partners and customers are both equally happy.
Embracing tech that pulls partner management into one place is another smart move. Think of it like the ultimate tool that tidies everything up, which makes life simpler and gives you a bird’s eye view of how you’re doing across the board. It means everyone’s on the same page, pushing forward together.
Staying up-to-date means keeping an eye on what’s next – hopping on trends like being more eco-conscious, getting into automation and AI, or weaving your strategy through multiple channels. This is keeping up, leading the way, and staying fresh and relevant no matter how the market shifts.
Brand and Pop-Up Activations
Imagine blending online conversations with the kind of experiences you can only get offline, which makes you feel all comfortable and close with your favorite brands. That’s the beauty of pop-up activations!
Think about getting hands-on at events where you can actually touch and use the product, thanks to experiential marketing. This has many uses beyond fun; it really plants the brand in your memory. And then there’s event sponsorship – when brands get behind events that draw their perfect crowd. It’s a fantastic move to get seen and mingle directly with potential fans.
When a new product hits the scene, it’s all lights, camera, action! This is the moment brands pull out all the stops, drawing in influencers, the media, and shoppers alike. The buzz and excitement? It’s through the roof.
And let’s have a conversation for a second about pop-up activations. These are those passing shops or events that pop up out of nowhere, offering something fresh and unique. They’re super useful places for grabbing attention quickly. Thanks to people sharing their visits on social media, these pop-ups talk to way more people than those who drop by.
Nailing brand and pop-up activations in 2024 means really getting what makes your audience tick. making stories they’re itching to jump into.
Adjustments and Improvement
Getting our channels up and running in 2024 is in the smart use of data to improve our strategies, which makes sure everything we do is aimed at hitting our goals and making a real change. First things first, we need to set some simple metrics and KPIs to keep us on track. Though it might sound a bit technical, these are really just our guiding stars for any solid strategy. Take boosting partner activation and engagement. To give you an example – we’re looking at things like new deals coming in, deals crossing the finish line, revenue, and how long we’ve been working with our partners. These numbers give us a clear picture of where we’re at and what adjustments we need to make to keep moving forward.
Listening is huge. Getting feedback from both our partners and our boots-on-the-ground teams tells us loud and clear what’s hitting the mark and what’s missing. By jumping on these strategies right away, we show we’re getting better and finishing hitches quickly.
When we touch on tech, it makes the most of Partner Relationship Management (PRM) tools, which is important. These tools are like our data goldmines, helping us sift through the numbers and keeping our eyes on the strategy ball. This means we can spot those early wins that pave the way for big wins down the road, which makes our strategies sharper.
It’s important to keep digging into that data. Staying on top of it means our channel activation game plan is always fresh, changing based on what’s happening now and how well we’re smashing those KPIs. This technique lets us find exactly where to change rather than taking wild guesses.
Being in the game means always looking to level up how we activate our channels. This means networking like pros and keeping tabs on the latest industry must-dos. Events like Channel Focus Virtual 2024 are also proven to get the kind of attention you’re looking for.
Staying in the know is an absolute must. As the space of channel activation shifts, keeping an eye on new hurdles like dipping engagement or misaligned goals between us and our partners is important. Tackling these head-on, with a commitment to clear, upfront conversations and transparency, drives us forward, which makes sure our channel activation moves in 2024 are as effective as they are result-driven.
Improve Your Sales Process
Smart partnerships can help your business bloom and get your name out there, too. To nail this, focusing on housekeeping your sales process is important. A sleek sales process makes things run smoother, and it improves the results of getting your channels up and running. Think of it this way: keeping an eye on how well your channels are doing is like having help for making better choices that improve your bottom line.
It’s super important to have a clear way to see how your partners are doing. Without knowing this, you’re kind of wandering in the dark, unsure if you’re heading toward success. By keeping tabs on these important numbers, businesses get the full story on which channel strategies are hitting the mark. I’m talking about picking the winners and figuring out why they’re winners. Maybe it’s a reward system that gets your partners ready for the complete training you offer. Knowing what clicks helps you keep improving your game.
Talk about the numbers; don’t just dip your toes. More usually than not, they’re a main source of strategies and new strategies.
Here at Level 6, we really separate ourselves from the pack by helping you reach those big goals. With our number of powerful incentive programs, we give your sales team that extra push and make sure your employees are feeling the love. Our game plan? Effective strategies that fit what your business needs, from giving out branded debit cards to setting up employee shout-outs, our goal is to improve your ROI and kick your sales up a notch. So, what’s stopping you? Reach out today for a free demo, and let’s take your business to the next level together.
Claudine is the Chief Relationship Officer at Level 6. She holds a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology. Her experience includes working as a certified conflict mediator for the United States Postal Service, a human performance analyst for Accenture, an Academic Dean, and a College Director. She is currently an adjunct Professor of Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University. With over 20 years of experience, she joined Level 6 to guide clients seeking effective ways to change behavior and, ultimately, their bottom line.
