As we embrace the festive spirit of the holiday season, it’s a perfect time for reflection and gratitude. In the heart of this joyous period, I want to share a special list with you – a list of our favorite tools that have been crucial in shaping our agency’s success in the AEC marketing realm. These aren’t just tools; they’re the stars of our daily operations, the little helpers that have made a big impact on our work and our clients.
ChatGPT4: Amidst the whirlwind of debate swirling around OpenAI’s boardroom doors, ChatGPT4 has stealthily revolutionized our work in delightfully unexpected ways. Sure, as a linguistic virtuoso, its most obvious use might seem to be churning out content—and it does so with the ease of picking apples from the lowest branch. Yet, to simply stop there would be to overlook its true genius. Our team has gained what feels like a ‘digital twin,’ serving not just as a writer capable of whipping up a solid B+ draft at lightning speed, but as a multifaceted ally. This digital prodigy has become a seamless extension of our team, eagerly conducting research, engaging in creative sparring, and dishing out insights with a speed that dazzles our human faculties. ChatGPT4 hasn’t just joined our team; it has amplified every member’s capabilities, like a band of interns ever-ready to assist, without the need for coffee breaks.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator: The question pops up all the time: “Are LinkedIn’s premium features really worth it?” And I’m here to tell you, yes, they are. I’ve been on the speaking circuit this year, focusing heavily on the shift in B2B buyer demographics. The research is there—over 70% of B2B C-suite executives are now Gen-Xers, and a significant chunk of B2B buyers are Millennials and Gen Z. These folks are crafting their professional relationships online, and they’re savvy—’trust but verify’ could be their motto as they’re quick to fact-check in real-time.
That’s why connecting with this plugged-in audience through online channels is critical. But Sales Navigator isn’t just for touching base with the younger crowd; it’s equally potent for reaching the Gen-Xers at the top. Consider this: LinkedIn boasts over 800 million professionals, and more than half are decision-makers in their companies. Sales Navigator is the tool that helps you identify and connect with these key players. It allows you to curate lists of high-value contacts, follow their activity, engage with their content, and get your brands noticed. If you’re seeing me pop up in your notifications regularly, take it as a compliment—you’re on my Sales Navigator list because your voice is one I value in the marketplace. LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator has been a beacon for us in navigating the vast professional network. It’s an indispensable tool for identifying prospects, understanding client needs, and forging meaningful connections in the AEC industry.
Wiza Plugin: After you’ve crafted those Sales Navigator lists, you might wonder, “What’s next?” Here’s where we turn the page from the old-school playbook. With the Wiza plugin, the need to purchase email lists is as outdated as fax machines. This nifty little tool works hand-in-hand with Sales Navigator, deftly searching for the work emails of your listed prospects. It’s like a digital sleuth for your marketing toolkit. You can seamlessly transfer these contacts into your preferred email marketing software and start nurturing your most valued prospects with precision-targeted campaigns. And the cost? It’s just a fraction of what you’d shell out for those stale, generic lists from the usual suspects. With Wiza, you’re investing in leads that aren’t just leads—they’re the right leads.
HubSpot: We dove into HubSpot in 2014, before it was cool, and today it’s the cornerstone of our digital marketing. It’s the one-stop shop where we handle customer relationships, automate marketing tasks, and streamline processes. HubSpot has not only kept us on the cutting edge, but it has also kept us, and our clients, organized and ahead of the game in a landscape that’s constantly evolving.
WordsToTime.com: An essential tool for scripting our videos and speeches. It helps us perfectly pace our content to fit the time we have, ensuring our messages are always concise and impactful.
Fireflies.ai: This AI-driven tool has transformed how we handle meetings and interactions. It records, transcribes, and helps us analyze our meetings for better follow-ups and strategy development.
PPT Video Recordings: An invaluable tool for creating engaging presentations. Whether it’s for internal communications or client proposals, the ability to record directly within PowerPoint has streamlined our process, making our presentations and editing processes more dynamic and interactive.
My Favorite Podcasts: Time is precious, and podcasts have become my go-to for an education on the go. For a deep dive into business strategy, I’m an avid listener of McKinsey’s Inside the Strategy Room and The Andy Stanley Leadership podcast. When it comes to the intersection of work and technology, Microsoft’s WorkLab is on my must-hear list.
Then there are the standout series from our clients, which deserve a standing ovation. Whether it’s Walker Architect’s Design for an Agile World, H+O Structural’s Design Development, or SSOE’s A Blueprint for Equity, these podcasts are not just shows — they’re a testament to the expertise and thought leadership within these firms. By committing to podcasting, our clients have added a robust, engaging layer to their marketing strategies, one that continues to build their brand and drive awareness long after the initial broadcast.
Each of these tools has brought its unique flavor and value to our marketing efforts. They’ve helped us stay ahead in the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of AEC marketing. As we share this list, it’s with the hope that these tools can bring the same efficiency, creativity, and success to your endeavors as they have to ours.
Lastly, my favorite conference and shameless plug is our very own SmartWIN24, taking place in Atlanta, GA on February 28-29, 2024. This is where the brightest minds in AEC marketing convene to share, learn, and connect over the latest strategies and technologies shaping our industry. It’s two days packed with transformative insights, networking opportunities, and actionable takeaways tailored to help you win smarter and achieve more in your marketing endeavors. Check out the conference details and agenda at SmartWIN24, and let’s make it a date for innovation and growth.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already in full holiday mode, perhaps with your out-of-office reply on. But for those of you staying tuned in, we’ve wrapped up a special gift just for our newsletter subscribers. To take $400 off your SmartWIN24 registration, use the code “VIP400”. Consider it our way of saying thanks for being part of our community.
Happy Holidays and here’s to a successful and smart new year!
