What do you do if you're a freelancer in B2B marketing and need to know the essential tools and software?

Freelancing in B2B marketing? Conquer any project with this digital toolkit: - Build client websites (WordPress, Drupal). - Master SEO & analytics (Semrush, Moz). - Automate B2B email campaigns (Mailchimp). - Schedule & analyze social media (Buffer, Hootsuite). - Manage projects & collaborate (Trello, Asana). - Create impactful visuals (Canva, free options). - Streamline communication (project management/CRM). Master these categories - the specific tools can vary - and you'll be a B2B marketing freelancer ready to impress.

Think of your CRM as the hub through which all systems and information flow. Solutions like HubSpot and Salesforce have a vast network of integration partners including numerous marketing and sales tools. It’s incredibly important to uphold your CRM as the ultimate source of truth and manage it accordingly. Encourage all teams, not solely marketing, to recognize the importance of data cleanliness and interact with it in a methodical and structured manner.

As a freelancer in B2B marketing, essential tools include marketing automation platforms (HubSpot, Marketo), CRM software (Salesforce, Zoho CRM), email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact), social media management platforms (Hootsuite, Buffer), analytics tools (Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics), content management systems (WordPress, Joomla), SEO tools (SEMrush, Ahrefs), project management software (Trello, Asana), design tools (Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva), and communication tools (Slack, Zoom). These tools can help you streamline campaigns, manage client interactions, track performance, optimize content, and collaborate effectively.

HubSpot has been an invaluable tool for me! I started using it about eight years ago as a freelancer and have continued to grow my skills with this tool. Plus, with the free courses and certifications they offer, you can really expand your capabilities and what you can offer clients. Also, the Marketing ROI is easily trackable since, within the tool, you can integrate the strategy and each touchpoint of the customer's journey.

CRM is the absolute foundation?of any business. Luckily, most of the CRMs nowadays?use pretty similar features even though they might call the same things differently. For example, Contacts vs Leads vs Prospects, or Sequences vs Workflows vs Campaigns.? What you need to do?to learn the basics is actually create a few free CRM accounts and explore the?functionalities. Consider setting them up for your own freelance business to gain firsthand experience of how they operate. Start with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Zoho. Once you're comfortable with these, any other CRM will seem familiar.

Analytics and Reporting Tools: Utilize analytics and reporting tools such as Google Analytics, Kissmetrics, or Mixpanel to track user behavior, measure campaign performance, and optimize marketing strategies based on data-driven insights.

Google Analytics gives the basics that are required. It's important to track and understand the touch points. Without data, the marketing efforts make no sense. Use audience insights, traffic source insights, goal tracking for ROI, and dashboards for an overview.

There are many free courses you can take online to become "certified" in tools. But to be an expert in all is to be an expert in none. Pick a tool you like best, learn it inside and out. Get certified in the tool. Write about it weekly on LinkedIn... The jobs will come to you.

Google Analytics is looking pretty basic in the modern-day marketing environment. Tools like Leadfeeder and others help track down the IP, the location and helps to investigate, using LinkedIn, who has potentially looked at 5 pages on your website.

A study by SuperOffice found that CRMs increased sales win rates by an average of 15%. Imagine the artistic freedom that comes from knowing exactly what resonates with your client!

As freelancers, we worry that we need to understand the exact software to be ready to work with a client. I recommend learning deeply in each category listed in this article. Choose free software options that have tutorials, free online help, a good searchable database of Q&As, and chatbots. Dig deep to understand how the software works and what the possibilities are. You will be able to transfer those skills to any apps or software the client is using. Develop the confidence to say, "I am familiar with the software you're using, and I am deeply knowledgeable about one that is similar, so I'll be able to get up to speed quickly." Being able to use software is an essential part of the freelancer's toolkit, and it's worth the time investment.

As an email marketing Manager I must say that Email marketing continues to be a cornerstone for B2B marketers, serving as a powerful tool for lead nurturing, content delivery, and client engagement. Beyond mere newsletters, it's about fostering relationships, delivering relevant content, and maintaining visibility among clients. Selecting the right email marketing platform is pivotal, with key features such as automation, personalization, and seamless integration with CRM systems being paramount. These features empower marketers to craft tailored campaigns that resonate with their audience, driving meaningful results and fostering long-term client relationships.

Learn Clay and other automation tools. The days of an "outbound agency" are coming to a close. Soon every in-house marketing coordinator will be expected to prospect with AI, create 1 to 1 emails at scale, and delivery warm leads as a part of their job.

As a freelancer in B2B marketing, it's crucial to have the right tools and software for email marketing. These tools help you effectively reach and engage your target audience. One essential tool is an email marketing platform like Mailchimp. It allows you to create and send professional-looking emails, manage your subscriber list, and track the performance of your campaigns with analytics. With features such as customizable templates and automated workflows, Mailchimp simplifies the process of crafting and delivering targeted email campaigns tailored to your B2B clients' needs. By leveraging such tools, you can enhance your email marketing efforts, drive conversions, and ultimately, grow your freelance business.

Social Media Management Software: Platforms like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, or Buffer can assist you in managing B2B social media marketing, scheduling posts, monitoring social media activity, and analyzing social media performance.

La gestión de contenido en redes sociales por parte de especialistas en marketing B2B va mucho más allá de programar contenido. Está mucho más ligado a la escucha social y a la medición de rendimiento. Aunque en a?os pasados, herramientas como Shieldapp ayudaban a medir el rendimiento de tu estrategia de contenido en LinkedIn, ahora la plataforma de LinkedIn te da toda la información y, además, te ayuda a segmentar las personas que han interactuado con tu contenido o con el de tu empresa. Además, en la página de LinkedIn podrás ver quién ha visto tu contenido aunque no haya interactuado con él.

Scheduling "content" isn't a skill. Knowing how to create content that is native to platforms, is "thumb stopper" quality, and replicating at scale is. If you want to be a social media legend, be a legend in one tool. No one can be great in all of them.

Although social media can be a powerful marketing outlet, the key is not so much the tool, but the process. This should be: - Offer advice to build trust - Show up! Don't just post one today and two next week. Social media posts can be missed easily due to the 'noise'. Some social platforms such as YouTube and TikTok can learn your viewing/buying habits, a little like Amazon did years ago, and serve you with relevant videos in that space. - Most platforms will push your initial content out, and then you will suffer a 'lull' in views. Drive through it. - CTA - don't forget to tell people what you are there for!

HOT TAKE: As long as you are good at project management, it doesn't matter what project management tool you have - you'll make things work anyway, even with a spreadsheet. That being said, having access to professional tools like ClickUp, Airtable or Asana can definitely improve marketing planning efficiency, enhance team collaboration, and boost productivity overall.

Join a peer networking or industry networking group, virtual networking group, and find out what your peers are using bbc probably most importantly how they’re actually using it??

B2B marketing involves juggling projects. Project management software keeps you organized, tracks deadlines, and fosters efficient collaboration. It's the science behind the smooth execution of your creative vision.

Flexibility is key when you are a freelancer. Once you have used 1 or 2 PM tools, you can figure any of them out. That is the key to success. There are simple tutorials if the tool isn't intuitive. You got this!

When it comes to content, the most important thing you bring is the human element. Any tech you use for content creation should be to support that essential piece, because truly good content cannot be easily replaced or replicated. If you are looking for some specific tools to help, here's what I've found most valuable: ChatGPT: Use for ideas and first drafts ONLY! This is great for helping to get the juices flowing. Google Suite (or other sharing platform): Essential for collaborating easily with other writers or approvers on your content. Grammarly: Use on your later drafts to ensure your grammar and writing is spot-on. Good luck, and happy writing!

The best tools right now are AI tools. ChatGPT, Gemini, ClaudeAI, and my recent review of Jumpstart on my profile, cover everything you need to do to get productive. You can get lazy though! You can literally become an AI bot, but the way I like to use these tools is to give them a long prompt. The longer the better. It's like the finishing touch on your article, press release, social media campaigns and website content.

Depending on your skill set you can also work with other freelancers on client projects. I'd recommend brining in other freelancers on your projects that are experts in areas that your weak in. If your not a graphic design, copywriter or haven't built a website then find a great partner to help execute these projects while your front and center with the client.

A website is key to B2B marketing success. Make sure you have access to the CMS (WordPress, HubSpot, Wix, Squarespace, ect..) so you can make edits, add landing pages, add web forms, add blogs, etc. This also spills into SEO. When done right, organic search (free traffic) should drive the lion’s share of quality traffic to your site. Make sure your site is fully optimized for the search engines through keyword-rich meta titles/tags/descriptions, content (web copy, blogs, etc…), and backlinks.

Reflect on your extensive experience and consider transitioning into a consultancy role, offering strategic guidance to businesses. Leverage your network to mentor aspiring marketers and explore opportunities for thought leadership through writing and speaking engagements, ensuring your legacy in the industry endures beyond retirement.

Understanding & utilizing essential tools and software is crucial for your success. The following I consider very essential tools for success: - Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarize yourself with CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla to create and manage B2B marketing content, such as blog posts, case studies, and whitepapers. - (SEO) Tools: Tools like Moz, SEMrush, or Ahrefs can help you conduct keyword research, track organic search performance, and optimize B2B marketing content for search engines. - Design and Visual Content Tools: Tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, or Piktochart can help you create visually compelling B2B marketing materials, including infographics, presentations, and social media graphics.

I have been in marketing 20 years as an agency owner, and now a marketing mentor. If there is one person that should be 'stuck in their ways' it should be me. But, I have adopted and adapted to the new marketing mix, which includes YouTube algorithms, LinkedIn advanced features, thought leadership to build trust and last but not least...AI. Embrace the changes.