We all know how effective and engaging marketing operations can be. It is a vital ingredient for the success of any business! But the question is: how to be good at it and make your company or product stand out to your audience?

Marketing tactics can be different for every company and every industry. However, one thing remains consistent for every professional: the desire to see proven results from their marketing campaigns. As the (digital) marketing landscape constantly evolves, it is best to keep track of new trends and ideas.

We asked 10 experts to share their #1 tip or advice for effective marketing actions. Read on to know what they answered!

#1 – Build trust with influencers

“Today more than ever, influencer marketing is about developing and nurturing a strong relationship with your brand advocates. This will lead to influence that drives action, not just awareness.”

Akash Mehta

Akash Mehta
Social Media Influencer & Global Earned Media Manager, Parfums Christian Dior

#2 – Adapt your message to who will actually see it

“One tip that seems important to me (although obvious) is to always adapt your speech to the platform used, in substance as in form. This is essential to reinforce the impact of your message and to reach the audiences specific to each channel.”

Lucas Joly

Lucas Joly
CCO, Happiness Watchers & Social Web Project Manager, Bouygues Telecom

#3 – Use your instinct

“Know how to follow your instinct.”

Arnaud Belloni

Arnaud Belloni
Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Communications & Sport, Citroen

#4 – Give engaging content that is of value to your audience

“The digital world is constantly evolving. Since the beginning of my career, it has already undergone so many transformations! For this reason, my first tip would be to stay informed about all the new possibilities in terms of formats. Traditional digital advertising is no longer effective; we put banners all over the web and no one sees them. 90% of what I see today in bannering is simply not suitable for digital media. Advertisers must be careful not to use too intrusive formats that irritate or annoy their audiences. We must adapt to our target: find the angle that will interest them, be useful to them, teach them something. Without this “added value”, the advertising message does not make much sense…

For me, there is no doubt: native formats such as advertorials will continue to develop. Interacting with your target audience is also something that works very well. Users are no longer passive behind their screen; they can participate and take part in the message that is being communicated to them. When possible, focus on interaction to stand out, generate visibility and achieve your marketing objectives.”

Lolita Swanet

Lolita Swanet
Marketing Campaign Manager, Volvo Car BeLux

#5 – Be authentic

“A lack of transparency results in distrust and in a deep sense of insecurity. Also, stay away from negative people: they have a problem for every solution.”

Stephane Genicot

Stephane Genicot
Founder, Better Retail & Marketing Director, Delfood

#6 – Keep it simple

“KIS – as in Keep It Simple! One job to be done should generate one key message and one single-minded piece of communication.”

Kasia Cortes-Gebala

Kasia Cortes-Gebala
Cider Marketing Manager, Heineken International

#7 – Leverage human interaction

“Don’t forget the value of real-life interactions in business. As marketing goes more and more digital, it’s easy to forget about the value of off-line relationships. In-person networking is extremely powerful and useful and shouldn’t be forgotten.”

Sara Stoffels

Sara Stoffels
Global Social Media Specialist, TomTom

#8 – Take advantage of data

“Meetings are quite boring sometimes. So come to conversations and meetings with data. Data levels all arguments. Decisions will be sharper and the meetings shorter. Also: get things done! Failing is ok, but not moving forward will eventually kill you.”

Iljaas Rodjan

Iljaas Rodjan
Senior Digital Marketer, TomTom

#9 – Choose your battles

“The most important question in marketing: what do you want to stand for in consumers’ minds? Another valuable tip, especially about the way you work: choose your battles.”

Stephanie Gabriel

Stephanie Gabriel
Global Senior Marketing Director, Unilever

#10 – Nurture your team’s creativity

“In today’s competitive and noisy advertising industry, you need to be highly creative to stand out. Whatever your budget is, creativity always pays back. Encourage creativity among your team and sprinkle it everywhere: in the content your propose -valuable, personalised, human (instead of self-centered, generic, commercial pieces)- and in the formats: interactive instead of static, conversational instead of one-way.”

Mehdi Benallal

Mehdi Benallal
Head of Marketing, Qualifio