Video ABM
Lead-gen campaigns
Social selling
Content + SEO
Video Social Media
Integrated campaigns
Sales campaigns
Brand image campaigns
B 2 C
B 2 B
Video Social Media
Integrated campaigns
Sales campaigns
Brand image campaigns
Video ABM
Lead-gen campaigns
Social selling
Content + SEO
Estera Kaszen
Managing & New Business Director
Supercharge your business with video marketing that effectively combines effective sales with consistent brand building.
We relentlessly use: fresh creativity, the latest trends with measured, reported marketing effectiveness and tangible business results.
Marketers and investors are two key players who navigate uncertainty and seek opportunities for growth.
Both have to exercise keen eye for identifying und deeply understanding value (of a product, trend, behavioural pattern) or intrinsic value (of company, product).
Both make kind of predictive or to some degree speculative decisions about tapping (investing money, time, efforts) into an emerging trend (i.e. : Metaverse, AI, healthy habits etc.)
So both have to know how properly validate such trend to make investment successful. Here we recommend for both marketers and investors:
- diving deep, profiling, analyzing given companies CEOs and Management Board members
- diving deep, profiling, analyzing key influencers tapping into the trend. Inferring from their influence power and decision-making quality, we can estimate how given trend will perform in the marketplace.
However... the Metaverse example teaches us how in todays media landscape some tech-bubbles can rise and fall completely out of control, especially if crypto players pump the trend to sell more coins (inside Metaverse) So again: validate or even characterize the key (here hidden) influencers moral code. We have witnessed so many scams behind the Metaverse bubble. Of course Metaverse as such is a side product of natural evolution of tech-economy relationship and it will have huge moments in years to come.
Both marketers and investors should validate, monitor, optimze their work with investment (in brand or company) along the way. Strategy shouldn't be fixed, it rather should be agile with constant social listening, information patterning and filtering.
Here ideas like sentiment analysis can help to make bets on trends or emerging market phenomena more secure. Long-term mindset, patience, helicopter-view are a must have.
Both should be aware of which metrics use to make their conclusions the most accurate possible. One of the key metrics are adoption rates.
Finally Diffusion of Innovation graph is very usefull framework. As investor say "if something is hitting mass market - it's time to sell.
Drawing inspiration from Benjamin Graham's "Security Analysis" and the insightful content of Shane Parrish's "Farnam Street" blog, we uncover the shared principles and strategies that connect these seemingly disparate disciplines. By understanding these parallels, marketers can enhance their decision-making processes.
"Investors Bible" - Security Analysis by Graham and Dodd
Ultimate thinking and decision-making guide from Share Parrish and his legendary Farnam Street blog
Both marketers and investors recognize the importance of thorough research in making informed decisions. In "Security Analysis" Graham emphasizes the value of analyzing financial statements and digging deep into a company's fundamentals before investing. Similarly, marketers engage in market research, analyzing consumer behavior, and gaining insights into their target audience. By delving into data, both parties uncover valuable information that helps them identify opportunities, understand trends, and make more accurate predictions.
Identifying value
Investors seek undervalued assets, while marketers search for untapped market potential. Graham's book emphasizes the concept of value investing, where investors look for securities trading below their intrinsic value. Marketers, on the other hand, constantly explore unmet consumer needs and develop innovative solutions to capture market share. Both disciplines require a keen eye for identifying value, whether it's in the form of stocks or market opportunities, to maximize returns.
Managing Risk
Risk management is at the core of both disciplines. Investors aim to minimize risk by diversifying their portfolios and conducting thorough due diligence. Marketers, too, must carefully evaluate risks associated with new product launches, marketing campaigns, or market entry strategies. They employ techniques such as A/B testing, market segmentation, and analyzing consumer feedback to mitigate potential risks and optimize outcomes. In both cases, the ability to weigh risks against potential rewards is essential for long-term success.
Long-Term Thinking
Successful investors and marketers share a common trait: they think beyond short-term gains.
Investors adhere to Graham's principle of value investing, where patience is key to realizing long-term returns.
Similarly, marketers understand the importance of building lasting relationships with customers, cultivating brand loyalty, and delivering sustainable value. By focusing on long-term goals, both parties can avoid impulsive decisions driven by market fluctuations or short-lived trends.
Continuous Learning
Shane Parrish's "Farnam Street" blog emphasizes the importance of mental models, critical thinking, and multidisciplinary learning. Marketers who embrace emerging technologies, monitor industry trends, and stay attuned to evolving consumer preferences can better position their brands for growth.
Marketers and investors share a remarkable similarity in mindset and approach. By adopting principles from Benjamin Graham's "Security Analysis" and integrating insights from Shane Parrish's "Farnam Street" blog, marketers can elevate their decision-making processes. Embracing research, identifying value, managing risks, thinking long-term, and committing to continuous learning are the foundations that both marketers and investors can rely on to navigate uncertainty.
Betting a big marketing budget on a rising trend can be an exciting opportunity to maximize your returns. However, it's important to approach it with a strategic mindset and minimize the risk of potential losses.
Conduct Through Research
Before investing a large marketing budget on a rising trend, it's crucial to: analyze market data, consumer behavior, and industry micro and macro trends to gain insights into the potential growth and longevity of the trend.
Validate The Trend
Once you have identified a rising trend, validate its potential by seeking external validation. Look for credible sources, industry experts, and market influencers who can confirm the trend's credibility. Their insights can help you assess whether the trend aligns with your target audience and industry.
Test, Optimize, Feedback loop
Rather than immediately allocating your entire marketing budget, consider starting with a smaller test campaign. This allows you to gauge the effectiveness of the trend within your specific market and target audience. Monitor key metrics such as engagement rates, conversion rates, and customer feedback to evaluate the campaign's performance. Based on the results, refine and optimize your marketing strategy before committing a larger portion of your budget.
Diversify Your Efforts
To minimize the risk of losses, consider diversifying your marketing efforts across multiple channels and strategies. This approach spreads the risk and provides you with multiple opportunities for success.
Set Measurable Goals and KPIs
Start with North Star - a long term ambitious objective. Then establish clear, measurable goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for your marketing campaign. This allows you to track progress, measure success, and identify any necessary adjustments. Ensure that your goals align with your overall business objectives and that the chosen trend supports these goals effectively.
Continuous Optimization
Once your campaign is launched, closely monitor its performance. Regularly analyze data, track metrics, and gather customer feedback to gain insights into the campaign's effectiveness. Identify any areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments to optimize your strategy. Stay agile and be prepared to adapt your approach based on real-time market dynamics and consumer responses.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
Even with thorough research and careful planning, there is always a level of risk involved. To mitigate potential losses, consider implementing risk management strategies. This may include setting budget limits, establishing contingency plans, and closely monitoring return on investment (ROI) throughout the campaign. Continuously reassess the performance of the trend and be prepared to adjust your strategy if necessary.
Seek Category-expert Advice
Industry professional's expertise and insights can provide valuable guidance in making informed decisions and minimizing risks.
Betting a big marketing budget on a rising trend requires a careful and strategic approach. Thorough research, validation, testing, diversification, goal setting, continuous monitoring, and risk mitigation strategies are all vital elements to minimize the risk of losses and maximize your chances of success.
Validating rising trends is an essential step before investing resources into them.
Here are some effective ways to validate trends:
Influencer profiling and analysis of potential
We would like to propose here concept inspired by Paragon Intel company.
Their value proposition statement is "Through big data and proprietary interviews, we consistently help investors understand how companies will perform based on the executives who run them". We draw analogy from this to marketing bets on rising trends: if you can profile influencers, their strength, potential and commitment to trend, therefore you can estimate how this trend will continue to scale and rise.
Market Research
Conduct comprehensive market research on reputable sources, industry reports, and studies that provide information on the trend's growth potential, market size, target audience, and competitive landscape. Analyze the data to assess the trend's viability and determine if there is a sustainable market demand.
Consumer Surveys and Interviews
Collecting first-hand insights from potential consumers can help validate if the trend is resonating with the target market. Engage with your target audience through surveys and interviews to understand their awareness, interest, and adoption of the trend. Ask questions to gauge their perception, behavior, and likelihood of engaging with products or services related to the trend.
Social Listening and Monitoring
Utilize social listening tools and monitor online conversations to gauge the level of buzz and sentiment surrounding the trend. Look for mentions, discussions, and reviews on social media platforms, forums, and online communities related to the trend.
Expert Opinions
Seek opinions and insights from industry experts, influencers, and thought leaders who have a deep understanding of the specific trend or industry. Attend conferences, webinars, or industry events where experts share their perspectives on emerging trends.
Early Adopter Analysis
Identify and analyze the behavior of early adopters who have embraced the trend. Study their motivations, feedback, and experiences to gain insights into the trend's impact and acceptance among innovative consumers. Look for case studies, testimonials, or success stories that highlight the benefits and results associated with the trend.
Competitor Analysis
Examine how your competitors are responding to the trend. Evaluate their marketing strategies, product offerings, and customer engagement related to the trend. This analysis can provide insights into the competitive landscape and indicate the trend's level of adoption and potential profitability.
Pilot Programms or Test Campaigns
Consider running pilot programs or small-scale test campaigns to assess the market response to the trend. This allows you to gather real-time data, measure customer engagement, and evaluate the feasibility of scaling up your efforts. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as conversion rates, customer feedback, and sales to determine if the trend shows promising results.
Long-Term Outlook
Assess the long-term sustainability and longevity of the trend. Consider factors such as technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and industry shifts that may impact the trend's growth trajectory. Evaluate if the trend aligns with your business objectives and if it has the potential to adapt and thrive over time.
Making informed decisions requires validation of early patterns of behavior exhibited by early adopters. By understanding and analyzing the actions and preferences of these pioneering individuals, marketers can gain valuable insights to reassure and inform their own decision-making processes. Here we explore effective strategies to validate early adopter behaviors, providing marketers with the confidence they need to leverage rising trends successfully.
Identify Early Adopters
The first step in validating early patterns of behavior is identifying the early adopters within your target audience. Look for individuals or groups who enthusiastically embrace new technologies, products, or ideas. These early adopters are often tech-savvy, opinion leaders, or influential figures within their communities. Social media platforms, online forums, industry events, and market research can help you pinpoint these individuals.
Engage In Direct Communication
To gather meaningful insights, engage in direct communication with early adopters. This can be done through surveys, interviews, focus groups, or social media interactions. Develop open-ended questions that encourage early adopters to share their experiences, motivations, and expectations regarding the trend. By establishing a rapport and actively listening to their feedback, you can uncover valuable patterns of behavior that provide insights into the trend's potential impact.
Monitor Social Media Channels
Utilize social media listening tools to monitor conversations, mentions, and interactions related to the rising trend. Look for patterns such as hashtags, user-generated content, or discussions that demonstrate early adopter engagement. Analyze the sentiment, frequency, and reach of these conversations to gauge the trend's acceptance and impact among the target audience.
Analyze Early Adopter Case studies
Case studies of early adopters who have successfully embraced the trend can provide valuable validation. Research and analyze these case studies to understand their motivations, challenges, and outcomes. Look for common themes, success factors, and obstacles they encountered. By studying these early adopters' experiences, you can gain insights into potential benefits and risks associated with the trend.
Conduct A/B Testing
Implement A/B testing to validate the impact of the rising trend on specific marketing initiatives. Create variations of your marketing campaigns—one incorporating the trend and the other without it. Measure key performance indicators such as engagement, conversion rates, and customer feedback to assess the effectiveness of the trend in driving desired outcomes. A/B testing allows you to experiment and validate early patterns of behavior with a controlled approach.
Collaborate with Influencers
Partnering with influencers who align with the rising trend can provide significant validation. Influencers who have embraced the trend and garnered a dedicated following can lend credibility to its adoption. Collaborate with influencers through sponsored content, guest appearances, or endorsements to amplify the trend's reach and validate its relevance among their engaged audience.
Monitor Early Adoption Rates
Keep a close eye on the adoption rates of the rising trend within your target market. Look for indicators such as sales figures, website traffic, or user sign-ups that demonstrate early interest and uptake. Monitor how these adoption rates evolve over time to gauge the trend's momentum and potential market saturation.
Stay Informed and Agile
As with any trend, it is crucial to stay informed and agile throughout the validation process. Continuously monitor industry news, consumer preferences, and competitor activities to identify any shifts or emerging insights. Trends can evolve quickly, and staying abreast of new information allows you to adapt your strategies and decisions accordingly.
By identifying and engaging with these pioneering individuals, monitoring social media channels, analyzing case studies.
Measuring the level of sentiment around a trend typically involves analyzing and quantifying the sentiments expressed in text data, such as social media posts, online reviews, news articles, or survey responses. Here are several common approaches to measure the sentiment level around a trend:
Sentiment Analysis
Use sentiment analysis techniques to automatically classify text into positive, negative, or neutral sentiment. This can be done using machine learning algorithms or pre-trained sentiment analysis models. Assign sentiment scores to individual texts and aggregate them to obtain an overall sentiment level.
Lexicon-Based Analysis
Utilize pre-defined sentiment lexicons or dictionaries that contain words or phrases associated with specific sentiments. Assign sentiment scores to the words in the text and calculate an aggregated sentiment score based on the presence and intensity of sentiment-bearing words.
Machine Learning Classification
Train a machine learning model using labeled data where sentiments are manually annotated. The model can then classify new texts into sentiment categories. This approach requires a labeled dataset and expertise in machine learning techniques.
Social Media Mining
Focus on social media platforms where people often express their opinions. Utilize data mining techniques to extract relevant posts, tweets, or comments related to the trend. Analyze the sentiment expressed in these texts using the approaches mentioned above.
Surveys and Polls
Conduct surveys or polls specifically designed to gather sentiment data related to the trend. Use Likert scale or other rating systems to measure the sentiment level directly. Analyze the collected responses to determine the sentiment distribution and overall sentiment level.
Natural Language Processing
Utilize NLP techniques to analyze text data. This can involve tasks such as part-of-speech tagging, entity recognition, and sentiment analysis. NLP can help extract sentiment-related information and provide insights into the sentiment level around the trend.
Topic Modelling
Apply topic modeling algorithms such as Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify the main themes or topics within the text data. By analyzing sentiment within each topic, you can gain insights into sentiment levels associated with different aspects of the trend.
It's important to note that sentiment analysis is not always perfect and can be influenced by factors such as language nuances, sarcasm, or context. Therefore, it's recommended to combine automated techniques with human validation to ensure accurate sentiment measurement.
Fine-Tuned Sentiment Analysis Models
Instead of using general-purpose sentiment analysis models, fine-tune pre-trained models on data specifically related to the trend you are interested in. By training the model on domain-specific data, it can better capture the nuances and sentiment associated with the trend, leading to more accurate results.
Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis
Analyze the sentiment not only at the overall trend level but also at the aspect or feature level. Identify key aspects or subtopics related to the trend and evaluate the sentiment associated with each of them. This can provide a more nuanced understanding of the sentiment distribution and help assess specific areas of interest within the trend.
Contextual Sentiment Analysis
Consider the context in which sentiment is expressed. A sentiment analysis technique that takes into account the surrounding context can yield more accurate results. For instance, understanding whether the sentiment is expressed by experts, influencers, or general public can provide insights into the reliability and impact of the sentiment.
Opinion Mining
Go beyond sentiment analysis and perform opinion mining to extract more detailed information from text data. Opinion mining techniques can identify and categorize opinions, preferences, and sentiments expressed towards the trend. This can help you gauge not only the sentiment polarity but also the reasons behind the sentiments, enabling a more comprehensive analysis.
Social Network Analysis
Explore the social network surrounding the trend and analyze sentiment within that network. Identify influential individuals, communities, or groups discussing the trend. By examining their sentiments and engagement levels, you can gain insights into the potential impact and reach of the trend.
Event Detection and Sentiment Tracking
Monitor the sentiment associated with the trend over time to identify any shifts or changes. Set up automated processes to track sentiment in real-time or at regular intervals. This can help you identify emerging patterns and make more informed investment decisions.
Comparative Analysis
Compare sentiment levels across different trends or competitors within the same industry. By analyzing the sentiment associated with multiple trends, you can identify which ones are showing more positive or negative sentiment, helping you prioritize investment opportunities.
Sentiment analysis should be complemented with other forms of analysis, such as fundamental analysis, market research, and expert opinions, to make well-informed investment decisions. Sentiment analysis provides valuable insights, but it should be considered as one piece of the larger puzzle.
In this chapter, we explore how to professionally utilize adoption rates to guide big budget marketing decisions on rising trends.
Making big budget marketing decisions requires a strategic and data-driven approach. One crucial parameter to consider is the evolution of adoption rates over time, as it provides valuable insights into the momentum and potential market saturation of rising trends.
Cumulative adoption rates of the top three social media platforms over time
Image source
Define Key Performance Indicators
Before analyzing adoption rates, establish clear KPIs aligned with your marketing objectives. These may include metrics such as sales volume, customer acquisition, website traffic, social media engagement, or product/service subscriptions. Clearly defining your KPIs will help you measure the impact of rising trends on your marketing efforts and determine their effectiveness.
Set Benchmark Data
To assess adoption rates, establish benchmark data that represents the initial stage of the rising trend. This data could include early adopter statistics, initial customer feedback, or early market response. This allows you to track the progression of adoption rates and make meaningful comparisons as the trend evolves.
Monitor Adoption Rates
Regularly monitor the adoption rates of the rising trend within your target market. Track how the trend is being embraced by consumers, industry influencers, or competitors. Monitor factors such as sales growth, customer acquisition rate, market share, or website traffic related to the trend.
Analyze Adoption Rates Patterns
Analyze the patterns and trends within adoption rates over time. Look for periods of rapid growth, plateaus, or declines in adoption. Assess whether the trend's adoption is consistently increasing, leveling off, or showing signs of saturation. This analysis will help you understand the trajectory of the trend and make more informed decisions regarding the allocation of your marketing budget.
Consider Market Saturation
Check Share Of Google Search, Share Of Social, Share Of Chat GPT of investigated trend. Evaluate the potential saturation point of the rising trend within your target market. Determine if the adoption rates suggest a growing saturation, indicating that the trend may soon reach its peak level of acceptance among your audience. Assessing market saturation will allow you to anticipate the trend's lifecycle and make decisions on the optimal timing and allocation of your marketing budget.
Study Competitor Activities
Monitor your competitors' response and engagement with the rising trend. Analyze their adoption rates, marketing strategies, and customer feedback related to the trend. Assess whether competitors are experiencing similar adoption patterns or if they are capitalizing on different aspects of the trend.
Conduct Consumer Surveys
Supplement your analysis by conducting surveys to gather direct feedback from your target audience. Inquire about their awareness, interest, and adoption of the rising trend.
This firsthand information will complement your adoption rate analysis and provide a more comprehensive understanding of your customers' attitudes towards the trend.
Stay Agile and Flexible
The landscape of rising trends can change rapidly. Remain agile and adaptable in your decision-making process. Continuously reassess adoption rates, market dynamics, and consumer preferences. Be prepared to reallocate your marketing budget or adjust your strategies based on the evolving trends and adoption patterns.
Leveraging adoption rates as a parameter for big budget marketing decisions on rising trends is essential for optimizing your investments.
By monitoring and analyzing adoption rates over time, marketers can gain valuable insights into the:
Use this data alongside competitor analysis, consumer surveys, and benchmarking to make informed decisions on resource allocation and marketing strategies.
Professionals understand that achieving initial success is just the beginning. They embrace a process-oriented approach and continually strive for improvement, accepting feedback and criticism as valuable tools for growth.
Embracing the Journey
Amateurs tend to stop once they achieve a particular goal, while professionals view it as a starting point for further advancement. They comprehend that success requires consistent effort and an ongoing commitment to progress.
Process over Goal
Amateurs focus on specific goals, often neglecting the importance of a well-defined process. Professionals understand that success stems from a well-established process and prioritize it over short-term objectives.
Self-Awareness and Humility
Professionals recognize their areas of expertise, understanding their circles of competence. They actively seek constructive criticism and feedback, knowing that it helps them identify weaknesses and grow.
Valuing Consistency
While amateurs may celebrate isolated achievements, professionals emphasize consistency. They aim for reliable performance and strive to repeat success consistently.
Failure as a Stepping-Stone
Amateurs often perceive failure as a sign of personal incompetence and may give up easily. Professionals, on the other hand, view failure as a natural part of the learning process. They embrace it, learn from it, and use it as a catalyst for growth and mastery.
Dedication to Practice
While amateurs may approach practice sessions with the intent to have fun, professionals acknowledge that what happens in practice directly affects their performance in real-life situations. They recognize the importance of consistent, focused practice.
Maximizing Strenghts
Amateurs often concentrate on their weaknesses, attempting to improve them. Professionals, however, leverage their strengths and surround themselves with individuals who complement their areas of weakness. They understand the power of collaboration and delegation.
Preparation and Responsibility
Professionals prepare diligently for their endeavors and make decisions individually, accepting responsibility for the outcomes. Amateurs may rely on committees or blame others when things go wrong.
Long-Term Perspective
Amateurs may be shortsighted, seeking immediate results, while professionals adopt a long-term perspective. They understand the value of patience, endurance, and delayed gratification.
Building Others Up
Professionals focus on uplifting and supporting others, recognizing that collective growth leads to greater success. Amateurs may engage in tearing others down, driven by personal insecurities.
Critical Thinking
Professionals engage in second-order thinking, considering multiple perspectives and potential outcomes. They avoid absolutes and think in terms of probabilities, making informed decisions.
The distinctions in mindset between amateurs and professionals are numerous and impactful. While amateurs often prioritize short-term gains, professionals adopt a long-term perspective, embracing continuous improvement and a process-driven approach. They understand the importance of self-awareness, learning from failure, and seeking constructive criticism.
By developing a professional mindset, individuals can enhance their chances of achieving long-lasting success and personal growth in various domains of life.
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