--- title: thinkdm2 Blog (5) description: Thinkdm2's blog features a variety of topics ranging from content and digital marketing, lead generation, SaaS services, b2b branding, marketing technology, and more. (5) --- [![thinkdm2](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/Thinkdm2_Sept2016-Images/thinkdm2-logo2x.png "thinkdm2-logo2x")](https://thinkdm2.com/) - [Work](https://thinkdm2.com/work/) - Services - [Brand Development](https://thinkdm2.com/services/brand-development/) - [Digital Marketing](https://thinkdm2.com/services/digital-marketing/) - [Web Development](https://thinkdm2.com/services/web-development/) - [Design Services](https://thinkdm2.com/services/design-services/) - Industries - [Technology](https://thinkdm2.com/industries/technology//) - [Professional Services](https://thinkdm2.com/industries/professional-services/) - [About](https://thinkdm2.com/about/) - [Blog](https://blog.thinkdm2.com) - [Contact](https://thinkdm2.com/contact/) [![design and marketing team meeting at table with desktop computer and reviewing new designs](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/pantone%202020%20color%20of%20the%20year%20and%20marketing.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/how-pantones-2020-color-of-the-year-affects-digital-marketing) [Digital Marketing](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/digital-marketing) ## [How Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year Affects Digital Marketing](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/how-pantones-2020-color-of-the-year-affects-digital-marketing) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: ESB Professional/shutterstock.com Late last year, Pantone revealed that Classic Blue was their choice for the 2020 color of the year. This color was meant to reflect human spirit, resilience, and a warm sensation. Though some felt it was a safe pick, there's no denying the appealing, soothing nature of Classic Blue! We even [**shared our insights**](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/pantones-2020-color-forecast-new-design-ideas-for-marketers) into this color choice back in January. In this post, we’re taking a look at how Pantone’s 2020 color of the year affects digital marketing. [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/how-pantones-2020-color-of-the-year-affects-digital-marketing) [![diverse group of female and male marketers meeting in front of laptop and discussing strategy](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/simple%20guide%20to%20grow%20your%20b2b%20brand.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/a-simple-guide-for-growing-your-b2b-brand) [Branding](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/branding) ## [A Simple Guide for Growing Your B2B Brand](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/a-simple-guide-for-growing-your-b2b-brand) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: fizkes/shutterstock.com One of the top challenges B2B marketers face is developing a strong brand strategy to make their brand stand out among competitors. After all, a brand with a clearly-defined purpose and value can help you stand out among others in your industry. Recently, we [**explored some of the top questions**](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/branding-guide-5-questions-to-ask-about-your-companys-brand) companies should be asking about their brand. In this simple guide, you will learn how to effectively grow your B2B brand. [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/a-simple-guide-for-growing-your-b2b-brand) [![three marketers at desk with laptop and desktop computer reviewing website design](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/simplicity%20in%20website%20design.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/why-simplicity-is-the-key-to-great-website-design) [Website Design](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/website-design) ## [Why Simplicity is the Key to Great Website Design](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/why-simplicity-is-the-key-to-great-website-design) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: REDPIXEL.PL/shutterstock.com Have you ever visited a company’s website for the first time and immediately felt put off by its design and layout? Maybe too many contrasting colors were jarring to look at or the home page had complex scrolling—shifting from horizontal to vertical with seemingly little purpose. If you made it through this experience with a vow never to return to that website, you likely have an idea of what led to such a poor user experience; the website wasn’t embracing simplicity. Let’s discuss why simplicity is the key to great website design. [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/why-simplicity-is-the-key-to-great-website-design) [![businessman hands on laptop at desk working on branding development and strategy](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/develop%20brand%20essence.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/branding-guide-5-questions-to-ask-about-your-companys-brand) [Branding](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/branding) ## [Branding Guide: 5 Questions to Ask About Your Company’s Brand](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/branding-guide-5-questions-to-ask-about-your-companys-brand) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: Rawpixel.com/shutterstock.com We’re nearing the end of the summer months, and it’s around the time most marketing companies are beginning to plan ahead for next year’s goals. Your company may even have its own objectives and strategies on the drawing boards already. However, alongside your marketing efforts—such as generating more leads or developing a new content calendar—there is one key aspect of your company that must shine through: [**your brand!**](https://thinkdm2.com/services/brand-development/) In this branding guide, we’ll give you five questions that you should be asking yourself about your company’s current brand. [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/branding-guide-5-questions-to-ask-about-your-companys-brand) [![business man in suit typing at desktop computer with marketing strategy on screen](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/contextual%20marketing%20strategy.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/what-does-a-contextual-marketing-strategy-look-like) [Content Marketing](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/content-marketing), [Digital Marketing](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/digital-marketing) ## [What Does a Contextual Marketing Strategy Look Like?](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/what-does-a-contextual-marketing-strategy-look-like) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: Rawpixel.com/shutterstock.com Contextual marketing is a more personalized approach to marketing; it is a strategy that centers around the users coming to your website and what they are looking for. Essentially, it helps ensure that the content you are delivering is relevant to a user based on their stage in the buyer’s journey and any pain points they have. When working alongside personalization, contextual marketing is an effective strategy to meet a user’s needs, habits, and goals. In this post, we will be further defining contextual marketing and what a proper strategy looks like. [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/what-does-a-contextual-marketing-strategy-look-like) [![person at cluttered desk with tablet with inbound marketing strategy displayed on screen](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/stages%20of%20the%20inbound%20flywheel.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/what-are-the-3-stages-of-the-inbound-flywheel) [Inbound Marketing](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/inbound-marketing) ## [What are the 3 Stages of the Inbound Flywheel?](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/what-are-the-3-stages-of-the-inbound-flywheel) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: Rawpixel.com/shutterstock.com Ever since the **[2018 HubSpot Inbound event](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/making-the-switch-from-funnel-to-flywheel-more-from-inbound-2018)** dropped a major game changer with its inbound flywheel, many marketers have had time to rethink their existing marketing strategies. Whether in the B2B or B2C space, customers used to be more of an afterthought in the grand scheme of the sales funnel. Now, more marketers are shifting to an inbound approach and integrating the inbound flywheel—a model that encourages customer engagement and interaction across the full sales cycle. In this post, we’ll be defining the 3 stages of the inbound flywheel.   [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/what-are-the-3-stages-of-the-inbound-flywheel) [![group of marketers at a table discussing branding strategy with laptops and whiteboard](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/brand%20equity%20vs.%20brand%20value.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/brand-equity-vs.-brand-value-the-key-differences) [Branding](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/branding) ## [Brand Equity vs. Brand Value: The Key Differences](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/brand-equity-vs.-brand-value-the-key-differences) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: weedezign/shutterstock.com Brand equity is a critical component in developing a quality branding strategy. If you’ve followed [**our previous posts around brand equity**](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/understanding-the-advantages-of-brand-equity-in-b2b-marketing), we’ve drawn a few comparisons to the value of a brand as well. However, while brand equity is certainly related to value, the two aren’t quite the same. Both play a critical role in shaping your audience’s perception of your brand, how it stands out among competitors, and its longevity in your target market. In this post, we’ll share the key differences between brand equality and brand value that marketers should know. [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/brand-equity-vs.-brand-value-the-key-differences) [![male and female marketers analyzing website design on laptop screens](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/marketing%20website%20reflects%20branding.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/how-your-marketing-website-reflects-your-companys-branding) [Branding](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/branding), [Website Design](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/website-design) ## [How Your Marketing Website Reflects Your Company’s Branding](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/how-your-marketing-website-reflects-your-companys-branding) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: REDPIXEL.PL/shutterstock.com A website’s design can say a lot about a company as a whole—regarding their tone, values, and how much you can trust them. If a prospect is researching for the right solution to fit their needs, they may just end up finding their way to your marketing website. When they get there, it can be disappointing to see confusing navigation, inconsistent colors and fonts, and a lack of valuable offers. As a follow-up to a previous [**blog post we published last year**](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/how-your-websites-design-affects-your-b2b-branding), here’s how your marketing website acts as a reflection of your company’s branding. [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/how-your-marketing-website-reflects-your-companys-branding) [![laptop with brand development on screen at a desk near a window](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/b2b-brand-checklist.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/the-essential-branding-checklist-for-your-b2b-marketing-company) [Branding](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/branding) ## [The Essential Branding Checklist For Your B2B Marketing Company](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/the-essential-branding-checklist-for-your-b2b-marketing-company) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: Tashatuvango/shutterstock.com With the second half of the year now underway, it’s time to assess the current state of your marketing company’s brand—including its reputation, audience, and success in the industry. Amidst the many challenges—and hopefully plenty of victories as well—it’s important to take some time to reflect on your branding strategy. Here is an essential branding checklist for your B2B marketing company to follow for the rest of the year.  [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/the-essential-branding-checklist-for-your-b2b-marketing-company) [![marketing woman with glasses and pen reviewing website performance analytics on computer](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/hubfs/improve%20your%20marketing%20company%20website%20performance.jpg)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/improving-your-marketing-companys-website-performance) [Website Design](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/website-design) ## [Improving Your Marketing Company's Website Performance](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/improving-your-marketing-companys-website-performance) By [Philip Berardo](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/author/philip-berardo)   image credit: NicoElNino/shutterstock.com To a marketing company, website performance means more than just load times, image rendering, and bounce rate. It defines a significant part of your company’s authority and relevancy in the eyes of your audience and search engines alike. The unfortunate truth is that potential leads may never get to see what your solutions and services are—because they’ve already left your website due to poor performance. To ensure your marketing company isn’t missing out on lead generation and search engine optimization (SEO) opportunities, here are a few tips to improve your website performance. [Read More](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/improving-your-marketing-companys-website-performance) [‹ Previous](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/page/4) [Next ›](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/page/6) #### Never Miss an Insight! ### Subscribe to weekly blog updates, featuring topics such as branding, digital marketing, and web design strategies.  ### RECENT POSTS ### CATEGORIES - [B2B Marketing (83)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/b2b-marketing) - [Digital Marketing (51)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/digital-marketing) - [Branding (50)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/branding) - [Content Marketing (49)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/content-marketing) - [Website Design (35)](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/topic/website-design) #### Technology Insights Read the latest goings-on in digital, technology, and content marketing. [Visit Our Blog](https://blog.thinkdm2.com/) #### NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Enter your email address to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Technology Insights. 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