B2B marketing insights for
those targeting a niche
Insights, learnings and stories from the world of B2B marketing and communications, direct from Velo’s B2B agency team
B2B Campaigns
B2B marketers are expected to deliver campaigns that do more than look joined up. They need to reach the right people, say the right thing, work across channels and contribute to measurable growth. The challenge is planning campaigns that balance creativity, targeting, timing, budget and commercial realism.
That means learning about campaign strategy, audience selection, channel planning, campaign architecture, messaging, content planning, demand generation, ABM, measurement and how paid, owned and earned activity works together.
Our insight articles cover how to plan, build and improve B2B campaigns, with practical guidance on strategy, execution and the decisions that make integrated campaigns work harder.
B2B marketing campaigns need a big idea and a theme now more than ever
B2B marketing teams now produce more material than ever, and very little of it gets remembered. The two are connected. The fix? A big idea and a theme strong enough to hold everything together. More content, more authors, more fragments AI has cut first-draft time from days to minutes. Sales teams personalise campaign emails for every account, regional teams […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Advocacy, B2B Campaigns, B2B Search, SEO & GEO
What role do customer stories play in AI GEO?
Increasingly, prospects aren’t starting their journey on Google or your homepage. They’re opening tools like Gemini, ChatGPT or Perplexity and asking a simple question: “Who should I be talking to?” Gartner puts GenAI use at 45% of recent B2B purchases; G2 found AI chatbots are now the single biggest influence on software shortlists. The challenge for marketers now isn’t just about […]
B2B Audiences, B2B Campaigns, B2B Research, B2B Strategy
Can Reddit provide useful insights for B2B marketers?
Reddit conversations cover an enormous range of ground, from hobbies and politics to niche communities that have nothing to do with work. But only a narrow slice of that activity is useful for B2B planning. Reddit’s B2B activity is heavily concentrated. Analysis of 522 million Reddit mentions found that 67% of B2B recommendation activity happens […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content
Does LinkedIn’s “Seems like AI slop” button actually do anything?
LinkedIn has quietly added a button that lets users flag posts that “seem like AI slop.” The obvious question is whether clicking it actually does anything. I needed to take a closer look at what LinkedIn’s new flag really does, and what it means for AI-assisted content. Turns out that the answer isn’t to put ChatGPT or Claude back in its box. There’s a new option buried in […]
B2B Campaigns, B2B Creative, B2B Strategy, B2B Video
Why every B2B business should be thinking bigger about video
For years, we’ve talked about video as another marketing tactic: something to support a campaign, promote an event or sit alongside a product launch. I think that’s selling it short. One statistic recently caught my attention: pages featuring video are 53 times more likely to rank on the first page of Google than text-only pages. […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns
ChatGPT Ads are here! What B2B marketers need to know
ChatGPT Ads have moved from a closed pilot to a self-service platform, just as B2B buyers start using LLMs to research vendors before making contact. This piece covers how the platform works, what it costs to test and why niche B2B marketers should treat it as discovery, not scale, for now.
How does an automated LinkedIn outreach programme work, and how effective is it?
We ran our own automated LinkedIn outreach programme for four weeks to test whether value-led, well-targeted messages could beat volume. The results split: strong connection acceptance rates, passive engagement once people connected, no proposals and real lessons for anyone considering automation on LinkedIn.
Does ABM work in long, complex buying cycles?
There is a common belief in certain sectors. “Account-Based Marketing does not work here.” You hear it most in markets with long sales cycles, complex procurement and heavy reliance on industry frameworks. The thinking is simple. Decisions are slow, structured and often predefined. Marketing cannot influence them in the same way. Or can it? What makes these markets different These environments are […]
B2B Campaigns, B2B Search, SEO & GEO
What does it take for a B2B buyer to trust you?
What BrightonSEO 2026 made me rethink about search, AI, and the proof buyers need before they take a brand seriously It’s an awkward question to sit with in B2B marketing, because everyone already agrees trust matters. But it’s also one of those things people nod along to without doing much about it, accepted before anyone […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Marketing in manufacturing, B2B Marketing in Professional Services, B2B Marketing in Technology, B2B Search, SEO & GEO, B2B Video
How to improve your discoverability in LLMs with YouTube videos
LLMs pick up many of the same signals as SEO, but visibility now extends well beyond your own site, and YouTube carries particular weight with tools like Gemini. This piece sets out how to write titles, descriptions and transcripts that machines can actually parse, and build authority YouTube alone can’t earn.
B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Marketing in manufacturing
Video is key to making Performance Max work
Performance Max (PMax) is Google’s AI-driven campaign type that serves ads simultaneously across Search, YouTube, Display, Gmail, Maps, and Discover from a single campaign. You provide the budget, the conversion goals, and your creative assets. Google’s machine learning then decides which combinations to serve, to which audiences, and when. The quality of what you put […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Marketing in Insurance, B2B Marketing in manufacturing, B2B Marketing in Technology, B2B Marketing Leadership, B2B Sales Enablement
AI slurry all over LinkedIn? Humans make the best posts
LinkedIn is full of long, lifeless lists, samey headlines and advice that could have come from anyone. This piece argues that authenticity beats algorithmic optimisation: personal connection requests, real engagement and posts that admit to still working things out, rather than polished perfection, are what actually earn attention.
B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Creative, B2B Marketing in Professional Services
What my favourite romantic movies taught me about B2B marketing
(Apparently, all starring one of two Julias – must be my ‘type’!) Romantic films endure for a reason. They understand people – their insecurities, quirks, and moments of connection. Strip away the meet-cutes and soundtracks, and you’re left with something B2B marketing still struggles to get right: how relationships actually work. Valentine’s Day got me thinking… are […]
B2B Branding, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Creative
Defying perceptions: Why B2B brands need a little more Elphaba energy
We’re in full Wicked fever again, and while most people are debating Ariana and Cynthia’s weird relationship IRL or that Elphie & Fiyero scene, I keep spotting parallels with B2B marketing. Stay with me – I promise I’m onto something! Because under all the emerald sparkle is a truth every marketer knows too well: being brilliant doesn’t matter if your story isn’t being heard. There’s a […]
B2B Advocacy, B2B Audiences, B2B Branding, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Marketing in Technology
How Tech Marketers should prepare for 2026
Most B2B tech marketers are optimising for the wrong outcome. They’re chasing reach, perfecting attribution models, and testing endless variations of the same campaign. But when a prospect is ready to shortlist, when a customer is asked for a recommendation, when a board member needs a supplier, your brand either comes to mind, or it […]
B2B Advocacy, B2B Audiences, B2B Branding, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Marketing in Professional Services
How Professional Services Marketers should start 2026
There is a hard truth. Nobody wakes up excited to hire a facilities management company. No finance director celebrates finding a new insurance broker. Building services, business services, B2B insurance – these aren’t impulse purchases. They’re considered decisions about who you’re going to trust with something important: your operations, your risk, your reputation. And when […]
B2B Advocacy, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Creative, B2B ESG, B2B Marketing in manufacturing
How Manufacturing Marketers should approach 2026
When your value is invisible until something goes wrong The best health and safety equipment never makes the news. Precision-engineered components that perform flawlessly for twenty years earn no headlines. Medical devices that work exactly as designed don’t generate case studies about dramatic turnarounds. In manufacturing sectors where success means nothing goes wrong, marketing faces […]
ABM, B2B Audiences, B2B Campaigns, B2B Marketing in manufacturing, B2B Marketing in Technology, B2B Research
Targeting Health, Safety, Environment and Compliance Leaders – A B2B Marketing Persona Deep Dive
When safety, compliance and operational continuity are non-negotiable, Health, Safety, Environment and Compliance (HSEC) leaders aren’t just part of your audience — they’re your gatekeepers to trust and long-term business. They sit at the intersection of people, process and policy, with remits that stretch from PPE procurement to incident investigation. Their goal is simple but […]
B2B Campaigns, B2B Marketing in Professional Services, B2B Search, SEO & GEO
The biggest shift in search since “just Google it” – Google AI Mode.
DooH running at London Bridge station, SE1 to mark the launch On 29th July 2025, Google quietly changed the internet. No big reveal. No drumroll. Just a flip of the switch and suddenly, the most powerful search engine in the world stopped being a search engine. It became an answer engine. Welcome to AI […]
B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Sales Enablement
What a good LinkedIn profile really looks like
In B2B, trust isn’t just nice to have, it’s everything. Deals are rarely won on rational arguments alone. They hinge on familiarity, credibility and chemistry. These aren’t soft skills, they’re decision-making signals. They’re how people decide whether they like you, trust you and want to work with you. The Edelman Trust Barometer shows that individuals […]
Is Discord an appropriate platform for B2B marketing?
Discord, the platform that once catered exclusively to gamers, has evolved into a versatile hub supporting diverse communities. For B2B digital marketers, this transformation presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges. Let’s explore Discord’s potential for business use, its audience demographics, advertising options, and suitable applications for B2B companies. TLDR – While intriguing, Discord currently […]
Should B2B marketers consider audio and podcast ads? Your complete guide
Podcasts come in different formats, each serving a unique purpose. Here’s a breakdown of key types, along with some of the most popular examples: Discipline-Focused Podcasts These cover professional topics like marketing, B2B strategy, and sustainability, often aligning with specific job functions. Example: The B2B Marketing Podcast – Deep dives into B2B trends, ABM, and […]
Is Reddit an appropriate channel for reaching B2B audiences?
As a Reddit partner, we’ve been using the channel to target niche content aimed purely at niche audiences. The platform’s growth means it is becoming worthy of consideration for B2B Marketers What is Reddit? Reddit is a social platform that combines a forum-style structure with voting systems to create an engaging and participatory experience. At […]
The B2B Marketer’s Guide to 2025: How to maximise revenue and create demand
In 2025, for technology, professional services and manufacturing businesses, growth will come from striking a balance between acquisition, retention, and innovation. Whether you’re launching new products, entering new markets, or activating channel partners, this guide will help you create integrated campaigns that deliver measurable impact. As a B2B marketing agency specialising in these sectors, […]
B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Creative, B2B Video
What makes a great social video?
Of all the tools in a B2B marketer’s arsenal, a well-executed video can be your most effective when marketing over social media. It boosts brand awareness, piques the interest of even the most jaded of scrollers, gives you more opportunities to get your message across, and can directly drive conversions. Video ads have an undeniable […]
What are the marketing secrets of B2B category leaders?
Over the years, there have been several studies on effective B2B marketing. Many use empirical data to observe the impact of certain activities focusing on growth. This article provides a summary of five of the most pertinent principles for ambitious category leaders looking to lead in their niche, providing a canvas on which you can […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns
Google Consent Mode: a B2B Marketer’s guide
Google Consent Mode v2 is an initiative that gives site visitors more say in what data you can collect about them during their visit. Once enabled, it enables people to consent to you collecting their data on your website, which will directly impact what and how much insight you can gather from Google Analytics […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns, B2B Search, SEO & GEO
Third-party cookies: is your B2B marketing about to crumble?
UPDATE: Google has moved back the deadline to an as yet unspecified date in 2025, so companies have some more time to prepare. That said, we recommend not leaving it to the last minute! Back in January 2024, Google began phasing out 3rd-party cookies – although only 1% of Chrome users were affected by Feb […]
How to roll out new brand communications without damaging brand strength
If you target a B2B niche, your brand becomes one of your most crucial assets. It can both help you and harm you. What we often see is that it can lose potency as it is rolled out. The hero assets are brilliant, creative and hard-hitting. By the time the roll-out is covering product brochures, […]
B2B Audiences, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Marketing in Insurance, B2B Marketing in manufacturing, B2B Marketing in Professional Services, B2B Marketing in Technology, Customer Experience
Is there more to marketing effectively across EMEAR than just translating your marketing? Yes.
Is there a country called EMEAR? Has anyone ever said they live or work in EMEAR? Does everyone that lives in France have the same habits, preferences and challenges as people that live in Germany? Of course not. So why do so many B2B marketers treat EMEAR as if it is all one homogeneous zone? […]
B2B Audiences, B2B Campaigns, B2B Marketing in manufacturing, B2B Marketing in Technology, B2B Strategy
What are the lessons for B2B marketers trying to create a new market for their product? Lessons from the BSRIA briefing on Air Quality.
After attending BSRIA’s Briefing on Air Quality, I wanted to share the lessons I observed for marketers taking products to market in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) which apply to anyone bringing a product to a niche market. From HVAC to building services, many Velo clients — including BSRIA — are active in this space. And […]
ABM, AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns
Navigating the Evolution of ABM in B2B Marketing: Insights from the Global ABM Conference 2023
It’s been two weeks since I joined 500+ fellow marketing leaders at B2B Marketing’s Global Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Conference, and it’s taken me this long to write up my key takeaways as there was so much rich knowledge, so many valuable insights, and such engaging expert speakers – my brain is still buzzing at everything […]
How should you budget for the right balance for brand and sales activation campaigns when targeting a niche?
Over the years, there have been many B2B marketing studies that changed the industry’s thinking. You’ll be familiar with their headline results but often keen to know more – and to review the original source. This series of articles provides an overview of the research and how they apply for B2B marketers targeting a […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns, B2B Content, B2B Search, SEO & GEO
What are the key takeaways for B2B marketers from Brighton SEO 2023?
It has been a month since the Brighton SEO conference which was nothing short of exciting! The great variety of insightful and knowledgeable sessions left us buzzing with ideas. It was great to stay up to date with the latest advances in search marketing and hear from thought leaders from various industries sharing their views […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns
Should B2B marketers be using Threads (instead of X) when targeting a niche?
It has been an eventful couple of months for the social media marketplace. We saw Meta launching Threads to rival Twitter (or should we say X?) and how it went on to have more than 100 million sign-ups in a matter of days, shortly followed by Twitter changing its name to X – even dropping […]
AI & MarTech for B2B, B2B Campaigns
Are Digital Out of Home (DOOH) platforms suitable for reaching niche B2B audiences yet?
Out-of-home advertising, or OOH, refers to any type of ads and marketing materials that are displayed outside of the consumer’s home, such as on billboards, buses, posters, airports, taxis, and street furniture. Traditionally, OOH advertising was not a viable option for B2B marketers targeting a niche audience, due to the high cost, low measurability, […]
ABM, B2B Campaigns, B2B Research
How do you build your list of prospective niche B2B companies for an ABM campaign?
When it comes to targeting a B2B niche with an account-based marketing (ABM) strategy, building an effective target prospect list is crucial. There are numerous methods available, including leveraging technology, utilising data sources, and of course, the age-old desk research route. However, it is essential to supplement these approaches by consulting with appropriate stakeholders […]
B2B Campaigns, B2B Research, B2B Strategy
What marketing KPIs should you be tracking when targeting a B2B niche in your campaigns?
When planning KPIs for your marketing operation, ensuring that they align with your overall business goals is essential. This means selecting KPIs that will help you measure your marketing efforts’ success in terms of driving revenue and business growth. While revenue related KPIs are a common starting point, it’s also important to have the […]
B2B Audiences, B2B Campaigns, B2B Marketing in Insurance, B2B Marketing in manufacturing, B2B Marketing in Professional Services, B2B Marketing in Technology, B2B Strategy
Why should you target the 95% of your audience that are not in the market?
Over the years, there have been many B2B marketing studies that changed the industry’s thinking. You’ll be familiar with their headline results but often keen to know more, and to review the original source. This series of articles provides an overview of the research and how they apply for B2B marketers targeting a niche. Not […]
Mourning HRH: 4 tips on how B2B marketers must stay mindful
On 8th September, the world received the sad news that Queen Elizabeth, the longest reigning monarch in history, had passed away. As we enter a period of national mourning, many will be trying to navigate how this affects the day-to-day. Businesses in the B2B space in particular must be cognisant toward their output. […]
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