Having the right tools isn’t just helpful – it’s essential. A recent study revealed that 35% of B2B marketers use the technology to gain competitive advantage. Technology should be your best friend to ensure you get the most out of every marketing strategy.
We’ve asked our team to share their most valuable tech recommendations, complete with real-world applications and insights. But with countless options available, how do you choose the right tools for your business?
Here’s our comprehensive guide to building your optimal tech stack.
Quick Navigation:
- Productivity & Project Management
- Content Creation & Design
- AI & Automation
- Content Planning & SEO
- Security & Organisation
Choosing the Right Tools: A Strategic Framework
Before diving into specific recommendations, consider these crucial factors:
Assessment Phase
- Current pain points and inefficiencies
- Team size and technical capabilities
- Budget constraints
- Integration requirements with existing systems
Evaluation Phase
- Scalability potential
- Security features
- User adoption likelihood
- ROI metrics
- Support and training resources
According to McKinsey, companies that successfully implement digital tools see a 20-30% increase in productivity.
Here’s what’s actually working for us and our clients:
Productivity & Project Management
ClickUp
What it does: All-in-one project management platform
Why we love it: “ClickUp has revolutionised our productivity. It’s become the backbone of our daily operations, streamlining everything from client communications to project tracking.” – Brad Mylne, Head of Inbound
Best for:
- Team collaboration
- Project timelines
- Resource allocation
Content Creation & Design
Canva
What it does: Design platform for marketing materials
Why we love it: Canva has transformed how we present strategies to clients. Its templates and intuitive interface make professional design accessible to everyone on the team.
Best for:
- Client presentations
- Social media graphics
- Marketing collateral
- Strategy documents
ColorPick Eyedropper
What it does: A Chrome extension that easily allows you to identify the Hex colour code of any UI element you hover.
Why we love it: “It has been a lifesaver when trying to create designs for clients that don’t have brand guidelines” – Alix Briggs, Head of Operations
Best for:
- Identifying exact color codes from any webpage
- Matching brand colors without brand guidelines
- Creating consistent design assets
- Colour sampling for digital content creation
Grammarly
What it does: AI-powered writing assistant
Why we love it: “The ability to switch between US and UK English is invaluable when working with different audiences. Its suggestions for concise writing have notably improved our content quality.” – Hannah Bull, PR Strategist
Best for:
- Content editing
- Client communications
- International audiences
AI & Automation
ChatGPT
What it does: AI language model for various tasks
Why we love it: “It’s transformed how I organise meeting notes and initial campaign strategies. It helps structure thoughts into client-ready presentations.” – Amy Bull, Head of Client Services
Best for:
- Research
- Content ideation
- Meeting notes
- Strategy development
HeyGen
What it does: AI video creation platform
Why we love it: This could be a game-changer for B2B content. We’re seeing promising results in streamlining video production while maintaining quality.
Best for:
- Product demonstrations
- Training videos
- Client communications
Content Planning & SEO
Ahrefs
Why we love it: “This is our secret weapon for content strategy. The keyword research capabilities are unmatched, but what really sets it apart is how we can use it for competitor research and to generate content ideas.” – Candice Brandt, Content Writer
We use it to:
- Track keyword opportunities across industries
- Analyse competitor content gaps
- Monitor client SEO performance
- Structure content briefs
Security & Organisation
LastPass
What it does: Password management system
Why we love it: It’s revolutionised how we handle security. No more compromising on password strength or struggling with access management.
Best for:
- Team password sharing
- Security management
- Access control
HubSpot
What it does: CRM and marketing automation
Why we love it: The Breeze AI tools have added another dimension to our client work. It’s making automation more intelligent and personalised.
Best for:
- Client management
- Marketing automation
- Sales tracking
Emerging Tools We’re Watching
- OpusClip: Short-form video creation
- Argil: AI video generation
- Claude 3.5 Advanced AI assistant
Implementation Tips:
- Start with one tool at a time
- Focus on team training
- Monitor ROI regularly
- Review and adjust usage quarterly
Our Key Learnings:
- Integration capabilities matter
- User-friendly interfaces increase adoption
- Regular training maximises tool value
- Cost vs. benefit analysis is crucial
The right tech stack can transform your B2B operations, but success lies in choosing tools that match your specific needs and processes. Start with the basics and build up based on your team’s requirements and capabilities.
Need help selecting the right tools for your B2B strategy? Get in touch for a personalised consultation with our team at Media Matters Agency.
PS: We’re all about supporting B2Bs navigate what looks like a potentially challenging year ahead. Our 3-point plan holds some of the answers (by no means all of them). Here’s a reminder of what we’re saying and why (Read more). As the marketing landscape shifts, so must we – and we’re here and ready to help.
