Before we begin to accelerate into the new year, we thought that it would be interesting to pause and take a look back through the Insight articles that we posted in 2017. Our articles covered a range of marketing and sales related topics, but these 4 were the most popular and here’s why we think they resonated with the business community.
 
Here are our 4 most read Insight articles from 2017:
 
1. “My Pleasure” Why Customer Lingo Matters: Going the extra mile with positive trigger words in your business communications will not only result in much happier customers, but it can support your business’s growth and expansion. You'll absolutely change the entire tone of your customer’s interaction. Don’t believe us? Take a look at the example set by of of the most successful fast-food restaurants in the country, Chick-fil-A. Analysts have said that customer service is key to Chick-fil-A's success. Superior customer service drives higher sales per unit, contributing to the chain's ability to generate greater revenue than chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut, and Domino's (who have  more than twice as many US locations than Chick-fil-A).
 
2. What’s Your Tennis Ball: All jobs require constant creative thinking to promote business innovation and there's nothing more intimidating than facing  a blank canvas. Keeping your hands busy in brainstorming sessions is a form of embodied cognition that maps the connection between body movements and cognitive functioning. In other words, fidget with desk toys, click pens, or bounce tennis balls throughout the office to stimulate and sharpen your mind.
 
3. Local Biz Audit: Companies in all industries are using the internet to generate sales leads. Small businesses and big corporations are spending an abundance of their online advertising to try and drum up potential customers. Many firms, however, are too slow to follow up on the majority of their digital leads. We tested this theory with our own local research. We learned that most local companies are not handling their customer requests for better lead management. They set up their online marketing initially, but neglect the work that is needed to make the most of the results. They don’t respond to online contact forms and email inquiries.
 
4. Don’t Set it and Forget It: Ron Popeil used this now infamous phrase to help sell over 8 million Showtime Rotisserie cookers. While this catch phrase connected with consumers of the late 1980s, today's modern businesses can’t be successful with their digital marketing with a 'set it and forget it' mindset. We suggest that the right mindset is "Analyze it, and improve it", and it seems to have resonated with Biz Journal readers.
 
As we look back at this past year, we're beyond proud of how the community has grown and all that we've accomplished together. We’ve had a remarkably busy year and we have so many cool things planned for 2018. So, stay tuned and we’ll have loads more to tell you soon.
 
Bill Hunter and the WDC team believe that honest business and innovative design go hand-in-hand. Their talented team of designers, marketers and developers are as diverse as our work. They offer a range of services, including marketing strategy, branding and creative web and application development, as well as digital marketing solutions specific to your business. Contact Bill at [email protected] or visit  www.wilmingtondesignco.com.