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It’s been cool and rainy the last few days and it really feels like summer is over, doesn’t it? I feel like I really need to make a conscious effort to stay motivated and optimistic this time of year – how about you? Let’s collectively think positive thoughts and focus on finishing the year strong!

Give this cool song by Blind Melon a listen with me as we see what the experts are saying this week…

HubSpot Benchmark Data – Summer 2021 Results

Since it’s the end of summer, let’s look at the HubSpot benchmark data and see how the summer turned out! Overall the data from July and August looks pretty good:

  • Deals created increased over June. Deals closed remain steady in July/August
  • Sales emails volume remains consistent, though email responses continue to decline
  • Sales calls continue to increase, as do sales conversations
  • Contact growth also grew in August

So what does this tell us? Sales and marketing activity continues to increase. And conversion rates (deals created, sales conversations, deals closed) are also improving. For the slow summer months, this seems to be a pretty significant positive trend we’re seeing.

We’ve seen similar results with our clients – the key continues to be a multi-touch and multi-channel approach to your buyer’s journey – digital and human touches that help move people through the process. When life (or your selling process) is hard, you have to change…

Keep on Dreamin’ – Touring Update

You’ve probably seen all the tour cancellations, and the concern regarding the future of live music (again). This great post from Bob Lefsetz shares some of the real economic forces driving today’s touring business, and how they’re trying to free themselves from COVID’s grasp on the nation.

You’ll see exactly how industrialized today’s touring business is. It’s not just the band – it’s the whole crew and team that helps put on the shows. And in today’s COVID environment, it’s even more difficult. Based on big stage productions, a 20-show tour might only break even for the last 5 shows. If you have to cancel a few dates because of COVID, you are screwed!!!

Things are still in flux, and now there’s now a phenomenon of ‘no-shows’ at concerts, something that’s never been an issue before – at least not at this level. What’s going to happen – will the tours be impacted? Will they stop entirely?

We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out. No one can say for sure just yet, but I know we can’t all stay here forever.

As always, don’t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello.

Looking forward,
Rick

Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat