https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Sales & Marketing


How to Brand Your Managed Services Business

  • Written by Joe Panettieri 1
  • September 9, 2008

I’m hearing a familiar theme from multiple managed service providers: MSPs want to strengthen their branding and marketing efforts, yet local advertising firms and marketing consultants don’t understand the IT industry. As a result, local consultants who specialize in marketing aren’t very good at shaping an MSP’s brand.

So, what’s an MSP to do? Here are two options.

If you’ve got some in-house marketing expertise, keep your money in your wallet and go find some vendor dollars to fund some of your promotional activities. In this scenario, you already have a clear vision for your company. You just need some money to help tell the story.

Consider the situation over at masterIT. I mention this company, run by CEO J. Michael Drake, frequently on MSPmentor because masterIT truly understands the branding process.

With an assist from vendor funding, masterIT recently developed two new videos that are now hosted on YouTube.

Video 1 (below) is client-facing, and describes how masterIT assists customers with security and business protection

Video 2 (below) is industry facing, and masterIT is positioned as an expert organization that endorses Seagate’s EVault remote backup solution.

By now, you’ve noticed that masterIT is successfully leveraging someone else’s money to tell the company’s story. But the strategy doesn’t end there. Recently, masterIT sent the client-facing video in an email to customer prospects. According to Drake, the email is a precursor to an October 30 event for C-level executives. MasterIT is hosting at the FedEx Institute of Technology for C-level executives in our market.

Option 2: Have Money, Find Expert Help

Another branding option is to pay somebody within the MSP industry to help develop and polish your logo, your messaging and your overall company position.

In this scenario, some MSPs are turning to Ingram Micro’s Channel Marketing Services team for help. Ingram launched the team in 2006 to help VARs and MSPs (in the US) tackle their channel marketing needs.

During the recent Ingram Micro Seismic partner conference in Chicago, I heard from several MSPs that leverage Ingram for Web design services, logo and brand development, event management and several other key services.

Later this week, I’ll describe how one specific MSP recently overhauled its corporate brand, with an assist from Ingram.

Get Going

Of course, many MSPs reading this suffer from marketing inertia. They know they need to bolster their messaging, but they aren’t quite ready to open their wallets. That’s a big mistake, because I believe marketing will make-or-break many MSPs.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Sales & Marketing

Related


  • Data center
    Netrality Data Centers Unveils Expanded Partner Program
    Data centers are an integral component of a hybrid architecture.
  • Gift, Present, Reward
    AppGate Partners Gain New Accretive Rewards Program
    Participants in this new program will be eligible for a range of rewards.
  • Partner Program Update
    Palo Alto Networks Rolls Out Latest NextWave Partner Program
    NextWave 3.0 will help partners differentiate their services.
  • Accelerate
    OneLogin Hires Juniper Networks Vet to Lead Accelerate Partner Program
    OneLogin last fall expanded its Accelerate partner program to include partner tiering.

One comment

  1. Avatar Ken Vanderweel September 10, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
    Reply

    To your point, option 1 specifically, as a vendor we’re eager to work with our MSP Partners to help promote their brand (and ours of course); if our MSP partners win, we win! Here are a couple of video examples that we put together with our MSP partners Alvaka Networks and CDW Hosting and Managed Services (Nimsoft funded the activity fully, provided the video crew, ect.);

    Nimsoft MSP Partner; Alvaka Networks
    http://www.nimsoft.com/roadshow/videos/alvaka.php

    Nimsoft MSP Partner; CDW Hosting and Managed Services (formerly Berbee)
    http://www.nimsoft.com/roadshow/videos/berbee.php

    Alvaka’s customer talking up Alvaka and Nimsoft
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvgFMhOeVFc

    The videos can be found on our company web site, on youtube, and our partner’s web sites.

    Ken
    http://www.nimsoft.com

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Kaseya Buying RocketCyber to Improve MSPs' Security Capabilities
  • From Salesperson to Trusted Adviser: 3 Tips for Mastering Consultative IT Sales
  • AppNeta Launches Global Alliances Program
  • Cybereason Hires Check Point, Fortinet Channel Leaders in North America Expansion

Galleries

View all

From The Second City: How to Use Improv as a Business Tool

March 3, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

Multi-Cloud: Strategy or Inevitable Outcome? (or both?)

March 3, 2021

Backup Vulnerability: 4 Targets Hackers Might Utilize to Infiltrate Your Backup Solution

March 2, 2021

The “Roaring 20s” Are Coming

February 25, 2021

Webinars

View all

A Partner’s Perspective on Channel Success in 2021

March 23, 2021

XDR and Why it Matters to MSPs

March 24, 2021

Top Security Trends Impacting Technology Security Providers In 2021

March 25, 2021

White Papers

View all

Why Fortinet for my MSSP?

March 2, 2021

Small and Mid-Size Business Security: 4 Steps to Success

March 2, 2021

How SMBs Can Secure Endpoints and Remote Workers for the Long Haul

March 2, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

Kelly Leonard of @SecondCity talks to us about how improv can be used as a business tool to improve the company cul… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

Another amazing day at #CPVirtual. Here's what you missed and what's on tap for Day 3. @Channel_Expo… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 4, 2021
ChannelFutures

Learn how @VMWare can help you build and deliver a #multicloud strategy. #hybridcloud #cloud #AWS… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

Learn about the merging of our media websites; plus, a new #MSP Summit this fall. @Channel_Expo… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@KnowBe4 acquires @MediaPROInc to beef up #cybersecurity training. dlvr.it/RtvdpB https://t.co/FzseCn4K6A

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

#COVID19 is ramping up #socialengineering – time for MSSPs to step in. @Electric_AI dlvr.it/RtvRQc https://t.co/ebTJNJcOxz

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

.@pluribusnet launches expanded, simplified partner program. #SDN dlvr.it/RtvGtQ https://t.co/bRDqYLEhXJ

March 3, 2021
ChannelFutures

#SupplyChain agility is changing global distribution patterns and #ictservices, says @NeecoICT.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 3, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X