A Sneak Peek of Verizon at Think Summit

Our team sat down with Michael Habib, Digital Channel Manager at Verizon, to learn his best marketing tips and talk to #emailgeeks across the Twitterverse. It turns out our followers had a lot of great advice to share, and we even got a preview of Michael’s Think Summit keynote.Here’s what everyone had to say:**You probably see a lot of marketing campaigns in your inbox. What separates the good from the bland?**> A1: I love marketing that doesn’t feel so much like marketing. Speak to me as an individual instead of treating me like all your other customers. Personalized content is king and blanket approaches to marketing should be a thing of the past! [https://t.co/GoY2WZzWG0](https://t.co/GoY2WZzWG0)>> — Michael Habib (@michaelhhabib) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib/status/1027616891840475137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)> I need some color and interesting creative. Nothing is worse than a plain black and white email! [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)>> — Arielle Hornedo (@ajhornedo) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/ajhornedo/status/1027618857178071041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)**What’s your best advice for marketers who want to take their emails to the next level?**> A2: Leverage your data! Even a few data points can help deliver relevant content to the right audience. Also it’s important to speak a language your customers understand and feels human. No one wants a robo-call in email form [#AmIRight](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmIRight?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)? [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/EGmWDB1B3t](https://t.co/EGmWDB1B3t)>> — Michael Habib (@michaelhhabib) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib/status/1027618699317006344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)**Let’s talk about personalization. How can marketers move beyond first name personalization?**> A3: Dynamically position your email layout and promotional offers based on the customers past behavior. An example for loyalty programs, if your customer is earning lots of points but not redeeming, serve them redemption opportunities not more ways to earn [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/XIA6URUlAo](https://t.co/XIA6URUlAo)>> — Michael Habib (@michaelhhabib) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib/status/1027621089604718592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)> A3. Adding behavioral elements like items your customer left in their cart, or even the last product they browsed [#verizonatthinksummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/verizonatthinksummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)>> — Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/KristenWritesIt/status/1027620781256265729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)**What’s your go-to advice for creating customer-centric campaigns?**> Q4: What’s your go-to advice for creating customer-centric campaigns? [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@michaelhhabib](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/8xae32uLrM](https://t.co/8xae32uLrM)>> — Movable Ink (@movableink) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/movableink/status/1027622383698497537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)> Replying to [@movableink](https://twitter.com/movableink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@michaelhhabib](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > A4: Answer the ‘Why Should I Care’ Question; make it relevant [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)>> — Monica Mahale (@MahaleM) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/MahaleM/status/1027623655906451456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)**You won an EEC award for making over an existing campaign. What do you think an email marketer should prioritize when refreshing a campaign?**> A5: The most important thing is to understand the “why” factor in a customer opening your email campaign. Use that to influence your design and content and you’ll see a huge lift! [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/8VCt6an0cA](https://t.co/8VCt6an0cA)>> — Michael Habib (@michaelhhabib) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib/status/1027625402267852801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)**What are your tips for creating a great visual experience in an email?**> A6: Visuals are critical, it’s the first thing to draw in the customer’s eye. Let the email tell a story and have an easy to follow flow. Use images to support that story and really drive home your message. [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/cLb3d95vx6](https://t.co/cLb3d95vx6)>> — Michael Habib (@michaelhhabib) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib/status/1027627480952262658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)> A6. Don't be afraid to push the (electronic) envelope. Use GIFs, and depending on the context of the email, include your customer's content and showcase it to create a stronger relationship.>> — Tom H (@tomhavinfun) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/tomhavinfun/status/1027627868208226305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)**So you joined us for Think Summit last year, what are you looking forward to this year?**> A7: You mean other than hitting the main stage ? I can’t wait to hear from other industry leaders and leveraging their insights in my own campaigns. It’s all about growth. [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/hyt6sFSwRM](https://t.co/hyt6sFSwRM)>> — Michael Habib (@michaelhhabib) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib/status/1027628852485476353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)> A7. More Cookie-Do shots. The [@movableink](https://twitter.com/movableink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) events team is the best in the business at creating memorable and unique experiences. Last year's event was my first before I joined the company and so happy to be a part of the team now!>> — Alex Elman (@ae1man) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/ae1man/status/1027628874497228800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)**Can you give us any hints about your Think Summit keynote?**> A8: Without giving to much away, one of the areas I will speak on is how to leverage the value of customer advocacy. I also promise to avoid your typical marketing buzzwords. Can’t wait till October! [#VerizonatThinkSummit](https://twitter.com/hashtag/VerizonatThinkSummit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/qaBuEVTFcO](https://t.co/qaBuEVTFcO)>> — Michael Habib (@michaelhhabib) [August 9, 2018](https://twitter.com/michaelhhabib/status/1027630657495883776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)If you want actionable advice with none of the buzzwords, there’s so much more where that came from. You can watch Michael and speakers from Virgin Holidays, DSW, PayPal and more take the main stage at Think Summit. [Get your tickets here](https://thinksummit2018.splashthat.com/).