The MarCloud Podcast

MarCloud

You’re using Account Engagement or Marketing Cloud, along with Salesforce but it’s not easy to understand how they should be configured to support each other in the best way.If you’re a Salesforce Admin, Marketer or Business Leader looking to make your marketing automation and Salesforce platform sing then make sure you don’t miss an episode!

Episodes

  1. 04/09/2025

    Migrating from Salesforce to HubSpot marketing automation

    Considering a move to HubSpot but daunted by the complexity? This episode dives deep into the intricate world of marketing automation platform migration, specifically focusing on transitioning from Salesforce Marketing Cloud (including Engagement and Account Engagement, or Pardot) to HubSpot. Join us as we uncover why businesses make this crucial switch – from overcoming technical complexities and resource-heavy platforms to addressing fragmented reporting and escalating costs. Walk with us through the strategic process MarCloud follows to ensure a smooth, end-to-end migration, transforming a potentially overwhelming task into an opportunity to refine operations, simplify your tech stack, and boost ROI.  In this episode, we'll specifically tackle "The 7 Sins of HubSpot Data Migration" and provide actionable strategies to avoid them, including: • The Sin of Sloppy Planning: Why simply "lifting and shifting" is a recipe for disaster, and how to define what truly needs to come over, including historical engagement and scoring models. • The Sin of Dirty Data: The critical importance of data hygiene, from removing duplicates to standardising formats, to ensure clean, usable, and compliant data in your new HubSpot system. • The Sin of Mapping Mayhem: Understanding the differences in property handling between Salesforce and HubSpot to prevent loss or corruption of vital information. • The Sin of Compliance Complacency: Navigating the legal landscape of data migration, especially regarding PII and consent under regulations like GDPR and CCPA. • The Sin of Asset Amnesia: The often-overlooked challenge of rebuilding marketing assets like emails, landing pages, and automations, as they don't transfer automatically. • The Sin of Integration Ignorance: How to maintain seamless data flow and functionality with third-party tools, from CRMs to webinar platforms. • The Sin of No Testing or Contingency: The absolute necessity of thorough testing and having a rollback plan to prevent major disruptions and build confidence in your new platform. Learn about MarCloud's comprehensive migration approach, from discovery and solution design to data and asset migration, platform configuration, tailored user training, and crucial go-live support. Discover how a strategic approach, focusing on a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), can save you from delays and overstretching your team. This episode is a must-listen for marketing managers and directors looking to transition from Salesforce Marketing Cloud to HubSpot, focusing on strategic planning, expert execution, and post-migration optimisation for long-term success. https://marcloudconsulting.com Speak to MarCloud's Founder and CEO here: https://www.delphi.ai/tom-ryan

    23 min
  2. 16/05/2025

    Email Engagement That Drives Conversions: A Deep Dive into Pardot

    We tackle a listener's question about getting the most out of Pardot email marketing by diving into strategies for driving better engagement, boosting conversions, and improving ROI. • Clean, well-organised Pardot accounts form the foundation for effective targeting and personalisation • Regular account audits (every three months) help catch data decay and refine segments as audiences evolve • Understanding prospect mailability is critical for maintaining sender score and avoiding deliverability issues • Enhanced Email Experience offers more features and better Salesforce integration • HML (Handlebars Merge Language) enables advanced personalisation beyond basic first name insertion • Customised preference centers give prospects control over email content while improving compliance • Design emails for accessibility, including dark mode compatibility and proper alt text • Different email types require specific approaches: product launch, event, newsletter, sales, and nurture • Engagement Studio enables automated journeys that respond to prospect behavior • Key automation programs include re-engagement, lead nurture, event follow-up, upsell, and competitor targeting  For your next steps, pick one area to improve first - whether organising data, enhancing a specific email type, or trying an Engagement Studio program - rather than attempting to transform everything at once. https://marcloudconsulting.com Speak to MarCloud's Founder and CEO here: https://www.delphi.ai/tom-ryan

    16 min
  3. 15/05/2025

    The MarCloud ROI Framework for Marketing Cloud

    We tackle the constant pressure marketers face to prove their worth through measurable ROI and introduce the MarCloud framework for confidently demonstrating marketing's financial impact. Over half of marketers struggle with determining return on investment, especially in social media. • The MarCloud ROI framework functions as a strategic compass for marketing operations professionals at any automation maturity level • Implementation and integration form the critical foundation, requiring aligned technology, seamless data flow, and well-defined campaign hierarchy • Data insights and readiness transform raw data into actionable intelligence through lead scoring, deduplication, and UTM tracking • Intelligent marketing execution delivers data-driven, personalized journeys across multiple channels with continuous optimization • Reporting and attribution connect marketing efforts directly to revenue through multi-touch models and interactive dashboards • AI-powered productivity with Agent Force automates routine tasks, allowing marketers to focus on strategic, high-impact initiatives Take advantage of a complimentary MarCloud account audit to assess your current marketing automation setup based on the ROI framework principles. This no-cost, no-obligation assessment takes approximately two weeks to complete and provides detailed insights into your marketing automation maturity with practical steps to drive better ROI. https://marcloudconsulting.com Speak to MarCloud's Founder and CEO here: https://www.delphi.ai/tom-ryan

    32 min
  4. 15/05/2025

    Marketing Cloud Advanced: Salesforce Marketing On-Core

    We dive deep into Salesforce Marketing Cloud Advanced Edition, cutting through the jargon to help you determine if it's the right solution for your marketing needs. Drawing from extensive resources, we examine what makes this premium marketing automation platform unique and how it addresses common marketing challenges. • Marketing Cloud Advanced is Salesforce's premium enterprise-level marketing automation platform built directly on the main Salesforce platform • Being "on-core" provides direct, real-time access to customer data with no clunky syncing or delays • Data Cloud serves as the central nervous system, creating unified customer profiles from multiple sources • AgentForce and Einstein AI add predictive intelligence, optimizing campaigns and personalizing content • Standout features include cross-object references, advanced two-way SMS, and sophisticated dynamic content • Enterprise-grade analytics with attribution models connect marketing efforts directly to revenue • Cross-object references allow referencing fields from different Salesforce objects directly in marketing content • Advanced is ideal for enterprise businesses with complex sales cycles and large customer volumes • Salesforce Foundations offers free features for Enterprise Edition customers to test cross-cloud capabilities • Implementation advice: start with clear data strategy, lean on certified partners, begin small and scale Consider what specific process in your marketing could be revolutionized by applying these capabilities, and reach out to certified partners like MarCloud Consulting for expert implementation guidance. https://marcloudconsulting.com Speak to MarCloud's Founder and CEO here: https://www.delphi.ai/tom-ryan

    24 min
  5. 15/05/2025

    Pardot Scoring and Grading: The Secret Weapons for Lead Qualification

    Pardot's scoring and grading capabilities create a powerful system for aligning marketing and sales teams by ensuring the right leads reach the right people at the right time. • Less than half (44%) of B2B companies currently use lead scoring systems, creating competitive advantage opportunities • One MarCloud client achieved a 17,650% ROI by implementing scoring and grading effectively • Scoring tracks prospect interest based on digital behaviour like website visits, form fills, and email interactions • Grading evaluates how well a prospect fits your ideal customer profile based on demographics like company size and job title • The "bidirectional" approach combines both elements to identify the most valuable prospects • Custom scoring categories track interest in specific product lines or service offerings • Einstein Behaviour Scoring uses AI to identify patterns matching successful conversions • Implementation requires careful planning and documentation before configuring in Pardot • Regular review and refinement are essential as business needs and markets evolve • Real examples include Bradford Jacobs using the system to segment their database and Kirkpatrick Price adapting during the pandemic MarCloud offers a free Pardot scoring and grading worksheet on their website. You can fill it out and email it to scoring@marcloudconsulting.com for a complimentary expert review. https://marcloudconsulting.com Speak to MarCloud's Founder and CEO here: https://www.delphi.ai/tom-ryan

    18 min

About

You’re using Account Engagement or Marketing Cloud, along with Salesforce but it’s not easy to understand how they should be configured to support each other in the best way.If you’re a Salesforce Admin, Marketer or Business Leader looking to make your marketing automation and Salesforce platform sing then make sure you don’t miss an episode!