As the curator of the INSIDER Guide to New Product Development (NPD), I’m constantly keeping an eye out for bite-size information that will help you develop and scale better subscription products.  Here’s my “Five on Friday” compilation for May 6th, featuring the five best trends, tips, quotes or stats from my reading this week.  

1. Helping Product and Marketing Work Together

This recent blog by AdRoll offers solid advice on bringing product and marketing together. No time to read the whole thing?  Here’s a summary:

• Connect teams organically by either seating them together or ensuring that there are plenty of video conferences or stand-up meetings. 

• Create shared goals so they are, literally, in it together.

• Encourage them to leverage each other’s knowledge.  Just because one is “responsible” for positioning statements and the other for product requirements doesn’t mean they shouldn’t collaborate.

• Share customer feedback. They speak to different people and gather information in different ways – sharing makes them both stronger.

• Share and celebrate wins because yes, it really is a team effort.

2. Knowing the Difference Between Product and Marketing 

Also good, and the jumping-off point for the AdRoll blog, is Drift’s David Gerhardt‘s comments on the difference between a product marketer and a product manager. While light on specifics, this “Jess and Matt” graphic, with some additions from Subscription Insider, makes for a good benchmark.

3. 31 Tools for LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an especially valuable social media tool for B2B subscriptions, so be sure to check out these features listed by Small Business Trends. While many of these require premium subscriptions (as we would expect!), there may be one or two that work for your business. My favorite?  LinkedIn Lead Accelerator. 

4.  Advertise Subscriptions Based on Most Compelling Strength 

This post from Kissmetrics gives some excellent examples on marketing a subscription business based on your strongest attribute.  The example below, showing Netflix, is one of my favorites.

5. Ten Words that Work

A recent Inc post offers a good reminder of the words that work – words that are perceived as positive and help bring people together around ideas and action.  No time?  Here are my five favorites:

If – allows exploration of a controversial solution.

Could – asks a favor. 

Together – offers collaboration.

Choose – provides options and transfers control.

Thank You – part of the list, and my salutation to you!

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and I’d like to wish a very happy one to my wonderful, funny, supportive mother, Ruth Harbaugh. You’re the best!

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Diane