With so much chat about AI, I thought to take us back to the basics and remind you of what really works in small business marketing.
There are all kinds of things you can do and should do. However, these things need to be done in stages. My mentor, Lamar Tyler, who runs Traffic Sales and Profit, didn’t have 1,000 people at his first event. You’ve got to first start at the basics before you grow to the next level.
There are three things that every small business owner must have as the foundation of their marketing. A consistent email newsletter, consistent and engaging email social media, and a simple and effective website.
Related: How to Leverage Facebook to Grow Holiday Sales
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Email Marketing
Creating an effective email newsletter is essential for running a successful business. A good newsletter should contain relevant and interesting content, be tailored to your target audience, and be sent consistently. There are also other elements that should be considered when crafting a great email newsletter.
The first step in creating your email newsletter is to come up with a good strategy. Think about the goals you want to achieve with your newsletter, such as driving sales or increasing customer loyalty, and create an email that addresses those goals.
You should also make sure your newsletter is mobile-optimized, as many customers are now reading emails on their mobile devices. Additionally, be sure to track the results of your emails so you can improve them over time.
The content of your email should be engaging, informative and relevant to your target audience. Be sure to provide useful information that makes the reader feel like they’re getting an “inside scoop” from someone in the know.
Finally, make sure you send out your newsletter regularly, so that customers are reminded of what you have to offer and can plan ahead. Keep in mind that the key to successful email marketing is quality over quantity. With thoughtful content and targeted campaigns, you’ll be sure to increase customer engagement and loyalty.
Social Media Marketing
You’ve heard and seen a lot already about social media marketing. You can go down a rabbit hole of complexity. However, as with most good things in life, let’s keep things simple. Here are the basics of how to start a consistent and engaging social media marketing strategy.
First, make sure you are active on the right networks. Think about which channels your target audience is most active on and start there. Once you’ve decided which platforms to use, create a content calendar to keep your posts organized and consistent. Make sure to mix up different types of content, such as images, videos, blog posts, or even GIFs.
Second, develop a content strategy. Determine what messages you want to communicate, how often you’ll post, and who will be responsible for creating and curating content. Consider using tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social to help with scheduling posts in advance.
Third, engage with your followers. Respond to their comments and questions on your posts, create interactive content like polls and surveys, and start conversations in your comments section. Also, don’t forget to promote the content you post—share it across multiple channels to reach a broader audience.
Finally, measure your results. Keep track of how well each piece of content is doing by looking at metrics like impressions, clicks and shares. Use this information to determine what type of content resonates best with your audience and tailor your strategy accordingly. Also, keep in mind that social media is always evolving—stay on top of the trends and changes to ensure you’re staying up-to-date with your approach.
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Create a Good Website
Creating a good website is essential for any business that wants to be successful. A well-designed website can help generate leads, increase conversions, and build trust with potential customers. When building a website, there are many factors to consider, such as design, user experience, mobile friendliness, search engine optimization (SEO), and providing clear contact information. A website should be easy to navigate, reflect the brand’s style and messaging, and provide value to visitors in order to engage them and make your business stand out from the competition.
Focus on Content Marketing
Content marketing is a great way to attract potential customers and build relationships with existing ones. Developing a content strategy will drive your website and help your business stand out from the competition. Content can be shared on social media, blogs, email campaigns, or other sites to keep customers informed about new products and services. Additionally, content marketing can increase brand awareness, improve search engine rankings, and bring in more leads. Quality content should provide value to readers while also showcasing the unique qualities of your business.
Take Advantage of Social Media
Social media is the perfect platform for connecting with potential customers, engaging with existing ones, and showcasing your product or service. All businesses should have a presence on at least one social media platform, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and so forth. Consistently post relevant content to keep your followers interested and engaged, and include a call-to-action (CTA) with each post to encourage people to take action.
Invest in Paid Advertising
Paid advertising is one way to get the word out about your business quickly. With options like Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Twitter Ads, and Facebook Ads, you can target a specific audience that is likely to be interested in your products or services. You can also set a budget for how much you are willing to spend on ads each month. While paid advertising can help draw attention to your business, it’s important to ensure that the content of your ads is relevant and engaging. Include a clear CTA and track the performance of each ad to determine which campaigns are most successful.
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