Marketing in the digital age
I can’t stress enough the importance of having a focused approach to marketing in today’s social media world. Never before have so many avenues been made available to get your business’s message out. Consistency is key and having a full time social media marketer on staff will allow you to keep in constant contact with your customers, market trends, and even get a fe
w tips from other businesses in your field. Focus:
Your business should be known for its strongest offerings. You customers will refer to you by that and sometimes only by that. For example: “Hey, what’s the name of that deck builder you used?” Your customers will never say: “Hey, I got my swimming pool installed by that window tinting, sprayon bedliner installing, car stereo shop that also has gas grills” Developing a marketing plan is all about building your company’s image. And that image is no less important than the quality of the products or services that you sell. If your top sales is gas grills then you are a gas grill retailer. Having other products is a sideline and should dilute your marketing strategy. “But what about the window tinting?” Listing your products and services on your website is just fine. Occasionally calling attention to them via marketing campaigns is ok too… but having an order of importance with your product lines will keep you focused. And you will get more value out of your marketing time and money. Social Media:
Radio and Print ads are still an important facet in marketing, but ignoring the potential of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will definitely cost you sales in today’s digital world. Stay on your customer’s mind with a simple daily message to your faithful twitter followers like this:
“We are open until 7 today, the coffee is hot and we have fresh baked muffins!”. – Café Du Java
Or
“Come by this Saturday for free BBQ and enter drawing to win a 3 night cruise.” – Metro Bicycle Shop
An archive of newsletters can be kept on your page as Notes. Photo album galleries help support what products you sell or examples of the services you provide. Promotions can be offered to people who have liked your page. There are numerous tools on Facebook to promote your business. Do I still need a Web Site? In short, yes. Having a place to call your own online is also vitally important for your digital identity. All social media marketing should direct people to your website. Your website is the place where your business lives online. Relying strictly on social media may work for a while, but your business’s website is the hub of the wheel and all roads lead back there. Even so much as a single page with “contact us” and “hours and location” information will fit the bill. Having www.mystore.com keeps your identity completely in your control. This keeps your internet space protected against 3rd party privacy policies and other interference. Consistency:
Having a consistent online presence helps re-enforce the legitimacy of your business. Your logo, consistent color schemes, and other design elements should be present everywhere from your business cards to your Facebook business page, newsletters, and yes even your company’s website. People follow these visual clues to quickly identify your business “AAA Auto Repair” from a potential competitors business “A&A Automotive”. Conclusion:
With a focused approach, unlimited marketing options, and consistency, there is no limit in today’s digital world to your marketing ambition. So get out there and grow your business!
