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So, you’ve started a business.
Congratulations!
Now, it’s time to start thinking about how you will market your business and get the word about what you do.
Digital marketing is a great way to reach a wide audience with your marketing message, which every business should be doing. Visit Digital Spotlight for more information.
Here are some ways businesses are using digital marketing today:
1. Social Media Marketing
Social media is a great way to connect with potential and current customers. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow businesses to share their story, products, and services with a large audience quickly and easily.
For example, let’s say you own a bakery. You can use social media to share pictures of your latest creations, post updates about special events or promotions you’re running, and even answer customer questions.
When choosing a social media platform to market your business, it’s important to consider where your target audience hangs out online. For example, if you’re targeting millennial women, Instagram would be a good choice. However, if you’re trying to reach businesses, LinkedIn might be a better option.
2. Content Marketing
Creating and sharing high-quality content is another great way to reach and build relationships with your target audience.
Content marketing can take many forms, such as blog posts, infographics, ebooks, webinars, etc. The key is to create helpful, informative content that aligns with your business’s goals.
For example, if you sell home products, you could create an ebook about interior design trends for the upcoming year. Or, if you offer professional services, you could host a webinar discussing the latest industry news.
3. Email Marketing
Email marketing is still one of the most effective digital marketing strategies. It lets you stay in touch with your customers and prospects and share relevant information regularly.
You can use email marketing to send updates about your business, new blog posts or other content, special offers, and more. Plus, with tools like segmentation and automation, it’s easy to personalize your emails and ensure they’re going to the right people.
A great marketing email looks something like this:
“Hey,
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for great deals. Well, I’ve got a good one for you: Swolverine protein powder.
Twenty-six grams of protein in every serving? Yes, please! And it comes in a delicious Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter flavor. You’re going to love it.
So what are you waiting for? Click the link below to order some Swolverine protein today.
Best,
Alina Chavez”
Keep them short, sweet, informative, and personal. And, as always, remember your CTA (call to action)
4. Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) is optimizing your website and content to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This can help you attract organic traffic to your site, leading to more leads and customers.
You can optimize your site for SEO by conducting keyword research, building links, and creating informative and engaging content. However, it’s important to note that SEO is an ongoing process, so you’ll need to update your site and content regularly to ensure you’re still ranking high in search results.
Don’t forget about local SEO.
Local SEO optimizes your site and content to rank higher in local search results. This is important to attract customers from your specific geographic area.
To optimize for local SEO, include your city, state, and zip code on your website and in your content. You can also create locally targeted content, such as blog posts about local events or attractions.
5. Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a form of paid digital marketing where you pay to display your ads on search engine results pages (SERPs). Every time someone clicks on your ad, you’ll pay a certain amount, typically based on a bid you enter.
PPC can be a great way to drive traffic to your site, especially if you’re targeting high-traffic keywords. However, it’s important to note that PPC is a paid marketing strategy, so you’ll need to budget accordingly.
Some of the best ways to get started with PPC ads are through Google AdWords and Microsoft Advertising.
How to Get Started
Now that you know some of the most effective digital marketing strategies, it’s time to start.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few ideas:
1. If you don’t have a website, create one. Your website should be the foundation of your digital marketing efforts. It’s where you’ll share information about your business, products, and services, and it’s where potential customers will go to learn more about you.
2. Create social media accounts for your business. This will allow you to share your content and interact with your customers and prospects. Be sure to post regularly and engage with your followers.
3. Start creating content. Whether blog posts, eBooks, or social media updates, your goal should be to create helpful and informative content that will attract your target audience.
4. Implement some SEO strategies. As mentioned earlier, SEO can help you attract more organic traffic to your site. Start by doing keyword research and then implement those keywords into your website and content.
5. Invest in some paid advertising. Paid advertising, such as PPC ads, can be a great way to drive traffic to your site. Just be sure to budget accordingly and only invest in ads likely to attract your target audience.
How to Choose A Digital Marketing Company
If you don’t have the time or resources to invest in creating your digital marketing strategy, you may want to consider working with a digital marketing company.
A digital marketing company can help you with all aspects of your digital marketing, from website design and development to SEO and PPC. They can also create and manage your social media accounts, create and distribute your content, and more.
When choosing a digital marketing company, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind:
1. Make sure they have experience in your industry. You want to work with a company that understands your business and has experience working with businesses like yours.
2. Ask for case studies or examples of their work. This will give you a good idea of what to expect from their services.
3. Get a proposal. Once you’ve narrowed your choices, ask each company for a formal proposal outlining their services and pricing. This will help you compare apples to apples and make the best decision for your business.
4. Check their references. Be sure to check with some of their past or current clients to see if they’re happy with the work they’ve received.
5. Don’t go with the cheapest option. You want to ensure you get quality services, so don’t just choose the most affordable option. That being said, you also don’t want to overspend on digital marketing services. Find a company that offers competitive pricing and quality services.
The Bottom Line
Digital marketing is essential for any business today. Use these strategies to reach your target audience, build relationships with them, and grow your business.