Internet Marketing | Best Web Marketer

Marketing Lessons Learned From Watching Football

Red Jun — Thu, 02 Jun 2016 14:00:34 +0000

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The most popular football stars today are those who aren't afraid to let their personalities stand out. From Peyton Manning's down-home personality to Drew Brees' seemingly bringing New Orleans out of a depression following Katrina, fans appreciate seeing a human side.

Marketers need to remember this. Putting a face to the company will create a better bond with the general public. Making advertising videos featuring employees and interacting on Facebook can accomplish this.

Success Necessitates Teamwork

If any football player were to evaporate off the field, the entire team would suffer. This is the same with advertising and marketing platforms. Specifically engaging in social media, email or content marketing is just not enough. All of these techniques must be used as a “team” if a marketing plan is to be successful.

Not Everything Is Likely To Work Out

Football teams don't approach games anticipating a loss. Every play they make is part of a unique plan to “take home the gold” that day. As we know, however, this does not always work out. In fact, even the best plays can be wrecked by menial errors.

This is true in the marketing and advertising world as well. Implementing marketing plans that do not pay off is part of running a business. Just like in football, however, one must always get up, reevaluate the current course of action and change methods if necessary. One failed marketing plan does not always mean the game is over.

Marketing is one of the most significant aspects of running a business. And much like running a football play, it will need planning, hard work and a little luck. Remembering this can help an advertising and marketing strategy prove prosperous.

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What the Ancient World Shows Businesses about Marketing

Red Jun — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 14:08:41 +0000

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Everyone must strive to learn from history. This goes for local company marketers, and luckily, there are a variety of lessons from the ancient world.

Quick Reaction to Real World Events

Today, we can send an email to someone instantly, but this has not long been the case. In fact, Genghis Khan's swift riders were the most convenient method of sending messages for a while, and that is what made the conqueror so effective.

Local companies need to recognize how critical it is to have quick reactions to what is going on as well. This means constantly monitoring social media channels to offer fast responses to consumer questions. Also, making the most of real-time events, especially trending topics, to advertise has paid off huge for some businesses.

Know Thine Foe

The Ancient Romans were so productive in part because they used scouts and spies to gain info on their enemies. Make sure you are doing the same with your opposition. Tools like BuzzSumo can show you their most favored social media posts, and monitoring their content and sales approaches can go quite a distance in helping you craft ideal marketing responses.

Poor Marketing Due to Limited Options is a Fallacy

Sun Tzu was a powerful Chinese general born in 544 BC, and he created The Art of War, which has pushed military strategy to this day. One lesson from Sun Tzu went, “There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination, they generate more hues than can ever be seen.”

This lesson is fundamental to local marketers. Limited tools do not excuse second-rate marketing and advertising. With the accessibility to tools available, ranging from social media to email marketing, cost shouldn't ever hold you back.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The good news is for marketers, history can show you precisely the correct way to handle your local business's marketing.

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Online Marketing Strategies Learned from The Walking Dead

Red Jun — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 15:00:30 +0000

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A tank did amazing things in the hands of the Governor, and Rick's assault rifle can save the day. Neither of these characters, however, ignores the simple things. Baseball bats and car trunks both are simple, but they have both been utilized to wipe out zombies.

Timing is basically Everything

AMC clearly made a great move by releasing The Walking Dead on Halloween in 2010, but the survivors on the show also realize how essential timing is. Despite what they're doing, they know to be indoors before nighttime.

For small businesses, timing is also essential in online marketing. For instance, were you aware that 17 percent of Facebook likes all take place on Fridays? How about the fact that posting after 8 pm or before 8 am can reduce your reach? In the apocalypse and social media, timing is imperative.

Do Not Forget the Simple Things

Sure the Governor did very well with a tank, and Rick having an assault rifle in his hands cannot be stopped. However, it doesn't mean they forget the simple things. Daryl's crossbow and Michonne's katana are simple, but they perform.

Remember this when considering your online marketing. Whether it is a funny meme or a simple picture of your best product, consumers sometimes don't need extras to stay happy.

Be Ready to Adapt

If there is one thing survivors on The Walking Dead have had to do, it is adjust. From coming to terms with a reality where the dead walk the earth, to growing past the “do no harm” mantra that Rick naively had when first awakening, it is obvious that adaptation is essential for survival.

For a company, this holds true as well. As ad blockers become more prevalent, you will need to reassess your pay-per-click budget. If a new social media platform begins to gain steam with your target demographic, it may be time to start shelling out some money on the platform. Adaptability means endurance, in both the actual and The Walking Dead universes.

The Walking Dead has taught us much about zombies, but local business owners also learned a few lessons. By focusing on these aspects, your online marketing strategy can make it through any apocalypse.

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Becoming a Thought Leader in Your Industry

Red Jun — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:35:30 +0000

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A quick way to ingratiate yourself with the thought leaders within your sector is to grab their particular attention. No matter if your organization is computers or home renovation, every marketplace has thought leaders. Building informative and eye-catching content based on industry topics is the starting point to getting the right attention.

The big step, though, is to get these thought leaders to take notice. Share this content on their Facebook pages or tag them in a tweet when sharing. Many professionals will discover these posts, and if they like what they see you have a great possibility of getting shared. This will unquestionably help you along your way to thought leadership.

Start Guest Blogging

You should have a blog for content marketing on your website. At least 25 percent of marketing budgets are devoted to content marketing simply because it is a great way to get the right results. In addition, guest blogging is a great way to get your company name out to those who may have never heard it before. And with more corners of the web occupied, more people will see the business as a thought leader.

Network, Network, and then Network Some More

Networking is a common sense necessity to operating a successful business, but by doubling down on it, you can help build an image as a thought leader in your industry. Interacting with your mentors and other influencers on social media is only half of the formula. Another step is to attend networking events and engage in speaking opportunities at these events. This will help get your company's name acknowledged as a leader.

There are innumerable marketing methods that could or may not highlight your company's potential. Set your small business a part by focusing your power on thought leadership.

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Knowing When Its Time to Change a Marketing Strategy

Red Jun — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:59:52 +0000

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Research has shown that 66 percent of Internet users have purchased a product or service as a result of email marketing messages. This absolutely should instantly nip the notion that email is worthless in the bud. Of course, if you're not seeing a positive return on your investment, the effort is useless.

When looking at your e-mail marketing metrics, even if it is only how many people read your messages, you'll be able to see if they work effectively. Confirm your email addresses, be sure to have a simple method to opt out, and ensure that your messages are worthy of reading.

Signs that will tell you it's time to change a marketing strategy

#1 – Traffic Becomes Stable

Whether it is on social media or the company website, numbers that plateau are a sure signal it is time to revise a digital marketing strategy. The amount of Internet users leaped from 738 million back in 2000 to a monstrous 3.2 billion in 2015. Over 100 million new users are added each year, and if your reach isn't continuously growing, this implies something has gone awry in your marketing strategy.

#2 – Monthly Goals are not Being Met

One of the most telling signs that your marketing strategy is not really working is simply not meeting estimated goals. Whether it is increasing sales by 1 percent every month or adding 20 new Facebook followers weekly, something is stopping you from thriving. Of course, it is possible that hopes were just set way too high, but if goals that were once being reached are actually falling behind, you need to rethink what's going on.

A business will invariably fail if major problems are not addressed. The good news is, the same is not true for marketing strategies. Small adjustments in your strategy may very well be all you need to get your business back in line. For you, what's the best marketing strategy you've ever done?

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What is Hashtag Marketing and How Can It Help You?

Red Jun — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:57:19 +0000

Hashtags are taking the world by storm, and the world of marketing is no exception. They are in just about every post, for many different reasons. Born on Twitter, which is still the most popular venue for hashtags, they have become a form of shorthand for a world that's already short!

Now even Emojis are getting into the act, with Instagram announcing support for the little darlings. (Not yet on other networks)

Hashtags can help you discover more about your audience, see what they're talking about and interested in, encourage engagement, and also help you with branding.

To get you pointed in the right direction, here's 5 tips you can use to make your hashtag marketing more effective.

5 Tips for making the most of Hashtag Marketing

Learn about what your audience is interested in – Hashtags are a quick and dirty way of getting some audience preferences into the mix. Strategically employing hashtags can help you discern interests, needs and concerns speedily. This can serve many purposes in your marketing plan.

Look into paid promotion – Promoting your hashtag on Twitter can occasionally make a popular campaign wildly popular. Only do this when you've got a good one going. The goal here is to have your hashtag make in onto Twitter's trending list.

Use local hashtags for local promotion – If you want to promote specific local locations for your business, use local geo-modifiers to identify neighborhood businesses. A very easy and effective way to extend the reach of your brand.

Found a trending hashtag? Join the conversation! – An excellent way to leverage the power of popular hashtags is to jump into the ongoing conversation. Don't attempt to hijack, but rather add substance to the discussion, in a way only your brand can!

Energize your other marketing efforts with hashtags – The judicious use of hashtags can be a quick way to amplify your already running marketing campaign. Pointing to and drawing attention with the clever use of hashtags can bring you visitors you may not have had.

Hashtags are simple to use, and can be an added tool in your marketing arsenal. Start using them today!

5 Tips For Creating A Small Business Marketing Plan

Red Jun — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:21:17 +0000

I bet every time you've seen the cart placed before the horse, it hasn't worked. So it would follow that this type of approach in business is doomed to fail also? Yep. If you're starting out you need to create a marketing plan for your small business BEFORE spending money or worse, your valuable time.

Crafting this marketing plan is not difficult, or particularly time-consuming, but it does require some thought. Let's have a look at 5 tips for creating a small business marketing plan.

5 Tips for a killer small business marketing plan

1 – Have a goal

Not simply one overarching goal, which is important, but a series of smaller, milestone type goals that make it easier to reach your eventual destination.

2 – Decide on your audience

Knowing the audience you're marketing to is critical, and make every effort to have a firm grip on your customer avatar before you embark upon a marketing campaign. Take an in-depth look into your current customers, or those you are hoping to get, and create a profile of what your ideal customer looks like.

3 – How you intend to market

There are numerous ways to get your message out, but knowing the best and right way for your particular business can provide you with a clear focus and save resources. Whichever method you choose, whether it's paid ads or organic search marketing, it needs to be the right one for you!

4 – Know what else you need

There will more than likely be pieces in the puzzle that are critical to the plan that need to be in pace as well. This can sometimes be a marketing funnel, landing pages or an email marketing sequence.

5 – Embrace deadlines

Do your business a favor and set deadlines for items to be completed. This will ensure accountability and keep members of the team focused on a shared goal.

Injecting Emotional Triggers Into Your Copy

Red Jun — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:13:45 +0000

For just about as long as man has tried to convince others about something in print, the use of emotional triggers in copy has been used. While you might think that this has been a tactic from a land long ago and far away, the reality is it's every bit as effective today.

Crafting the use of emotional triggers into our copy is a very effective way to get the type of response you're after.

So what emotions work well in copy? Which ones get the best results, and how do you use them? The following are 5 tested emotional triggers that work well in copy.

Related: 5 Ways to Employ Social Proof in Your Marketing

5 Emotional triggers you may want to use in your copy

#1. Fear

No one wants the worst to happen, and playing on those fears can be very effective. Witness the “Mayhem” commercials by Allstate over the last several years. While humorous, there is still an element of fear as these “accidents” are all too common.

#2. Trust

Paradoxically, in times of distrust we can make a lot of hay with messages emphasizing trust. “No hidden fees”, “We value your privacy” and other phrases designed to assuage consumers fear about being overcharged, underserved and so on.

Related: 4 Marketing Tools Designed To Save You Loads Of Time

#3. Time

With no one having any spare time anymore, this trigger is a particularly effective one. Everyone craves more time to spend with family and friends, unwind and messages that promise this get our attention.

#4. Current Trends

Many in our society are driven by possessing the latest and coolest tings, and this desire is nearly unstoppable. If you are able to craft your copy while also making it trendworthy you've got a winner.

#5. Feeling like they belong

Most people are prone to identify with a group that best represents who they believe they are. Only a relative few actually don't want to belong to a group. Crafting copy that speaks to a group can be very lucrative.

So there you have five to work with. There are more, but these will get you going. Try to work them into your copy subtly, and see if you don't get results.

5 Ways to Employ Social Proof in Your Marketing

Red Jun — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 13:39:44 +0000

There's something elemental in the impact that others have over the sales process. People want to know that they are not on their own in liking or purchasing a product or service, and will crave the opinion of complete strangers in order to help give them enough comfort to pull out their credit card.

How to work social proof into our marketing is where it can get tricky, as we need to create the atmosphere of trust while not appearing to be overly hypey. To help with that task we've identified 5 great ways to get social proof to work for you in making more sales and revenue.

5 Ways to employ social proof in your marketing

Comments – Engaging with users and customers in a very public way, such as on your blog, is a very good way of swaying opinion in your favor. Personalized responses can create fans that are often far more loyal than the average buyer.

User Reviews and Testimonials – Getting your satisfied customers to review your products, and better still, leave a testimonial is a terrific way to provide undeniable social roof that helps drive sales. It will also help you rank in Google local search.

Stats – If you've generated impressive numbers, don't be shy about sharing them somewhat. “7,354 people used our service last month!” Combining this with the logo or name of a brand people know is very effective.

Social shares – Getting people to share your content and posts can work well, particularly if you have an established following. This may take some time to develop, but it is well worth the effort. You never know how many followers and fans a person who shares your content may have.

Badges – Displaying the icons of well-known companies you do business with, as well as site trust badges, Like BBB, site security and others can give your site an aura of trust with very little effort on your part. Just make sure you honestly have the accreditation you're displaying, or you may find yourself doing some emergency reputation management!

4 Marketing Tools Designed To Save You Loads Of Time

Red Jun — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 14:29:41 +0000

Most of us really enjoy tools, especially when they save you loads of time and money. That's the best and highest use of these powerful tools, to give us the knowledge we need to make changes that will make real difference in our businesses.

Perhaps it's time to invest in a couple of tools to help you increase your site's performance and rankings, help handle social media and more.

Perhaps your concern is understanding what your site needs in order to rank better, or what your competition is up to. Or it could be it's social media, and how to keep up with that monster. No matter what it is, there's probably a tool to help. Below we have 4 very cool marketing tools that will help with these tasks, and get you further down the road to increased revenues.

4 social media tools to improve productivity in your business

Canva – Not quite the Photoshop expert you should be and don't have the time or resources to learn it? Don't worry, there's a free solution you can employ called Canva. Canva enables you to create awesome graphics using a simple interface anyone can use. No learning curve, and like I said, it's free!

SproutSocial – If you've ever seen this site, you know what a analytics wonderland it is, and how much you can use the intelligence it offers. Not just an analytics tool, you can also use SproutSocial to post and engage with your audience right from the platform. Very cool tool suite.

Moz – Monitor your site's progress using this comprehensive and easy to use suite of analytics tools, showing you keywords, rankings, competition and much more. Moz has long been a wealth of important information and intelligence regarding online marketing, and this shows no signs of changing.

Mention – Wish to know what people are saying when it comes to you and your brand? You can track keywords, brand mentions and more from nearly any device, and also discover the sentiment of the mention, so as to save you time and reputation.

The purpose of tools like these in not only to provide you with information that would otherwise be very difficult to gather, but also to provide more time back in your day for other marketing activities. Make sure to take full advantage of this!