Twenty-Sixteen has come to an end. We say hello to 2017, bringing new opportunities, ventures and trends for both our personal and professional lives. For businesses, the beginning of the year is a great time to reflect on the previous year, what was successful and what may need some improvement.
By: PRISCILLA SALMASI AND SHAY HARBAUGH
It is important to take the time to reflect and strategize to strengthen those areas that were ineffective. If there are tactics that are no longer working, trying new marketing efforts may be the answer in adding to the success and growth of your business.
Embrace Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing has transformed the world of advertising and we’re witnessing an exciting shift in communication through online advertising and social media. Digital marketing can include a variety of online marketing strategies, from e-mail campaigns to blog articles. Facebook Advertising, promoted Tweets or sponsored Instagram posts are an example of social media advertising. Online advertising also exists outside of social networks, through avenues like Google AdWords or Bing Ads. Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which grows your website traffic organically through the use of specific keywords, and content from blogs or landing pages, is an option if your business does not want to run advertisements online. Digital marketing can even encompass reputation management, such as responding to reviews – whether they be positive or negative. Maybe 2017 is the year you welcome the digital space for your business. Having the world at our fingertips and the ability to connect with your audience in a matter of seconds, gives businesses an opportunity and an advantage to reach customers and build relationships with new, potential clients all at once. The digital marketplace can be crowded, but your business can’t afford to sit it out and let your competition benefit from it.
Connect with your Customers through Social Media
Did you know that 53% of total time spent on a mobile device is on social media? Shares, likes, followers, reposts, re-grams, re-tweets, the list goes on. If you aren’t active on social media then you are missing a way to connect with your audience and could be losing out on hundreds of potential customers. Despite the alarming statistics, advertising on social media is still relatively new and underestimated by most businesses. But, when done correctly, social ad campaigns can make you stand out from the crowd – with the ability to target audiences by specific location, interests and demographics. What exactly makes something “click worthy or shareable?” It is true that people are inundated with advertising from the moment they wake to right before sleep. An impactful accompanying image or video can stop someone who is scrolling their “newsfeed” to pay attention to your content or advertisement. When crafting a strategy for a social media campaign, intent-driven ads can tell your story, drawing the audience in to read further. People are constantly shown advertisements on almost every website they visit. With the incredible ability to create a targeted, effective social media advertising campaign, creative branding combined with an organized marketing strategy is the perfect formula to become “click-worthy.” The age-old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” still holds true.
Branding or Re-branding your Business
If you’re looking to brand or re-brand your business, you may notice that pre-designed logos, posters or even website templates are easily accessible, but the concern with that route is that there may be many other businesses using those same designs and look. Investing in a custom, original logo and marketing collateral establishes your business’ unique brand and can help to better tailor your products to your customer’s needs in the future. Online advertising, content and social media are no different. Branded content or advertising helps with marketing your products or services and you can do so to a specific audience. Plus, good, branded content has the potential to go viral. Ad campaigns featuring articles, videos or information targeted to a specific audience or group piques interests, increases customer satisfaction and builds brand awareness and trust. Customers are also drawn to brands that are authentic, transparent, original and specific to their lifestyles.
Utilizing Multiple Marketing Platforms
Print media is far from obsolete – it goes hand-in-hand with digital marketing by further broadening your brand’s presence. Utilizing traditional marketing techniques, such as direct mail, print ads, billboards and brochures, combined with an ongoing digital marketing campaign, is a winning combination. It has the ability to carry your message across multiple platforms and to take advantage of multiple audiences.
If you’re in search of a group to grow or create your brand, contact Veugeler Design Group. We’re here to help you share your story!
678.482.2270
