With the advent of social media and the internet, marketing has changed forever. Previously, companies had to rely on mainstream media to get the word out about their products. Now, individuals can have access to all the news and content from brands and retailers they follow on social media.

However, this change has benefited consumers more than anything else. With the option of researching products before buying them, or simply browsing online shop shelves for pre-loved items, modern day shoppers have more information than ever before.

This is why companies have to change with the times and adopt new strategies to ensure they reach their target audience. Luckily for you, we’re here to help with the best online marketing strategies.

1. Product Research And Reviews.

This used to be a big part of traditional marketing. Companies would buy television ads in major media markets, and many would follow up with direct mail campaigns.

However, having a well-educated consumer base and the ability to market a gaggle of brands through one social media platform has given us all the review websites.

Whether you’re an established business or you’re looking to hit the market for the first time, conducting thorough research into the products you intend to sell is crucial to your online success. This way, when customers visit your site, they’ll have a clear understanding of what your business is and what you offer.

When creating your product research page, consider collecting together all the reviews (both positive and negative) for your product. Although a good deal of internet shoppers are now smart enough to realize the value of multiple reviews, many are still tempted by products with slick sales pitches and unrealistic advertising claims. For these shoppers, reading positive reviews can give you an idea of what to expect, while the negative reviews can guide you on areas you must avoid or address if you want to succeed in online marketing.

2. Video Content.

In the past, people read online reviews before buying a product. However, with the rise of YouTube and other video-sharing sites, people are now more likely to watch an informative video of a product or service they’re considering buying.

If you’re only using text to describe your products or services, you’re losing out on a massive audience. People love to click through to specific product videos to get more information or to read reviews.

The video content strategy depends on your niche and what you want to achieve. Some marketing experts suggest creating shorter bite size videos to engage customers and encourage them to subscribe to your channel. These bite size videos can easily be monetized through affiliate marketing if you’re using a free YouTube account.

3. Email And Newsletter Sign-Ups.

Although people love to browse online shop shelves and hit the ‘enter’ key to send someone a product they like, not all shoppers are comfortable with purchasing online.

If your goal is to convince people to buy your product or service, you’ve got to establish yourself as an authority in your industry. One way to do this is through email marketing and newsletter sign-ups.

What does this mean? Well, let’s say you’re selling swimwear. Through email marketing, you can choose to send out weekly updates on the latest trends in swimwear or bi-weekly updates on the best fitness routines for women. The choice is up to you.

If someone subscribes to your email list, you’ll be able to send them regular information on the topics they’re interested in. Now, this isn’t a one-way street. After all, they have the option of unsubscribing at any time. However, you’ll be able to build trust and establish yourself as an expert in your industry.

4. Podcasts.

Speaking of experts, wouldn’t it be great to know the thoughts and opinions of people within your industry. Now, you can! With the rise of podcasts, people are able to listen to interesting and informative interviews with prominent individuals from across the globe.

Podcasts are a fantastic way to connect with your audience and encourage them to visit your site. To make the most of this opportunity, consider creating a series of interviews. For example, you could interview people who are experts in your industry. Through these interviews, you can reveal new and interesting tidbits about your product, service or industry. Additionally, podcasts are frequently downloaded and listened to on mobile devices, so they’re accessible to anyone, anywhere.

5. Affiliate Marketing.

Last but not least, we have affiliate marketing. This is one of the simplest yet most effective marketing strategies there is. Essentially, affiliate marketing is when an online marketer (you) earns a commission when a consumer (someone reading an online review or watching a video) clicks a link or buys a product that’s promoted on your site.

The great thing about affiliate marketing is that you don’t have to necessarily sell a lot of products to make money. Simply get people to click a link or visit your site, and you’ll be able to earn a commission.

If someone visits your site and makes a purchase within 24 hours, you’ll earn around 10% to 30% of the sale. So, if someone buys a $100 dress, you’ll earn $10 to $30. Depending on the link and the affiliate program you join, this can be a pretty decent income.

There are several ways to make money through affiliate marketing. You can use affiliate links in your articles. You can also sign up for a free account on ClickBank, which will then allow you to create your own affiliate links. Or, you can use a tool such as Earnest to create affiliate links for you.

Keep In Mind

All these tips and tricks for online marketing are useful, but they can also become rather tedious. So, to keep things fresh, you might want to come up with a new strategy every month or every other month. This way, you’ll always have something new to offer visitors to your site. Additionally, take a look at the competition in your niche. How are other businesses in your industry marketing? What are they doing and which strategy appears to be working for them? Answers to these questions will help you determine the best course of action for your own marketing efforts.