In the past few years, the internet has changed the way we do business, socialize, and interact. The ways in which marketers and businesses utilize the web are countless, and new trends emerge daily.
If you’re looking to enter the Egyptian market, it might seem hard to know where to start. But with careful consideration and research, you can develop an actionable plan and implement it successfully.
In this article, we’ll discuss one of the most promising industries in Egytpt, how to become a marketer there, and what you can do to become a leader in your industry.
The Rise Of Online Marketing In Egypt
If you’re reading this, it’s probably safe to assume that you’re either from the country or have at least visited it. It’s the most populous Arab country and the second-largest country in Africa. In 2016, its GDP was $170 billion.
Tourism is one of the largest industries there, and thousands of miles of coastline offer some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The country is rich in flora, fauna, and archaeological sites. There is an abundance of adventure travel opportunities, with over 250 caves and underground networks discovered to date.
Despite its size and the prevalence of English-speaking tourists, learning how to market online in Egypt can be difficult. That’s because the country has mostly shied away from embracing modern technology and the internet. In fact, in 2017, only 12.3% of Egyptians used the internet compared to 83.7% who didn’t have access.
But things are changing, and businesses and marketers are taking the opportunity to explore new channels and media to promote their products. In 2016, over 30.8 million domestic internet users in Egypt made up for nearly 94% of the country’s total population. Additionally, over 24 million people in Egypt use some form of social media. That’s over 76% of the population.
If you’re looking to gain market share and expand your customer base in Egypt, it’s imperative to gain digital traction. But how?
Learn SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the ranking of a website or blog in search results for relevant keywords. When someone performs a search using one of the popular search engines, their results will often include websites or blogs that are optimized for the search terms they used.
The importance of SEO cannot be overlooked. According to HubSpot Blogs research, 87% of consumers have bought a product or service after seeing it featured in a Google search.
If your product or service is relevant to someone’s search terms, they’ll be more likely to click on your result. In other words, SEO can help you gain relevant traffic to your website or blog from organic search and decrease your dependency on paid adverts.
Create Long-Form Content
In the past, people mainly turned to search engines to find information. Today, with the resurgence of long-form content (blog articles, videos, and infographics), people are learning to consume longer pieces of content in order to develop a more immersive experience.
This trend is being manifested in numerous ways. For instance, millennials are more likely to read an entire blog post rather than watch a short video. It’s no secret that people nowadays are more inclined to scroll down a lengthy social media feed rather than consume a short snippet of content.
Pro-Tip: Use Medium-Length Attention-Grabbing Headlines
In the information overload era, readers can only consume so much content in one sitting. This is why it’s important to develop hooks that will keep your readers interested in your piece. For instance, did you know that 79% of millennials read the first two sentences of an article and then skim the rest? Knowing how fast people scan social media, it’s essential that your headline makes a bold statement that will provoke curiosity and pique the interest of your target audience.
This curiosity will hopefully lead them to click on your article and hopefully, to purchase your product or service. In order to optimize your content for search engines, take the time to carefully consider and edit your headlines and descriptions. Using relevant and descriptive keywords throughout your content will improve your SEO and allow you to gain more traffic and leads to your business.
Explore Video Content
If you’re not using video content to promote your products or services, it might be time to consider changing that. In fact, according to HubSpot Blogs research, 63% of consumers have purchased a product or service after watching video content.
Additionally, 29% of consumers have made a purchase after watching an explainer video. An explainer video is a video that provides additional information on a topic, usually for the purpose of educating viewers.
Explainer videos can be quite engaging and provide useful information that wasn’t necessarily available in a written format. Additionally, videos allow for customer testimonials, FAQs, or even unboxings of new products. Videos are becoming an essential part of many marketers’ content arsenals.
If you’re looking for ways to engage with your audience and grow your Twitter following, consider creating an explainer video to showcase your expertise.
Make Use Of Relevant Images
Images are an important part of any marketing plan. They can be used to illustrate an article, a product review, or even a company blog post. In the past, images were used to provide a visual aid for readers, allowing them to better understand complicated content.
But today, images can be used to add a touch of personality to an article, boost credibility, and draw attention to a product or service. When someone clicks on a product image, they’re more likely to be lured into the shop or to click on a link to learn more about the product.
Pro-Tip: Always Ensure That Your Images Are Of Good Quality
If you’re going to use images in your marketing plan, make sure that they’re relevant to your target audience. If the images on your blog or website aren’t of good quality, it will reflect poorly on your work and could potentially turn off potential customers. Remember, people rely heavily on the visuals that are presented to them when browsing the internet, so ensuring that the images you use are of high quality is essential.
Try Something New
With each new generation, the world of online marketing and technology evolves to fit their needs. These days, it’s important to continue exploring new methods of engaging with customers and creating brand awareness. So, in addition to the above advice, consider taking a class on digital marketing, getting a mentor, and engaging with potential customers through social media.
If you’re looking to enter the Egyptian market, it might seem hard to know where to start. But with careful consideration and research, you can develop an actionable plan and implement it successfully.