You’ve probably heard of online marketing, but don’t exactly know how it works. That’s fair. After all, when it comes to online marketing, the general public doesn’t always have the best conception of what is actually happening. People think that they are just visiting a website and reading about products or services. However, that’s far from true. When a potential customer engages with an online marketer, they are typically interacting with other people in order to qualify for a free trial, to complete a purchase, or to find out more information about a product or service.
While there are plenty of tactics you can use to generate leads, turn them into paying customers, and boost your bottom line, what many people don’t realize is that you can actually use online marketing to grow their practice. And not just any practice, but a reputable and successful one.
Consider this. Let’s say you’re an astrologer. You’ve been practicing for years, keeping your clients happy by providing precise and detailed readings. You know how important it can be to have steady and reliable clients, because they are the key to your success. You’ve built up a good reputation among your friends, family, and other astrologers. And now, you’re finally ready to make the leap into online marketing.
How do you do that?
Find The Right Niche
If you’ve decided that online marketing is where you want to be, then the first step is to figure out what niche you’ll be operating in. This doesn’t mean you have to pick a single specific area of expertise, but it helps to have an idea of what you’ll be doing. Otherwise, it can be tricky to choose the right online marketing platform, and even trickier to figure out what content to create and distribute.
For example, if your speciality is financial astrology, and you’re planning on using WordPress as your online marketing platform, it may not be the wisest choice. Sure, you can integrate a shopping cart with WordPress, and you can even opt for a monetized version of the platform. But if your focus is on health and wellness, then perhaps Blogger is the better choice. Generate leads, gain credibility, and build a brand for your practice in a short amount of time with Blogger.
Make Sure You Have The Right Equipment
While you don’t necessarily need expensive equipment to do online marketing, you do need to make sure you have the necessary tools to get the job done. The most basic and essential tool is a computer. You’ll need at least a medium-sized laptop or a desktop, depending on how you plan on using it. If you have a large enough hard drive, then you can even consider buying a standalone desktop to get the most out of it. All of these items are needed to create content, to distribute that content, and to gain a following online.
You might also want to consider a smartphone or a tablet. Depending on how you plan on using them, you might want to buy a separate device for that platform. If you have a large enough phone storage, then you can consider buying a mobile hot-spot to use in conjunction with your laptop or desktop.
Get Inspired
If you’ve never done any online marketing before, then don’t worry. You aren’t alone. The truth is, you can’t become an expert in every subject, even if you try. That’s why it’s important to find your strengths and interests, and focus on those areas when choosing content for your blog. If you want to be able to choose topics that you’re passionate about, then make sure you maintain a blog that is interesting and engaging to your readers. This way, you’ll be able to choose topics that you’re passionate about, and it’ll be much easier for you to retain and impress your audience.
When it comes to choosing topics for your blog, it helps to think about what you know, and what you feel confident about. If you have a specific area of strength, such as education, make sure you use that strength to write about experiences that you’ve had, or things that you’ve learned. For example, if you’re a journalism major, then make sure you use your skills to write about issues facing the journalism industry, or to profile successful journalists.
If you’re looking to gain credibility and trust in your field, then consider choosing topics that are relevant to your niche. If you want to write about health and wellness, then make sure you research the most popular health topics, and choose a few that you feel confident enough about to write about. Doing this can help you form a baseline of knowledge about your niche, and it’ll be much easier to choose new topics that you’re passionate about once you have a decent sized body of work to draw from.
Choose The Right Platform
Once you have the necessary equipment, it’s time to choose an online marketing platform. As we’ve already established, you’ll need a computer to create content, and you’ll need a network to distribute that content to your audience. Most people choose to do their online marketing on WordPress, but you can use just about any platform you want. If you want to choose a different platform, then consider using a content distribution network (CDN) to host your site. A CDN is a service that hosts and serves content, so you don’t have to worry about hosting yourself. Most CDNs offer free plans with limited bandwidth and storage, and paid plans that offer more robust options.
You also need to decide how you want to interact with your audience. Do you want to be the only person they interact with, or would you like for them to interact with you, or a combination of the two? If you want others to interact with you, then make sure you have a social media account for that platform.
Distribute Your Content
Now that you have a place to write and a way to reach your audience, it’s time to start distributing your content. First, decide how you’ll reach your audience. Will you use social media, or will you rely solely on word of mouth? The answer to this question will largely depend on your goals for doing online marketing. If you’re looking to grow your practice, then you might want to consider using social media to engage with potential customers. If the content you’re distributing is to encourage people to connect with you, then you might want to consider solely relying on word of mouth. It’s always a good idea to experiment with both.
Regardless of the platform you choose, make sure you have a clear image in mind of who your audience is, and what they want. If you can, create personas, and use those to determine the content you’ll create and the strategies you’ll use. If you want to choose a specific platform, then make sure you research that platform, and learn how to best use it to your advantage. If you’ve decided to go with WordPress, then make sure you learn the ropes, and don’t underestimate its potential. There’s a lot of power in a large community. If you want to learn more, then become a member of the WordPress community. This way, you’ll be able to ask any questions you may have, learn from the best, and grow your practice in no time.
Choosing the right platform for your marketing efforts isn’t an easy task. You have to consider many different factors, from how you’ll reach your audience to what features you need for the platform. If you want to learn more, then make sure you research the options, and identify the one that’s best suited to your needs. One of the key things to consider is the cost. Some platforms are free, while others come with a cost, whether it’s a one-time fee, or a recurring cost. It’s always a good idea to look for the best price possible, while considering the features you need. Remember, the more features you have, the more you’ll have to pay for. That isn’t always the case, however. Sometimes, the cost of a feature outweighs its benefits.
You’ll want to use several different platforms, relying on various methods of contacting your audience. If you want to choose a single platform, then make sure you choose the one with the largest audience. This way, you’ll have the best possible shot at reaching the right audience, and earning their trust.
Once you have a following, it’s time to start marketing your blog. Once you’ve established your blog, it’s time to start marketing it. Create content that’s relevant to your niche, and use that content to build a following. If you want to choose a single platform, then make sure you choose one with the largest audience. This way, you’ll have the best possible shot at reaching the right audience, and earning their trust.