So you are thinking about expanding your business to the digital world? Or maybe you are already active there and you are wondering what is the best platform to grow your audience and engage with your customers?
There are a variety of platforms available to digital marketers, all of which have their perks and quirks. Knowing which one to choose can be tricky. To help you out, we have compiled a detailed guide on the subject of online marketing in Houston, TX. From free blogging platforms to cost-effective email marketing tools, we will walk you through the basics of digital marketing in Houston.
What Is Online Marketing In Houston, TX?
Put simply, online marketing in Houston, TX is the practice of promoting your products or services online. This could involve running ads or sponsored posts on social media platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn. It could also include creating content for websites such as Business.com or Houzz.com and driving traffic to them. We will discuss the benefits and challenges of each type of platform in turn.
Blogging
Blogs are a fantastic way to establish yourself as an authority in your industry. If you can become an authoritative voice in your industry, you can easily position yourself as a thought-leader who people will trust. The power of blogging for business is that you can use it to establish yourself as an expert in your industry, and therefore more desirable as a business partner or employee. To make the most of your blog, you will need to work on establishing consistent and frequent publishing habits. Having a stable stream of content is more important than ever before, and blogging is a fantastic way to achieve it. If you can become a popular and respected blogger in your industry, the possibilities for building a profitable business are endless.
Advertising
Advertising is probably the most recognizable element of digital marketing. You will see it on every corner of the Internet, whether it is an ad on a site, a pop-up or even a skyscraper ad in the sky. Advertising can be very effective when done right. There are different types of advertising including paid advertising (which you will have to consider budgeting for), earned media, and influencer marketing. Influencer marketing can be very effective. Essentially, whenever you see someone famous wearing or using a particular product, that is because they promoted it. This type of advertising is not only effective but it’s also relatively inexpensive. You might consider influencer marketing as part of your overall marketing strategy and budgeting plan if you haven’t already.
Social Media
You have probably heard of social media, but maybe you don’t feel comfortable using it for your business. That’s okay. Most industries have adopted a “digital” approach and used social media to engage with their audience. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to join the conversation. The key to using social media for business is to figure out how to navigate the different platforms effectively. This is easier said than done, but with a little planning and strategy, it’s possible. The first step is to identify the key influencers and personalities in your industry. Once you have those people, you can start to build a community of engaged individuals around a common cause or interest. From there, you can expand your network and gain more influence.
Content Marketing
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, publishing quality content consistently is the best approach to taking advantage of blogging. Blogging is an excellent example of content marketing. As discussed previously, if you can establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your industry, you can easily position yourself as a thought-leader who people will trust. This type of content can take many forms including case studies, how-to guides, or even just plain ol’ texts that you might well find on any blog. The best part of content marketing is that you can put out a ton of articles quickly and easily without having to worry about exceeding your word count or trying to write a lengthy piece that will appeal to a wide audience. Content marketing is a fantastic approach to online marketing in Houston, TX because you can establish yourself as a reliable and authoritative voice in your industry while also having a steady stream of content ready to go at a moment’s notice. What’s not to love?
Email Marketing
Yes, email marketing is still an effective way to promote your business online. Campaigns sent via email allow you to target the right audience and offer them value. For example, an email campaign could consist of a short-yet-snappy subject line, a welcome message, and a few pieces of compelling content. The goal is to quickly get the reader to open the email and begin doing business with you.
Email marketing is a fantastic approach to online marketing in Houston, TX because it is relatively inexpensive and you have a built-in audience who has already opted in. Not only that, but you can also track the results of your email marketing efforts via email analytics programs. There are different types of email marketing platforms out there including email marketing apps, email marketing software, and even free tools like Hello Bar that can help you get started.
Content Distribution Channels
If you are interested in gaining more exposure and attracting more customers to your business, you might consider looking into content distribution channels. These are platforms that can help you reach an audience with your content. For example, YouTube is a content distribution platform that can help you build a following and gain popularity. Vimeo is another option. There are tons of content distribution platforms out there, and you can use these tools to gain popularity, build an audience, and ultimately earn money online.
Cost-Effective
Blogs, ads, and social media can all be cost-effective ways to market your business. However, not all platforms are created equal, and you should look for the best value for your investment. For example, if you are running an ad campaign on Facebook, you will need to consider how much you are paying per click vs how much you are spending on a monthly basis. It is important to find a cost-effective approach to marketing if you are on a budget, and this is especially important if you are new to marketing and don’t have a big budget to work with. When it comes to marketing, it is all about finding the right balance between effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
Which Platform Should You Use?
In light of the above, it is pretty clear that blogs, ads, and social media can all work for you when it comes to marketing your business online. The main difference between platforms is in the area of monetization. If you are looking for an effective and proven way to market your business, you should consider looking into one of the platforms listed below.
Blogs
Blogs are a fantastic place to gain popularity and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. If you can become a popular and respected blogger in your industry, the possibilities for building a profitable business are endless.
Shopping Carts And E-commerce Websites
If you are interested in running an online store, you might want to consider checking out platforms designed for online merchants. These are the types of platforms that you might find if you were looking for an e-commerce store. You could use these stores to purchase products that you then advertise on your blog or social media accounts.
YouTube
If you are interested in building a following and gaining popularity on social media, YouTube can be a great place to start. YouTube allows you to build a community and connect with people who share your interests. This is a great place to build your brand voice, and it is very accessible to anybody with a smartphone.
Pinterest is one of the biggest and most popular social media platforms, and it is also a place where consumers go to explore and discover things they may find appealing or interesting. If you can master the art of pinning, you can use this powerful tool to promote your business.
Above all else, make sure that you choose a platform that allows you to build on top of it. The more advanced the platform, the more difficult it can be to learn and get the most out of it. Once you have mastered the basics of blogging, shopping carts, and e-commerce websites, it is time to move on to the more advanced platforms. From there, you can continue expanding your knowledge and establishing yourself as an expert in your industry.