I think we can all agree that since the beginning of 2019, life has changed. The world has changed. And, in many ways, we are still living in the shadow of the pandemic.
When the world suddenly turned inwards, people wanted to connect with others and feel reassured that they are not alone in this new world. So they turned to the internet, mainly to social media, to seek comfort and connection. As a marketer, this shift demanded a different mindset and approach. It changed the game. And, as a result, many businesses, even non-corporate businesses, adopted an online marketing strategy.
While the strategy and the tactics may vary, depending on your niche and the type of business you’re in, generally speaking, you should aim to establish yourself as a leader in your industry through strong content creation and distribution that is backed up by SEO.
Content creation is about making the most of digital media to establish yourself as an expert in your industry niche. For example, if you’re an accounting firm, you may want to create content to establish yourself as an expert in financial planning. You can take this content and distribute it through online channels like blogs, websites, and social media to continue establishing your authority in your industry.
The Differences in Online Marketing Products & Software
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a marketer with a corporate responsibility for digital marketing, one of the first things you’ll want to do is to figure out what products and software you need to serve the type of business you’re in. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re investing in the right solutions for the right reasons.
While you’re in the market to serve this purpose, keep in mind that not all businesses can or should run with online marketing exclusively. There are distinct differences in the products and software that can make or break your success as a digital marketer.
The first and most important distinction is how easy it is to get started. Some products and solutions are much more complex and require a more in-depth knowledge of how to use them effectively. As a beginner, this may be a major roadblock. How much time do you have to learn how to use a tool or product?
Even more challenging is the amount of support that some tools and services offer. Although every business and brand should have the best interest of their customers at heart, sometimes there just isn’t enough time to provide the kind of service that a customer might need. In these cases, being a customer might not feel as satisfying as you’d like it to. So finding the right tool for the job can be a challenge.
To find the right tool for the job, you have to look at what you need in terms of features. Some tools are much more versatile than others, which makes them more suitable for a variety of tasks. However, the trade-off is that these products tend to be more complex and require more effort to fully utilize their capabilities.
Blogging
Blogging is an essential part of any online marketing strategy. Whether you are using a free platform like WordPress or a paid one like Blogger, having a blog is a must.
Why? Well, first of all, audiences love content and they love to be able to consume content whenever they want. With so much content available on the internet, people have more options than ever before when it comes to finding content that suit their needs. So if you want to be successful, you need to make sure that you’re providing them with content that is both interesting and unique enough to hold their attention, but also fits within your chosen niche.
Now, you may wonder what kind of content to make. In many cases, this will depend on your chosen niche and the type of business you’re in. However, no matter what, you must make sure that you are covering all the major topics in your chosen industry. If you’re not, you’re missing out on an important source of potential customers.
An authoritative voice in your industry can speak to both current and potential customers on a variety of topics. By creating and publishing content regularly, you can become the go-to source for information on your chosen subject matter. All your content needs to reflect your expertise and the authority that you’re trying to establish. So make sure that your styles and methods of communicating are all consistent.
Social Media
If you’re not plugged into social media, you’re missing out on an important source of potential customers and you’re certainly not taking advantage of all the marketing opportunities that these platforms have to offer. It’s time to make the switch. If you want to be successful, you need to have a presence on all the major social media platforms.
Why? Well, first of all, audiences love content and they love to be able to consume content whenever they want. With so much content available on the internet, people have more options than ever before when it comes to finding content that suit their needs. So if you want to be successful, you need to make sure that you’re providing them with content that is both interesting and unique enough to hold their attention, but also fits within your chosen niche.
As I mentioned, you can use a variety of platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to establish your presence. It’s important to build a following on these platforms. By regularly engaging with your audience, you can show them that you’re a reliable source of info and that you’re someone who they can trust. This will in turn, make them more inclined to buy your products or avail themselves of your services.
Video Creation & Distribution
Although video isn’t going anywhere, it’s always popular whenever online marketing platforms emerge or resurge, primarily because people love to watch videos.
Why? Well, first of all, audiences love content and they love to be able to consume content whenever they want. With so much content available on the internet, people have more options than ever before when it comes to finding content that suit their needs. So if you want to be successful, you need to make sure that you’re providing them with content that is both interesting and unique enough to hold their attention, but also fits within your chosen niche.
However, videos aren’t just about content. They also have a major distribution component that makes them more suitable for advertising and marketing purposes.
Why? Because videos allow for much more precise targeting than other content types. Depending on how you’re using video in your strategy, you can focus on specific demographics, interest groups, and/or geographical locations. This can be a major advantage for marketers and advertisers who want to target their specific audience.
For example, if you’re using video content to promote a product or service, you can target users who are interested in that specific product or service.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO is all about making your website and/or blog as accessible as possible via search engines like Google or Bing. When potential customers search for specific terms relating to your niche, your site should show up at the top of the list.
Why? Well, first of all, audiences love content and they love to be able to consume content whenever they want. With so much content available on the internet, people have more options than ever before when it comes to finding content that suit their needs. So if you want to be successful, you need to make sure that you’re providing them with content that is both interesting and unique enough to hold their attention, but also fits within your chosen niche.
As I mentioned before, your content creation must be geared towards establishing your expertise and the authority that you’re trying to establish. Building a strong online presence through SEO is an important aspect of any digital marketing strategy. By regularly engaging with your audience and publishing content that is both relevant and valuable, you can become an authoritative source of information in your industry.
Email Marketing
Last, but not least, we have email marketing. Many people consider email marketing to be the bedrock of any digital marketing strategy. Why? Simply put, email marketing allows you to target your audience based on what they’re interested in, which makes it much more effective as a marketing channel.
Why? Well, first of all, audiences love content and they love to be able to consume content whenever they want. With so much content available on the internet, people have more options than ever before when it comes to finding content that suit their needs. So if you want to be successful, you need to make sure that you’re providing them with content that is both interesting and unique enough to hold their attention, but also fits within your chosen niche.
It is almost impossible to overstate how much content is out there. With so much information available online, potential customers can easily find what they’re looking for.