In the world of online marketing, there is more than one approach to get in front of your desired audience – and the right approach for you depends on your goals, resources, and the nature of your product or service. While there is considerable crossover among the various methods, each technique will typically serve a different purpose.
If you’re just getting started, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with at least the basics of the major tactics used in online marketing. With that in mind, here are FOUR proven ways to get started as an online service marketing professional.
1. Blogging
If you’ve decided to pursue an online marketing career, the first thing you’ll need to do is to pick a blogging platform. There are dozens of blogging platforms out there, each one with its perks and quirks. For example, if you’re looking for a simple, free blogging platform, try WordPress.com. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a self-hosted solution with more bells and whistles, consider Medium.com. Regardless of which solution you choose, make sure to pick one that seamlessly integrates with social media.
The advantages of blogging are numerous. First, it’s relatively easy to set up and start using. In fact, you can literally launch a blog in under a minute. Second, when your blog posts are successful, you’ll naturally generate LOTS of traffic to your website which can lead to increased sales. Third, blogging is a form of “content marketing” which means you’re essentially marketing your content to attract potential customers. Fourth, SEO (search engine optimization) is quite easy to do (and inexpensive) if you want to improve your blog’s organic search rankings.
2. Video Marketing
If you’ve decided to follow the blogging route, you’ll soon discover that video isn’t a luxury most people can afford. In fact, videos are typically cheaper to produce than many other types of content, meaning it’s often the first thing to go when resources are limited. If you don’t believe me, just try shooting a video with your smartphone and see how easily it can be done for free – or almost for free. For that matter, if you don’t have a smartphone, you can still use apps like Skype or WhatsApp to record video messages and send them to your audience. Video is vital to any marketing plan, and with the right strategy, you can utilize this resource to its fullest.
Videos have many advantages. First, they allow you to present your business in a more human-like manner than a cold, corporate-looking website. Second, videos allow you to present information quickly and efficiently (think of all those YouTube videos that explain something quickly and clearly). Third, videos allow you to demonstrate your expertise through talking points (like the ones you make in the video above). Fourth, videos allow you to connect with your audience on a more personal level.
3. Social Media Marketing
This is the digital marketing approach that has dominated the SEO world for years and continues to grow in popularity every day. Essentially, social media marketing involves using social platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc) to promote your brand and connect with potential customers. If you’re not familiar with social media, let me introduce you to the idea of “digital nomads”. These are freelancers who promote a variety of businesses via social media. They typically work remotely from wherever they please, promoting various clients’ brands and businesses while having fun and satisfying work environments. If you’re looking to get started with social media marketing, you can do so with little effort and no upfront costs.
The advantages of social media marketing are numerous. First, it’s free (at least in terms of your initial investment of time and effort). Second, it’s simple and easy to do (provided you have a website and you follow the right steps). Third, it’s a proven method for marketing and connecting with customers. Fourth, it’s flexible: you can use it to target users based on various demographics, industries, locations, etc. Finally, you can use social media to gain credibility and increase your SEO rankings (which means your website will appear higher in search results for specific keywords).
4. Email Marketing
No, I don’t mean you need to spend a lot of money to get started with email marketing. You know exactly what I’m talking about: that email you get from someone you don’t know trying to sell you something. That’s email marketing. Just remember: the definition of email marketing is sending promotional emails to existing or potential customers. This could include anything from an email about your latest product release to information about a product or service that you think might be of interest to that audience. For that matter, it could also be an offer for a free product or a discount code for a product or service you promote.
The advantages of email marketing are many. First, you can target the right audience for your product or service. Second, you can use email marketing to create a list of potential customers you can contact when you’re ready to sell your product or service. Third, you can use email marketing to communicate with existing customers – creating loyalty amongst your audience (which can lead to increased sales and revenue). Fourth, for companies that promote a variety of products or services, email marketing is a great way to gain credibility with your audience (since you’re not restricted to just one type of product or service).
Which One Should You Start With?
So, which one should you start with? If you don’t have the budget or the time to invest in video, social media, or email marketing, go with blogging. It’s a fantastic way to get your feet wet and to quickly and easily establish yourself as an expert in your industry. Plus, you’ll be able to see the results of your efforts quickly.