Who Needs Marketing?
You do! If you have a business that is starting out, or your long term business needs a boost, then Marketing is how people find out. Remaining in the shadows will only let your new opportunities pass by. You need to make an impression! One that will stand out beyond the crowd! Unless you plan on re-inventing sliced bread, you'll have get out there!
Professional Websites vs Free Websites
These are not as difficult as you may think! Simple sites can be put online in a few hours if you know what you want to do! Some even for free! Free doesn't necessarily mean enough however. To create a free website is a great advantage in today's market; however a professional image is where your goals should lay.
Having a dedicated domain name (such as the one you can plainly see in use here) is one way of letting your customers know that you are serious about business and services. Not only is this the first place your professional persona begins, but it opens the doors for you to have a professional response system. What I mean is that you can now have a dedicated email address with your domain! Instead of having DYL@hotmail.com (or Gmail or Yahoo or your local IP provider) I now have info@dyl-enterprises.com. This allows me to set up a professional way to reach my customers via forms and auto responses. Later down the line I can also include news letters that can bring my latest offerings to you; my clients :)
Also, here is exactly were you can cross promote your other marketing efforts. Do you see the top of website where you can link directly to my Facebook page and Twitter? There are plenty of other options for the other social media outlets such as LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram and whatever else may come down the social media pipeline!
Having a dedicated domain name (such as the one you can plainly see in use here) is one way of letting your customers know that you are serious about business and services. Not only is this the first place your professional persona begins, but it opens the doors for you to have a professional response system. What I mean is that you can now have a dedicated email address with your domain! Instead of having DYL@hotmail.com (or Gmail or Yahoo or your local IP provider) I now have info@dyl-enterprises.com. This allows me to set up a professional way to reach my customers via forms and auto responses. Later down the line I can also include news letters that can bring my latest offerings to you; my clients :)
Also, here is exactly were you can cross promote your other marketing efforts. Do you see the top of website where you can link directly to my Facebook page and Twitter? There are plenty of other options for the other social media outlets such as LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram and whatever else may come down the social media pipeline!
How to Use Social Media to your Advantage
There are a lot of ways to engage your audience. Social Media has been one of the greatest tools invented in the past 10 years! Not only does your current fans have a chance to engage with you on a regular basis; now you have the chance to target people who have similar interests. There are countless videos online that have people demonstrate exactly how to purchase ads and who to target. Below are a few things that I have learned and use when I create campaigns for people.
- Consistency is King when you talk about Facebook. A post once and a while does not work. Constantly posting when you have something to share should be done more often than you think.
- You can even schedule a drafted Post to your Page so that you hit people at peak hours. Typically if you release an ad at 11:55 the likelihood that someone will see your activity greatly increases.
- I find that when your posts are relevant and positive they do much better. Avoid using fowl language in your posts. Not only are they negative in their conception, they will also not be pushed through Facebook as easily.
- Images work a lot better than you may think. Be sure to photograph you and your Services | Product | Yourself! Being personal is the at the front of your business. Showing how much you care for your customer is how you engage visually with your clients and clients to be :D
- Videos are a great way to speak to your audience! Ever notice how people speak directly to you in their videos? They are typically a message for the viewer. Either explaining what to expect when working together, or to encourage someone in their goals or ideas.
- Make everything relevant! Don't post 100 pictures of your cat, unless your cat is part of your business (as in you make costumes for your cat)! If you create art, post pictures of your art. If you detail cars; post before/after pictures. If you Tattoo artwork on people's skin; post your tattoo work!
- Pictures Pictures Hashtags and more Pictures and more Hashtags!
- Make sure you post often. Heck you can even link your Instagram with your Facebook! Why not?! Kill two birds with one stone I say.