Digital Marketing Consultant

You have to set your business goals before you can ever accomplish them: 

• What is the purpose of the landing page?
• What type of website to you have? 
• Is it Ecommerce that is transaction focused? 
• Is lead generation the purpose or does it have to do with establishing your brand and building relationship? 
• Are you looking add members to increase your database? 

The best marketing technique is to start at the point of sale and follow the visitors back to the point of first contact for some answers regarding measuring success.

Once you have determined what is considered success, you will then need to determine who your ideal customer is.    It is important to understand, it is NOT about you!  This is not the place to tell your story.   You want to give the visitor what he/she is looking for.

It is important to know to whom you are telling your story to before telling it.   To help define your customer by creating a customer with name and demographics.  If you have several types of customers, you must also prioritize them by importance.  If you try to attract too many different types of customer, you will end up not attracting any of them.   Knowing to whom you are selling will allow you to create content which will be appealing to THEM.

In the book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” Steven R. Covey said to begin with the end in mind.   When it comes to designing your landing page, you must know what both you and your CUSTOMER want.  The end is your starting point.

 If you want some serious information about marketing on-line, go to The Wisdom Book.  Don't be intmidated by the size, but be aware that most information is written after page 96.

Content strategy is required for all types of media to communicate your message to your target market.   A unified content strategy gains importance when your campaign has a lot of diversity.

Blogging, social media, video postings, website, article marketing, press release, email and traditional media should all be considered in your marketing campaign.  Each of these campaigns connects with different types of people and niches by using various modes of communication.

Your content strategy should focus on two different audiences; the search engines and your visitors.   The search engines will get the attention of your readers which is the best way of gaining website traffic.   However, once you attract a visitor, you need to provide rich content that will keep them engaged leading the way to your goal.

What should be included in a strategy for content marketing?

A Message with Purpose

The message is more than just mere words for communication and broadcasting.  The message is your voice, your tone, your values, your validation and even legalities.   What about your branding?  How do you communicate?   What are your conversion goals?

Demographics

Splitting your target market into specific needs groups will help you to target your communication much more effectively with each group.  Take a look from where your visitors are coming from and what their needs might be in order to decide upon topics on which to provide information.   Find out what the problems are that your visitor may be having and provide a solution to their problem.  Making these determinations will identify the content that you need to provide.

Distribution

Identify the types of content distribution that will be most effective in reaching to your potential visitors.   There should be a mix of distribution types to reach various niches in your market.

Blogging and use of various types of social media are intended to provide information and brandings.   Promotion and sales are best provided by websites.

Search Engine Optimization

Links and keywords should always be established to highlight and promote your blog or website.  Visualization provided by images and video integration should be a part of your plan.  Organic rankings can be powerfully driven with social media links.   Optimization should be applied in each of your media channels for the most effective SEO.

I welcome any comments which you may have regarding your strategy for content marketing.

And finally, if you would simply like to read some excellent material on the subject, go to http://bit.ly/WSIwisdomBook starting at page 93.

Social media marketing does sound very complex, but there are real great benefits to using this great tool for your business. Think of social media as the Rotary Club with a giant membership.

As with most other things noted in developing your business following some established rules is necessary.  Social media is the communication between people with similar interest online.

Points to remember for a good experience with Social Media Marketing:

•    High quality topics are essential.  You must provide information visitors need and answer the questions they have.
•    Social Media marketing is based upon quality communication.  You will need to give in order to receive.
•    Do not leave unrelated messages just to set up links back to your website as this is considered spamming and will lower your credibility.  Add valuable conversation that is relevant.

The benefits of using social media are numerous and includes:

•    Cost effective:   You want to build a website and develop your credibility and trusts over time.  But, be aware. Building an online reputation takes patients and time.
•    Creation of strategy:   Look for the social media that your target market is using.
•    Genuine participation:  The social media sites allow you to provide your opinion and advice within a community.  

If you join the Rotary with the idea that all you are going to do is promote your business, forget it.  You have to give.  By offering your information without a hard sell, you will begin to establish yourself with respect within the on-line community.

Social media marketing is an effective way to brainstorm ideas, seek advice, and share your thoughts.

More information: 

• You might want to visit http://www.squidoo.com/Social_Media_for_Business. 
• If you would like help with your present situation, see http://www.squidoo.com/Website_Audit. Look for the free gift.
• And finally, if you would simply like to read some excellent material on the subject, go to http://bit.ly/WSIwisdomBook starting at page 93.