Digital marketing may not be the most exciting part of running your business, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most important. Without consistent and effective digital marketing, you can’t expect to grow your company’s online presence or convert new customers into lifelong patrons. Digital marketing should be at the core of your company strategy since you need to reach people online and figure out how to entice them to take action on your website or in-person store.
Traditional Marketing vs. Digital Marketing
No matter what type of business you have, if you’re trying to make money or grow your revenue, you need to be using some form of marketing. Traditional methods like direct mail or billboards are still viable and effective—but there are other options available that can help give your business a boost.
Some companies like firms practice digital marketing better than others. A good example would be private equity firms, which started with a strong focus on software and had to learn how to use different forms of social media—all while staying true to the brand. Some investment banks are now using social media to convey business ideas to attract high-net-worth individuals. A noteworthy private equity marketing plan depends not only on understanding your business but also on knowing your audience to get deals from strong relationships with business owners.
There are many methods of digital marketing, each of which can give your business an edge in the digital world and help you reach customers you might not otherwise reach. Here are six creative ways to use digital marketing to grow your business and increase revenue in your company.
Infographics
Infographics are a visual way of representing data. They tend to be very shareable since they can provide valuable information in an easily-digestible format. If you’re going to make an infographic for your company, make sure it is accurate, visually pleasing, and provides valuable information that your customers will use.
It’s good practice to include links back to other relevant pages on your website or landing page, so if someone likes your infographic enough to want more info about it—they know where to go.
Podcasts
Podcasts are digital audio or video files downloaded via apps on your phone, tablet, or computer. They can be entertaining and educational, so it’s a good idea to create your own if you have expertise in an industry. Some topics that make great podcasts include business and technology news, behind-the-scenes looks at professions, product reviews, interviews with experts or celebrities, and inspirational stories.
Videos
Video is one of those mediums that’s started becoming more popular in recent years, and you can bet marketers are going to keep using it. Marketers are now seeing that not only is video a helpful tool when used in conjunction with social media marketing, but it’s also an incredible way to boost search engine optimization (SEO). These videos can then be shared across multiple platforms to grow brand awareness.
Email Newsletters
Email newsletters are a great way to reach out and connect with existing and potential customers. Newsletters can be sent regularly or when there is new product information or promotion information. Online newsletters can be sent in minutes and are much cheaper than traditional mailings. Plus, if you send it through your website, you have complete control over what is said about your business. However, like most other digital marketing activities, email newsletters should be linked back to your website through links within each newsletter.
Social Media Management
One of the most effective forms of digital marketing, social media management allows you to build and manage a company or organization’s social media presence. This includes creating and maintaining pages on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, and more. Although each of these networks has its unique brand and purpose, successful social media management generally includes establishing clear guidelines for each page relevant to your target audience.
Promotions
If you have a brick-and-mortar store, promotion can be as simple as putting up flyers around town or giving out coupons. But, if you’re operating exclusively online, there are still ways to promote your business. Include it in your website’s meta description if you have a promotional code. Add affiliate links throughout your content. And don’t forget to tell people about your business via social media. In addition to making sure all of your web pages are set up with tracking codes and Google Analytics installed, reach out to bloggers and influencers who might enjoy featuring one of your products on their site and channel.
The above examples showcase that digital marketing is a constantly evolving field. You can either keep up or get left behind. Still, it’s not enough to keep up. As an excellent digital marketer, you need to be at least one step ahead of your competition by adopting new trends, finding innovative ways to use these technologies, and being open to experimentation.
