To keep your marketing consistent I encourage you to automate as many pieces as you can. Linking your blog to your Facebook Fan Page is an easy way to automate the promotion of your blog to people who like your Facebook Fan Page. Every time a new blog post is published it updates your fan page and goes out to the newsfeed of everyone who likes you page.
Let’s go through the steps.
Step 1: Create your blog RSS feed.
You must have a strategy that will take you from where your business is currently to your goal. If you do not outline a strategy you are randomly throwing out content without purpose. This can be a waste of time and money. Not to mention the frustration of spinning your wheels and not seeing your business move forward.
What is your goal?
The first step is to identify your goal. Why are you marketing? What specific action do you want people to take when they see your message?
Are you trying to increase your sales? Increase website traffic? Increase your opt-in page conversions?
What is your strategy?
It takes time to effectively market using social media. If you are already busy it may be difficult to justify why expanding your marketing reach to social media is worthwhile. It’s important for you to understand the benefits of social media so you can make a decision on whether or not this is the right marketing channel for your business to explore.
Today let’s cover a few of the top benefits to using social media:
#1 – You’re a real person.
When it comes to the online world it can be difficult for potential customers and clients to determine trustworthy programs versus scams. Your potential clients want to buy from a human they can connect with, not some unknown. Social media provides a venue for your clients and potential clients to connect with you and know you are real person who hears their concerns and can address them.
#2 – Website Traffic.
If you are just getting started online I recommend utilizing PayPal for any online payments. You are going to learn an enormous amount of information your first 6-12 months establishing an online presence. It’s very likely the direction you are headed will change completely at some point.
Also, it’ll take time to build your online client base. As you do so you will want to keep your overhead expenses low.
PayPal is free and that means less risk and more freedom as you establish your online presence. Plus, most online shoppers are familiar with PayPal and therefore are comfortable making a purchase using this service.
PayPal – Website Payments Standard
You’re email design options are practically unlimited which can make this task feel overwhelming. So, let me give you a step-by-step guide on how to approach this.
1. Content Format
This means is your newsletter going to provide written content only? Are you going to publish a video newsletter? Do you intend to include audio and written content?
2. Content Sections
Many people are viewing websites on mobile devices, such as iphones. Not all websites are compatible with the mobile format, which will make it difficult for your customers who view your website on a mobile device to access your content.
Are people really viewing your site on an iphone?
Did you know the average income of LinkedIn users is higher than both Facebook & Twitter? Here’s the breakdown for average user income for each of the social networking sites:
Twitter – $58,000
Facebook – $61,000
LinkedIn – $89,000
So, if you are looking for clients that can pay you, then according to these numbers LinkedIn marketing is worth your efforts. However, if you are like me, you may not find LinkedIn as inviting and ‘fun’ as I do sites like Facebook. That’s why I’ve put together these 5 tips for how you can get the most out of LinkedIn.
Social proof is an effective way to move a potential client into a paying client.
How to provide social proof?
The easiest way is to ‘pepper’ your website and sales page with testimonials. However, not just any testimonial format is effective. Untrustworthy service professionals could just make up whatever they want and slap it on a website. You want your testimonials to be authentic.
Here are 5 ‘ingredients’ you want to obtain for an ideal testimonial:
Last week we discussed ‘What is a Squeeze Page?’ and maybe this feels like too strong of a marketing approach to you. There is another option and it’s called a Slide Page.
What is a Slide Page?
Instead of giving people only one option on your squeeze page you include a link where they can choose not to enter their name and email and still enter your website.
Here is an example:
A landing page, also called a squeeze page or opt-in page, is an essential online marketing tool which allows you to grow a list of potential customers.
A landing page is a simple web page with one goal. The goal of a landing page is not to make a sale, but to get individuals to sign up for your email list.
Look at your website. If your site is set up correctly you’ll have an opt-in box on every page of your website and this opt-in box may convert subscribers at a rate of 3-5%. Not bad.
Unwanted Distractions
However, look at all the links people can choose to click on. A typical website is full of distractions that will keep people from actually giving you their name and email address. Even though they may be interested in your information and want your newsletter, they may click on an article link first and then end up clicking off your site altogether.