What is the proper mindset to navigate this crisis? I think one of the challenges right now is that I’m seeing a lot of entrepreneurs and business owners that are not understanding or not knowing how to react, or how to be properly right in times of crisis, in times of situation like right now. The default reaction of many is to contract, to not expand, to not run, and just wait and see.
However, in those behaviors, although our natural human behaviors of self-preservation are not necessarily the best natural behaviors of self-preservation for businesses. Instead, there is a lot of opportunities that need to be taken advantage of right now. Because if you wait then it might be too late, or if you wait your competitors might have a huge lead on you and you might not be able to catch up. Take this opportunity to learn and implement how to promote your business digitally!
So we are here to help you how to promote your business on digital platforms during and after this pandemic.
Here is an effective digital marketing strategy during this crisis.
Define the objective
Know what you want to achieve e.g. what is your mission? Do you wish to create a brand presence or focus on the sale of products? Do you want to focus on local markets or expand? Etc.
Stages of planning
1. Strategy
How to promote your business digitally? Defining your strategies to make your brand reach digital is very important as more and more people are online now and this is the best way to reach your audience. What you are offering to consumers (your products and services) online/offline and communicate it, using digital techniques.
2. Goal Definition
You need to define the goal to use digital marketing. Mostly the goal is to make brand awareness into the minds of consumers using digital platform e.g. Website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, etc. You must set ‘SMART’ (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Timely) objectives that help achieve your goal.
3. Action Plan
Once you decide your goal, it’s time for an action plan. Because it is equally important to have an action plan ready once your strategies and goals are defined. The action plan is to practically implement the strategies and begin the use of the digital platform. You can hire the top digital marketing agency to implement effective digital marketing strategies for your business.
Channels that are important to business
1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
I am sure you have a website for business if not you can connect with the best digital marketing agency and they can help you develop a suitable website for your business, they will consult and help you understand how to promote your business digitally. Search Engine Optimization or popularly known as SEO is getting websites or specific web pages to show up on search engines (e.g. Google) when specific keywords are used as search terms. SEO helps a brand gain visibility across search engines and online geographies.
2. Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC)
This is a model of internet marketing in which advertisers pay a fee each time a potential customer clicks on one of their ads. Essentially, it’s a way of buying visits to your site, rather than attempting to “earn” those visits through a direct type on google or any other search.
3. Content Marketing
I am sure, you must have heard that content is king! Yes, it is.
Content is central to all marketing campaigns and activities. Content marketing involves marketing various pieces of content on several digital marketing channels. The content displayed in this form of marketing can be in the form of blogs, infographics, or video and it must be very focused as per the target audience.
4. Social Media Marketing (SMM);
Social media marketing, as the name suggests, is a digital marketing channel used to promote and market brands or businesses on various social media platforms. One of the most effective ways of marketing, some of the popular social media marketing platforms include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. The platform you choose depends on whether you are B2B or B2C apart from a whole lot of other factors including your brand’s business goals and target audience.
The different types of social media platforms to serve Ads:
• Social networking (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Microblogging (Twitter, Tumblr).
• Photo sharing (Instagram, Snap chat, Pinterest).
• Video sharing (YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram, etc.).
5. Affiliate Marketing
Did you hear about it? It is a platform where one business is promoted on other business website and traffic is drawn through that route. Affiliate marketing is a business that brings profit at both ends. Your partners or referrals can mention your website and backlink it to your own. This way both can mutually take advantage of customers visiting each other’s pages online and that also helps in increasing your website traffic.
6. Email Marketing
Email marketing is a digital marketing channel that is used to market brands and businesses through emails. It is a way to reach consumers directly interested in your business at a relatively low cost.
7. Display Advertising
As the term infers, Online Display Advertisement deals with showcasing promotional messages or ideas/ products, and services, etc. to the consumer on the internet (you can target potential customers to your business). This includes a wide range of advertisements like advertising blogs, networks, video ads, contextual data, ads on search engines, classified or dynamic advertisements, etc.
8. Video Advertising
Where the advertisement is played on online videos, this is now one of the biggest ways to advertise and promote your business. YouTube is a platform where you can show promotional videos of your business before starting or during the videos.
Benefits of Digital Marketing
1. Global Reach
Your business is not only promoted on local but also on a global presence that helps you reach your targeted audience and geographical areas in the world. A website allows you to find new markets and trade. E.g. Amazon marketplace allows you to sell your products online and this can be accessed by anyone, anywhere.
2. Cost-Effective
The cost, when compared to any other mode of marketing, is much lower in digital marketing.
Like, a display ad or an ad on social media will be cheaper than a print ad with a targeted customer reach. It’s also more effective than traditional ways in today’s world.
3. Track & Measure results
Detailed information can be tracked and measured of how customers use your website and respond to your advertising that can be found out by using web analytics tools. In traditional marketing, you don’t have these features.
4. Data and results are recorded
The most valuable asset in the era is Data. With Google Analytics, you can check the reach of your campaigns done and store them as well for future analysis and target-based marketing.
5. Personalization
If your customer database is linked to your website, then whenever someone visits the site, you can greet them with targeted offers.
6. Interaction
By getting involved with social media, you can easily have a conversation with your customers and that helps your build a rapport and establish trust.
7. Cash Back Offers
To attract customers to your product and services digital marketing allows you to create engaging campaigns using different types of media content. Like, cashback offers on apps, websites, and other social media platforms.
Together, all of these aspects of digital marketing have the potential to add up to more sales. Now, I can say you’re ready with all necessary steps, knowledge on how to promote your business digitally. All the best!
