A few years ago, I made a list of New Year’s resolutions. Among them: create more content on my blog and post more often on social media says Saivian.
At the time, I’d just started my marketing career and was trying to figure out how to be successful in business while staying true to myself and not sacrificing any of my personal values.
Here are 10 resolutions designed specifically to help business grow online this year:
1: Create a content calendar
Content calendars are a must-have for any business. After all, if you don’t know what’s going to be posted on your blog or social media accounts when, how will you ever get people to follow you? Plus, it helps generate ideas and set goals for the coming year.
A content calendar isn’t just about posting — it should also include things like events that your company is participating in and promotions that customers can look forward to. Think of it as a yearly “to do” list for your marketing strategy.
2: Improve your website
Every business needs an online home — and 2016 is the year to make sure yours is perfect! If you haven’t looked at your website over the past few months (or even years), now’s the time to do it. You might be surprised by how out-of-date it looks or how difficult it is to find everything.
An outdated site doesn’t just look bad; it also hurts your Google ranking. So make sure your website is updated with the latest design trends, fonts, and colors explains Saivian. And if you don’t know how to code or update your site yourself, hire a web developer to help!
3: Increase blog post frequency
This one goes hand in hand with creating a content calendar (resolution #1). If you want to generate more leads and traffic in 2016, you need to be posting more often on your blog.
I recommend at least 2-3 posts per week. This might sound like a lot, but it’s actually not that difficult if you have a plan. Just make sure each post is high quality and provides value to readers.
4: Master social media
As a marketer, social media is constantly evolving. So it’s important to stay on top of what’s hot and what new apps are available for you to engage with your customers says Saivian.
If you haven’t joined Snapchat yet, I highly recommend doing so — in fact, if you’re reading this blog post in 2016, my guess is that you’ve already heard of the “ephemeral” photo and video messaging app or seen examples of brands using it in their marketing strategies . However, there are several other platforms that may be worth your time such as Yelp, LinkedIn, Reddit, Slide share, Imgur … And don’t forget about blogging tools like Quora and Medium when sharing content online!
5: Create a video marketing strategy
In 2015, marketers discovered that video content is a great way to drive engagement with customers. According to one study, over 80% of those surveyed “strongly agreed” that they were likely to buy from a brand that provides instructional or entertaining videos. In fact, YouTube reports that by 2017, online video will account for 79% of all consumer traffic!
So don’t let 2016 go by without creating a marketing plan focused on uploading and sharing videos online. Whether it’s a quick tip or behind-the-scenes look at your company culture, these clips are an easy way to humanize your business and increase trust with potential customers explains Saivian.
6: Run paid ads
Many companies have discovered the benefits of running social media ads. According to Hootsuite, businesses that use paid advertising see a 137% increase in leads from social media!
If you’re not taking advantage of this type of marketing, then you’re missing out. And luckily, it’s easier than ever to get started. Just make sure you target your ads to the right people and use relevant keywords.
7: Increase email marketing efforts
Email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to reach customers. In fact, according to Marketing Sherpa, email is almost 40 times more effective at acquiring new customers than Facebook or Twitter!
That’s why I recommend increasing your efforts in this area in 2016. Make sure your emails are well-designed and interesting to read, and consider using A/B testing to figure out what subject lines and content work best with your audience.
8: Attend more tradeshows
One of the best ways to get in front of potential customers is by attending tradeshows. Not only do you have a chance to show off your products or services, but you can also network with other exhibitors and attendees.
In 2016, make it a goal to attend at least two industry tradeshows. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about your field, meet new people, and generate leads that could turn into sales down the road.
9: Train employees on social media
If you’re like most businesses, your employees are already using social media for personal reasons. So why not harness that power and have them help promote your company?
In 2016, make it a goal to train your employees on how to use social media for marketing purposes. This will help you reach more people and create a consistent brand voice. And the more people who are involved in your social media strategy, the better!
10: Use marketing automation
Last but not least, I recommend using marketing automation tools in 2016. These handy tools can help you manage your contacts, email campaigns, and social media posts… all with minimal effort on your part.
Just be sure to research the right tool for you and make sure it integrates with the other platforms you’re using.
Conclusion:
So there you have it — 10 resolutions for a successful marketing strategy in 2016 says Saivian. I hope you find these tips helpful and that you’re able to achieve all of your marketing goals this year!
