A tree grows branches according to a mathematical formula known as the Fibonacci sequence. Depending on the species, a tree can have hundreds of branches reaching up to the sky. Each branch is important, but the tree can survive if some of them break.
Digital marketing is like a tree because it has numerous avenues to deliver your message. Some businesses use only a few methods, others use more. If you’ve been sticking to what you’re familiar with, perhaps it’s time to branch out.
Try the following types of digital marketing as part of your general strategy to gain a loyal following and build a strong brand online.
Treat digital interactions like home presentations
Older generations remember what it was like to schedule a home demonstration for fire alarms, vacuum cleaners, and other gadgets. Sales reps worked hard to generate commissions, but first they had to earn an invitation.
For many people today, the Internet is like a second home, and it’s fairly easy to win an invitation into somebody’s digital home. If you’re a brand, you only need to get people to follow you if you want them to see your messages.
Beware, though: Every message you publish has the potential to feel like an intrusion. Always keep in mind that on social media, especially Facebook, you’re contacting people in their digital home.
They don’t want to be bothered by hard sells, so treat the messages you post as if you were giving an in-home presentation. Your positive reputation depends on it.
Utilize every mobile publishing outlet you can find
Mobile technology is almost too convenient. It’s easier to communicate online than in person or over the phone.
Millennials especially rely on social media to stay updated on what their friends are up to, without having to connect live. Today, it’s common to learn about a friend’s baby shower on Facebook without ever receiving a physical invitation or a phone call. It’s also normal to have long conversations through text messages.
In 2018, at least 2.53 billion people have access to a smartphone in their pocket. It’s a matter of seconds before a notification encourages them to reach in and respond, no matter what they’re doing.
People spend most of their time on their mobile devices, so that’s where you need to reach them if you’re not already doing it.
Mobile marketing is for everyone
Every business will benefit from mobile marketing, but some industries rely on it more than others. In some sectors, neglecting mobile marketing means failure.
For example, marketing in the real estate industry demands that you reach users on mobile devices through apps and social media. Green Residential reports that Zillow receives 223 home searches occur per second from mobile devices. That’s 600 million home views per month!
People are busy, so they use every idle moment to look something up, check social media, or read email. Reaching your market on their mobile device is no longer optional.
Directory listings
It’s hard to believe, but not everyone uses Google or Yahoo!. Many people use obscure search engines like DuckDuckGo to get around the frustration of an inconvenient algorithm.
Listing your business in directories that pop up in alternative search engines will make you visible to non-Google users. Like others, DuckDuckGo indexes business directories you won’t find in the top search results on Google.
If your business isn’t published in those directories, you’re missing out on reaching 4.7 million daily users.
Promote your best deals and freebies to everyone
Promotion deals are an effective way to reach customers. Deals bring in new customers and help keep existing ones happy.
For instance, cable companies generally offer new customers discounts for an extended period, such as a year. They’ll sometimes give existing customers deals when they ask. For example, they might drop ten bucks off someone’s bill for two months, or give them a two-week free trial for a premium movie channel.
The new customer deals are usually better, but people don’t have many options for cable services. If your business isn’t a monopoly, offer the same great deals to new and existing customers and you’ll make everyone feel appreciated.