Running a business today means that you must have an online presence. Whether you run a small mom and pop shop or a global corporation, customers living in the digital age expect to find all their favorite brands online.
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However, in the competitive world of online marketing, much more than just a website and a social media profile are required to achieve success. We’ve listed some of the best ways to build your customer base through online marketing.
#1. Email Marketing
Just a few years back, marketers announced that email was dead – likely due to the number of companies who think nothing of sending spam emails out to customers without even getting to know them a little bit first.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should ignore email marketing altogether. In fact, when you use the right strategies and techniques, email is still a hugely useful tool for improving your online presence.
Build an email address list by searching for suitable potential customers or clients from a company’s domain, and then shoot them an email to introduce yourself and your brand.
You can include a link in the email where the recipient can then choose whether they’d like to sign up to your newsletter.
#2. Social Media Marketing
With millions of users signed up to Facebook alone, social media is one of the most powerful tools that entrepreneurs have access to today. But, simply setting up a business profile on Facebook and Twitter is not enough – to gain more followers and hopefully more paying customers, you will need to actively engage on social media.
Today, more customers than ever before are using social networks to get in touch with their favorite brands with any questions, comments or even complaints that they may have.
Be sure to monitor your social media pages carefully and get back to customers as quickly as possible; this will improve the overall customer experience and boost your online reputation.
#3. Content Marketing
No matter which industry your company operates in, content marketing is an important tool for showcasing your knowledge and providing your customers with valuable information that they can take away and use in their daily life.
One of the best content marketing methods for businesses is a blog. This will allow you to create informational guides, infographics, videos and more that can then be uploaded to your website for your customers to enjoy.
In addition, you can reach out to a broader target audience by guest posting on authority blogs relevant to your industry or niche.
#4. Word of Mouth Marketing
Before the internet, word of mouth marketing was just that – people speaking about your brand to their friends or family.
Today, this type of marketing is just as important, except for that it is mainly done online.
When a customer has a great experience with a brand, they might want to leave a nice review. Conversely, customers who’ve had a terrible experience will be quick to let others know.
So, monitor online reviews of your brand to determine what people are saying about your company and what you can do to improve their opinions.
Would you like to add to this list? Share your top tips in the comments below.
