In the first instalment of this article, I outlined the steps you can take to re-think your current marketing strategy in time for the festive season. (If you haven’t read it yet – get up to speed here.)
If you have, let’s get right down to it…
Executing a great idea successfully relies on the right marketing channels
You’ve put your thinking cap on, braved the labyrinth that is Google analytics, gathered the troops, and come up with a bright shiny new idea. Yay. But now what?
To get the most out of your idea, it’s crucial that you employ the use of several digital channels.
Put your idea to work by taking a leaf (actually, have a whole branch), from the Yoco marketing playbook:
Start with a sprinkling of SEO
There’s an old joke that digital marketers like to bandy about that goes:
Question: “Where do you hide a dead body?” (I’m talking proverbially here – we’re not monsters.)
Answer: “On page two of Google.”
Put differently, brands that show up on page two or three – or worse – of SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages), rarely see much traffic. I seldom venture past the front page of Google, and if I do, I don’t get past page two. Why? Because if it takes me longer than a couple of minutes to find what I’m looking for, I’ll either abandon my search completely or switch up my search terms. Today’s customers are used to getting and finding things instantly and with ease, which means you need to make sure that your brand is where they are – smack bang on Google’s front page. Cool? Cool. Here’s how to up your SEO game.
Embrace Google’s various tools to increase your online visibility
Google, Godfather of the internet, has several tools that once in place, can make your brand easier to find – even especially if you don’t have a website or online store. Learn how to set up a “Google My Business” account and how to run Google ads, here.
Get enthusiastic about email marketing
Contrary to popular belief, email marketing is far from dead. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful marketing channels out there. The trick to avoiding the void that is a spam folder? Making your emails the digital equivalent of Christmas morning. To learn how, read about the five elements that make for successful marketing emails, here.
Social media marketing
No longer solely the domain of selfies and conspiracy theories, social media channels like Facebook and Instagram are buzzing with shoppers looking for their next fix. Even if you run an offline business, integrating social media into your marketing mix plays a crucial part in converting browsers into customers. Read our social media marketing guide here, and our guide to selling on Instagram here and here.
Blog your way to more sales
A business blog can be an incredibly effective way to fulfill several marketing objectives along the path to purchase, as well as feeding Google all-important keywords to increase your SEO rankings. If you’re on the fence, read our blog about the myriad benefits of blogging here, then have a gander at this article to learn how to write and maintain a blog that works for you.
While you’re at it, check out the brand new Khumo – our smart, supercharged card machine that’s flipping the script on how South African business owners accept payments.
