How can you overcome your biggest marketing challenges?

I recently asked several of my clients: What is your biggest marketing challenge? The majority of them said social media or digital marketing. The world of digital marketing was intimidating to many of them and social media, while necessary, was something they rarely had time to do. An effective online presence is critical to the success of a small business. So how can you overcome the challenges you face when it comes to marketing online?

1. Decide Where To Focus
   There are more ways than ever to promote your business. There’s SEO, social media, PPC and other online advertising methods, content marketing, and more! The list goes on. While it’s great to have choices, you also have to refine your approach and decide what’s right for you. Instead of spreading yourself thin by trying to do everything, choose 2-3 marketing mediums, and focus on doing them well! Think about who your customers are and where they live in the digital landscape when deciding where to focus!
2. Content Calendars
   One of the key things you can do to create structure around your marketing is create (and stick to) a content calendar! A content calendar is important to keep your content marketing well-organized and on track. It helps you with prior brainstorming which not only saves you from last-minute disastrous planning but also helps you produce content consistently. These calendars can be as simple or detailed as you choose, and can be planned out months in advance. 
3. Choose The Right Software
   Marketing automation and email marketing software comes in a variety of sizes, and what each company needs may differ. Picking a new marketing tool for your company can be quite tricky these days – not to mention daunting! However, by implementing the right software, you will be better equipped to effectively nurture new and existing leads. 
4. Hire an agency
   Our list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include this very important point. If you’re a small business with limited resources, it may be more effective to hire an outside marketing agency to handle your marketing needs. For smaller businesses, working with an agency can save time and money over hiring someone in-house, and allows business owners to focus on running operations and increasing the bottom line.

If you would like to schedule a consultation or want more marketing tips from us, please contact us today, and we’d be happy to help!

Kindly,

7 Marketing Tips For Businesses on a budget

For small business owners and entrepreneurs, every dollar counts. Luckily, in today’s digital age, there are several affordable options for a business on a budget. You just need a little time and know-how. Check out our new list with 7 marketing tips for businesses on a budget to get started!

1. Prioritize local search.
   Search engine optimization is more important than ever, especially if you have a brick and mortar location. Think about it: What’s the first thing you do when you need to buy something? You do a cursory search online to do your research or track down the closest store. Google My Business is a free first step that everyone should take. Claiming your business online with Google lets you adjust how your business appears in search rankings and on maps, including your hours, location, photos, and customer reviews. 
2. Invest in content marketing.
   We’ve said it time and again, content marketing is an effective way to position yourself as an expert in your industry, and it allows people to organically find you through Google and other search engines. Content marketing involves creating and distributing helpful material that’s audience-focused and serves the purpose of boosting customer acquisition. Publishing content consistently on a set schedule to boost search rankings and, more importantly, to build and retain a loyal readership and establish your business as a useful resource. 
3. Replicate what’s working.
   Chances are you know of at least one competitor that’s killing it with their marketing. Keep an eye on your competitors’ marketing efforts using tools like Brand24 (premium) or Google Alerts (free). Google Alerts, in particular, is a service that everyone should be using because it seamlessly tracks online mentions of your company name, product name, competitors, industry keywords, and more—all on autopilot. For example, if your competition is outranking you on search engines, take a look at their blog posts and website content. How can you replicate that success, or, ideally, do it even better? 
4. Leverage email marketing.
   Email marketing still reigns supreme because of its massive return on investment. For every dollar you spend on email marketing, you can expect <a return of $38, on average. Email marketing can be used to strengthen your relationship with customers, help bring in new ones, spread brand awareness, and much more. Ensure you regularly keep your email list clean by using an email verifying tool. This will keep your sender score high and ensure better deliverability so you stay out of the spam folder.
5. Post on question & answer sites.
   Sites such as Quora, Yahoo Answers, and Reddit are indexed by search engines, and if you post correctly and tactfully they can provide a steady boost to your site traffic. Quora, in particular, has become a go-to source for marketers to drum up content ideas, establish authority, and drive traffic.
6. Display social proof.
   People love reviews and testimonials. They eliminate analysis paralysis, enhance credibility, and prevent buyer’s remorse. And best of all, they’re free. Ask your happy customers for feedback, reviews, and testimonials via email, surveys, or even in-person. Then take that feedback and share it for all to see. Consider using a site like Canva to make quotes into images that are shareable and eye-catching.
7. Engage with your audience on social media
   Social media marketing is a no-brainer for businesses looking to get their message out on a budget. Whether you’re B2C, B2B, or something in between, remember that you aren’t selling to companies, but to people at companies. When it comes to social media marketing, it’s best to keep things relaxed and relevant. Make a habit of responding to all comments on your page to encourage and facilitate more engagement. Also, make time to engage with other pages in your niche to maximize your exposure beyond just your audience. 

With a little creativity, stretching your marketing dollars is easier than you think! If you would like to schedule a consultation or want more marketing tips from us, please contact us today, and we’d be happy to help!

Kindly,

why should you invest in content marketing?

Content marketing is all of the content that a small business produces and includes blog posts, whitepapers, and e-books. In a 2018 report by Clutch, findings showed that most small businesses (80%) do not invest in content marketing, and less than 25% of those businesses planned to invest in the future. Is that a mistake, though?

We may be a little biased, but we believe that it is! Content marketing is a fantastic way to establish and build your brand and boost SEO – all while being highly cost-effective. According to Demand Metric, content marketing is 62% less expensive than traditional marketing and advertising but generates three times more leads. 

However, we know that creating and publishing content requires resources such as writing talent and marketing knowledge, which small businesses don’t always have access to. Not to mention, a sheer lack of time. We get it! If you’re a small business, your employees are already wearing multiple hats, and there may not be any bandwidth to add content marketing to the list of duties that they perform.

Nonetheless, consistent content marketing brings measurable returns, which is why companies should consider developing a content marketing strategy or bringing in an agency to help them do so. With content marketing, small businesses can achieve higher brand recognition, improve trust among their customer base, and keep their website and social channels updated and fresh. 

If you’re ready to begin exploring the world of content marketing, contact us today for a FREE 15-minute consultation to learn how Adelante Creative can help move your business forward!

We’re here to help!

Kindly,