Consumers now are widely using smartphones and portable devices to remain connected to the outside world. In doing so, they’re not only more informed, they’re also inundated with information, requests and content coming from all angles. With that said, marketers are having a harder time making a lasting impression on consumers once their message gets…
Details
The relationship between marketing and business success is nothing new, but recent data shows just how much a strong social media strategy can enhance a business’ bottom line.
Shopper social media company Collective Bias released research showing retail customers who are engaged on social media tend to spend more at businesses. In fact, Facebook fans of grocers who posted 10 or more times on the company’s Facebook page spent over $1,000 more each year compared to a typical customer.
Details
Search engine optimization has become such a buzzword in recent years that even businesses that don’t fully understand what it is or how it works are aware of its importance.
In short, SEO is all about making sure your website is at the top of the pile when a consumer searches for something online. Many businesses turn to paid searches to ensure their sites get premier billing, and while this can be beneficial in strategic doses, do you really want to keep paying for potential customers to see your website if you can do it for free?
DetailsEven if you’re a complete novice when it comes to marketing, one thing is clear: It’s big business.
In fact, Statista reports that as of 2012, advertising spending in the U.S. was expected to increase to nearly $166 billion.
While television was set to continue leading the pack for advertising budgets, the online market was making a big splash, projected to see the highest growth rate among all media.
(via Has Offers)
The fact that America is fond of its advertising is hardly surprising. After all, Don Draper and the rest of the gang on “Mad Men” have been a hit since the very beginning, and the U.S. is set to continue its dominance as the largest advertising market in the world during 2014.
The question is: What does this all mean for you and your business?
Lead generation was a cornerstone of business success long before the Internet changed the game, but in the ensuing years, it’s become ever more important for organizations both large and small to focus on bringing in new consumers.
(via Web SEO Analytics)
So whether it’s your online presence you’re worried about or more classic forms of lead generation, it pays to have best practices in place. The following are some cardinal rules you’ll want to keep in mind when creating a lead generation strategy:
Leave a number
Whether it’s a landing page on your website or an ad on the radio, providing consumers with a number to call is essential for lead generation.
Details“Local” has been a buzzword for a while now, and it shows no signs of falling by the wayside. Buying local produce, supporting local businesses–consumers are becoming more concerned with their surrounding communities every day. So doesn’t it make sense for businesses to focus on their local marketing efforts?
(via Eric Flexyourhead)
Unfortunately, data shows that some local businesses are falling behind when it comes to their marketing efforts, according to Brandmuscle’s “State of Local Marketing Report“.
Marketing has probably changed more in the past two years than the previous fifty,” Clarke Smith, chief strategy officer at the organization, said in a recent press release. “Insights from our study help corporate marketers and their local affiliates make sense of the growing complexity of communication channels so that the marketing programs they build can work across dozens, hundreds or thousands of regional markets.
Targeting local consumers
The increased focus on shopping locally for goods and services provides businesses of all sizes the chance to find their niche in a community and capitalize. However, with most consumers turning to the Internet these days, simply running ads on local radio stations and TV channels is not enough.
Geo-targeted marketing is all about setting up your website and business so search engines know you are a local option for consumers. Whether prospective customers are searching on Google maps or are turning to their smartphones to find a local business, you’ll want to make sure you are a part of the results.
Details