Ask any business owner what they would like to see more of in 2014 and most likely their answer will have something to do with growth. All businesses, big and small, want to see more growth and success from their company. Growth creates more jobs, more opportunities and most importantly, more revenue. With businesses being forced to delve into the world of social media and navigate their way through new territory, they’re realizing the power the internet has over the success of their business.
Social media
One major way to develop an online presence is via social media. Social media pages such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and Twitter all connect you with your clients or potential clients. Through social media, your business has the opportunity to reach millions of potential clients on a daily basis.
Link building
Another way businesses can grow and gain popularity is through link building. Link building is the process of using websites to create links back to your website in order to gain traffic and business. Your website will rank higher on search engines, such as Google, which will also help you gain more traffic. The more people that come in contact with your website, the more chances you have at selling your product or gaining new business (nowadays, close to 85% of web users shop online).
When using link building as one of your marketing strategies, it’s important to note that not all link building is created equal. There are dozens of companies out there that can negatively impact your online reputation by means of link building.
Ways in which your business can be hurt is if your link building methods include spam or the use of websites that are created solely for the purpose of link building. Both of these practices are dishonest, unethical and will hurt your company over time.
How to have a successful marketing strategy
Developing a successful marketing strategy takes into account the importance of having an online presence via social media, gaining traffic through link building, and having an offline marketing strategy in place. Even though having an online presence is crucial, it’s not the only thing you need to focus on to be successful. By creating both, you’re separating yourself from your competition.
An offline marketing strategy helps build a loyal customer base, grows your brand, is involved with the local community and increases your overall revenue. Though most of your advertising may be done online, having a budget for offline strategies is important, too.
Ways to market your business offline include sending flyers or coupons to homes in your area, getting involved in the community and meeting different people, posting ads about your business in coffee shops or grocery stores, and placing an ad on your vehicle.
Consistency counts
In order to be effective with link building and online marketing strategies along with developing an offline marketing plan, your brand needs to be consistent.
Consistency is key in standing out amongst competitors and growing your brand. Use the same logo, the same mission statement, the same colors, the same images and the same tone when advertising, whether online or offline.
Dabble in a variety of marketing techniques until you find what works best for you and your business.
By marketing both online and offline, your options are endless and the sky’s the limit when it comes to the success of your business.
About the Author: Sarah Brooks is a freelance writer living in Glendale, AZ with her husband and daughters. She writes on personal finance, small businesses, SEO strategies, travel and health for MediaShower.com.
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