Tag: digital marketing

How Digital Marketing is Changing Business

Post author By Kim Mays
Post date July 28, 2023

Although you may not realize it, you are experiencing how digital marketing can change your business everyday. Just look around. How many marketing emails arrive in your inbox, social media ads are seen on your profiles daily, digital billboard displays, blogs and other online content are all examples of digital marketing.

What is Digital Marketing and How Can My Business Leverage it?

To over simplify it, digital marketing is an ever evolving online presence that involves providing quality, useful information to consumers or B2B.

Take this blog for instance. We are writing it to provide our readers with information about what digital marketing is and how it can be used to change business, increase sales and connect with customers.

What’s in it for you as a business you ask? Well, think about it. You are searching online using google search or one of the other search engines and type in “how can digital marketing help my business?”. The search engine then searches for any content that matches your criteria, and ranks them according to relevance to your search. And, BOOM! There we are, looking like the experts that we are, all because we wrote a blog about how digital marketing is changing business!

Is It Really That Easy?

Unfortunately, no it isn’t. There is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into ranking for search engines, but the benefits of digital marketing and how it can change your business is worth the effort.

Can Digital Marketing Really Impact My Business that Much?

Digital marketing has revolutionized the way businesses connect with their perfect target audience, promote their products or services, and drive growth. By leveraging the power of digital channels, businesses can adapt to evolving consumer behavior, stay relevant in the digital age, and unlock new opportunities for success.

Here are some key ways that digital marketing is changing business:

Increased Reach: Digital marketing helps businesses to reach a global audience easily, which can mean increased visibility and sales. With the internet and various online platforms, businesses can connect with potential customers from different geographic locations, expanding their reach beyond physical boundaries.
Targeted Advertising: Unlike traditional marketing methods, digital marketing enables businesses to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors of

their target audience. This targeted approach helps in delivering personalized and relevant messages to potential customers, increasing the chances of conversion. It can also save you significant advertising costs because it is directed to the right audience at the right time.

3. Cost-Effective: Digital marketing is often a more cost-effective solution compared to traditional marketing methods. Online advertising channels, such as social media, search engine marketing, and email marketing, typically have lower costs and can be optimized for maximum return on investment (ROI). Additionally, some of these channels offer free options, making them perfect for start ups or those on a tight budget.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making: Digital marketing provides businesses with valuable data and insights about customer behavior, preferences, and engagement. Through analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, businesses can gather information about website traffic, conversion rates, customer demographics, and more. This data can be used to make informed decisions, optimize marketing campaigns, and improve overall business strategies. You can’t get this with traditional marketing because it is “blanket advertising” solution designed to reach the masses. It isn’t designed to track conversion, or determine what was effective and what wasn’t.

5. Improved Customer Engagement: Digital marketing provides multiple channels for businesses to engage and interact with their customers. Social media platforms, email marketing, live chats, and online communities allow businesses to have real-time conversations with their target audience. This helps in building relationships, addressing customer concerns, and fostering customer loyalty. Today’s consumers aren’t interested in a sales pitch. They are all about building relationships with real and authentic businesses. Customer interaction is one way digital marketing is changing business.

6. Enhanced Brand Awareness: With the sheer magnitude of digital channels, businesses can significantly increase their brand visibility just by building an online presence. By creating compelling content, utilizing search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, and leveraging social media platforms, businesses can improve and increase brand awareness.

7. Flexible Marketing Strategies: Digital marketing offers flexibility in implementing marketing strategies. Unlike traditional marketing methods, digital marketing allows businesses to quickly adapt and modify campaigns based on real-time feedback and data. This enables businesses to respond quickly to competitor activity, changes in the marketplace and consumer preferences..

8. Integration with Offline Channels: Just because digital marketing can change your business, doesn’t mean you should abandon traditional marketing completely. Using Digital and Traditional marketing together can provide your business with seamless integration to create a cohesive customer experience. For example, businesses can drive customers from online platforms to physical stores using location-based targeting or utilize QR codes in their traditional marketing to bridge the gap between digital and physical marketing efforts.

Looking for more tips to help grow your business in this digital age? Read our blog, Know Your Business, Know Your Value.

Tags content marketing, digital marketing, marketing strategy, SEO

Content Marketing Digital Marketing Lead Generation Marketing Strategy SEO

How To Plan Your Marketing For 2023 Now!

Post author By Christy Falkenberg
Post date January 13, 2023

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If you’ve been avoiding taking the time to plan your marketing for 2023, then this is your sign. It’s time to take the plunge.

Studies have shown that businesses that plan their marketing strategies in advance are more likely to achieve greater success than those that do not. By taking the time to plan your marketing strategy for 2023 now, you can set yourself up for success in the coming years.

1: Identify Your Goals

As you begin planning your business’s marketing strategy for 2023, it is important to first identify your organization’s goals. Think about what you want to achieve in the upcoming year and how successful marketing can help you get there. Consider both long-term and short-term goals, and make sure they are realistic yet inspiring. Knowing the direction you want to take your business in will help you create an effective marketing plan that sets you up for success in 2023.

Don't Forget to Identify Your Target Market

Once you have identified your business’s goals, the next step is to figure out who you are targeting. This involves understanding your customer base and understanding their needs. Most small business owners feel like they don’t know how to do this, but it’s easy.

Write a list of your top 10 favourite AND most profitable existing clients. Then list what makes each one the most profitable… (their buying patterns) and what makes them your favourite. When you’re done, compile all of the traits, characteristics, and behaviours into one list and there you have it… Your “perfect client” profile and your target market!

Once you have this information, it is easier to create a marketing strategy that speaks directly to them.

2: Create a marketing strategy

Creating an effective marketing strategy for the year 2023 is essential for any business. A successful plan will involve a thorough understanding of your target audience, the market landscape, and the most effective methods of reaching your customers. It’s important to research relevant trends and technologies to ensure your strategy remains up-to-date with the times. Additionally, setting SMART goals (goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) will help you measure progress and stay organized. Finally, regularly evaluating and adjusting your plan as needed is key for achieving desired results. With a well-thought-out marketing strategy in place, businesses can set themselves up for success in 2023.

Not Sure Where to Start Planning Your Marketing for 2023?

Building the strategy is easier than you think, but it can often feel a little overwhelming. To help you get started, we’ve included an outline and included short descriptions of what should be included in each section of your strategy.

Remember, keep it simple. All you have to do is pull what you know, out of your head and into the strategy. What’s more, what you don’t know, you can Google… you’ll find another great blog like this one to help you along the way!

By taking the time to plan out these critical elements, you can ensure that you can communicate your marketing strategy and share the work with your team to make 2023 your most successful year yet.

Marketing Strategy Outline

I. Executive Summary: A brief overview of the purpose of the strategy, target audience, and expected goals.
II. Market Analysis: A comprehensive analysis of the target market and competitors, including demographics, needs and wants, and purchasing behavior.
III. Target Audience: A detailed description of the target audience, including age, gender, income, interests, and buying habits.
IV. Objectives: Clear and measurable goals of the strategy, such as increased sales or brand awareness.
V. Strategies and Tactics: A list of strategies and tactics to be used to reach the desired objectives.
VI. Budget and Timeline: A detailed budget and timeline for implementation of the strategy.
VII. Evaluation and Adjustment: A plan for monitoring and evaluating the strategy, and adjusting tactics as needed.

3: Choose the Right Business and Marketing Tools when Planning Your Marketing for 2023

When planning your marketing for 2023, it is important to choose the right business and marketing tools that will help you reach your goals. To do this, you should research and understand the various types of tools available, such as social media platforms, email marketing, SEO optimization and more. You should also consider the budget you have for these tools and what type of return on investment you expect. Taking the time to select the right tools for your business can make a big difference in your results.

4: Plan Your Marketing Activities

To ensure your marketing plan for 2023 is successful, it is important to assign tasks to yourself and your team with specific deadlines. By doing this, it will help keep you, and your team on track and motivated to reach the goals outlined in the plan.

Additionally, assigning tasks with deadlines will help hold yourself and your team accountable, as each task can be measured and tracked to determine progress. It’s essential that you set realistic timelines for each task so that you and your team can work within those parameters to reach your goals.

5: Analyze Results

Analyzing your current marketing results is an important step when planning for the future. It’s essential to review your successes, failures, and opportunities for improvement if you want to create a better plan for 2023. Examining your data from previous years can help you identify trends in customer behavior and preferences, which can inform your decisions as you move forward. Additionally, reviewing the effectiveness of different strategies, platforms, and campaigns can provide valuable insights into what works best for your organization. Don’t forget to Google it!

Ultimately, taking the time to analyze your current results can help you create a successful marketing plan for the upcoming year.

6: Adjust Strategies as Needed

Be flexible and adjust your approach as needed. Be sure to assess your goals regularly, and make adjustments if they are not being met. Additionally, you should consider any external factors that could influence your strategies, such as changes in the economy or the emergence of new technologies. By regularly assessing and adjusting your strategies, you can ensure that your 2023 marketing efforts are maximized for success.

7: Track Progress and Evaluate Results

Tracking progress and evaluating results is an important part of any successful marketing plan. Keeping track of the results of your marketing initiatives can help you to identify areas for improvement and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you are achieving the desired outcomes. Evaluating the success of your marketing campaigns can also provide valuable insights into what is working and what isn’t, allowing you to make more informed decisions as you plan your marketing for 2023. By tracking progress and evaluating results, you can ensure that your marketing strategy is on track for success.

8: Stay Focused on Long-Term Goals while Planning Your Marketing for 2023

When planning your marketing strategy for 2023, it is important to focus on the long-term goals that you have set out for your business. Long-term goals give you an idea of where you want to be in the future and allow you to plan for the necessary steps to get there. This can help you create a comprehensive marketing plan that will help your business grow and succeed in the future. By taking a long-term approach to marketing, you will be able to stay focused on achieving your goals and ensure that your business remains successful in the years to come.

Conclusion

Planning your marketing for 2023 will help you reach your goals and grow your business. By following these steps, you can ensure that you are making the most of your time and resources.

Signup and we'll email our handy infograph that breaks down each of these steps for you!

Tags content marketing, digital marketing, marketing, marketing strategy, SEO

Digital Marketing Marketing Strategy

Marketing Your Business in the Days of Remote Work

Post author By Christy Falkenberg
Post date February 11, 2021

It’s been a wild ride for the entire world these days. While it remains to be proven, I believe that humanity has never before experienced such major global shifts so quickly. It’s 2021 and it seems like EVERYTHING has changed. The way our economy works, the way we do business, the way we work, the way we see our families, the way we entertain ourselves, and the way we live our lives day to day. That means the way we do marketing in these days of remote work has shifted too.

If you’re like most business owners, you’ve been doing your best to pivot your business as gracefully as possible while juggling your usual priorities like maintaining a high level of customer service, keeping and acquiring new clients, and delivering what your business promises every day. And I’m certain that it hasn’t all been pretty or perfect for you. We know because we’re living it too.

That’s why the best gift we have to offer you is a little advice on small changes you can make to your marketing for 2021 without adding too many extra tasks to your plate.

1. Make your presence known on the internet with regular blogging.

If you haven’t started blogging, either for yourself or your business, now is the time! Your customers and potential customers are spending a lot of their time online. Your virtual presence and activity have never mattered, and probably never will matter, as much as they do now.

Overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be. Simply start by answering the most common questions you and your team encounter from your customers every day. Then get it out there using your website, social media, and emails. This will give you the opportunity to put your business, services, and products in front of people in new ways.

2. Ensure that your brand’s messaging is accessible, clear, and positive.

Brand image, reputation, and perception are extremely important to any business. That’s why you must clearly communicate what you do, what problems you solve, how you do it, and why you do it to your customers online. You should be sincere and positive. Nothing will turn away customers faster than an obvious attempt to take advantage of their negative circumstances. They’ve got problems and you have solutions; it’s a win-win for everyone!

3. Your everyday content doesn’t have to ask for the sale.

No one likes to be “sold” something, but we all need to buy products and services every day. So, how do we balance that? Your social media platforms and blogs can communicate a whole lot about you and your product or service. Your content can demonstrate to customers how they can use your products or services to solve a problem they might be encountering or to address a need they might have. Get creative. Your prospective clients will connect with your personality and attitude just as much as with the solutions you offer.

4. Invest in the best digital tools.

Part of marketing your business effectively is making sure your team has exactly what they need to do their jobs well. Online collaboration and workflows can become overwhelming without the proper planning and resources in place. Make sure you have the right project management and communication tools to manage your remote work. This way, everyone on your team will have access to the data and resources they need to market your business online.

Part of equipping your team is also ensuring they have the proper tools for communication. Good communication with your customers is key to your marketing efforts. It’s best to invest in online communication tools that make your marketing clear and your customer service easier to manage. Clients expect fast responses even when you’re remote, so this is certainly something you need to take seriously.

5. Consider working with a professional marketing team to pull your brand and your marketing together.

Of course, there is no need to struggle with your marketing on your own.

Stone City Digital works with businesses to help them make the best use of digital media. We can help you market your business online and increase your digital visibility using the latest tools and strategies.

Get in touch with us today to get started!

Tags blogging, digital marketing, marketing strategy

Digital Marketing Marketing Strategy

Know Your Business, Know Your Value

Post author By Christy Falkenberg
Post date August 21, 2020

team meeting with computers and notebooks

Your Business, Your Value

You’re an expert in your business.

You know your business or product better than anyone and you know the value you bring to your clients.

But have you written that information down and used it consistently? Have you clearly stated your value proposition in digital spaces such as your website and your Facebook page?

Why Should They Choose You?

Your value proposition is ultimately a brief explanation to clients and customers as to why they should purchase from you or hire you instead of someone else. Essentially, your value proposition is an outline of what makes you unique.

For example, our unique value proposition at Stone City Digital Inc. is that, “We build and implement digital marketing strategies while educating, engaging and empowering our clients to participate fully in their digital marketing strategy through their entire business lifecycle.” Our purpose at Stone City Digital Inc. is to teach businesses to fish rather than to sell them fish.

Analyze Yourself

Now, consider your own business and ask yourself these questions:

What is it that your business does?
How does it make your clients’ lives better?
How do you do it?
How does your competition do it?
Why are you the best choice above all other competitors?

Spend a little time with these questions if you haven’t already, and write down your answers. Writing this information down is key to focusing your business’ purpose and offerings. Attempt to combine your answers into a nice and tidy little statement in one or two sentences (or even less).

Need help?

If you’re finding that you are having a little trouble composing your unique value proposition, check out Strategyzer’s explanation here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=D254suPMpwY&feature=emb_logo

Tags Communication, digital marketing, Unique Value Proposition

Digital Marketing

Is Going Digital Driving You Crazy?

Post author By Christy Falkenberg
Post date August 21, 2020
1 Comment on Is Going Digital Driving You Crazy?

frustrated woman sitting at desk with computer

Are you struggling to get your business online?

You know you need to be online because all the experts say so!

Figuring out which digital route to go with your business can be overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.

Stay tuned as we outline various marketing strategies to get your business online and reach your ideal customers and clients.

Tags Digital Business, digital marketing, marketing strategy