The time is hard in Nigeria Business Circle. As business owners, we can see and feel it. The economy situation has been slow.
The dollar trading for N340 to $1 as of the time of writing this message. Things look hopeless and there are a lot of wailing and murmuring from business owners and the masses. In all this turbulence, can one be able to sustain their business? Can you be able to Grow your Business in this hard time?
The answer is YES. Some of the greatest companies in the USA were built during economic meltdown. It’s either you see opportunity during this hard time and seize it, or you keep complaining of the economic climate while others are growing their businesses despite the situation.
No matter how hard things seem to be, people are still buying products and making use of services. It’s your responsibility to ensure you can reach your target prospect at the exact time they need your products and services.
Here are the ways you can Grow your Business using Digital Marketing in this hard times.
1) Utilize Mobile SMS:
According to Nigeria Communication Commission, there are over 152 million active phone lines in Nigeria. Sending highly targeted SMS to your target audience is a great way of publicizing your business and getting more sales. Go through your invoices and customers database. Get their phone numbers and start sending SMS right away. Building a phone number database of your target prospect and consistently sending them SMS is a unique way to ensure they will continue to think about your business and also buy from you.
2) Utilize Email Marketing:
Making use of email marketing to promote your products and services is one of the best marketing decisions you will make this year. Email marketing has the highest return on investment compare to other digital marketing channels according to research. Start gathering your target prospect email addresses and send them your newsletter. Always send them informative content and occasional promotion of your products and services if you intend to get the best result.
3) Sell through your Website:
Having a website is no longer optional in this digital age; it’s a must if you have the intention to grow your business during hard times. With over 97 million Nigerians having access to the internet, what is your reason for not having a website to reach a wider audience? If you have an existing website, ensure it’s optimized to sell your services to increase your business revenue.
4) Connect with your Customers on Google My Business :
If you intend to grow your business this year, ensure your business is listed on the first page of Google when your target prospect search for products and services you offer. You can achieve this either through search engine optimization (SEO) or Google Search Advertising. Whatever way you chose, there are numerous benefit being in the front of your prospect at the exact time they are searching for products and services you offer.
5) Utilize Social Media:
There is a buzz about social media right now and most people are confused about how to effectively utilize social media channels to promote their services and personal brand. It all boils down to what you intend to achieve with social media and a strategic social media plan. You don’t expect to post about your services on facebook, twitter and Instagram and expect to start raking in sales :) It does not work that way. Social media is a communication tool and you must have a social media marketing strategy in order to communicate effectively with your target audience in the language they understand.
No matter the tough economic situation, there are organizations and individuals making lots of money. What you need most in this turbulence times is an innovative way to reach more people with your services and also ensure your solution is valuable because people pay for value and not just products and services. By implementing these results driven digital marketing ideas, you can be sure to receive an improvement in your business patronage.
6) Your Website Should Have A Lead Magnet:
Lead Magnet is simply a system where you ask a website visitor to submit their name, email address and phone number in exchange for information. The information could be free eBook, Report, Discount, Audio, Video, Consultation or whatever you believe your prospect will find Valuable.
According to research, email marketing is still the best way to convert prospect to customer. Your website should have a lead magnet either on the homepage or any other page within the website.
You must also ensure you send your email lists valuable content regarding their interest and you should also market to them occasionally. But be warned, don’t send them offer to buy on each of your email message, that’s the fastest way to destroy your brand and get people to unsubscribe from your newsletter. Always provide VALUE through your newsletter with high quality information’s and they will do business with you someday.
The Law of Reciprocity is still at play in this Age. People will feel indebted to you after getting a lot from you for free and they will find a way to reward you back. Depending on your business, when you provide a lot of value to your prospects; they can reward you either by buying your services or recommending someone to make use of your services. If you have no way of collecting your prospect contacts, you’re missing lot of business opportunities. Ask your website designer to integrate a Lead Magnet on your website as soon as possible.
7) Your Website Should Be Mobile Responsive:
The number of people accessing the internet through their mobile device has surpassed that of computers. If your website was designed for computer screen alone, you’re missing the opportunity with your mobile prospects. I don’t spend much time on a website that is not mobile responsive. If higher percentage of online users access the internet through their mobile device and your business website is not mobile responsive, don’t you think you will be missing lots of business opportunities? It’s time to ensure your website is mobile responsive in order to convert your audience using mobile devices into customers.
8) Your Website Should Offer Live Support:
Prospects want instant Answer to their questions regarding your products and services. Beyond phone calls and sending them emails, if you can address their inquiries live on your website, the probability of turning them to customers is high. I have personally had a chat with prospects on my website which resulted in either appointment or demand for proposal. They would have procrastinated the appointment or proposal if I had not hook up with them on my website and reassure them my company can solve their problem. 21st century Prospects need instant answer and that you must provide for them if you need their patronage. It reassures them that you’re a serious Brand. Your website should have a Life Chat application that will enable you chat with your prospects either from your computer or mobile device.
9) Your Website Should Contain Social Proof :
Most people coming to your website are strangers that do not know you or have not identify with your brand before now. How will they trust you with their money when you are still a complete stranger to them? Social proof such as Testimonials, Reviews and Endorsement from your existing customers play’s a special role in convincing new prospect to do business with you.
People still rely on others recommendation and endorsement to buy new products or services. Social proof is so powerful on the mind of people. If you don’t have a testimonial from your existing clients because you never consider it important, you should start it now. Type and print a one page document form that contains field like Name, Company Name, Business Type, Position and Review box. A happy client will provide you a review if they had good experience with your company.
If your clients are internet savvy, you can create a Review Survey using tools like Google Form, Wufoo, Survey Monkey. You then need to email your clients the form link for them to type their response. You can then utilize these reviews on your website and marketing materials.
It is very important to provide your customers an outstanding service because that is the only means to guarantee a positive review from them. Testimonials from your existing customers have the potential to increase your client’s base by 300% if well utilized. I have had customers who said to me they made up their mind to use my service based on the recommendation of others.
This is a very powerful marketing channel though neglected because its free and most people consider free things worthless, you need to change your mindset and start getting reviews from your customers now if you want to attract new clients and increase your business revenue.
These are the practical ways you can increase your customer base by 900% or more in the next 12 months or less. They’re tested and proven by various research and documentation. The only way these ideas can work for you is when you take action and start working on them.
If your business has an existing website that does not include these things, then you need to talk to your website designer in order to update your website with these features. I have had complains from business owners that their website is not bringing them customers. I can assure you that implementing these ideas will result to your business converting more prospects to paying customers. I have personally tested these ideas on my company website and for clients; the reality is that it works.
However, if you’re reading this article and you do not have a website, to get your firm high quality website that incorporates these ideas in order to start attracting your target audience and converting them to customers. If you also have an existing website that is not bringing you sales, redesign your website to be Search Engine Optimized, Social Media Integrated, Mobile Responsive, Lead Magnet integrated, Life Chat Integrated, Good User experience and with a Clear Value Proposition. Now and get a website that can increase your business revenue.
Every year, we set Resolutions, Goals and Strategic Plans either for personal or business development. You know the enormous powers the internet possesses but have not you been really making use of it to promote your personal and business brand? One of the best decisions you can make this year is to learn more how you can harness digital media technology to promote your products and services.
Below are other ways you can use to promote your business online and increase revenue:
1) Have a Website/Blog:
If you don't have an existing website for your brand and business, you're missing a whole lot of opportunities. The benefits of having a website are so enormous. Your website is the face of your business online and your potential prospect would always want to know more about your services through your website. Your site is your virtual online representative that markets your services why you sleep. It's also important to note that if your site is badly design and not mobile friendly, it will result in customers viewing your brand negatively because your online brand goes a long way in reflecting your business brand.
2) Leverage Social Media:
You know the power of social media and that your audience are using it daily but confuse on how to really leverage it to promote your brand. You're not alone. I have had that statement from countless people. What you need to do is setup a Facebook Fanpage, Twitter Page, Linkedin Page, Google+ Page, Instagram Page and Youtube Page. But take note that you don't need to be in all the social media platforms.
The social media channels you decide to make use of will be determined by your type of business and target audience. There is no point in joining loads of social media platforms without being active on them. You need to post useful content on your social media pages and also offer customer support through it. That way, you will leverage Social Media to grow your business.
3) Utilize Search Engine Optimization:
When internet users head over to Google to search for a product and service you offer, will your business be listed on the frontpage of Google? For example, when you search Multi-level marketing company, alliance in motion is listed on the front page and with that we're always receiving inquiries about our services weekly. That means Google is sending us free potential customers weekly.
If your business website is not listed on the major search engines when prospects search for a product and service you offer, then you must make it a priority to utilize Search Engine Optimization to receive loads of customers constantly through search engines like Google.
4) Utilize Email Marketing:
Email marketing is still one of the best digital marketing channels that produce fantastic result. Research have shown that email marketing have one of the highest return on investment and its quite cheap to utilize. You can send email newsletter to your existing customers and potential prospects. The result will blow your mind when handled very well.
5) Utilize Mobile Marketing:
Mobile marketing is promotional activity designed for delivery to cell phones, smart phones and other handheld devices, usually as a component of a multi-channel campaign. Some mobile marketing is similar to advertising delivered over other electronic channels such as text, graphic and voice messages.
Utilizing mobile marketing solution like bulk SMS campaign is an effective way to engage your audience and convert them to customers. When done right, it produces effective result especially when the right audience is targeted.
6) Leverage Content Marketing:
Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly-defined audience and ultimately, to drive profitable customer action.
Content Marketing is an effective way to encourage conversions and its main objective is to build a content strategy to meets the needs of your target audience. It helps you stand out from the competition, provides a great resource to your customers and is highly shareable.
Content Marketing is meant to improve your brand profile and online reputation. You can utilize content through Article/Blog post writing, case studies, press releases, whitepapers, videos, PowerPoint slides.
7) Advertise Online:
Research has shown that online advertisement produces better result than traditional ways of advertising like TV/Radio Ads, Newspapers and Billboards Ads. It's also cheaper. Advertise on social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram and Youtube. Advertise on Google search engine and also advertise on online news media, and other online websites through Google Partner Network which is more affordable. You need to consistently publicize your business in order to continually attract more customers.
Those are the ways I recommend you utilize to market your personal brand and business online this year. These are tested methods that have produced result consistently.
