by Natalie Ryder WHETHER you’ve been running your business for a while, or are just starting out, you undoubtedly know the importanc...
by Natalie Ryder
WHETHER you’ve been running your business for a while, or are just starting out, you undoubtedly know the importance of promoting your business online.
There are the typical ways of social media promotion, commenting on the blogs and websites of others, and sharing valuable content.
But, it’s the more creative digital marketing methods that will really drive traffic to your website. With enough time and effort, you can find yourself gaining a whole new client base and website readership.
Here are 10 surprising ways to promote your business and give your website traffic a boost.
1. Compile your best content for easy access
One of the most effective traditional methods of marketing involves printing out copies of your best blog posts or articles, and then compiling them into a booklet or small magazine that could then be handed out at locations frequented by your targeted audience.
Similar tactics can be employed when it comes to digital marketing. Use ClickPerfect, or the built in metrics of your website platform, and find your most popular blog post or online article. Break the post up into sections, add new images, and turn the post into a Slideshare presentation or a PowerPoint.
Alternatively, you could put together a file of your top posts in a related category (such as marketing), and compile them into a PDF or eBook with an awesome eCover. This could be offered as a giveaway, for free on your website, or for sale through sites like Amazon.
Promote this compilation on social media by sharing a small teaser snippet, and providing a link back to the landing page. Use relevant hashtags, and you’ll be able to attract and engage both your current readership and a new audience. Not only are you offering valuable information for those within your niche, but you are also positioning yourself and your brand as an industry authority.
2. Create a podcast
Valuable content isn’t always just blog posts or clever social media updates. In fact, some of the most valuable, actionable content comes from podcasts. Even if you’re just starting out, and haven’t done a podcast before, this type of content is popular and can significantly boost your website traffic.
Not only do podcasts make it easier for your audience to enjoy your content without having to sit and read large chunks of text, or take the time to focus on a video, but they also foster a sense of intimacy. Podcasts give the sense of someone speaking directly to you, even though it’s potentially being shared with millions of other people. This sense of intimacy facilitates consumer-brand trust, which helps them see your brand as a trusted industry authority. When your customer has a problem or question, they’re going to come to your business for an effective solution.
3. Predict the future
Okay, so maybe you can’t predict the future. But, you are still an expert within your industry.
As such, you are highly familiar with the trends within your field, so you know what your target audience should be expecting long before they do. Take time each month, middle of the year, or even the end of the year to summarize the industry trends for that time period.
At the beginning of the year, for example, Sendlane shared a post on the top three email marketing trends of 2016, and demonstrated how and why business owners should implement these trends into their day-to-day email marketing practices.
4. Share a recap of a recent event
One of the best methods of traditional marketing involves attending workshops, seminars, conferences, and other such industry events. Ideally, you would make connections and pass out your business card or a brochure about your business.
In the age of online marketing, it’s time to take this one step further. When you or your staff members attend training events, conferences, classes, seminars, or other such events, take notes on what is going on. Jot down the important things to remember, any mention of industry trends, actionable advice, niche marketing tips, and so on.
Take these notes and combine them in a post-event write-up and summary blog post or article. Add some commentary, and share your thoughts and feelings of the event. This will help your readership experience the event through your eyes, which helps your customers and other industry connections see your brand as being more than just a faceless organization.
Share a link to this write-up on your social media pages, complete with a little teaser or strong call-to-action.
5. Live Tweet events
This is one of the most effective means of increasing website traffic, as well as social media followers, and takes the last marketing idea one step further.
Industry events and conferences are great places for networking with old connections, creating new ones, and expanding your industry network. Tweeting during events has been around for quite some time, but many business owners forget just how powerful of a traffic generation tool it can be.
Not only does Tweeting boost your chances of making new industry connections, but it also positions your brand as an industry authority and lets prospective customers know you are up-to-date and active within your industry. This gives the impression your products and services are the effective solutions for their problems, and are not outdated.
Tips:
- Find out the hashtag of the event ahead of time. This is important to add to the end of each of your Tweets, so interested audience members and leads can follow along as you go through the event. If there isn’t an official hashtag in place, it’s time to start one.
- Find out the Twitter handles of your connections and of the major speakers during the event. This way, you can credit quotes accordingly, or just make mention of them on social media. This will further build your network, and show your prospective customers you are active within your industry.
- Rather than trying to give a play-by-play, or quote someone word for word (this is easy to make a mistake on), paraphrase what is being said. Focus on capturing the essence of the event, rather than share everything verbatim.
6. Feature guest bloggers
Connect with other experts and business owners within your industry, and invite them to write posts to publish on your website’s blog. Not only will this bring them some new exposure, but they will be able to promote their post to their own audience. In addition to creating an industry connection, this also puts your website in front of a whole new audience of prospective customers and leads.
Once word gets out that you accept guest bloggers, you are likely to start receiving requests from other business professionals who wish to have a spot on your blog. This increases your industry authority, facilitates brand-customer trust, and boosts website traffic and engagement.
We here at Snaptactix love connecting with other professionals. Each month, our team chooses a guest author to be featured on our blog.
7. Show them how you do it
Does your business create products? Does it offer specialized services, such as landscaping or pet grooming? Take the time to provide some “how it’s done” content to your audience and customers. People are often interested in how the products they purchased are made, or in how the service they are paying for is carried out. This helps them learn more about your business, and see that you are an expert in your field.
This content could be conveyed with a simple video and should show the process from start to finish. Promote this content on your social media platforms, and feature it on your sales pages. This will bring in customers looking for that product or service, as well as those who want to know how certain things are done or made.
8. Write a product review
Do you own a marketing company? Review different marketing software.
Are you a beauty supplier? You can review makeup and skincare products. A pet store? Pet food and toys. An accountant? Banking and expense tracker apps for smartphones.
There are numerous possibilities, and all of them help drive traffic to your site and position your business as an industry go-to. Plus, manufacturers and other businesses are likely to contact you with you affiliate marketing opportunities. This is a great way to generate website traffic and monetize your site.
9. Offer case studies
If you already have a steady client base, it’s time to get in contact with some of your regular customers. Hire a professional freelance writer to put together a case study focused on your customers’ experiences with one of your products or services. Get them to share what it was like to use your business, how the product or service worked for them, and how it impacted their lives or business.
Case studies are highly effective for building up your credibility and positing your company as an expert. When these are shared on social media, your website, or other places, they will help your company see new customers and website traffic. It’s like having glowing testimonials, only better.
10. Entice others
There are tons of companies out there who will let you sign up with them for free, in exchange for you tweeting about their product. The more people do this, the more people visit their website and sign up. Once you’re in their system, they will try to get you to buy a paid plan, marketing tools, software, or other such products and services.
You can follow a similar process, though with far less of a sales-y attitude about it. Offer a free product (such as an eBook with a really great eCover) in exchange for them tweeting about your company, or giving you a shoutout on another social media platform. Their social media followers will see them tweeting about you and, since they have similar interests (this is why they follow them, after all!), they will be interested in checking out your website and seeing what you have to offer.
There are tons of really effective options out there, but what are your favorite online marketing tactics? Let us know in the comments below, and please share if you enjoyed our tips!
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