Real Time Event Marketing

With changing technology, people expect things to be instantly available, convenient and easily accessible. Businesses need to meet those needs by providing customers with the immediate information that they need and simple ways to take action. That’s why real time marketing is so crucial in today’s advertising world.

Real time marketing means advertising that takes place in the moment and connects to your audience at an important or ideal time. This is especially useful for social media posts because they tend to be more effective when they take place as an event occurs. Instead of posting an album of photos after an event has ended, with real time marketing you can share media as the event is happening and get more people involved.

When businesses use real time marketing it can still require a lot of special planning even though it appears to be spontaneous. The company will need to brainstorm the best strategies for letting people know about an event and responding to their feedback or questions as it is taking place. If you plan your real time marketing strategy well you can incentivize more customers to attend or participate in your event.

One useful tool for real time marketing is to share a live stream video of your event as it is happening. You can prepare by letting people know about the live stream ahead of time and planning out what aspects of the event you want to showcase in the video. You can also use other tools like pictures, links, promotional codes and other types of media to give people useful information they might need.

As you practice real time marketing, it is important to stay connected with your audience and respond to comments and questions in real time as well. Customers will enjoy being engaged with your event and will be more likely to attend in the future.

The post Real Time Event Marketing appeared first on SEM Blog & News - SEO, PPC, Social, Marketing & More.

source https://www.emarketed.com/blog/real-time-event-marketing/

What Are Your Digital Needs?

Understanding and assessing your company’s digital needs can be a difficult task as it can encompass so many different things. Your digital needs could include anything from website design, social media, digital marketing, SEO and much more. There are a number of unique factors that can come into play as well such as your marketing budget, your internal staff and your company’s goals.

A good way to start to determine your digital needs is to focus on what your specific goals are online and what your strengths and weaknesses are in relation to those goals. One of the biggest digital needs that most companies have to work on is their online marketing strategy. Are your current marketing plans increasing traffic and driving leads and sales?

You can assess which aspects of your digital marketing plan tend to work well and which ones need to be updated. These can include SEO, content creation, social media, web analytics and reporting as well as marketing automation. You may need to incorporate or improve some of these categories in order to meet your company’s digital needs.

Digital marketing is crucial but you will also need to be able to attract people to a well-designed and functional website. Any issues with your website could drive away customers so your digital needs could include updating and redesigning your site to the best possible version. It should be easy and straightforward to use, aesthetically appealing and have no technical problems that could deter visitors.

Your website and digital marketing plan should be a top priority as well as making sure your social media sites are posting effective content regularly. A successful business should periodically assess their digital needs and make the necessary changes to ensure that they are using available digital tools in a way that benefits them.

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source https://www.emarketed.com/blog/what-are-your-digital-needs/

Balance Between Creative and Analytical Marketing

With any marketing campaign you will need to have both a creative idea and an approach that will work based on data you’ve gathered. Businesses need to make sure that don’t rely too heavily on analytics in their marketing but also don’t avoid the necessity of analyzing data to focus solely on creativity. A balance of both strategies can make marketing more effective at reaching new customers.

For some companies, incorporating both a creative and analytical approach will require them to change their mindset and practical aspects of how they create marketing campaigns. At the outset of creating a marketing campaign they will need to encourage creative ideas and innovation for new marketing content. They will then need to learn how to refine and perfect those ideas through lots of testing and data-driven analysis.

A creative idea is only one part of producing a marketing campaign that will function the way that you want it to. When you put a creative idea into practice you need to get feedback on how it is performing and use to data to determine how it can be adjusted to work more effectively. Testing, analysis and revision are aspects of marketing that many businesses don’t focus on enough to get the results they want.

To create more balanced marketing, businesses will need to hire both creative minded people and those with a talent for analytics. Each team needs to have clear roles so that they can make decisions that incorporate both sides into the campaign. Creative and analytics staff members can create more balanced marketing by collaborating with each other on multiple projects.

Analytics can greatly improve marketing performance but it needs to be paired with unique and creative ideas that represent your brand. Balancing both creativity and analytics can be a rewarding challenge for any business.

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source https://www.emarketed.com/blog/creative-and-analytical-marketing-balance/

Giving Yourself an Email Marketing Audit

Many businesses will periodically perform an email marketing audit to make sure that their emails are working the best they can. You may not even be aware when technical problems occur or if a certain format is not performing as well as you expecting. An email marketing audit can help you identify specific issues so that you can make the necessary adjustments in order to perfect your emails.

There are certain areas of email marketing that may be useful to look at during an audit. You can consider whether or not you have effective subject lines for your emails based on how many of your emails remain unread. If you have a low open rate then that could be a an issue to address by making more enticing subject lines that appeal to readers.

Another thing to look at during an email audit is how your sender name appears to readers. Does it look trustworthy or does it seem like spam? You should look at how the sender name is displayed and how the name impacts whether the emails are opened or not.

Other important aspects of an email marketing audit include personalizing more emails based by including the recipient’s name or sending specific emails based on their purchase history. You also need to make sure that the body of the email has effective copy that is increasing click rates, leads and sales. Content should be concise and compelling, urging the reader to take action.

One of the key elements of email marketing is having an effective call to action somewhere within the email. Your call to actions need to be clear and unique so that customers will read them and potentially click through. The goal of an email audit is to find ways to make adjustments that will get more customers to open and read emails and hopefully click through to your website to make a purchase.

The post Giving Yourself an Email Marketing Audit appeared first on SEM Blog & News - SEO, PPC, Social, Marketing & More.

source https://www.emarketed.com/blog/giving-yourself-an-email-marketing-audit/

10 Reasons You Should Be Using Online Marketing To Grow Your Business

For entrepreneurs and business owners, the landscape is rapidly changing in exciting ways. Many traditional ways of advertising are quickly being supplanted by internet and social media based forms of marketing. Here are some of the ways creating a strong online presence can be some of the strongest ways to market your business in today’s world.

1. A Level Playing Field
Traditional marketing often related on mediums such as billboards and television ads, that were controlled by outside forces. They are very expensive, requiring a huge investment that smaller and starter companies often could rarely afford. By contrast, a website, that you can set up and control yourself, is much more inexpensive, and something you can do to spread the word about your business from the very beginning. This enables smaller and medium companies to be able to become just as recognizable among some people as huge corporations.

2. Cost-Effective
A report from HubSpot shows that online marketing can generate 3 times as many leads as traditional advertising, and yet cost 62 percent less. With a website, you can spend less money on content that will be seen by far more people. If you are a small business struggling to find the capital to do the necessary work of advertising, online tools are the most cost effective opportunities to let people know about the services you can provide for them.

3. Targeted Audiences
Traditional advertising is seen by everybody, with no way to control who gets the message or focus only on the people likely to be responsive. In contrast, paid online marketing allows you to choose the people who receive your marketing content, or tailor your message to a specific audience. Knowing and controlling the people with whom you communicate can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your message.

4. Building Credibility
Online communication is instantaneous and interactive. When you deliver on your promises, it can make a huge difference with your customers. The internet gives these satisfied customers a platform to share their positive experiences with others. In this way, your online presence can be significantly amplified as loyal customers become your brand ambassadors, tellings other about the services you provide.

5. Possibilities of Search Ratings
According to Internet Live States, 88.5 percent of people in the U.S. have access to the internet through a cell phone or computer. This means almost everyone has gotten used to using a search engine as one of their primary ways to find information. With the help of experts at Emarketed, we can show you how to increase your search ratings so they are likely to be found on the first page of someone’s search results. This will enable your company to come to the awareness of anyone who might be seeking your services.

6. Trackable Data
With traditional advertising, it is sometimes difficult to evaluate the difference your marketing was doing. It was often hard to tell how many people see a television or print advertisement, or how it affected their purchasing decisions. Online marketing comes equipped with different tracking and analytics tools, so you can see who visited your website or saw your content, in real time. These resources allow you to see just how effective a marketing campaign is, or whether you should make changes.

7. Give Convenient Ways To Respond
Marketing’s primary goal is to get potential customers to respond to a call to action, by buying the product or service being offered. Online marketing content can easily also be an online store, allowing someone to respond to your message instantaneously upon hearing it. This allows for a degree of impulsivity when your messsage is likely to reach maximum impact, and a convenience that creates few barriers to allow a customer to respond.

8. Test-Drive New Ideas
Whether it’s through a website, social media, or e-mails, there are a wide variety of options and different ways to create online content that communicates a desired message. There is room for creativity, trying out new things. Lower costs mean lower risks for experimenting, and seeing how effective a particular message can be. The possibilities are potentially limitless.

9. Generating Higher Revenues
For all these reasons, online marketing can greatly help your business’ revenues. According to Google, effectively used digital marketing strategies can make a business grow 2.8 times better than expected otherwise. This is especially true for smaller businesses, that can increase their revenues by as much as 3.3 times as much. Online marketing can be like rocket fuel that causes your business to take off, and find opportunities for customers that are otherwise not possible.

10. Go Where Customers Are
The internet is already being used by most people on earth, giving people access to receive information that before would not have been possible. In the future, even more people will come more and more to rely on the internet as one of their main sources of information. If your business doesn’t have an online presence, you are missing out on one of the biggest ways to attract attention to your business. Just a few simple steps can open your way to limitless possibilities for your business’ growth.

The post 10 Reasons You Should Be Using Online Marketing To Grow Your Business appeared first on SEM Blog & News - SEO, PPC, Social, Marketing & More.

source https://www.emarketed.com/blog/grow-business/

Should My Company Take a Political Stand?

We live in complex times politically and the country is strongly divided on more issues every day. Companies may feel inclined to weigh in on their beliefs about the current political situation but aren’t sure how it will affect their business. While expressing positive company values can be important, it is sometimes best to tread lightly when it comes to taking a political stance.

Consumers are more interested now than ever in hearing a company’s political views but in certain cases it could lead to alienating or angering some audiences. Customers may respond positively to a political stance in some instances but there are also dangers that businesses need to be aware of. People believe that businesses should take action so taking a political stance could generate a lot of interest in your company.

Bigger corporations tend stay on the fence politically but smaller businesses can actually generate more awareness of their brand by being political. One thing to consider however is that taking one side of a debate is likely to cut down your potential audience by a certain amount. Not everyone is going to agree with your political stance and they may avoid buying from you if they are offended by your beliefs or actions.

Remember that one in five consumers have boycotted a brand because of a scandal or negative press. You also need to think about what stakeholders or investors might think of your political stance and how they will react. If people are not already aware of your political beliefs it could have a huge impact on your business’s success.

Taking a political stand can be a risky move and may work for some businesses more than others. In the end you need to weigh the potential costs and benefits to see if it is the right decision.

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source https://www.emarketed.com/blog/should-my-company-take-a-political-stand/

Best Practices For Customer Retention

This is a guest post by Frank Vitetta who works as a freelance marketer for Metrilo.com.

Over the last few years, I have been increasingly involved in retention marketing and I have noticed how this new terminology is replacing the old “brand loyalty” term.

(source Google Trends)

Before we go into details for efficient customer retention, let’s ask a simple question. Imagine that you are a stamp collector, a dedicated gatherer of valuable assets. What is easier – to nurture your collection by buying protectable holders or simply search for a new set of stamps once you lose or destroy your existing ones?

Even a child would state that this is a silly question. If you cherish your collection, you will try to keep it intact. Customer retention works in a similar way. Your users are the valuable stamps. It is way cheaper to keep the ones you already acquired than to convert new ones. With the added bonus of adding revenue to your business. Because customers, unlike the stamps, generate profits for the whole lifetime of your relationship (Customer Lifetime Value).

 

• Even a 5% increase in retention rates may boost your profits by up to 95% (Harvard Business School)

• 4/5 of your future business comes from approximately 20% of your current, loyal customers (Gartner Group)

• The chances of selling to an existing customer are capped at 70%, while new prospective customers add up to only 20% (Marketing Metrics)

 

Customer retention as a top priority

A core of loyal customers is the backbone of your successful business. This is why customer retention is a must. It is essential to build a lasting relationship with your customers, and this comes easier than you would think. If you care about your customer base, they will notice it – amazing customer service, high level of engagement, and also education – these are key points for an efficient customer retention platform.

A noticeable percentage of business owners approach customer retention with minimal care. They assume that retention marketing works on its own. But an existing customer base is not enough to keep your business going. You will need to invest more in keeping those customers. And it will cost you a lot less than leaving the future of your store on just a good faith.

Here are some of the most promising customer retention strategies. Some may suit your business perfectly; others may not be your type of action. In any case, you can only benefit from them.

Customer retention strategies for optimal success

Put simply, it is close to impossible to retain a customer who doesn’t notice you. They have to pay attention to your idea, to your products and deals. Like every relationship, business-to-customer also requires decent communication and engagement. An engaged and satisfied customer is a loyal customer.

A rebel with a cause – Customer retention basics

All of us embrace the idea of standing for something. Even the most rebellious people stand for their values. And a mass percentage of consumers share this ideology when it comes to picking favorite brands. Research shows that over 60% of loyal customers express “shared values” as the main reason for choosing a particular brand (Corporate Executive Board).

Retention marketing relies heavily on the personal connection between you and your customers. Although you can’t meet each of them in person, you can make it seem this way. A real connection is generated through personalized experiences for them. If you can make any customer feel special, they will gain the sense of knowing you. Not only as a brand/store leader but as a virtual friend. And this should be a key component in your customer retention strategy.

Summon the inner catalyst

Every customer, in general, chooses their preferred brands by resemblance. If the product/s vision and purpose relates to customer values and beliefs, it is more likely to provoke interest. In order to accomplish strong customer interest, you need to study your customer base thoroughly. Identify the core of loyal customers, and develop a message for their needs and goals. Every promising customer retention strategy has to be equipped accordingly.

It is easier to satisfy an existing demand rather than create an entirely new one. You can’t be sure how many customers will relate to your innovative ideas. The safer and more profitable route is the first one. In times of such competitive marketing, it is essential to present your customers with the most accurate answer to their desires.

Take customer experience to another level

You will be surprised how low-cost customer retention initiatives work on your clients. The key factor here is uniqueness. Think of welcome surprises, milestones, and customized rewards for each customer. It may seem like a lot of work, but it will pay off greatly.

Add a bonus item with their second or third purchase. It doesn’t need to be something overwhelming. Even a handwritten Thank you-note will make them feel special. And always rely on the surprise. Don’t proclaim bonuses on your website. Keep it on the low side. This way, every surprise gift will summon a feeling of personal involvement. And this type of retention marketing creates the most loyal customers.

Passion, Engagement, and Responsive actions in Retention marketing

First and foremost – care for your customers. This includes friendly behavior, gifts, and bonuses, but also innovation. Make sure to be aware of new technologies and ways to benefit your customers. Every properly answered question adds up to the Customer Lifetime Value (CLV). Every piece of customer feedback enables you to react to their needs. Every proactive customer retention initiative expands your loyal customer base.

We know how tough it can be to satisfy every customer. This is why you need an efficient customer support system. Hire professionals, rather than temps to do the job. Optimize your automated customer support tools, and invest in real employees to cover every customer’s need. After all, your clients are the people who dictate the place and time of engagement with brands. Follow their leads and try to be everywhere. At any time given.

Don’t hesitate to implement customer retention platforms

In relation to the previous point, being “everywhere” is easiest when you engage in the digital world. Metrilo.com is SaaS platform, oriented towards e-commerce retention marketing. With their help, you can track purchase history, campaign success, and the most promising existing customers.

To identify the strengths and weaknesses of your customer retention actions is crucial. With enough data, you can greatly boost customer lifetime value, average order values, and even conversion rates.

If you want to check our more retention marketing platforms, my friend Tom has got a nice site here: http://retentionmarketing.co/ with the right platform you can expect a 67% rise in Customer Lifetime Value, along with 39% better conversion from emails, and 48% better retention rates.

Is brand loyalty dead? Let me know what you think.

The post Best Practices For Customer Retention appeared first on SEM Blog & News - SEO, PPC, Social, Marketing & More.

source https://www.emarketed.com/blog/best-practices-customer-retention/