Internet is such a wide place where you have the freedom to do anything you want.. In just a few minutes you can start a blog and express yourself, or you can start a website and sell a product! The Digital World's opportunities are MIND BLOWING.. & unlimited..
But Still in order to be a successful digital and online user and not JUST a number within the billions, You have got to be 'Strategic'.Internet Marketing is such an easy thing to do as its accessible to everyone, you can work on it anywhere & anytime. Well also its the technological era TREND! & who doesn't want to be a part of it!! Yet, Its vital to remember being smart about it…
If you are new to the digital world or want to improve your Internet Marketing Strategy, Don't you worry I researched all about it and came up with '10 considerations to obtain a successful and effective Online/Internet Marketing Strategy', which are the following:
1. Know where you stand.
Before creating a strategy and implementing it a Business should know where it is exactly on the business scale. Analyze your situation and from there you will be able to detect your next step… How to analyze your situation? There are many ways to do that, and here are the best:
2. Know Your Audience & Target Market.
Research about current and potential customers is crucial as it provides insights that can be used to enhance the Internet Marketing Strategy. Also, knowing your target market is a key strategic consideration as it helps on creating a more focused strategy using specific online and digital channels that are accessible for certain audiences.
3. Develop a Clear Vision.
Be team worker! Consult people and different departments of the business to generate more ideas, and to have everyone heading in the same direction.
Its a way of keeping the team together for better outcomes! Develop SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time).
4. Know Your Competitors.
Detect your competitors, know their Internet Marketing Strategies. Keep in mind that you don't want to copy them you just want to know what level of Online Marketing maturity they've reached with their strategies. You want to outdo them and be more successful.
5. Make a Plan.
Now, that you know where you are, who are your audience and you have a clear vision of where you want to be heading and know your competitors, Great!!! Now it's time to unleash your creativity! Brainstorm, Research, Make surveys, read about other companies previous experiences. Spend the most time on Making Your Plan and make sure it is 'One of A Kind'.. Again you don't want your plan and business to be just a number within the billions existing in the online world. STANDOUT !
6. Create an online Brand.
Provide your customer's with value that matches your name, aims and objectives. install a Brand in the customer's minds, position yourself where you want to be and how customers feel about you. Make your brand recognizable so you gain customers' loyalty and secure continues income. Also, update your website/blog regularly, Keep it live and give it a "Brand identity"… SPARKLE IT.
7. Create a Social Media Strategy, Not Just a Presence.
Many businesses, brands and organizations have a presence on social networks like: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Blogs. But most of them don't really have a strategic planning for their presence, they just create the social network pages to be a part of this "trend". In order to make use of the social networks and really benefit from them you have got to think carefully and strategically about it.
I found a really good article on TopRankBlog it has a Social Media Marketing 'Checklist', its really good and useful gives you tips and guidelines to follow to obtain a successful use of Social Network. Also, the following website has good tips and ideas: FridayTrafficReport
8. E-mail marketing.
E-mail marketing can play a huge role in the growth of the business in the digital world, it allows you to keep your previous and new clients connected to you by allowing them to be able to contact you directly through E-mail, You have to be RESPONSIVE. Also, you keep the name of your brand of top their minds by sending Newsletter E-mails to keep them updated on the changes and offerings.
9. Search engine optimization.
Being high ranked on the search engines is something very important and companies should pay a lot of consideration into it as it increases the website traffic and generates more customers and website visitors. Remember, to focus your website's content on keywords you provide and are related to your brand.
10. Web data analysis.
Keep on track with feedback and results of your website. Enable statistics for tracking like Google Analytics, ClickTracks. It gives you an idea of your trafficking and Online marketing strategy effectiveness. Plan your changes and improvements correspondingly.
Be Proactive. Be in Control. Be Responsive. Be Creative.
A few more tips:
5 s's - is an Internet Marketing philosophy, which is about different kinds of optimization.. Watch the following video to get a better explanation: THE 5 S'S: HOW PORTENT WORKS
Moreover, Here are General tips for digital marketing. Check out this websites ConversationMarketing shows you other companies' mistakes, tips, lessons, rules and others. It's really useful.
Last but not least, i found this article which I really liked by Danny Flamberg who is a Digital Marketing Strategy consultant. His article is about ensuring success in Digital Marketing in the New Year! Its really interesting and I think you should have a look at it for a new and modern Digital ideas: Ten Ways to Optimize Your Digital Marketing in 2011
Online marketing is a huge investment and a source of great value for your company… That's why you have to be smart and strategic about it, because the moment you get it right.. Well, consider yourself successful and on the right track! GOOD LUCK!
Hi Innas,
ReplyDeleteIt's good how you came up with the idea of analyzing your online marketing strategy with SWOT and PESTLE analysis. Although I personally think the results of using those types of analysis won't deliver a full situation status of the strategy you will implement... I would like to discuss that more deeply or maybe you can explain it more in your blog ;)
Good luck
Hi Sebastien,
ReplyDeletewell SWOT and PESTLE might not "fully deliver" the status of a business or a company but it gives an idea of where the company stands, and this is only the start point so then the company knows where they're heading/ what they can do in their marketing strategies to strengthen their status/position. After all its all about strategic planning and in order to achieve that you must undergo lots of analysis and planning to be successful.
Thanks!