IT’S NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL–BUT IT’S STILL BUSINESS

BY BILL REGENHARDT, YUMA SUN DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

IWAS RECENTLY TAKING some photos with a 20 under 40 Rising Star award recipient and the photographer said, “Smeye! Smile with your eyes.” Everyone was masked, so there was really no way to tell if we were smiling or not. Such is the world we live in. Everyone has to communicate differently. We are adapting to our new facial expression handicap (like smiling with our eyes) and adding new ways to show emotions in face-to-face communication. Likewise, wise business owners are learning to adapt their communication styles with their customers. A strong digital presence is one way to accomplish that.

Every business needs marketing to reach their target market. Digital marketing has become more important now than ever before. Reaching people in their homes via computers, laptops and mobile devices has never been easier, and doing so using digital marketing tactics has never been more cost effective. This is why more and more businesses are utilizing digital marketing companies like Sun Media Digital to improve their reach and ensure business growth.

In addition to being inexpensive, digital marketing provides real time data on consumer behavior that allows you to take advantage of adjusting your campaigns, improving your message, or changing your product or service lineup to suit your customer’s needs.

Here are a few tactics you should use in your overall digital marketing strategy to ensure business growth both during and after COVID-19.

Establish an online presence

You need to reach your customers at home because that is where they are spending most of their time. Those who do venture out are doing their research online before heading out to make their trips shorter and more time efficient. Customers are using more digital tools to search for products, purchase items, and have those items delivered to their homes. Regardless of your industry, you need to be visible, and your online presence can do that.

Use social media

Connection and engagement with your customers is paramount. Utilizing

social media platforms is a great way to accomplish this. However, staying on top of social media channels can be time consuming, and there are different tactics within the social media world that can increase the effectiveness of your campaigns. You may want to consider outsourcing to a professional writing team rather than having your kids handle this project.

Use email marketing

Email marketing is more targeted than ever before. You can refine your audience reach and send well-crafted messages to gain new customers, or encourage your regular customers to return.

Use videos and video streaming

This tactic is great for connecting with your customers. It is especially helpful to service-based businesses that need to stay in constant contact with their customer base. Video is a great way to highlight what your business is doing for your community and customers during this crisis.

Utilize pay-per-click (PPC)

In the ever-changing world of search marketing, PPC remains a great marketing tool. Customers’ search habits and behaviors allow you to target exactly who you want and how often. There is no better time to use a PPC tactic to drive leads and sales to your business.

Offer incentives, gift cards and vouchers

If you want to maintain some cash flow within your business, this is a perfect way to get people to buy. It is also a good way to maintain customer engagement. Try running contests as part of your strategy and you will see your customer engagement soar.

Increase product accessibility through delivery

If you have not done this already, you need to start. There is an extremely high demand for home delivery and it does not look like the pattern is going to change anytime soon.

Utilize Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Your business website and content should be optimized for greater search engine results. Making you more discoverable to your customer’s online search is very important. An experienced digital marketing team can help identify and implement an effective SEO tactic.

Focus on website retargeting

Once a customer visits your website, you have the opportunity to “follow” that customer and serve them ads for up to 30 days. This is site retargeting and is a great tactic to employ. Customers need those reminders, or “impressions,” to keep your business “front of mind.” The customer has already shown some interest in what you offer, so it is important to get them in to your business before they go to your competitor.

In crisis, there is opportunity. If you want your business to take advantage of the opportunities, you need to have a digital marketing strategy. I would like to help you improve your digital footprint and can schedule a time to do so at any time. Please feel to contact me at (928) 539-6825, or email me at bregenhardt@yumasun.com. Our team at Sun Media Digital will be glad to help your business grow. ✶