...and how to keep it simple. 👍
It's no surprise that the global pandemic altered our interactions with each other and the world around us. Due to unprecedented lockdowns, online platforms have become the primary way many businesses contribute to their customer base. In fact, in some cases, it may be the only way they can.
But there is good news! Internet interactions do not have to feel inorganic!
No matter how big or small, sustaining a global online presence has always been relevant for businesses. It is proven to increase referral rates and reviews, improve customer retention rates, and provides more marketing opportunities for your sales teams.*
We know rummaging through a wide array of resources can become overwhelming, so we've curated a simple, memorable list just for YOU on vital tips to build your online presence with ease.
Pave Your Path
Define your parameters and determine which social media or web interfaces you would like to use. To cultivate online relationships, you have to pay attention to the audience you wish to reach and how you will reach them.
For example, you may choose to promote your business through graphics on Instagram--the majority of users ranging from age 13 to 24--or elect to use Facebook's Pages feature, which is less popular amongst teenagers and more popular with adults (or use both). You may also choose to build your website on WordPress and sell your product using WooCommerce (Envision Cloud Integration Available). Whatever you decide, using SEO tools will help you get noticed and pave your path towards lasting online connections.*
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is a tool that allows people to find your services through web searches. Utilizing keywords and tags will drive web traffic to your company, boosting popularity based upon search relevancy.
Verify Your Vision
Vision statements outline your company's purpose, defines your intended future impact and establishes how you expect to achieve it.
This inspirational narrative will give your employees practical expectations and open your client's understanding and appreciation for your brand.
Open communication can be scary, especially in the online world. But the benefits far outweigh any fear or uncertainty. Candidly presenting your ideas gives your customers clarity and makes them feel like they play a pivotal role in your expansion. They may even attribute some of your success to their own; when you win, they win and vice versa.
Define You Dialogue
After you've defined your audience, chosen unique media platforms, and verbalized your vision, it's time to curate authentic, interaction-based content.
Some examples of interactive content include hashtags, polls or surveys, and UGC, also known as User Generated Content.
A great way to engage with your online community is by sharing your story and encouraging your followers to do the same. Referencing an interactive hashtag at the end of the post will create a storage hub where you can easily access these posts. One of my favorite things about this tool is that it will also motivate your customers to interact with one another too!
Reward Your Responders
Now that you've got content and interaction, it's time to bring in some positive reinforcements.
Reward your subscribers with exclusive discounts through email & SMS marketing. Make it personal by celebrating Birthdays or sending Welcome/Thank You messages. Use UGC to your advantage and create an interactive hashtag contest to get your client's posting!
BONUS: You can invite other businesses to collaborate with you for multiple prizes in your Giveaways. Not only will you expand your reach, but you will build better relationships with other brands just like yours!
Quality AND Quantity
Most have heard of the phrase "quality over quantity" at some point in their lives. However, in the case of the internet, both are key.
Your response time, post frequency, and content quality all play a role in sustaining your reach. Maintaining your website and all of your socials may feel overwhelming at times. Luckily, there are incredible resources out there that allow you to preview, schedule, and organize your posts so you can dedicate the majority of your time interacting with your followers. Websites like HubSpot, Later, Sprout Social, and Buffer are examples of great tools you can use to get you started.*
Keep in mind, most CRMs (Customer Relationship Management systems) have different price points depending on the number of users you'd like to include, the number of social accounts you manage, and your post frequency. Just find one that suits your budget and goals, and you will be on your way to success! 😊🎉
