Feel Like Your Business Has Stolen Your Life? Here’s How To Get It Back.

The world is simultaneously getting bigger and smaller every day.  There are more people in more places with access to more information than ever before, but they are also more connected than at any other time in history.

There are more people in more places with access to more information than ever before, but they are also more connected than at any other time in history.

That also means there are more ways to reach, connect with, and advertise to your potential customers than ever before.

First of all, unless you are in the business of marketing or research, I recommend spending time finding someone really good at those to do it for you and not spending time learning it yourself.

Yes, that’s a self-serving statement, but it’s also true. I promise you I don’t spend my spare time learning accounting and tax principles, software coding, design, or any one of 100 other services my business utilizes even though I could, because that’s not what I’m best at, and it’s not the best use of my time.

At a minimum, hire someone and get them trained really well, reach out and I can recommend some great resources for that.

MOVING ON.

Think you need an app, because that’s how you will stay in touch with all of your customers? 49% of smartphone users downloaded zero apps last month. When’s the last time you used any app that wasn’t a major social media network or related to messaging or directions?

Billboards reach everyone who drives right? What’s the last billboard you drove past? When’s the last time you weren’t on your phone or talking to your kids or planning your day when driving and even noticed a billboard?

Is radio the answer? What’s the last commercial you heard on the radio? When is the last time a radio commercial drove you right to a business or got you to take your phone out and call them immediately?

It’s all about Facebook and Twitter right? There are 300 million active users on KIK, Taco Bell has a bot on Slack, and Facebook messenger messages get opened get 3.7 times the open rate of an email.

How many of those are you using to reach your ideal customer? If your customer is under 50, why aren’t you using all of them?

If you aren’t leveraging those platforms, you probably also don’t know how to communicate with their audiences.

Have you looked into a branded emoji yet? 2.3 trillion (with a capital T) mobile messages with an emoji will be sent this year. Approximately 50% of consumers state they would prefer to have a branded emoji.

Emoticodes, Emogi, if you haven’t heard of these companies yet, you need to. How would you like to have your own emoji that linked directly to your product or business page? How about geo-filtered or branded emojis to enhance your customer’s conversations about your brand?

Are these ideal for you? Only you can answer that after some research, but if you don’t even realize they are options, your business is getting left behind, and your ideal customers are out there without you.

WANT SOME MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

Sites that use augmented reality (think the Pokemon Go craze) see 475% higher conversions than those that don’t. You’d be more likely to buy that couch if you could see it in your living room without leaving your home too.

Or how about seeing that 10 business suits or dresses on yourself without having to go to 5 different stores? In a world that’s moving faster than ever, you need to be prepared to keep up.

If this seems alien to you, check out the companies Augment and Fitting Box that are leading the way on some of this technology.

Need to reach 25-45 year olds with expendable income? Have you checked out E-sports marketing yet?

When you finish smirking, remember that Pokemon Go craze and consider that Esports bring in more revenue that professional hockey, soccer, and the NBA.

E-sports as a marketing channel is completely under-utilized and opportunities to organize tournaments, teams, venues, be a sponsor are unlimited. How about a celebrity endorser?

How about a celebrity endorser? Yes, they exist in E-sports, and yes they will be a lot cheaper than that superstar NBA player.

Adapt or die has never been truer in business than it is now.

We used to live in a world where you needed to re-invent your business every 10-20 years.

Experts now estimate that at 3-5 years for most businesses.

If you aren’t prepared to create a major new product, service, marketing/branding shift, or industry every 5 years as part of your business model, change your business model.

If you aren’t asking someone younger than you where they are giving their time and attention to, you aren’t creating a sustainable business model.

And if you think you can realistically and effectively do all of this yourself while also running and growing your business, you aren’t utilizing your resources effectively.

ADD A STRATEGIC DIGITAL MARKETING AND BUSINESS MANAGER TO YOUR TEAM NOW. HIRE ONE, CREATE ONE, PARTNER WITH ONE, BUT GET ONE ON YOUR TEAM. SOON.

Or get left behind.

Source:  Social Media Tips – Before You Buy Your Domain