i7 Marketing Blog

You’ve initiated your business into the world of email marketing, and your first few campaigns have launched. But how can you tell if people are reading your messages? How do you know if your campaign is truly effective?

You likely have several pictures in mind of your ideal customers (especially if you’ve been diligent with your buyer personas). But are you taking advantage of an easy way to target these ideal prospects with your Facebook or LinkedIn posts?

It is amazing the amount of small businesses who hire outside business consulting firms to help give guidance and ask the right questions. I believe we all have the desire to be told we are on the right track, and, at the same time, we have the sense to know that we won’t be right 100% of the time.

On the next $1,000 you spend on marketing, do you (or your boss) know how much revenue you’re going to get?

Even better, do you know how much profit you’re going to make?

No?

At least you’re in good company; it seems like most don’t know, and I would argue that the lack of a solid number is the greatest self-imposed limit to your company’s growth.

Here’s my logic:

If you’ve had a serious conversation with an online marketing professional in the last two years, you’ve probably heard that more people are interacting with the web using their mobile devices, that mobile is getting more and more important, etc.

We don’t have to tell you that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is vital to your marketing strategy. You already know that everybody’s online, reading reviews on their phone, and locating their next stop on map apps.

In fact, people are even Googling new products and ideas while simultaneously browsing the aisles at a department store. It has become necessary to regularly churn out targeted content to snag the attention of the searchers.

Are you getting the most out of Instagram Stories? Have you experienced the boost in numbers and engagement after posting your countdown offers, behind-the-scenes photos, and 10-second clips?

So your business has decided to attend a trade show in hopes of expanding your reach. But as you look among the masses, you start to get a sense you are one of many. So the question lingers: How are you going to reach your target audience?

Events offer an unparalleled level of customer engagement, with an opportunity for positive personal interaction that builds loyalty. In a digital world, it can be easy to forget the value of meeting people face-to-face. We have become accustomed to simply click and purchase. This is great for one time sales and meeting customer’s immediate needs.
But it is imperative that we not lose sight of the value of building personal relationships and meeting people face-to-face and making a lasting impression that creates loyalty.