There is an old saying by the generation past that to be successful in business, the ideal set-up for the owners (assuming there are two partners) is that one handles finances and operations. The other handles sales.
With the onset of online technology, many businesses are no longer confined inside brick-and-mortar shops. Selling through the web is now commonplace. People strike out on their own and create their business online. But what if a person is well-versed in finance or operations but not in sales? Can he still have his own business and be successful at it?
The answer is YES.
With the use of the five online marketing tips that we have gathered for you, anyone who has no inkling of sales in his body can still make sure his business prospers and continues doing so.
Tip # 1 Create Content
Content marketing is a subtle way of sales. It is not pushy, nor does it hard-sell, but it talks about the benefits of the product or services you are offering.
Content marketing may not be the traditional sales copy that we know. But it is more powerful because it helps solve problems, gives people a better impression of your company, and builds relationships with your audience.
An example of a company that has adopted this principle is Microsoft. This tech giant has hundreds of pages on blogs, stories, and anecdotes – all describing how Microsoft is present and proactive in all aspects of our community. Check out https://news.microsoft.com/.
Using stories to keep in touch with your audience is a genius way to show how a company can have a human touch at the same time.
An online transaction is not complete until the customer hits the BUY button. We name this the Call-To-Action. CTAs are critical in digital marketing because we want to encourage our readers to jump into action on whatever we’re promoting.
If signing a sales contract is to traditional sales, clicking the button is to online trading.
We take every step to drive more traffic to your site, but once readers are already there, there should be a compelling copy that will move people to act accordingly (in our case, to buy).
Examples of CTAs we see every day:
- Submit
- Learn More
- Buy Now
- Shop Now
- Sign Up
- Join Us
- Start 7 Days Free Trial
- Get Started
- Limited Time Offer
- Book Now
Tip # 3 Collate an Email List
Today’s email list is equivalent to a device we used in the past called Rolodex, which contains every contact’s details. Each name is a potential customer, so we want to keep them intact for every new product or service we offer.
Creating and updating an email list is one of the most straightforward online marketing tips a business owner should know. Sending emails is one of the most economical ways of communicating with our audience, right in the comforts of his private quarters. Imagine how powerful that is!
So how do we optimize this direct contact with our clients without sounding sales-y? We can offer solutions to their problems, provide help when necessary, and build a relationship by writing useful content. Many companies send out monthly newsletters to engage their readers and to maintain their brand awareness.
Collect your email database from existing clients, subscribers, and social media followers.
Tip # 4 Customer Retention is King
It costs 5-7 times more to acquire a new customer than to retain one. Many companies lose their customers through poor customer relations. If you want your business to flourish, you must take care of your customers because they are your most credible sales force.
Studies prove that 55-70% of sales come from your loyal clientele.
Some of the customer retention strategies:
- Treating your customer to a surprise (discount, a handwritten card, cake on birthdays, etc.)
- Under-promise and over-deliver – This is a way to keep your clients’ expectations low
- Improve Customer Service – Quick response time delights any customer
- Building trust – Bob Burg said: “All things equal, people will do business with and refer business to, people they know, trust and like.”
- Let Customer Complaints Serve as Lessons – It is through customer feedback that the business owners know if there is a flaw in their product or if their services need improvement. And acting swiftly on the complaint shows a customer how much you care.
Tip # 5 Use Online Presence as a Platform to Help
Entrepreneurs need not worry about selling if they are not natural salespeople. But they can focus on helping the public through producing content that solves people’s problems. Writing content is not only practical; customers will even identify you as a brand that they can count on.
Some of the benefits a customer receives through online marketing are:
- It keeps them updated on current events
- It gives customers 24 hr. access to her business partners
- The clients may receive a personalized service
- The customers have clear options
Conclusion
So if you’re thinking about breaking free from the cubicle life and starting your enterprise, do not hesitate because you’re not an expert in sales. The above online marketing tips should guide you on how and where to get revenue for your online business.
For more content marketing tips, join our live training! Find out more at http://bit.ly/contentmarketing-101.
If you have questions, you may contact us through www.facebook.com/writinghacksacademy.
References
(n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.webfx.com/internet-marketing/how-does-internet-marketing-benefit-consumers.html
17 of the Best Customer Retention Strategies That Work. (2020, April 21). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://buildfire.com/customer-retention-strategies/
About The Author, Pratik Dholakiya Pratik Dholakiya is the founder of Growfusely, & Pratik Dholakiya Pratik Dholakiya is the founder of Growfusely. (2015, November 07). Content Marketing Done Right: 8 Examples You Can Learn From. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://marketingland.com/content-marketing-done-right-8-examples-can-learn-149088
DeMers, J. (2019, July 14). The 6 Online Marketing Strategies Every Entrepreneur Needs. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/278923
Gaille, B. (2017, June 05). 27 Surprising Customer Loyalty Statistics. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://brandongaille.com/25-surprising-customer-loyalty-statistics/
Gotter, A. (2020, May 19). 50 Call To Action Examples (and How to Write the Perfect CTA). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://adespresso.com/blog/call-to-action-examples/
Leaning, B. (n.d.). 39 Call-to-Action Examples You Can’t Help But Click. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/call-to-action-examples
Microsoft news, features, events, and press materials. (n.d.). Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://news.microsoft.com/.
Patel, N. (2016, November 06). 7 Online Marketing Tips for Entrepreneurs Who Can’t Market or Sell. Retrieved June 24, 2020, from https://www.inc.com/neil-patel/7-online-marketing-tips-for-entrepreneurs-who-can-t-market-or-sale.html
[Web log post]. (n.d.). Retrieved from Content Marketing Done Right: 8 Examples You Can Learn From
Mary Ann , also called “The Millennial Granny” is a single mother of three and a granny of two little munchkins. Her story started as a newbie in the hotel industry, where she learned the ABCs of sales and marketing. She eventually took off and worked in a foreign country where she met the father of her children. Fast forward a few years, she went back to the Philippines as Hotel Sales and Marketing Director of an upscale resort.
She explored freelance writing in 2020 to adjust to the Coronavirus pandemic, which affected the travel industry. Mary Ann completed Writing Hacks Academy’s course, Freelance Writing Road Map.
Through all of her life’s journeys, she has always kept a close relationship with her three millennial kids. She believes in continuous learning, regardless of age. Thus, she calls herself The Millennial Granny.