In the web "0.0" days, we built web sites and the people came. We used to report to our management how many "eyeballs" we had on our site today (major Payroll company). We bought keywords (pre-Google) and congratulated ourselves when more people came to visit our humble web site. Today - you need to do much more to draw attention. Dare we say - even more than Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Paid Click to be heard above the Web 2.0 noise level.
Consider this: How would you bring people through the door of your "brick and mortar" store, which is located on a quiet side street in a small town? Perhaps by attending social events, advertising in the newspaper, developing word-of-mouth/viral campaigns, standing on main street with a large sign. All of these offline means are a form of social marketing. Attracting people to Ttoday's web site is not much different.
We are working with a client that sells professional business PowerPoint templates, managing their paid click and SEO. Both of these mainstream online marketing programs deliver results. Yet to deliver stronger results we recommend a social marketing plan. For this specific client, we are recommending a newsletter/blog and possibly incorporating videos on "how to create and give highly effective presentations".
Give to get...
By giving of your expertise, you will develop a reputation that will come back to you in terms of real revenue. At least, that is the plan.
Think outside your website to bring more traffic to your website. Build a socially minded marketing plan and they will come - delivering real results for your business.
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