Digital Marketing & Social Media: Your SMB’s Blueprint for Generating Leads

In the bustling digital marketplace, the ability to attract and convert leads is the lifeblood of any small and medium-sized business (SMB) selling products or services. Let’s dive into a strategic approach to digital marketing and social media that generates leads and drives your business forward.

The Path to Lead Generation: Awareness, Engagement, Acquisition

Successfully generating leads online involves guiding potential customers through a journey that begins with them becoming aware of your brand and ends with choosing your products or services. Here’s how to navigate this path:

  1. Awareness: Initiate contact by making your target audience aware of your brand. Think of this stage as laying down the foundation for future interactions. Your objective? Get your name out there and make it stick.
  2. Engagement: This is where you turn up the heat. Engage potential leads with compelling content that speaks directly to their needs and challenges. Show them that you understand their pain points and have the expertise to solve them.
  3. Acquisition: With trust established, it’s time to convert engaged audiences into leads and, ultimately, paying customers. Tailor your calls-to-action (CTAs) to be as irresistible as possible, making the decision to choose your business a no-brainer.

Choosing the Right Platforms for Lead Generation

  • Twitter (X): Ideal for quick, impactful messages that boost brand awareness. Use it to share insights and product updates and engage in industry conversations.
  • Facebook: A powerhouse for engagement and lead generation, Facebook allows for detailed targeting to reach potential leads who are most likely to be interested in what you offer.
  • LinkedIn: Not just for B2B, LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for B2C businesses by connecting with other businesses, joining groups, and publishing articles that showcase your expertise.

What Really Works: Focusing on Leads

  • Retargeting Ads: These are gold for turning website visitors into leads. Use retargeting on platforms like Facebook and Google to keep your brand top-of-mind and encourage return visits.
  • Specialized Content: Create content that addresses specific needs or interests of your target audience. SEO-optimized posts and articles that rank for niche keywords can draw in highly qualified leads.
  • Active Engagement: Transform passive followers into active leads by promoting content that requires interaction—think downloadable guides, sign-up forms, and free trials.

Generating leads through digital marketing and social media isn’t about casting the widest net—it’s about casting the right one. Focus on building a targeted strategy that moves potential customers through the journey from awareness to acquisition with a mix of insightful content, strategic ad placements, and an engaging social media presence.

Your aim should be to capture attention and maintain it, gradually building up trust until potential leads are ready to make a purchase. With a consistent and focused approach, your SMB can turn digital channels into a powerful engine for lead generation.

Remember, in the digital world, patience and persistence pay off. Keep refining your strategy based on what works, and soon, you’ll see a steady stream of leads ready to be nurtured into loyal customers.

How to Win at Getting Followers and Customers on Social Media

So, you’re on a mission to grab social media attention and turn those double-taps and heart reactions into real-deal followers or even customers? Think of it like leveling up in your favorite game, but instead of quests, you’ve got posts, and instead of game points, you’re earning likes, shares, and follows. Ready for the cheat codes? Let’s dive in.

1. Know Your Crowd: It’s Personal

First thing first: who are you talking to? This isn’t about blasting messages into the void and hoping someone listens. Use tools like Instagram Insights or Twitter Analytics to see who’s paying attention. These are like your social media detective kits, showing you what your audience likes when they’re online and even what kind of content makes them hit that follow button.

2. Quality Beats Quantity: Make It Worth Their Time

Do you know how one great post can get more love than 10 just-okay ones? Focus on making content that matters. But how do you know what works? That’s where analytics come in again. Look at your top-performing posts. What do they have in common? Is it humor, helpful tips, or maybe behind-the-scenes looks? Use this intel to make your next post a hit.

3. Learn and Adapt: Be a Quick Study

Here’s where you turn into a social media ninja. Tools like Google Analytics can show you who’s coming to your page and how they interact with your content. It’s like having a map that shows where treasure is buried. See a spike in visits after a certain post? Do more of that. If a post gets likes and clicks that re-direct to your website, put it in a daily rotation at different time slots. Experiment with popular posts. Post in early morning and post again in 2 days in the evening. Notice that certain time zones are more effective in the spike in visits. Create variations of the most social media posts. Notice a drop when you post something specific? Maybe steer clear of that in the future.

4. Solve Their Problems: Be the Hero

Everyone loves a problem-solver. Use your posts to be the hero your followers didn’t know they needed. And yes, there’s a tool for figuring out what problems they have. BuzzSumo lets you see what topics are trending and what questions people have related to your niche. It’s like knowing the questions to a test before you take it – gives you a serious edge.

So, What’s the Game Plan?

Imagine you’re the new kid trying to make friends. You find out what they’re into, share awesome stuff that’s actually interesting, adapt your approach based on what works, and always have the best advice or jokes. But with a twist – you’ve got a secret weapon: analytics tools that tell you exactly what your new friends want to hear.

Unlocking LinkedIn: Creative Tactics for Lead Generation

LinkedIn is more than just a digital resume; it’s a bustling marketplace brimming with opportunities for those daring enough to think outside the box. While the basics are essential, a sprinkle of creativity can sometimes differentiate you from the crowd. Dive into these ingenious tactics to boost your lead generation on the platform:

  1. Cold Messaging with a Twist: The cold approach isn’t new, but the secret lies in the delivery. Instead of launching into a sales pitch, why not start with value? Share a relevant article, a compliment about their recent work, or even a free tool. Your prospects will appreciate the non-pushy approach.
  2. Profile Funneling: Your LinkedIn profile shouldn’t just be about past jobs; it should guide visitors toward a desired action. This could be visiting your website, subscribing to a newsletter, or dropping you a message. Craft your profile strategically to funnel visitors seamlessly.
  3. Engage with Comments on Popular Posts: Visibility is the game. You can get your profile in front of a vast audience by commenting on popular industry posts. But remember, your comments should be insightful and add value to the conversation.
  4. Run Thought-Provoking Polls: LinkedIn’s polling feature isn’t just for fun questions. Use it to generate insights, understand market needs, or spark a debate. Engaging in polls can set the stage for deeper conversations with participants.
  5. Harness Advanced Search: This feature is a gold mine. Find prospects based on specific criteria such as job titles, locations, etc. Creating a targeted list can make your outreach more personalized and effective.
  6. Dive into Video with Cover Story: With LinkedIn’s “Cover Story”, make a lasting first impression. Create a personalized video pitch that gives visitors a snapshot of who you are and how you can help.
  7. Host LinkedIn Live Sessions: If you can access LinkedIn Live, you’re sitting on a treasure. Hosting live sessions, be it Q&As, webinars, or discussions, can attract a large, engaged audience.
  8. Engage with Your New Followers: A simple “thank you” can go a long way. Reach out to new followers with a warm message. This can open the door for more profound interactions down the line.
  9. Showcase Recommendations and Endorsements: Social proof is powerful. Encourage satisfied clients or colleagues to endorse your skills and pen down recommendations. This not only builds credibility but also showcases your expertise.
  10. Launch a LinkedIn Newsletter: Regular updates, insights, and valuable content sent straight to your network can solidify your position as an industry thought leader.
  11. Reconnect with Alumni: Old classmates or colleagues could be potential leads or offer referrals. Use LinkedIn’s Alumni feature to rekindle those connections.
  12. Humanize with Employee Testimonials: Let your team share their stories. Employee testimonials humanize your brand and portray a positive company culture.
  13. Collaborative Ventures: Partner with non-competing businesses on LinkedIn. Whether it’s sharing each other’s content, co-hosting webinars, or running promotions, collaboration can amplify your reach.

 

Blow Up Your Social Media Strategy – Team Up With Engineering and Sales Today

If you’re running a business in today’s digital age, you’re no stranger to the importance of a robust social media strategy. It’s not just about crafting compelling tweets or creative Instagram stories; it’s about understanding your audience, leveraging your products and services, and ultimately driving growth. But are you unlocking the full potential of your strategy? The secret to explosive success might just lie in two unlikely allies: your engineering and sales teams. Let’s explore how this cross-functional collaboration can supercharge your social media efforts.

Breaking the Marketing Silo

Traditionally, marketing teams have operated in their own silo, isolated from the rest of the organization. This approach often leaves marketers with an incomplete picture of what they’re marketing. By integrating with engineering and sales, marketers can better understand the product and customer perspective, leading to more informed and effective strategies.

A Better Grasp of the Product

Consider the potential power of your engineering team’s knowledge and insight. These are the people who design and build your products or services. Their technical understanding can add depth to your marketing content that’s hard to replicate. They can highlight features that may not be immediately obvious but can differentiate you from the competition.

Real-world example: Microsoft has leveraged this tactic effectively, often featuring their engineers in their social media content. They discuss the technical aspects of their products, explaining their capabilities, benefits, and how they stand out in the market. This strategy gives their audience a deeper understanding of their products, leading to increased engagement and conversions.

Understanding Your Customer

Your sales team is on the frontline, interacting with customers and potential customers daily. They have an in-depth understanding of customer needs, preferences, pain points, and what they value about your product. Incorporating this knowledge into your social media strategy can enhance your content’s relevance and resonance.

Real-world example: The CRM platform, Salesforce, has been known to leverage the insights from their sales team in their marketing strategy. They use real-life customer queries and pain points to create relevant, engaging social media content that answers potential customers’ queries before they ask them. The result? Improved customer satisfaction and increased lead generation.

Data-Driven Insights

Perhaps the most significant advantage of teaming up with engineering and sales is the potential for data-driven decision-making. Both teams generate a wealth of data that can significantly enhance your social media strategy when correctly analyzed and applied. You can gain insights into which product features attract the most attention or which customer needs drive the most sales and tailor your content accordingly.

Metrics that matter: After implementing a cross-functional approach, the clothing retailer ASOS reported a 30% increase in their social media engagement rate and a 25% increase in conversions from social media traffic. This improved performance was attributed to a more nuanced understanding of their products and customers, achieved through closer collaboration with their engineering and sales teams.

Final Thoughts

Blasting off your social media strategy may be as simple as knocking down internal walls and embracing a collaborative, cross-functional approach. With a deeper understanding of your products and customers, you can create content that attracts, resonates, and drives growth.

According to a study by the Aberdeen Group, organizations with aligned sales and marketing teams achieved an average of 32% annual revenue growth, while less aligned companies reported an average of 7% decline. This significant gap proves that interdepartmental collaboration is beneficial and essential for a thriving business.

In another example, the marketing software company Adobe Marketo is an excellent service that uses rich behavioral data, built-in intelligence, and sophisticated journey flows to identify and engage your best customers and accelerate the customer experience. Reported a 67% higher conversion rate when sales and marketing teams were in sync, emphasizing the power of a unified approach.

Start bridging the gap today and watch your social media strategy soar. With the combined insights and strengths of your engineering and sales teams, there’s no telling how high your business can climb.

How to Be a Successful Sales Rep on Twitter: Tips and Strategies

As a sales rep, it can be tempting to use Twitter as a platform for cold pitching your product or service. However, this approach often comes across as unsolicited, pushy, and desperate, and can ultimately hurt your brand. Never Cold Pitch on Social Media Platforms. Cold pitching refers to the act of reaching out to someone who has not expressed interest in your product or service, often with a generic sales message. While this technique may have worked in the past, it’s no longer an effective way to sell on social media. In fact, cold pitching straight into a Twitter DM may seem like a shortcut to success, but it can actually harm your brand and reputation.

So how can you improve your sales skills on Twitter and take them to the next level? Here are some actionable tips and strategies for becoming a world-class sales rep on this popular social media platform.

1. Engage with your audience: Instead of cold pitching, focus on building relationships with potential customers by engaging with them on Twitter. This can include liking and retweeting their posts, responding to their comments and questions, and sharing content that is relevant to their interests.

2. Create compelling post content: To grab the attention of prospects on Twitter, it’s important to create compelling post content that resonates with your target audience. This can include eye-catching visuals, informative infographics, and engaging videos that showcase the benefits of your product or service.

3. Use direct messages (DMs) strategically: While cold pitching via DMs is generally not recommended, there are ways to use this feature strategically to connect with potential customers. For example, you could send a personalized message to someone who has engaged with your content or expressed interest in your product or service.

4. Track your return on investment (ROI): To ensure that your Twitter sales strategy is effective, it’s important to track your ROI. This can include metrics such as engagement rates, clicks, and conversions. By analyzing this data, you can identify areas for improvement and adjust your approach accordingly.

By following these tips and strategies, you can become a successful sales rep on Twitter and effectively connect with potential customers without resorting to cold pitching. Remember to focus on building relationships and providing value to your audience, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving success on this powerful social media platform.

How Buyer Personas Can Skyrocket Your Inbound Traffic and Social Media Engagement!

Social media content creation is a key component of any successful marketing plan. It helps engage customers, brings attention to your brand, and drives conversions. But when it comes to creating content for social media that really resonates with an audience, the most important step you can take is understanding who your target audience is – namely through developing buyer personas. Buyer personas are simply representations of different types of potential customers or clients; they help you think about how those people might interact with your product or service to craft more effective social media posts that fit their needs. In this blog post, we’ll examine what “buyer personas” are, how they can be useful for creating social media content, and provide some helpful tips on getting started crafting content tailored towards these distinct personalities!

What is a buyer persona and why you should have one

A buyer persona is a powerful tool that serves as a compass guiding businesses toward understanding their ideal customer. This semi-fictional representation of the target audience is characterized by their demographics, goals, challenges, and preferences, ultimately shaping the framework for marketing strategies, product development, and customer service. By giving life to these personas, businesses are better equipped to tailor their approach, fostering meaningful relationships that resonate with their audience. Crafting a well-defined buyer persona is more than just a step in the process; it is the heartbeat of a thriving business, propelling growth and success by putting the customer’s needs and wants at the center of all decisions made. So, invest time in creating and refining your buyer persona; it’s the guiding light that will steer you toward building not just loyal customers, but an empire of brand advocates.

Building your buyer persona – what to include

Crafting a well-defined buyer persona is an essential step toward achieving your business goals, as it serves as a blueprint for understanding the unique characteristics, preferences, and behaviors of your target audience. To build a comprehensive buyer persona, it’s crucial to consider a mix of both demographic and psychographic elements, such as age, income, occupation, location, and interests, alongside insights into the pain points, goals, and motivations of your ideal customer. In addition, evaluate their purchasing habits, preferred media channels, and common objections to tailor your marketing efforts more effectively. Remember that new insights will continually emerge, so always be prepared to adapt and refine your buyer persona over time. By giving life to your target market, you’ll ultimately be able to forge stronger connections with your audience and inspire them to engage with your brand in a meaningful way.

Curating content that resonates with your target audience

Curating content that captivates your target audience is vital in today’s fast-paced digital world. A professionally curated, compelling inventory of information resonates with your audience, driving greater engagement and fostering stronger connections. To achieve this, it’s essential to have a deep understanding of your audience’s demographics, interests, and needs, and to align your content with these insights. By presenting inspiring stories, thought-provoking perspectives, and valuable information in a polished and coherent manner, you create an unforgettable experience for your audience. The result is a loyal following that shares, discusses, and actively participates in your content, thus positioning you as an influential thought leader in your industry.

How to repurpose content for multiple platforms

In today’s fast-paced digital ecosystem, mastering the art of repurposing content is essential for maximizing your brand’s reach and maintaining a consistent brand narrative across multiple platforms. The art of taking a piece of content and giving it new life in various formats allows you to extend its value, engage new audiences, and save valuable time and resources. To successfully repurpose content, begin by identifying the strengths and core messages of the original content, and then creatively explore new ways to present that information through various media, such as podcasts, social media, webinars, or infographics. By thinking beyond traditional content formats and tailoring your approach to each platform’s distinct audience and features, you will not only expand your brand’s presence in the digital landscape but also inspire those who encounter your content to think deeper, learn more, and keep coming back for more.

Tips on creating engaging captions, headlines, and hashtags

The art of crafting engaging captions, headlines, and hashtags is a key ingredient to successfully capturing the attention of your audience and effectively conveying your message across different channels. A professional and inspiring tone adds a unique flavor to your content, setting you apart from the vast ocean of information available online. To ensure readability and impact, it’s important to encapsulate your content’s essence in a concise, yet powerful headline that speaks to your target audience. Creativity and wit play a crucial role in formulating captions that spark an emotional response, encourage sharing, and stimulate discussions. Furthermore, strategically utilizing hashtags not only amplifies your content’s visibility but also connects you with like-minded individuals and communities. By meticulously honing these essential elements, you elevate your content’s appeal, empower your brand’s voice, and create a lasting impression on the digital landscape.

How testing can help you understand the effectiveness of your content

As a content creator, one of the most valuable actions you can take is to test the effectiveness of your content. This process allows you to not only ascertain the strength of your messaging but also optimize its impact by pinpointing areas for improvement. By regularly analyzing your content’s performance through various testing methods, you gain insight into your audience’s preferences and can subsequently tailor your content to better resonate with them. The result is a higher rate of engagement, increased conversion rates, and an enhanced ability to meet your objectives. Ultimately, content testing empowers you to elevate the quality and impact of everything you create, paving the way for long-term success in today’s competitive digital landscape.

Overall, social media content can be a powerful tool to reach your target audience, but it takes knowledge and strategy to make sure the content resonates. Just like you have unique needs as a person, so do your prospects—understanding those needs is where buyer personas come in. By creating a buyer persona in detail, you can better understand what kinds of content will pique the interest of your audience and successfully drive conversions. Additionally, by repurposing existing content and testing different versions and captions, you will learn quickly what works best for your target market. Put everything together to create a data-driven marketing strategy based on insights from real customers—discover the power of buyer personas in creating targeted social media content!

How to Make Side Hustle Money on Etsy using Digital Product “Niches” Such as PDFs, Spreadsheets, and PowerPoint Templates

Are you looking for a lucrative side hustle that allows you to make money from the comfort of your own home? Selling digital products on Etsy, such as PDFs, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint templates can be an excellent way to earn some extra cash.

Here are a few potential niches you could consider:

  1. Printable art: This is a popular niche on Etsy, and you can create and sell downloadable prints of your own artwork, designs, or photographs.
  2. Wedding invitations: If you have a talent for graphic design, you can create beautiful wedding invitation templates that customers can customize themselves.
  3. Digital planner pages: With the growing popularity of digital planners, you can design and sell digital planner pages that customers can use to plan and organize their lives.
  4. Social media templates: As more and more people use social media for marketing and branding, you can create and sell templates for posts, stories, and ads that customers can use to elevate their online presence.
  5. Resume templates: If you have experience in human resources or recruiting, you can design and sell resume templates that help job seekers stand out in a crowded job market.
While earnings can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of products you sell, their price point, and the amount of marketing you do, according to Etsy's 2020 Q2 financial report, the marketplace generated over $346 million in revenue from digital sales during that quarter alone. This indicates that there is a significant market for digital products on Etsy and the potential for sellers to make a substantial amount of money from their sales.

It’s important to note that there are costs associated with selling on Etsy, such as listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees, which can impact your earnings. Additionally, you’ll need to invest time and effort into creating high-quality products, marketing your shop, SEO (creating searchable hashtags) and providing excellent customer service to increase your sales and grow your revenue.

Its crucial to set up and optimize an Etsy shop! If you’re looking for a platform to get your products online quickly, Etsy is a great place to start.

Etsy-Shop

  1. Creating an Etsy account is the first step toward launching your storefront. To open a shop online, you must first become a registered site member. Once you have an Etsy account, you can open a shop.
  2. Next, you will need to choose a name for your Etsy store. Etsy requires each shop owner to use a unique name, so it’s common for sellers to find that their first choice is unavailable
  3. Choose your products. You can sell almost anything like eBooks, PDF & PowerPoint templates in your Etsy shop, but it’s best to start by focusing on a few complementary products so customers will understand what your shop is all about.
  4. Create your shop. When opening an Etsy shop, the site will direct you through the process of creating your online storefront and choosing your language and currency preferences.
  5. A common question for first-time sellers is how to price items on Etsy. Correctly pricing your products ensures you get the best return on investment (ROI), but it will take some time and analysis.
  6. Before opening your Etsy shop to customers, make sure you have enough products to sell. You don’t want to run out after your first few sales and have to scramble to produce more. You also don’t want to overstock any one item. Digital products such as “templates” are easier to stock as they live in the cloud (Etsy shop).
  7. After Etsy approves your shop name and you have all of your inventory ready, you can start listing on Etsy. The key to solid Etsy sales is good product photos and a killer description that uses industry keywords.
  8. Next, you’ll need to choose the type(s) of payments you’ll accept. Etsy Payments is the most popular route on Etsy as it allows you to accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Etsy gift cards, and some bank transfer services.
  9. Receive orders: When a customer purchases an item from your shop, the payment is processed through Etsy Payments, and the funds are held by Etsy until the order is marked as shipped or the digital product has been downloaded.  Once you’ve shipped the physical item, you should mark the order as shipped on Etsy, which releases the payment to your account. The payment will be deposited into your bank account within a few business days, depending on your location and bank.
  10. Learning to package your products safely and securely and ship them quickly helps build your reputation on Etsy. Buy proper shipping supplies, and use bubble wrap for delicate items.  On Etsy, you can use calculated shipping so the shipping is automatically calculated for you. Calculated shipping looks at your location, the buyer’s location, and the size and weight of the listing item to determine the shipping cost.  Again, selling “digital products” are MUCH easier than actual products such as art, clothes, etc., as you don’t have to worry about drop shipping.

As of 2023, here are the current fees for selling on Etsy:

  • Listing Fees: It costs $0.20 USD to list an item on Etsy, and the listing remains active for four months or until the item sells, whichever comes first.
  • Transaction Fees: When an item sells, Etsy charges a transaction fee of 5% of the item’s sale price, including the cost of shipping. This fee also applies to any applicable sales tax.
  • Payment Processing Fees: If you use Etsy Payments to process your sales, you’ll be charged a payment processing fee, which varies depending on your location and the currency you use. For sellers based in the United States, the payment processing fee is 3% + $0.25 USD per transaction.

Etsy Payments also handles any necessary refunds or disputes, and provides you with a record of all your transactions and payments. It’s important to note that there are fees associated with using Etsy Payments, as mentioned in my previous response.

Selling digital products on Etsy can be a great way to make money on the side, especially if you have a talent for creating unique and useful products such as PDFs, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint templates. By following the strategies and tips outlined in this article, you can create a successful side hustle that not only generates extra income but also allows you to express your creativity and passion. Remember to put in the time and effort to create high-quality products, optimize your listings, and promote your products to your target audience. With persistence and dedication, your Etsy side hustle can become a valuable source of income and a fulfilling hobby.

*If your interested in selling handmade or unique items online, I have another great article on a beginner's guide to selling handmade or unique items online and making money here.

Top Social Media Content Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMB) Success

Social media has become an essential part of the marketing mix for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). It’s a cost-effective way to reach a large audience, engage with customers, and drive sales. However, with so many different social media platforms to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Here are the top social media content strategies for SMB success:

  1. Define your goals and target audience: Before creating any content, it’s important to define what you hope to achieve with your social media presence. Do you want to drive website traffic, generate leads, or increase brand awareness? Once you know your goals, you can tailor your content to appeal to your target audience.
  2. Create a content calendar: Planning out your content in advance will help you stay organized and ensure that you’re consistently posting valuable content. A content calendar will allow you to schedule posts, plan promotions, and track your progress.
  3. Use a mix of content types: To keep your audience engaged, mix up the types of content you post. This could include blog posts, infographics, videos, polls, and more.
  4. Utilize hashtags: Hashtags are a great way to reach a larger audience and increase the visibility of your content. Use relevant hashtags to make it easier for people to find your content and join the conversation.
  5. Engage with your followers: Social media is a two-way conversation, so make sure to respond to comments and messages in a timely manner. This will help you build a loyal following and create a positive brand reputation.
  6. Analyze your performance: Use social media analytics tools to track the performance of your content. This will help you understand what’s working and what’s not, so you can optimize your strategy and improve your results.

By following these tips, you can create a successful social media content strategy that drives results for your SMB. Remember to be consistent, engage with your audience, and constantly analyze your performance to see what’s working and what’s not.

From Clicks to Conversions: The Science of Turning Likes Into Sales on Social Media

Are you getting clicks & likes but no conversions (sales or leads)?

Clicks and likes are forms of engagement. Whenever a user clicks on a social media post, that user is engaging it in some way. On most social media platforms, there is no way to quantify just how interested a user is in your brand other than counting the number of times they’ve engaged it.

Conversions are the end goal of all social media strategies, whether it’s branding, product sales, or service leads. If you have an online store, one of your conversion goals could be to get people to purchase something from your store. Let’s say someone clicks on your Twitter profile and then purchases something from your store. That’s a social media conversion. If you have a Financial Planner (CFP) or Advisor service, a key conversion goal is to get people interested in your service to fill out an information form on your website. Again, let’s say someone clicks on your Twitter profile that links them back to your website landing page where they fill out their contact information. That’s a social media conversion.

How do you convert on social media? A few basic ways (as stated above) are:

  • Add a link in your profile that when clicked, leads to your product shopping page (cart). Make sure your product landing page is mobile-friendly.
  • For services, add a link in your profile that when clicked, links them to your website contact submission form. Make sure your website contact submission form is mobile-friendly.
  • Use Hashtags. Hashtags are a proven way to increase traffic to your content and to your website. Make sure that you’re using social media hashtags that are relevant to your business. Don’t overstuff with Hashtags (looks spammy). Use 2-3 Hashtags per post.
  • Your audience definitely wants to see engaging content from you. They also want to be able to connect with you as well. Your social media conversions will improve if you are commenting, liking, and sharing.
  • Include compelling calls to action working on your social media posts. Asking for followers to check out your recent promotions or product/service discounts is a call to action.

Last but not least, track your social media metric traffic back to your website or the product page. Using tools such as Google Analytics, or social analytics tools such as Keyhole, Sprout Social, and Hootsuite also allows you to identify the type of creative and messaging (posts) that performs best. Don’t wait to go viral. Grind. Persistence. Put in the work. Play the long game. Share your content across social platforms. All it takes is one of your followers to share a content post and the conversion amplification may go 2x.

Sales Funnels and Rambling Musings

To grow your business or service, you must identify and create your sales funnel as a key to your website design. Sales funnels are great, but content ecosystems are better.

Content ecosystems are like deploying tiny salesmen that live on the internet and sell for you 24/7. Content marketing’s goal is consumption, then behavior (leads, sales, new clients).

Content marketing helps businesses prepare and plan for reliable and cost-effective sources of website traffic and new leads that are working for you 24/7. A good content ecosystem “gels” over time and you will see the website traffic increase, SEO benefits (rank higher on Google), and hopefully a conversion (website funnel strategy) in the end. Strong pieces of content can help you become more visible online, both on search engines and on social media. Your social media platforms are one of the best ways to connect and share content with your target audience.

Content creation success is measured in many ways including:

  • Spike in visitor traffic and page views on a specific content post
  • The number of Shares, Likes, Pins, and ReTweets on Social Media
  • Media mentions and stories covering your business or firm
  • Website ranking (SERPs) increase
  • Conversions. Actual product sales or new clients (example: Financial Services)

The basic purpose is to create content and try to post at least 1 time per week. Content is scalable and you can add as needed or when more resources become available. Content Marketing is important! Without it, you’re going to struggle to attract the attention you need to collect leads and convert them into sales or clients!