As a small business, I know that budgets are tight, especially in these uncertain economic times. Moreover, any entrepreneur knows that marketing, especially social media marketing, is a key factor for any business that wants new customers. Fortunately, many of today’s social media, AI, and digital marketing tools are free to use if you know how to use them properly and effectively.
Furthermore, social media marketing is not rocket science! With solid strategic and tactical marketing plans, along with thorough Google Analytics monthly reporting, you can see improvements in your marketing efforts rather quickly.
Strategic social media marketing is crucial now more than ever!
Sure, there are tons of shortcuts out there that you can take, but are they really effective? Have you planned out the strategy? If you’re going to spend money, you need to have a clear plan as well as a budget. You must clearly define your target market so you can specifically and strategically target them.
What this boils down to, and what I tell my clients when they ask, “Should I spend money on social media advertising?” — My answer? — it depends. Do it for free (organically) for 3-6 months following my instructions. Check your analytics, insights, and website statistics monthly; see what’s working and what’s not working, then adjust your strategy and tactics accordingly. However, if you’re a startup, say an ecommerce website, and the holidays are approaching, then yes. Also, if you’re in a highly competitive field or industry, then yes.
Actually, there’s a lot that you can do organically: without paying...
You have 2 choices when it comes to social media marketing…
Option 2 is your most cost effective. Actually, about 1/10 of the cost of hiring someone to do it for you. Here’s why I recommend learning how to do it all yourself:
- No one knows your business like YOU know your business.
- The “social” part of social media is about building relationships. Who do you want building relationships with your current and potential clients? A stranger or someone in your organization who knows your business?
Though it may seem daunting, learning how to market your business on social media in a logical progression that makes sense will get you set up, optimized, and with strategic and tactical marketing plans in hand, ready to take control of your marketing!
Besides that, you’ll be ready to hit the road running when training is done!
Social Media & Content Marketing Steps & Strategies for Marketing
The 10 Steps to Successful Online Marketing
Here’s what it takes to get started.
- Clearly define your target market(s): You can have more than one. Grab the Free Define Your Target Market Workbook
- Research your target market: Where are they hanging out online? What are their habits? What questions are they asking? What is their search intent?
- Set SMART Goals. This puts you on the right path to success.
- Develop a Strategic Plan: this outlines the online marketing strategies to accomplish your goals. Then, a Tactical Plan pinpointing how you’re going to implement the strategies (your to-do list).
- Set up, brand & optimize your website and each social network page for AI SEO.
- Learn how to properly AND EFFECTIVELY use the tools and how everything works.
- Create Content: Write blog posts, record videos or podcasts.
- Implement, engage & build a following by sharing, not selling. Just do it! Try a great social media scheduling tool: Sendible! (affiliate link).
- Use email automation to entice sales. I recommend using Sender (affiliate link) for email marketing. It’s affordable and easy to use!
- Monitor & measure your online marketing monthly: Check your analytics and insights to see what’s working and not working, and adjust your strategic and tactical plans accordingly.
Let’s start with a FREE 15-minute discovery call and analysis. Click here to schedule.
What should I do first for strategic social media marketing as a small business?
Start by clearly defining your target market, plan a strategic approach, and then develop a tactical plan that outlines how you will implement the strategies. Use free resources like the Target Market Workbook and focus on organic growth first before spending on ads.
Should I spend money on social media ads or go organic first?
If you’re a startup or in a competitive field, ads can help, especially around holidays. Otherwise, try to grow organically for 3–6 months, monitor analytics and website statistics monthly, and adjust your strategy before investing in paid advertising.
What are the two choices for social media marketing?
Hire someone to do it for you or learn how to do it yourself. The latter is usually much more cost-effective and puts you in control since you know your business best.
How can I start with the 10 steps to successful online marketing?
Clearly define your target market, research where they hang out online and what questions they ask, set SMART goals, develop a strategic plan and a tactical plan, set up and optimize your website and social pages for AI SEO, learn to use the tools effectively, create content, implement and build a following, use email automation, and monitor your analytics monthly to adjust your plans.
How do I monitor and adjust my social media marketing?
Check your analytics and insights monthly, review what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your strategic and tactical plans accordingly based on the data.
Let’s start with a FREE 15-minute discovery call and analysis. Click here to schedule.
