Category Archive: Digital Marketing
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7 Marketing Myths: Debunked!
Leave a CommentMarketing is an ever-evolving industry, with new trends popping up every day to help businesses and brands connect with their customers. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing everything you hear or read about marketing, but some of the things that get repeated most often are myths that no longer hold true in our social media and mobile world. Here’s a list of 7 marketing myths debunked, along with why they’re no longer true and what you should do instead.
- I’m too small to digitally market my business.
One of the most popular misconceptions about digital marketing is that it’s not worth the investment for a small company because they don’t have enough capital.
This couldn’t be further from the truth! Large companies do invest heavily in online marketing, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for smaller businesses to succeed too. Research proves that no matter what size company you are – whether you’re running a single-person shop or an enormous corporation – you can make use of digital marketing strategies and experience success.
Best of all? It won’t cost much to get started with these sorts of methods!
- Great products and services sell themselves
Having quality products or services is important, but what good is that if nobody knows about it? You could have a competing company and they could take your customers while you stand idly by.
Every brand needs to communicate and relate to its target audience so they can convert into customers – then once the customer has bought your product, they’ll validate your marketing claims.
- You must post several times a day to be successful on social media.
One of the more pervasive myths about digital marketing is that quantity beats quality.
This may have worked in the past, but it’s no longer the case. The idea is that if your competitors are posting 10 times per day and you post 15 times per day, then you will get more traffic than them. But this isn’t true anymore — Google has gotten smarter over time with its algorithms and it understands when companies are trying to manipulate their search results through keyword stuffing or spammy link building strategies.
For content marketing, the quality of your content is far more important than the quantity. Just one piece of exceptionally high-quality content can generate more traffic than dozens or hundreds of lower-quality pieces. Answering questions that your customers might have will bring you more organic traffic and more sales. You might even end up on the first page of search engine results, which is your goal.
- Advertising and Marketing are the same things
Advertising is a company paying for space to promote a product or a service. The goal of advertising is reaching as many people as possible who are willing to pay for what a company sells.
Marketing involves a much broader picture of how customers connect to a brand. A marketing strategy can involve running several types of advertisements, but marketing looks beyond the success of an ad campaign.
Businesses leverage advertising to promote their products and services for sale as well as establish corporate culture and branding. When employed properly and strategically, advertising can drive customer acquisition and boost sales.
- Marketing results are instant
All too often, those new to the marketing sector find themselves disappointed when their efforts do not work out immediately.
If you are not seeing a payoff to your marketing right away, surely you must be doing something wrong, right? Wrong.
If you use an online approach of marketing instead of more traditional ways – then yes, it’s true that you’ll likely see results faster than if you relied on them exclusively. But even this type of branding will still take time before paying off. It may take many clicks until one individual decides to contact you or make a purchase—and that’s just fine!
The majority of the most effective organic branding approaches are known for taking months before sizable results can be seen (even though they’re quicker than others). For example, paid advertising methods like sales funnels take some time too before getting qualified leads.
You’re going up against established opponents and big companies when using any type of branding campaign – so adjust your expectations about how long things will take accordingly.
- Creating a website is enough for your marketing.
Business owners often believe that investing in social media or a website is enough. But this isn’t true since both serve a different but interconnected goal – so neither alone is enough.
A website is one contact point, out of many others that you need to be successful in business. If people don’t see your site, how will they know about it? And if they don’t find it, how will they reach it? So it’s important to have one place where your target audience can access all information about the products/services you offer and then connect with you or buy online with ease – which typically fulfils the aim of having a website at all.
Meanwhile, utilising social media marketing to create a community of engaged fanbase through effective social media strategies, provides another way for potential buyers to come across your brand- converting them into customers.
- WordPress and Shopify are bad
Not. At. All. Actually, we love them!
There is a reason WordPress is the most used website building system in the world: It’s really good because hundreds of thousands of developers have invested hundreds of thousands of hours into these website building systems.
It’s an honourable ambition to do everything from scratch but it is:
- Likely going to fail or lack quality
- Going to take lots of precious time and money
- Going to be less flexible for your future plans.
You are not going to find a developer who can set you up with that quality, functionality, and flexibility within a few months. You’ll also spend all your budget and more on tech and code and likely notice that it doesn’t necessarily look pretty. Because the coder is no designer and you’ll have to spend even more on that.
Also: What if you want to add new functionality like a blog or an e-learning platform later on?
You’ll have to get that coder back to do it because you can do nothing on your own in that code maze.
It is much better to start with a reliable and standard website utilising the already established website building systems and hire developers to customise it and make it yours!
Conclusion
Not everyone is lucky enough to afford the expensive marketing campaigns of large brands. However, that does not mean that marketing strategies are useless! There are many ways to market your company without relying on a hefty bank account. Avoiding these traps and following some simple steps will help you grow your business and make it stand out among
If you’re still wondering “Is that everything? Did I get it all?”Let’s talk!
At Feur Media House, we’ve worked alongside various industries from support services to skin care. Our services range from social media strategy and content creation, paid advertisements to complete website overhauls, Feur’s experienced marketing and development teams have the skills to help your business. We want to learn about your business, empower your marketing team and be your creative partner. contact us at info@feur.com.au
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6 Essential elements for a successful advertising plan!
Leave a CommentHow many advertising campaigns have you seen? How many of them do you think worked?
Have you ever thought about why some campaigns work while others don’t?
Here you can find the answers.
Advertising is a bundle of communication techniques created to persuade a specific audience or masses to take particular actions towards the product, service or idea you advertised.
Advertising is always connected with the present; daily updates and newly born channels, either online or offline.
So, to drive the whole process and get the required results, every step has to be well-planned
And here, the secret lies in the word “advertising plan “.
An advertising plan is a documented strategy that shows how the company intends to communicate with the audience to deliver the desired key message through determining the audience, key message essence and the medium between them.
A successful advertising plan mix should answer the following questions one by one.
1. How can you describe/analyse the company’s current situation?
Make a “list” of the company’s problems VS their open opportunities in the market.
An advertising message should address a problem and turn these problems into opportunities.
*Apple Problem Statement
Apple has experienced a decline in iPhone sales due to a lack of innovation, along with a higher price tag. After conducting research, it seems that Apple has become complacent with their product line and did not feel the need to completely change their latest iPhone.
So Apple needs to reevaluate their production process and include more quality checks. This will ensure the company’s vision is met with their latest product. By increasing their Research and Development, Apple will be able to redesign their iPhone and recover from their decline in sales.
2. How should you structure a framework for your company’s approach?
• Define specific advertising goals
• Get the revenue and market share statement for the required (product –service)
• Add another list that includes: Your company’s top competitors – their services/products – their marketing strategy – their advertising applications.
• Mention your company’s products/services accompanied by results of any marketing research you have conducted
“Amazing things will happen when you listen to the customer.”
Jonathan Mindenhall
To get a significant result, you need to set your audience profile (Demographics – interests – behaviour)
• Define your company’s competitive advantage
3.How should your advertisement look and feel?
After answering the previous questions now, you can set a guideline for the campaign creative that gathers all your recommendations for the visuals, content, tone, etc.
For example:
Color palette: primary and secondary colors
Typography: font styles, sizes, and spacing
Other imagery: photos, illustrations, and artwork
Voice and tone: how the campaign uses language and emotion
4.What is your promotional plan?
Top 3 elements you need to consider while setting your promotion plan.
• The most effective cost route.
• Duration and timing of your advertising (Yearly, seasonally, etc.)
• Determine the best promotional channels (Influencer marketing, Offline advertising, Online advertising, Partnership marketing.. ETC)
5.How should you set your budget?
Balance is the “Key” neither spending too much that causes a waste of resources nor spending too little, so you will not achieve your goals. Also, you must remember that new practices or services will require more advertising.
6. How can you measure the success of your advertising campaign?
Take it as advice but don’t EVER think about “tracking the campaign results” after you have started it.
Tracking the results methods are as essential as creating the campaign itself. Starting a campaign means that you have already determined your results tracking methods as “Website Analytics, Phone Tracking, CRM Tracking, Split Testing, KPI Tracking.”
That each method of them may need another article. But for this one, I think we are done now. Always remember, “Creativity without strategy is called art, creativity with strategy is called advertising”
Now, I want to let you sum up all the previously asked questions, rearrange your priorities and start to prepare for each, reclassify your resources to answer them. Specify your company’s situation, certain your framework and set your budget to get wonderful results.
In your opinion, what do you think is the most important step to building your advertising plan?
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The Advantages of Hiring a Marketing Agency.
Leave a CommentMarketing is one of the ruling factors to support your business to stand out from the crowd and grab your customer’s attention.
Hiring a full-service marketing agency will introduce you to an experienced and dedicated team that can execute your vision and help you achieve your business goals.
Picking the right marketing agency for your company can streamline your conceptual business ideas into a personalised, actionable plan that will effectively reach your audience and maximise your return on investment (ROI).
The choices
Luckily, you can hire a marketing agency while keeping your in-house marketing department. This is still an option to make good use of the benefits of having both.
If you need to reduce costs effectively, then hiring a marketing agency for the job is quite sufficient.
Then. Tell me more about the benefits!
1. Cost-efficiency
Salaries for marketing professionals can be quite expensive. From 2016 to 2017, the average salary of a Director of Marketing increased by 17%, and the average salary of a Content Strategist increased by 40%! Read the full report here.
Not to mention the efforts of the interviewing, cv screening, offers’ negotiations and the time consumed in the long hiring processes.
2. Package of skillset
Hiring an agency gives you broad access to web designers, copywriters, data analysts, PPC advertisers, social media managers, content creators, SEO experts, and more.
You actually get all your marketing services consolidated for one fee while maintaining experience and follow-up.
3. Single Point of Contact
Having a single point of contact is a blessing. You only have one contact person in the marketing agency you refer to (usually the account manager and sometimes even the CEO himself).
This communication process keeps you focused and enables your organisation to assess the performance of your marketing activities through one person.
4. A fresh perspective, neutral approach!
An agency is an external eye on your business. It can look at your business objectively and report the pros and cons. You need impartial feedback rather than compliments!
Another advantage is that the marketing agency has broader access to the market and can help you assess the competitors’ performance and plan accordingly.
Additionally, agencies’ skills and tools help them create data-backed strategies for your business.
The excellent utilisation of this data is crucial to the success of your business. You would not be able to obtain this type of consolidated data quickly and easily if you depended on your in-house marketing department.
5. More focus on your business.
Most people forget that successful marketing results start from a clear business vision.
By hiring a marketing agency, you will pay them to do their job while you focus on your business goals and visions. You need your full potential and energy for this task while leaving the details, the execution, and the details for them to perfect.
Do you really have enough time to follow up on the day-to-day activities of all your social platforms or a marketing campaign’s effectiveness?
6. Securing the future!
The marketing world is changing rapidly. We are witnessing the digital revolution and heading to robotics very soon.
A marketing agency is more flexible about changes and is keen on keeping up with the fast-paced world of business!
Working with an advertising agency gives the advantage of being flexible and dynamic about the market’s minor and major changes.
This is also correct in entering more players and competitors into your business’s market. Securing the future is crucial to your business in the long run.
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The power Of Social Media
Leave a CommentBillions of people worldwide use social media to search for knowledge and entertainment, connect with family and friends, and express themselves. This space is getting wider daily, dominating almost every aspect of our lives, relations, moods and businesses.
What is social media?
Social media is an internet-based form of communication. A social media platform is an online sphere that targets a certain group of people with similar mindsets, demographics and interests.
Each social media platform sets its own tone, user interface, usability and the business aspect through which it can generate revenue based on its business model.
Social media platforms include blogs, micro-blogs, wikis, social networking sites and applications, photo-sharing sites, instant messaging, video-sharing sites, podcasts, widgets, virtual worlds, cell phone apps, networking games, and more.
Power of the People!
It is “social” because people “socialise”! People control it.
People tend to “communicate”. Information runs between a “sender” and a “receiver” directly, instantly, one-to-many-and-back-again method.
No limit; information runs around freely and virally. Any topic can be discussed directly among constituents, regardless of their physical location.
This is unlike traditional media like TV, Radio and Newspapers that depend on one-way communication! The sender controls the process.
Thus, the power of the people changes the game. Social Media dominates!
Power of social media for business
Businesses are based on people, and it is targeting! Where people are found, money is there!
It is about what, how and when to start grabbing it. According to sproutsocial, 55% of consumers know about a new brand/product on social media.
It is now about being globally recognised.
Traditional marketing communication methods are declining in favour of social media!
Organic or paid?
One of the many benefits of marketing of social media marketing is that it can be totally free. Make sure your content and material are relevant and valuable; thus, your product/service can go viral organically without paying a penny to any social media platform!
On the contrary, paid campaigns are targeted at a specific target audience, and there is an allocated budget for it in the business marketing plan.
It is crucial to differentiate between these terms while social media marketing is mentioned.
What are the top five benefits of Social Media marketing?
1. You are getting noticed via SEO!
Most social media platforms send signals and data to search engines via SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). Briefly, it is the ranking of a website whenever someone searches for something using a search engine. The order of web links that are seen first! Many factors contribute to higher search engine ranking, and social media is a major one!
FEUR Media House offers SEO Services to help you get a higher ranking for your website.
2. Improving Brand Loyalty
Social media networks allow for direct and (almost) real-time two-way communication. Brands should take advantage by being available to respond to their questions, inquiries, comments, and complaints.
Over time, you build a rapport with your followers, gain their trust, turn them into customers, and eventually make them loyal to your service/brand/product/page.
Loyal followers will act as brand advocates later on, and their engagement will be crucial to your online image and will be reflected on SEO ranking.
In today’s highly competitive market, the customers have more and more choices. Brand loyalty is becoming more critical than ever.
Using the power of social media properly will be a huge advantage in improving it.
3. Boost your brand awareness
You can increase your brand recognition by using the right tools and the proper content material.
While pursuing presence and recognition online, try to focus on a few social media platforms to be easier to maintain. Pick quality over quantity. Each platform has a different demographic that you need to link to your
Try to follow a social media strategy, stick to it, and ensure it is relevant to your overall marketing plan.
Make sure to refine your page bios, polish your cover photo and update your contact information.
FEUR Media House helps you create effective awareness campaigns and plan a social media strategy to spread your brand awareness among your targeted audience and potential customers.
4. Crowdsourced and User-Generated Content (UGC)
Your customers can participate in creating your content. Another important advantage of social media is that you rally your customers to work for you as a team of marketers!
You can encourage your fans and followers to deliver user-generated content on social media.
Ask them to post photos or videos along with your branded hashtag or write down their impression about your new promotion, packaging, specific product, etc.
You can even ask them to participate in your future marketing plans by sharing their thoughts. At the same time, you collect these data immediately and directly with a clear direction of their demographics.
Next, your social media team can track the hashtags, collect the content they post and reply to them. This creates an engagement with your followers and encourages them to come back and revisit your page.
That way, you are not receiving the content, but others post it on social networks. It is being seen by each of your fan’s networks individually as well as your brand and your network.
People trust people more than brands; UGC is content created by people.
Our team of professional social media specialists at FEUR Media House can help you set your UGC goals and share the secrets of the trade to tempt your customers and followers to engage with your social media platforms.
5. Measuring Success with Analytics
You cannot manage what you cannot measure!
Remember how difficult it was to measure your marketing efforts in the past, marketing research firms, focus groups, paper-based surveys, street interviews, etc.
Social media revolutionised the way marketing data is collected. Every single detail you need to know about your customers, consumer behaviours, trends and feedback is digitalised.
There are hundreds of social media tools through which you can receive a comprehensive report that you can use as a trustworthy source for your business.
You get full insight into each social media platform’s performance and learn more about which of your social media posts and content is performing best with which audience.
It also provides you with in-depth recommendations of what you need to do in the future, which is a great asset for your decision-making process about which platform you need to invest in more and those that need to be abandoned.
The power of social media for business in figures
According to sproutsocial, there are seven important figures that proved the importance of social media for business.
1. 55% of consumers learn about new brands on social media.
2. 68% of consumers agree that social media enables them to interact with brands and companies.
3. 43% of consumers increased their social media use to discover new products in the last year.
4. 78% of consumers are willing to buy from a company after having a positive experience with them on social media.
5. 80% of business executives think investing additional resources in social media marketing is essential.
6. 91% of executives will increase social media marketing budgets in the next 3 years.
7. 72% of companies use social media data to make business decisions.
Read the full survey results here.