3 Key Digital Marketing Tips to Drive Sales

Every business needs an effective marketing strategy to meet sales objectives. As we are progressing tremendously into the technological world, it is imperative that businesses leverage the digital realm to speak to their target markets in more effective ways. Here are three useful digital marketing tips you should consider as part of your overall sales strategy.

Build an SEO-friendly website

Having an online presence is the basic necessity to thrive in the digital world. With 4.92 million internet users in Singapore at a penetration rate of 84%*, tapping on this medium to market your business is essential. You can first start off with a fully-optimised website that is search engine friendly. While Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is crucial for search engines to rank your website on the first page, you must also know how to target your audience online using SEO.

  1. Keywords

Before beginning any SEO optimisation strategy, you must know what keywords or phrases you want to rank on search engines. These words or phrases are what your potential customers will key into the search box when they are looking for a product or service that you also offer. There are many ways you can do keyword research. For instance, you can find out what generic words or phrases best describes your brand and also look up those used by your competitors to see where you are lacking in. There are several powerful keyword planning tools you can find online to perform this step.

Do note the type of customers you want to attract. If you are looking to drive sales to your e-commerce site such as Shopify, your potential customers are more likely searching for a product or service with a buying intent and thus, your keywords and phrases should be more product and service-focused. Those seeking information often use different short and long-tail keywords that are topical. While the former appears to be a more direct way to drive sales, the latter is also an important digital marketing strategy to tap on as it can persuade potential customers to visit your website to learn more about your brand before making a conversion.

  1. On-page SEO

Once you have decided on your keywords and phrases, it is time to work on your on-page SEO. These include updating your metadata by giving descriptive page titles and unique meta descriptions for each web page. Your URLs must also be easy to read, and your site must be accompanied by a clean web structure that is easy to navigate.

Images play a big role in search engine optimisation too. You can boost image SEO by updating your alt texts, image descriptions and titles with relevant keywords that relate to the nature of the image, the text it is accompanied by and the webpage it is displayed on.

  1. Content

One other crucial element of on-page SEO that is significant in digital marketing includes optimising your website content that can drive sales. While it is necessary to include keywords in your optimised content, you must remember that your content is not only meant to convert prospects but also serves as a resource for others to share. This means that you can reach new audiences that will increase your website traffic and thus increase the chance for you to convert a lead to a customer. There are different types of content you can include – blogs, videos, guest posts, product reviews and guides, among others.

Establish a powerful social media presence

Once you have a well-optimised website, you can now take advantage of social media to further enhance your online presence and be a level higher in your digital marketing sales strategy. There are 4.6 million active social media users in Singapore, with 4.2 million accessing the application via their mobile phones. Apart from creating paid advertisements on these platforms, you can create engaging organic content that your customers want to read, and drive engagement through likes, comments and shares. This allows you to generate positive brand mentions when your followers consistently interact with your brand in ways that meet your objectives. It is also an excellent opportunity to incorporate weblinks into posts and encourage your followers to click on them to reach your site.

All in all, boosting your products and services on social media not only helps to increase traffic to your website (that could potentially lead to conversions), but it also helps to build a base of loyal brand followers who are willing to share your content and thus increase your audience reach.

More prospects, more opportunities for a conversion!

Attractive Google My Business Profile

If you are running a business with a single store or several franchises across the country, setting up your Google My Business (GMB) profile will be incredibly helpful. An important SEO ranking signal, GMB allows you to manage your presence on Google Maps where you can provide all relevant details of your business such as the address, opening hours, telephone number and email, reviews as well as a link back to your website. Moreover, you can also give prospective customers an idea of what your business looks like by incorporating a 360 virtual tour. This allows them to have fun while interacting with your content and be prompted to find out more about your business by navigating to your website through your GMB profile. This drives organic visitors to your site who have the potential to generate conversions.

There is never a direct way to drive sales when it comes to digital marketing. Often, customers may not be as receptive to promotional content and thus it is useful to find other meaningful ways to engage them before they are more confident to make the purchase.

* Digital 2019 Global Overview Report, Hootsuite

 

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How To Generate Income Through Facebook

Whether you are addicted to Facebook or not, you can generate income or at least increase your network through this platform. Facebook enables you to connect to potential clients and helps you to develop close relationships. However, you must remember that Facebook is only a part of the strategy.

You still need to market through face to face interactions or through phone conversations. Clients need to feel a personal touch to your products or services. Nonetheless, here are some ways to generate income through the infamous Facebook.

Firstly, you must use Facebook Messenger to stimulate conversations with potential clients. Messenger is like email, but better. It is a way to quickly talk to your clients while attaching documents and stickers. You may highlight your promotions or send a group code to your clients. If you have not spoken to a “friend” in a while, you must renew the relationship first. You do not want him or her to feel like you are only reaching out for business.

Secondly, you must sustain the friendly conversations. Keep the conversation going by thanking your clients for their responses. Provide pictures, videos, and additional information on your products or services. If you do not hear back from them, you may send a “wave” a week after. Ask if they want to know the next step for successful purchase. Be patient.

Thirdly, you must create an enticing Facebook page. Fill your business profile with attractive pictures, genuine reviews, and witty captions. Edit your cover image, profile image, and about section properly. Exude your brand’s personality through the images. While, the about section shall dictate your credibility.

Lastly, you must put your profile on public. Your goal is to let your friends know what you do or what you offer. Let them feel that you can help them. For instance, you may write a similar post if you are a real estate agent.

“Hello there! I love helping people find their dream home. If you know anyone that needs assistance in real estate, please message me.”

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Keep things short and simple. Interested clients will surely message soon after!

Source: inc

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How To Efficiently Sell Your Items On Instagram

Instagram plays an integral part in our lives. For many Singaporeans, they treat Instagram (IG) as an catalog showcasing the latest in lifestyle and beauty. It allows retailers to use the word-of-mouth marketing strategy to build their clientele.

With about 75% of online businesses taking part, to miss out on IG can be a bad idea. You need to swim with the waves of time! That being said, you must optimize you must start with optimizing your Instagram profile.

BEAUTIFY YOUR INSTAGRAM BUSINESS PROFILE

Let’s face it! It is human nature to judge based on appearance. Thus, you must optimize your Instagram Business Profile. Spend as much time and effort needed to curate an aesthetically pleasing Instagram feed. Do not forget to include the following elements:

A. Profile Picture allows your consumers to identify your brand easily. So, choose a logo with the highest resolution.

B. Bio lets your consumers know exactly what you can offer. Keep your description clear and concise with a touch of wits or humor.

C. URL section in the bio encourages the consumers to click your website in a snap! Attach a link to shop to increase the drive of traffic to your website.

USE TESTIMONIALS AND FEEDBACK

Parade the people who believe in your brand by checking out the tagged photos. Post your consumers’ photos with their feedback to entice your audience. This phenomenon is called the Social Proof, whereby people respond positively to what others enjoy and avoid what others dislike.

A testimonial photo seems more authentic and reliable as you are giving the shoppers a real sense what the product looks like. Moreover, you may set up an Instagram Story Highlight that includes all the tagged or feedback photos.

REACH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

It comes as no surprise that using Instagram ads can help sell your products or services. With continued changes to the Instagram algorithm and heightened competition to have your content be seen, Instagram ads are crucial to your marketing strategy. Select a specific target audience to optimize it.

A business profile allows you to set up an ad, to control how much you spend, and to select the length of an ad. It allows businesses to choose target options that best suit their needs. For example, I can choose to target the people in Changi Airport to sell my “Bali Unforgettable Travels” book.

It is easiest to run ads by promoting posts you have shared on Instagram. Select the post you want to boost by hitting the “Promote” button upon posting. Set up your audience and your budget. Double-check the details before hitting the “Confirm” button.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

I suggest that you start with a small budget and run the ad for a few days to test things out. Once you are happy with the results, you can expand its running duration. Track how your ad is performing by clicking “View Results” in the bottom left corner of your ad. It helps to boost the photos that best represents your brand or photos that include some Instagram influencers!

Sources: 1 &
2

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How To Land A Job In The Modern Times

What is the best way to gain the attention of the esteemed recruiters? Consistently dropping your CV in the company’s e-mail? Or perhaps, you can dive into the fresh trend of using social media. The latter is your best bet yet!

Through smart networking and creative strategies, you can get your dream job. Here are just some strategies to keep you busy:

1. ACE YOUR PROFILE

Treat your social media profiles as your striking headlines because potential employers will see these first. Highlight your key skills and prior experiences by adding sufficient information in the “Biography (Bio)” or “About Me” section. For instance, Facebook allows you to include your previous titles by editing the “Work and Education” tab.

Complete your profile by attaching a high-quality and professional photo.

2. USE THE PROFILE’S DIRECTORY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

If you follow the coveted company’s page on Twitter or Facebook, chances are, they are linked to the current employees and employers. Follow or send a friend request to these people and treat them as your inside source. They may post job vacancies to their feeds or walls before these vacancies are widely advertised.

During the job interview, you will have a rough insight about the company and will be able to find a common ground with the interviewer.

3. BE PROACTIVE IN THE CONVERSATIONS

Take part in the healthy discussions related to the industry or the company that you have been eyeing on. You may share an article that interests you, comment on interesting threads, or open a discussion on your profile. Engage your followers by asking stimulating questions.

Respond to these comments to get a holistic perspective about a company or an issue.

4. STAY PROFESSIONAL AT ALL TIMES

Facebook is usually the first platform that hiring managers visit to get an idea of the “real” you. So unless you want them to know about your addiction to Laksa and Adidas sneakers, you must keep your profile professional at all times.

No matter how much you calibrate your privacy settings, your so-called friends can still screen grab your posts. Be careful what you put online! Remember that many of your future employers will be using social media to spy on you.

5. CREATE AN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

Hiring managers know that Instagram is one of the main tools that younger generations use today. To look for young talents, they post ads on Instagram. Just search through the keyword “#singaporejobs” to find lots of entries!

You may create an Instagram account that focuses on your brand. Say that you want to work in Singapore’s fashion industry. Stay ahead of the crowd by showing off your unique style through regular snaps of your #OOTD. Do not forget to tag the company’s products in the picture. This is one way for them to notice your talent and to appreciate your free publicity.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Friendly reminder: Use the power of technology with caution. You do not want to get scammed or mistreated because you let your guards down. 🙂

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The Contemporary Social Media And Financial Affairs

Here is how social media platforms can blend well with your personal monetary affairs.

YOU CAN CREATE A BUSINESS REPUTATION.

Content meets entrepreneurship as modern technology allows you to craft an online business persona. Use social media platforms to reach as many consumers as you can. You are free to advertise your products or service, but be wary of oversharing. Oversharing information may cost you plenty of money.

As Robert Siciliano, the online security expert for McAfee, once said: “Online reputation management and mitigation companies are a booming business because people just can’t stop posting things they shouldn’t, which often have long-term negative effects on their personal and professional lives.”

EDUCATORS CAN SHARE ENLIGHTENING VIDEOS ABOUT MONEY.

To increase mutual engagement between the financial literacy material and the students, educators can present a video inside and outside the classroom. Video sharing websites such as YouTube allows lecturers to upload their lessons, which can easily be shared by the students. This enables the students to process the money issues at their own pace.

Turn up the kinesthetic facet up a notch by asking your students to create a video to supplement their assigments related to budgeting or managing debts. This activity will connect them more to the lessons that you are teaching.

YOU CAN USE YOUR PROFILE AS A LEVERAGE.

One of the “online rules” that you must live by is to assume that your posts are all public. This assumption will make you accountable for your actions. After all, your employer may be stalking your every virtual move.

If you despise your job or your boss, it may be tempting to rant endlessly on Facebook. Posting does not cost a cent! However, doing so could sabotage your career. Do you remember the former NTUC Assistant Director who got fired due to her racist comments on Facebook? Well, NTUC’s Membership Partnership & Alliance took immediate actions as they have zero tolerance for racism. On that note, never post anything negative or unpleasant about your previous or current employer. Always use common sense!

FINANCIAL EXPERTS CAN EASILY COMMUNICATE WITH YOU.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Experts provide significant financial education that will benefit you throughout your lives. This is where the power of social media comes in. Social media platforms present a tremendous opportunity to reach diverse generations, especially the Millennials. Millennials use technology to learn about their personal money matters. So, use specific hashtag such as #financialaid or #guidetobudgeting to expand the discussion to more users.

Sources: 1,  2, & 3

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