To run a successful business, you need to market it.
And online marketing can be one of the most effective ways to do it. People turn to the Internet almost every day, and especially when they are looking to purchase a service or product it can often be the first thing they go to.
Building an audience for your business online increases your visibility.
That way consumers know what you sell and can turn to you when they need something you offer.
Start with a Website and Email Sign Up Form
The first thing you need to do is publish a website. This website should detail the services and products you sell. First off, you should optimize it for search engines and your consumers.
On your website, include an email sign up form. This will be your email list you can use to send newsletters to people.
Email marketing enables you to reach people in addition to websites and social media. The great thing about emails is that the content can be shared on recipients’ social networks, so all their followers see it.
The emails can be forwarded to people’s friends and family, which could lead to more exposure for your business.
Add Content Regularly with a Blog
After you have a website set up, you need a blog. A blog provides consumers information they can use and is one of the best ways to build authority for your brand or business.
It also develops trust, so they will feel more comfortable buying from you. Additionally, blogs also have search engine optimization benefits. The more content you publish, and the more keywords you use that relate to what your consumers are searching for, the easier it will be for people to find you.
As you publish content on your blog, you can repurpose it in many way to market your business. This is called content marketing.
When you have a new blog post, market it on social media. You can post the link to the blog with an engaging intro on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
If you have products, consider using images on Pinterest with the link to the product or blog post discussing it.
You can also use the content on your blog in your email newsletter. This brings people to your site to learn and eventually they will probably buy. You may want to check out our guide on how to create a content marketing strategy; this is crucial to make sure you are delivering high quality content that your viewers will care about.
Utilize Social Media
Use social media consistently to build your online audience. You don’t have to publish multiple posts a day to gain traction on social media.
You can curate content. Content curation is the process of finding content your consumers will enjoy and posting about it on your social networks. As much as you might not think this will help you market your business since people are clicking on links to other people’s websites, as long as you are not leading people to your competitor, it benefits your consumers and they will appreciate it.
Market your email list and website on social media as well. Your online audience on social media will follow you in other ways, as long as you let them know what you have and where to find it.
If you intend to utilize social media be sure to find out when is the best time to publish content (high quality content).
Guest Post on Related Websites
You can also build your online audience by guest posting on other people’s websites. You are an authority in your industry.
You can share valuable knowledge with other website’s followers. Reach out to website owners and ask them if they would like you to contribute a blog post.
You can write something that their followers will find beneficial, and then include a link to your site at the end of it. People who like what you’ve written will click on your link, and if they see more of what they want and need, they will connect in other ways such as sign up to be on your email list, follow you on social media, or follow your blog’s RSS feed.
Build Offline
You don’t have to stick to the Internet to build your online audience.
You can promote your business to your customers offline, in person or through more tangible mediums. Ask customers to join your email list, follow you on social media, and visit your website.
Consistency Grows Your Online Audience
Consistency is important when you’re trying to build an online audience. Blogging daily, posting on social media multiple times a day, and sending an email out to your email list weekly are all ways you can continue to build your audience.
You must be consistent or you’ll see the growth of your audience slow down or stop. Marketing is work, but it’s worth it. The more people that know about your business, the higher the likelihood they will buy from you to increase your online revenue.
What are some good ways you have found to build and online audience for your business? Let us know below!
