Tag Archive for: Digital Marketing

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As a business owner, you already know the importance of digital marketing to your bottom line. But, have you considered the power of email marketing and improving your email marketing strategies? Not only is email marketing one of the most cost-effective ways to reach your audience, but it can also provide a higher ROI than other marketing channels, including social media and paid advertising.

However, with more and more businesses adopting email marketing, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to stand out from the crowd. That’s why you need to have a solid email marketing strategy in place that not only helps you grab your audience’s attention but also keeps them engaged and excited to hear from you.

By implementing these 7 game-changing email marketing strategies, you can revolutionise the way you approach email marketing, and create campaigns that truly resonate with your audience. These strategies range from simple tweaks to more complex tactics, but all have one thing in common – they’re designed to take your email campaigns to the next level.

From personalised messaging to segmentation and automation, you’ll discover how to create compelling email campaigns that not only drive conversions but also build long-term customer loyalty. So, if you’re ready to say goodbye to boring emails and take your email marketing to the next level, let’s dive into these game-changing strategies and start transforming your email campaigns today.

Segment Your Email List

One of the keys to effective email marketing is to make sure that your messages are relevant to your audience. By segmenting your email list based on factors such as demographics, past purchase behaviour, or engagement with your previous emails, you can create highly targeted campaigns that are more likely to resonate with your subscribers.

In fact, studies have shown that segmented email campaigns can result in a 760% increase in revenue. That’s a staggering number that speaks to the power of segmenting your email list. It also helps you to avoid sending irrelevant messages that could lead to your subscribers hitting the unsubscribe button.

One method to effectively segment your email list is to simply ask subscribers for their preferences or interests when they sign up for your email list. Once you have segmented your list, it’s important to tailor your messages to each group. By taking the time to craft targeted messages that speak directly to each segment of your email list, you’ll be able to create campaigns that are more likely to be opened, read, and acted upon.

Personalise Your Emails

Personalization goes beyond simply adding a subscriber’s name to the subject line. Consider incorporating personal details such as location, past purchase history, or other preferences to create highly personalised messages that truly resonate with your subscribers.

By taking the time to personalise your email campaigns, you’re showing your subscribers that you value them as individuals and that you understand their unique needs and interests. This can go a long way in building trust and loyalty with your audience, which can ultimately lead to higher conversion rates and increased revenue.

Say Goodbye to Boring Emails with this 7 Game-Changer Email Marketing Strategies

Create Engaging Subject Lines

Your subject line is your first impression, so make it count. Avoid generic subject lines and instead use language that is specific, intriguing, and relevant to your audience. Consider using humour, questions, or even emojis to make your subject lines stand out.

When it comes to email marketing, your subject line is the first thing that your subscribers will see, and it can have a huge impact on whether or not they decide to open your message. That’s why it’s important to put time and effort into crafting subject lines that are attention-grabbing and engaging.

Use Eye-Catching Design

The design of your email can make or break the success of your email marketing campaign. When it comes to design, the goal is to create an experience that is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and memorable. One way to achieve this is to use visually appealing graphics, images, and videos to support your message. A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure your images are high-quality and relevant to your message.

 

It’s also important to optimise your email design for mobile devices. With the increasing use of smartphones, many people check their emails on the go, and a poorly designed email can turn them off immediately. Make sure your email is mobile-responsive and loads quickly. You don’t want your subscribers to have to pinch and zoom just to read your message.

Offer Valuable Content

Email marketing can be more than just a sales tool. It can be a way to connect with your subscribers, build relationships, and establish your brand as an industry leader. By offering valuable content in your emails, you can position your brand as a trusted resource for your subscribers. This can help to build brand loyalty and increase customer retention.

 

When creating your email content, consider what your subscribers are looking for. What questions do they have? What challenges are they facing? How can your brand help them solve these challenges or answer their questions? By understanding your audience and their needs, you can create content that is truly valuable and relevant to them.

Test and Optimise

A/B testing is like a secret weapon for email marketing, as it allows you to test out different aspects of your campaign and see which ones perform the best. It’s a great way to make data-driven decisions and optimise your strategy over time. With A/B testing, you can test different subject lines, designs, or offers to see what resonates best with your audience. For example, you could try testing two different subject lines and see which one has a higher open rate. Or, you could test two different designs and see which one leads to more clicks.

 

By using A/B testing to experiment with different elements of your emails, you can refine your strategy and continuously improve your results. The key is to use the data you gather from your tests to inform your decisions and make changes that will have the biggest impact on your campaigns. So, if you want to take your email marketing to the next level, be sure to incorporate A/B testing into your strategy.

Automate Your Campaigns

Imagine having the ability to create a set of personalised email campaigns that reach out to subscribers when they need it the most. Marketing automation can help you do exactly that. Instead of manually sending out emails to your subscribers, automation enables you to set up triggers that automatically send emails when a subscriber completes a specific action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. This can help you create a highly targeted and personalised experience for your subscribers, while also allowing you to save time and resources.

Furthermore, you can use marketing automation to nurture leads through the sales funnel, providing relevant information and offers at the right time to guide them towards conversion. By leveraging marketing automation in your email campaigns, you can stay one step ahead of your competition and keep your subscribers engaged at every step of their journey.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by implementing these 7 game-changing email marketing strategies, you can create campaigns that stand out in the inbox and truly resonate with your audience. Remember, effective email marketing is all about delivering value, being relevant, and staying top of mind. So, say goodbye to boring emails and hello to a more engaging and effective email marketing strategy!

Ready to take your email marketing to the next level? Let Done Digital help! Contact us today to learn more about how our marketing automation services can help you create engaging campaigns and drive conversions.

Creating a Content Marketing Strategy can be a daunting task, but with a little creativity and determination, it can be a lot of fun. One of the biggest challenges our clients face when it comes to marketing is knowing where to start. In this article, we will walk you through the exact process we use at Done Digital to take your business from zero to hero. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get started on creating a content marketing strategy that delivers results!

Define your Target Audience

When it comes to creating a successful content marketing strategy, understanding your audience is key. After all, your content should be tailored to their interests, needs, pain points, and desires if you want to engage and convert more customers. That’s why taking the time to research your audience is a critical first step. 

Start by asking your existing customers for feedback on what they like and dislike about your brand. This can help you understand what’s working and what needs improvement. Additionally, using tools like Answer The Public are great to get into your customers’ heads. Browsing social media platforms where your target audience is active can also provide valuable insights into their interests. By understanding your audience, you’ll be able to create content that truly speaks to their needs and wants. 

Set Clear Goals

Next up, let’s talk about setting clear goals. Picture this: you’re about to embark on a road trip, but you have no idea where you’re going. How will you know when you’ve arrived? The same goes for content marketing. You need to have a destination in mind, a goal that you’re working towards. Do you want to increase website traffic? Generate leads? Boost brand awareness? We’re guessing it’s probably a combination of those. Having a clear goal in mind will help you shape your content and make sure you’re moving in the right direction.

It’s also worth noting that your goals may evolve over time as your business grows and changes. That’s why it’s important to regularly revisit your content marketing strategy and make adjustments as needed. By staying flexible and adaptable, you can ensure that your content marketing efforts continue to drive results for your business.

Create Valuable Content

Now, it’s time to get creative! Think about the type of content your audience would enjoy. Would they prefer informative blog posts, engaging social media content, or helpful how-to videos? Whatever it is, make sure your content is not all about your business but provides value to your audience. Answer their questions and solve their problems to keep them engaged with your brand.

In addition to evolving your goals and strategies, it’s also important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in content marketing. This can involve experimenting with new formats or platforms, such as video or social media, and optimising your content for search engines and user experience.

Content Marketing Strategy: Creating valuable and informative content that resonates with your target audience, increases your brand's visibility and credibility.

Content Marketing Strategy: Creating valuable and informative content that resonates with your target audience, increases your brand’s visibility and credibility.

Be Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to content marketing. Think of it like a workout routine. You can’t expect to see results if you only exercise once a month, right? The same goes for content marketing. Develop a content calendar and stick to it. Consistently producing high-quality content will help build trust with your audience and keep them coming back for more.

Consistency can also help you build momentum over time. As you continue to produce high-quality content and engage with your audience, you’ll start to see increased traffic, engagement, and ultimately, conversions. This can help you establish a virtuous cycle of success, where each piece of content you produce drives more and more results for your business.

Optimise for Search

Optimising your content for search engines is crucial for getting your content in front of the right people. But let’s be real, SEO can be a bit of a snooze fest. So, spice it up a bit! Conduct keyword research, but don’t be afraid to throw in some fun and quirky keywords too. It will make your content stand out and keep your audience engaged.

Of course, it’s important to balance creativity with effectiveness. You still want to make sure that your content is optimised for the right keywords and is easily discoverable by search engines. But by injecting a little bit of personality and creativity into your content, you can help set it apart from the competition and keep your audience engaged, which is equally as important as the keywords you choose.

Promote your Content

Creating great content is only half the battle. You need to promote it too! One way to promote your content is by sharing it on social media. Whether you’re posting updates on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram, social media provides a powerful platform for promoting your content and engaging with your audience. 

But social media isn’t the only channel for content promotion. You can also leverage email newsletters, paid advertising, influencer marketing, and other channels to get your content in front of the right people. Ultimately, effective content promotion is all about finding the right mix of channels, tactics, and engagement strategies that work best for your brand and your audience.

Measure and Adjust

Finally, it’s crucial to track your content marketing efforts and measure their success over time. By monitoring key metrics like website traffic, engagement rates, and lead generation, you can identify what’s working well and what needs improvement in your content marketing strategy.

But let’s be honest, tracking metrics can be a bit dry and boring. So why not spice it up with some friendly competition among colleagues? Setting goals and seeing who can achieve them first can be a fun and effective way to keep everyone on your team motivated and engaged in the content marketing process.

To wrap things up, creating a content marketing strategy can be a bit of work, but it can also be a lot of fun and a worthwhile endeavour. By getting to know your audience, setting clear goals, creating valuable content, being consistent, optimising for search, promoting your content, and measuring your success, you can take your business from zero to hero!

Want to grow your business with a content marketing strategy that delivers results? Book a free strategy call with the team at Done Digital today. We’ll help you understand your business needs and provide personalised recommendations to grow your business faster and more effectively.

Click here to schedule your strategy call now!

Written by David Lee-Schneider, CEO of Done Digital

As the world of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop at breakneck speed, it’s becoming increasingly clear that small businesses will have to adapt or risk being left behind. Embracing AI is no longer an option but a necessity for staying competitive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

While for many business owners, these latest advancements may be scary, for those who are willing to invest time and resources into understanding and implementing AI technologies, an ocean of new opportunities awaits. By incorporating AI-driven tools and strategies into their marketing and operations, small business owners can make data-driven decisions, better understand customer preferences, and create more targeted campaigns, ultimately increasing sales and growing their businesses.

The rise of AI has made it more important than ever for small businesses to prioritise their marketing efforts. By leveraging AI-powered tools, businesses can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable time and resources to focus on more strategic initiatives. Moreover, AI-driven marketing platforms allow for more precise targeting, enabling businesses to reach their ideal audience and maximise return on investment (ROI).

One of the key benefits of AI for small businesses is the ability to analyse large amounts of data quickly and accurately. This allows businesses to uncover patterns and trends that can inform marketing strategies, optimise pricing, and improve customer experiences. By harnessing AI-driven analytics, small businesses can gain insights that were previously reserved for large corporations with access to more resources. Now, businesses of any size can benefit from highly intelligent tools and software.

Another powerful advantage of AI is personalisation. Today’s consumers expect highly personalised experiences, and AI enables small businesses to deliver just that. By analysing user behavior and preferences, AI can help businesses tailor their content and offers to individual customers, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates.

Of course, adopting AI is not without its challenges. Small businesses need to be proactive in learning about the various AI tools and technologies available, and understanding which ones are best suited for their specific needs. Additionally, small business owners must be prepared to invest in training and upskilling their teams to ensure they are equipped to make the most of these new technologies. The output we get from AI tools is only as good as the input we provide. So, understanding how to effectively use these tools is crucial to successful implementation.

Ultimately, the decision to embrace AI comes down to choice. As Charles Darwin once said,

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most responsive to change.”

Small businesses that choose to adapt and leverage AI will be better positioned for growth, to win customers, and to increase sales, while those that resist change may find themselves struggling to stay afloat in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Embracing AI and making marketing a priority will not only help small businesses stay ahead of the game but also enable them to reach new heights. The future is in our hands – let’s choose wisely, and let the power of AI propel our businesses to success.

What are your thoughts on the impact of AI on small businesses? Let me know in the comments below!

When it comes to growing your business, you can’t afford not to spend money on marketing. But how much should your marketing really cost? How do you make sure it’s really worth the investment and how much is too much?

In this article, we will discuss the various ways to market your business, what to look out for and how much it costs to implement a marketing strategy that actually works.

The Cost of Marketing

There really is no ceiling to how much you can spend on marketing. If you have an unlimited budget and want to go crazy, the world is your oyster! Unfortunately, most businesses don’t have an unlimited budget and need to be careful how much they allocate to marketing activities, or any other area in their business.

So, how much should marketing cost?

The reality is, you can spend anything from $50 to $5.000.000 per month on marketing. A better question to ask might be: What’s the minimum you need to spend to actually see results?

And that brings us to the next question, what results are you actually looking for?

What Results Can You Expect From Investing in Professional Marketing?

When it comes to marketing strategy, many people expect a “quick fix”. They want to see results instantly! But while a marketing plan may have the potential to bring in big returns, it’s important to remember that success takes time.

Before you go spend money on the first marketing idea you’re presented with, it’s always wise to get clear on some specific outcomes that you would like to achieve.

For example:

  • Number of new customers per month
  • Overall sales targets
  • Quantity of sales of a specific product or service
  • Number of registrations or sign-ups

Once we have a clear objective, we can start exploring different marketing strategies to help us get there.

Choosing a Marketing Strategy That Actually Delivers Results

With so many tools and platforms available today, finding the right marketing strategy can feel like a daunting task. However, keeping your objective in mind makes it easier to filter through the noise and explore your options more strategically.

If you offer a service that customers need a quote for before purchasing, investing in simplifying your quoting process may be a good idea. Is it easy enough for your customers to request a quote online? Or is all you offer on your website a phone number or generic contact form?

For a retail business, it may be a good idea to offer a discount voucher that customers can claim and use in-store. Offering something for free online in return for your customers’ contact details will allow you to establish and grow your customer list.

Each example will require a different set of tools to deliver results. That’s why it’s so important to start with the end in mind and work backwards to reverse-engineer a strategy that will work for your particular business.

The trap many business owners fall into is thinking that there is a magic bullet to marketing success. A single tactic that will solve all their marketing challenges.

There isn’t. But when we start looking at marketing holistically, we can really amplify the results of each tactic we choose to deploy.

Exploring The Holistic Digital Marketing Ecosystem

Ideally, you want your marketing strategy to be made up of a variety of platforms, tools and channels. These may include:

  • a professional website
  • social media platforms
  • communication channels (i.e. email, SMS, calls, direct mail)
  • customer relationship management
  • advertising (online and offline)

Diversifying your marketing means you can cast a wider net and reach more potential customers. You also want to make use of search engine optimisation (SEO), so people can easily find your business online.

Usually, most marketing experts or agencies will specialise in just one of the above. That means, a web designer will try to convince you to invest in your website. A social media manager will say that your budget is better spent on social media marketing. And an advertising agency will make you believe that the fastest way to grow your business is using paid ads.

Who is right and who will you listen to?

Well, the answer is: They are all right, but… only to a certain extent.

Each of these elements represents just one piece of the marketing puzzle. And without the others, your strategy is incomplete and likely to fail.

A holistic approach will take into account all available marketing channels and ensure that your marketing strategy doesn’t just stand on one leg, but is built on a solid foundation.

So, we are yet to answer the question of how to best spend your marketing budget.

What Is The Best Way To Spend Your Marketing Budget Online?

As previously touched on, at Done Digital, we believe that a holistic marketing strategy is the best way to grow your business sustainably. But what does that look like in practice?

Generally, there are 4 ways to implement holistic marketing in your business:

  1. Implement everything yourself
  2. Hire someone to help with the implementation internally
  3. Outsource your marketing to a digital agency
  4. Make use of automation tools and put your marketing on autopilot

While each of these can get the job done, the cost can vary significantly. Let’s explore each option a little further.

Doing it all yourself might seem like the cheapest way, however, that’s only if you don’t take into account your personal time. Moreover, if you are not an expert in digital marketing already, it could take you years to figure it all out on your own, which also means years of lost opportunities.

Hiring someone internally, even if just part-time, could cost you upwards of $30k annually plus super and other benefits. There is also the risk of that person resigning along the way, which could leave your business in a vulnerable position.

Of course, there is always the option of engaging a digital agency to assist with your marketing, but as previously mentioned, many agencies specialise in just one area of marketing, and finding one that does it all can quickly get expensive. Furthermore, most agencies will charge an ongoing retainer of $2K-$5K per month to do your marketing for you. And while they might get you the desired results, paying an agency ongoing can really eat into your profits. Another challenge with digital agencies is that, as soon as you stop working with them, your marketing usually stops too.

But there is a better way: Using the power of automation to build a marketing system that delivers sustainable long-term growth.

A Better Way To Grow Your Business

The implementation of a fully automated marketing strategy will cost considerably less and can be achieved with a comparably low budget of around $15K to $25K.

The benefit?  An automated marketing system will continue to work for you for many years, saving you thousands in the long-term.

At Done Digital, we build marketing ecosystems for smart business owners looking for sustainable business growth, without depending on expensive staff or agencies.

If you would like to have a chat to explore the idea of a fully automated marketing system in your business, book a free strategy call today.

Conclusion

While marketing can seem like an expensive investment, the truth is, not investing in marketing can turn out to be far more expensive when you consider lost opportunities.

While all options described in this article have the potential to work well, a fully automated marketing system that only needs to be implemented once is certainly the most economical option.

When deciding on a strategy, make sure you look at your marketing holistically and consider various parts of the marketing puzzle to maximise results and position your business for sustainable long-term growth.

Digital marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach your target market and grow your business. In this article, we will provide tips for businesses in Brisbane who are looking to start or improve their digital marketing efforts.

What is digital marketing and how does it differ from traditional marketing?

Digital marketing is the process of using digital channels such as search engines, social media, email, and other websites to promote your products and services. It is distinct from traditional marketing in that it uses digital technologies to reach a wider audience and more effectively target potential customers. Digital marketing can involve a variety of tactics such as search engine optimisation (SEO), content creation, and social media campaigns. In addition, digital marketing offers a range of advantages over traditional marketing, such as improved measurement capabilities, greater reach, and reduced costs. In Brisbane, digital marketing is an increasingly popular way for local businesses to increase their reach and attract new customers.

How can a Brisbane businesses get started with digital marketing?

The rise of digital marketing across Australia is growing rapidly, and there are many Brisbane digital agencies providing businesses with a wide range of marketing services. From SEO to social media, website design and analytics, there are a number of options businesses can explore to get the most out of their digital marketing efforts. The biggest challenge is to find an agency or marketing consultant who understands marketing holistically and can guide you in how the various tools and channels can be used to reach your target market.

What are some common pitfalls for Brisbane businesses when starting digital marketing?

One of the main challenges for businesses when starting their digital marketing journey is finding the right strategy and approach. Too often, businesses try to do too much with their limited resources, which can result in ineffective campaigns. It is also important to consider how technology will impact your business’s operations and structure. Ideally, you want your marketing strategy to align with the way you operate your business in order to create a streamlined experience for both, your business and your customers.

What are the most effective digital marketing strategies for a small business in Brisbane?

For small businesses in Brisbane, digital marketing is a must in order to remain competitive in today’s ever-evolving marketplace. Effective strategies include SEO optimisation, content marketing, social media marketing, and email marketing. SEO optimisation helps to ensure that small businesses in Brisbane come up in Google search results when potential customers search for relevant terms. Content marketing works to create a connection between a business and its customers through content that is interesting and informative. Social media marketing helps to drive traffic to a business’s website and engage with customers. Finally, email marketing allows small businesses to reach out directly to customers with tailored, personalised messages, promotions, and other pertinent information. All of these strategies can help small businesses in Brisbane maximise their online visibility and reach more potential customers.

How can a business track the success of their digital marketing efforts?

For businesses looking to grow their online presence and reach new customers, digital marketing is an important tool. However, in order to ensure their strategies are successful, businesses need to be able to track the success of their efforts. Fortunately, there are a wide range of analytics tools available to businesses, enabling them to measure the performance of their digital marketing campaigns and identify areas for improvement. By leveraging these tools, businesses can ensure that their campaigns are delivering the desired outcome.

Here are some tools every Brisbane business should use to track the effectiveness of their marketing efforts:

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a powerful tool that allows businesses to measure the performance of their digital marketing campaigns in Brisbane. It provides your business with insight into web traffic, user behaviour, and other important metrics. By leveraging Google Analytics, businesses can better understand how their campaigns are performing, and make informed decisions on how to optimise their strategies for the most effective outcomes. This intelligence can be invaluable when managing digital marketing efforts and get a good understanding for how you compare to other local businesses in Brisbane and beyond.

Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free service that provides tools and reports to help businesses understand how their website is performing in Google Search, and how to improve it. It provides data on how people are searching for and finding your website, and can help you identify and fix any issues, such as crawl errors or broken links. Brisbane businesses and marketing agencies can then use this invaluable data to help their website rank higher in search engine results, reach more potential customers, and increase their online visibility. With the right strategies in place, Google Search Console can be a powerful asset for any company’s digital marketing efforts.

Email Marketing Software

Email marketing software is an invaluable tool for tracking the success of digital marketing campaigns in Brisbane. Most email marketing software provides a range of detailed analytics that allow businesses to track metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. This allows marketers to identify which campaigns are successful and which need to be tweaked or abandoned. Additionally, the software can automate certain tasks such as sending out emails, allowing businesses to save time and focus on more important tasks. There are many options available, but here is a list of some of the most popular email marketing software available today.

Most Popular Email Marketing Software in 2024

  • Mailchimp
  • ActiveCampaign
  • Keap
  • Clixio
  • MailerLite
  • Hubspot
  • Drip
  • Ontraport
  • Sendinblue
  • Convertkit
  • GetResponse
  • ConstantContact
  • Salesforce

Which platform is best suitable for your business depends on various factors, including whether your business is mainly B2B or B2C, how you operate, what other software you may need to integrate with and the size of your contact list. Whether you are a service-based or ecommerce business will also play a big factor in determining the best software to choose. Again, a marketing consultant should be able to assist you in choosing the right platform for your individual needs.

How can a Brisbane business stay up-to-date with the latest digital marketing trends and techniques?

Staying up-to-date with the latest digital marketing trends and techniques is vital for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge in the digital space. Fortunately, businesses in Brisbane have access to a range of digital marketing professionals and services who can assist them in understanding and applying the latest trends and techniques. With a good understanding of the fundamentals of marketing and effective implementation of the latest digital marketing trends and techniques, businesses can ensure that their digital presence is maximised and that they remain ahead of their competitors.

How can a business measure the return on investment (ROI) of their digital marketing efforts?

Measuring the return on investment (ROI) of digital marketing efforts is essential for any business. By understanding the ROI of their digital marketing activities, businesses can identify which strategies are most effective and ensure they are getting the most out of their investment. This can be achieved through careful tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs), such as website visits, conversion rates, and customer engagement. Additionally, businesses should consider other metrics, such as brand awareness and customer loyalty, in order to gauge the success of their digital marketing campaigns. An experienced digital marketing consultant or reputable marketing agency can help ensure you are making the most out of your marketing efforts.

What are some affordable digital marketing options for small businesses in Brisbane?

In Brisbane, small businesses have a range of affordable digital marketing options to choose from. From social media management to website design and SEO services, there are plenty of ways to get your business noticed online. Utilising the right combination of digital marketing strategies tailored for your business can help you reach your target market and take your business to the next level.

With a holistic approach, small businesses in Brisbane can take advantage of digital marketing without breaking the bank. However, oftentimes the strategy with the higher price tag can turn out to be the more economical option in the long term. It is important to not just look at price but the projected results a strategy might deliver.

How can a business use social media to their advantage in their digital marketing efforts?

Social media is a powerful tool for businesses to deploy in their digital marketing efforts. It provides a platform to engage with customers and build relationships, as well as share content through various channels. Additionally, businesses can use social media analytics to gain insights into their target market, allowing them to tailor their offerings and marketing campaigns accordingly. Social media is a great way to target people Brisbane-wide or in specific areas and suburbs. By leveraging the power of social media, businesses can increase visibility and reach more customers than ever before. But like with any other marketing activity, the success depends on the strategy used.

How can a business use content marketing to drive traffic and generate leads?

Content marketing is an effective tool for businesses in Brisbane looking to drive local traffic and generate leads. By creating content that is of value to potential customers, businesses can attract attention and interest from people in their local area. Content marketing can include blogging, email marketing, videos, social media posts, and other forms of content. All of these methods can be used to connect with potential customers online, build relationships, and drive traffic and leads to a business’s website or physical location.

Content Marketing Tip: When creating content, aim at keeping it timeless, so you can repurpose your content in the future. Creating timeless content that won’t go out of date will allow you to create much more effective and leveraged Evergreen Marketing strategies that you can set and forget.

With the right strategy and execution, digital marketing can be one of the most effective ways to grow your business – long-term and sustainably.

Recently, I had a conversation with the owner of an eyelash extensions salon in Sydney who asked me for the best ways to market her business. But when I mentioned email marketing as a strategy, she looked at me stunned. “Aren’t emails dead?”, she asked.

The answer is, far from it! To this day, email marketing remains one of the most effective (and profitable) ways to reach your target audience. In fact, it’s never been more important for small business owners to focus on building their email marketing list than in 2024. Here are 5 reasons why.

1. You Own The Data And Stay in Control

Many business owners are under the impression that a Facebook or Instagram page is enough nowadays as a marketing strategy. And while I agree that they provide a fantastic opportunity to grow your audience, no business should solely rely on social media.

Facebook has already made drastic changes to the way your content is distributed. Have you noticed that your reach has decreased significantly over the last few years? Even if your page has thousands of foCustomerllowers, that doesn’t mean you can reach them. Only about 5-10% will actually see your posts.

The reason is that Facebook and Instagram are in the business of advertising. So, if you operate a business page, of course they want you to pay for your content to reach more people. That means it’s really out of your control.

As a business owner, you always want to minimise risks and putting too much power in the hand of social media companies is a risky move. Your email list, however, is completely owned by you, not Meta.

2. Email Marketing Delivers Personalised Experiences

One of the biggest benefits of email marketing is that it allows you to create personalised customer journeys. When you send an email to your list, you’re not just reaching out to everyone on that list – you’re targeting each contact personally. This means that you can connect with your customers on a more personal level, creating a stronger connection and building trust.

Think about it this way: If a business sends you an email and all they say is, “Hey, thanks for subscribing!” – chances are that you find it rather impersonal. But if they send you an email that’s personalised and tailored specifically to your interests, then you’re much more likely to read and respond.

Especially in small businesses, this can have a huge effect on how their business is perceived. Making use of email automation is very much like cloning yourself multiple times. You can send all your leads and customers the right message at the right time. And in marketing, timing is everything.

3. Email Marketing Allows You to Build Long-Term Relationships with Customers

Another great benefit of email marketing is that it can be used to establish long-term relationships with your customers. This builds trust and keeps your customers coming back – which is essential for small businesses on a budget.

Email is the ideal medium to onboard new customers using a series of short messages to introduce them to your services, your team and all the other benefits your business provides. It’s also a great way to introduce existing customers to products and services they haven’t tried before. This will also increase your chances of building repeat business, improving retention – like we did for this Brisbane Dance Studio – and increasing your overall sales.

4. Email Marketing Can Be Used To Drive Traffic To Your Website (Or Wherever You Want It)

One of the best ways to drive traffic to your website is through email marketing. Having people join your mailing list, means you can reach out to them again and again at virtually no cost. This means that you can send them new content and updates regularly, driving traffic back to your website, to specific offers, to your other social media channels and more.

Moreover, it allows you to invite customers to leave a review for your business on Google and Facebook, which is a fantastic way to enhance your reputation online and improve your Google rankings.

With all these benefits, email marketing should no longer be an option, but an absolute must-have for any small business owner who is serious about growing their business.

5. Your Email Marketing Strategy Can Be Fully Automated

To me, the real benefit of implementing an email marketing strategy is that it can be completely automated using tools like Clixio, ActiveCampaign or Mailchimp. That means it’s not another thing you, as the business owner, have to manage or worry about. It’s something you can set and forget.

Marketing automation is often overlooked and undervalued.

As a marketing consultant, I help business owners all over Australia implement effective, fully automated marketing strategies that free up their time, budget and headspace.

If you would like to have a chat about your business and how we can use email marketing and other automation tools to help you scale, click here to book a free strategy call with me today.

Marketing is essential for any small business. It’s the lifeblood of your business. But with the ever-changing digital landscape, it can be quite a stressful task to tackle and result in overwhelm. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, with a little bit of planning and effort, you can have a small business marketing plan that will help your business grow for years to come.

1. Define Your Goals

When creating a small business marketing plan, it is important to first define your goals. What do you want to achieve with your marketing efforts? Do you want to grow your business, reach new customers, or increase brand awareness? Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, it is easier to develop strategies that will help you achieve them.

Many business owners assume that in order to grow their business, they need to get more customers. However, if your business already has an established customer base it may be faster and more cost-effective to re-market to your existing customers instead.

2. Create A Targeted Strategy

Once you know what you want to achieve with your marketing efforts, the next step is to create a targeted strategy.

Some questions you might want to ask yourself include:

  • What are the specific channels and methods that will work best for reaching your target audience?
  • Which platforms are most effective and provide the best return on investment?
  • Which types of media do your customers prefer?
  • What tools or software will you use to achieve your targeting goals?

Once you have a targeted strategy in place, it is important to allocate the right amount of resources to each channel you choose to utilise.

3. Plan For Maintenance And Adjustment

No matter how well you plan, your marketing efforts will not be perfect from start to finish. In fact, it is likely that your strategy will need a few adjustments once it’s launched. This means that you will need to have a plan in place for maintaining and adjusting your marketing efforts.

Some things you might want to consider include:

  • How often should you re-evaluate your target audience?
  • What are the best times of year for advertising?
  • How do you handle it when one of your channels no longer works for you?
  • Can your strategy be automated or does it require ongoing management?

Remember to work smarter, not harder. There are lots of marketing automation tools available that allow you to implement “set and forget strategies” to free you up from having to actively manage them.

4. Set Your Budget And Timeframe

One of the most important factors to consider when creating a small business marketing plan is setting a budget and timeframe. By knowing how much money you have to spend and how long it will take to achieve your goals, you can create a plan that is tailored specifically to your needs. Additionally, creating a timeline can help keep you on track and prevent unnecessary (and sometimes costly) delays.

For most small businesses, every dollar counts and it’s important not to spend unnecessary amounts on marketing activities that don’t deliver results.

5. Implement Your Marketing Plan

A well-executed marketing plan can help your small business achieve its goals faster and with less effort. It’s important, however, to understand how the different aspects of your strategy connect and how to make them work in alignment.

Looking at marketing holistically creates leverage, meaning you will achieve a much greater rate of success while spending less time and budget.

In my 90-Day Marketing Transformation, I work with Australian small business owners directly to implement a set of organic strategies that require very little or no maintenance and thus, make their marketing budget stretch a lot further.

In addition, I can help you automate time-consuming marketing activities, like social media content, lead generation and email marketing to free up valuable time and headspace, so you can focus on what you’re already great at – serving your customers.

Conclusion And a Faster Way To Implement Your Small Business Marketing Plan

By following these five steps and planning out your strategy in advance, rather than approaching your marketing ad-hoc, you will significantly reduce the time and money you spend on marketing activities.

If need help implementing a strategy that will help you attract more customers while saving you time, confusion and frustration, let’s have a chat. Book your free strategy call.

Recently, I had the pleasure of doing my 90-Day Marketing Transformation with Scott and Melisa at Just Tinting in Bundaberg.

As an honest, old-school business that has been operating for over 30 years and values good old-fashioned customer service, the digital side of marketing had always felt a little intimidating.

Moreover, being on the tools most days doesn’t really allow much time and headspace to worry about managing social media, website, online reviews and all the other “online stuff”.

So, when running a traditional offline business, how do you transition from radio ads and the Yellow Pages to a successful online marketing strategy that gets tangible results?

Implementing a Digital Marketing Strategy for a Window Tinting Company

Time is always of the essence and most business owners simply don’t have the time and headspace required to run time-consuming marketing activities on top of their day-to-day trade. So, in the 3 months of working together, I helped Scott & Mel to put systems in place that require no management at all but allowed Just Tinting to really leverage the online space.

Big Picture and Strategy

We started with our initial kick-off strategy session over Zoom in which I pulled all of Scott’s knowledge out of his head and onto a mind map. This is a crucial step for me to really understand the business inside and out.

I’m always amazed at how much knowledge my clients have of their services and industry. Good marketing is all about showcasing that knowledge and using it to educate your customers to make better choices.

We also got really clear on who the ideal customer is, their specific needs and wants, and how to make the process of dealing with Just Tinting super easy for them. From getting in touch and finding answers to questions, to getting a quote – our goal was to streamline the entire customer journey.

Content & The Digital Ecosystem

From there, My team and I went on to create a whole lot of content that we could share in various ways, including:

  • On the Website
  • On Social Media Accounts
  • Blog Articles
  • and Email Marketing Campaigns

Content connects your business with your audience. It’s what helps guide people in their decision-making process before making any purchase. When we provide content that is relevant, engaging and educational, we begin to attract the right audience. Understanding the digital ecosystem and how we can leverage the various platforms helps us design a strategy that is truly aligned with our customers’ needs.

Website Design and Search Engine Optimisation

As part of Just Tinting’s 90-Day Marketing Transformation, we also built a brand new website with best practices in mind, that is both easy to use and mobile-friendly so that it looks great on any device. We optimised the site for search engines (SEO) so that it shows up on the first page of Google when locals search for window tinting online.

We targeted popular keywords like “window tinting Bundaberg” and “car tinting Bundaberg” for which Just Tinting now ranks on the first page.

Marketing Automation

But we didn’t stop there. We also automated the entire content delivery for a hands-off approach that doesn’t require the constant time-consuming management of various platforms. As a result, Scott and Melisa now have posts going out on social media and Google My Business multiple times per week – on autopilot – never having to worry about what to post and knowing that their content is always engaging, relevant and on-brand.

FREE DOWNLOAD:

How to Get FREE Exposure For Your Business on Google Without Paying For it
CLICK HERE

In addition, we made use of clever email marketing automation to keep in touch with customers and continue to educate them about the various areas of the business and how they can benefit from Just Tinting’s different services. It’s always easier to sell a different service to an existing customer than to acquire a new customer. Email marketing is a fantastic tool to help your customers to return to your business.

To help build and manage online reviews, new customers now automatically receive an invitation to provide feedback and leave a review for Just Tinting online. Social proof not only boosts the business profile and credibility but also helps to attract more organic traffic, resulting in steady long-term growth.

Together, these strategies work holistically to generate new leads every day and support Just Tinting in its mission to provide Bundaberg locals with window tinting and car paint protection of the highest quality.

Could you benefit from a fully automated marketing strategy that helps grow your business while freeing up time, budget and headspace? Then join my 90-Day Marketing Transformation.

Client Feedback

Here’s what Scott and Mel had to say after their marketing transformation.

“Before working with David on our marketing strategy, we didn’t really know where to start or how to start! We were unsure what information was best to post on social media that would appeal to our audience and drive sales. Knowing how to build a professional website that is unique to Just Tinting was also a major challenge.

After seeing the successful outcomes of many other local businesses that engaged David for their marketing, we knew he could help us achieve greatness, too.

As a result of the new marketing strategy, we are now generating more enquires and business. Our marketing approach is much more organised in the gathering of our customers’ details, who now receive professional automated responses to their enquires.

We would recommend David to any business, regardless of whether they are just starting out or already established. The results have been amazing and we now have a fantastic website, as well as witty and informative Facebook posts going out regularly.

We only had to invest a small amount of our time to gain these wonderful results!”

– Scott & Melisa Purkis, Just Tinting

QR codes have many different use cases and with a little creativity, the possibilities are endless. In this article, I share how to make the use of QR codes effective, things you’ll need to consider and common mistakes to avoid. 

Ready? Then let’s delve in!

QR codes are a great way to remove the boundary between print and online media. QR code is short for ‘quick respond code‘ and the reason they have gained in popularity in recent years is that it’s much easier and faster for someone to scan a code using their phone than it is to enter a long URL into the browser bar. 

Some time ago, you were required to have a special QR code reader app in order to scan one, but Apple, Google and Co have since integrated this functionality into their native camera apps, eliminating the hurdle of having to download a separate app.

5 Ways to use QR codes in your business and marketing activities

Here are a few ideas for how you can effectively use QR codes in your business.

1. Link to your menu or list of services

You can use QR codes to link directly to a menu or services page on your website. Many cafes and restaurants have adopted this technology, as it makes it a lot easier to update their menus on the fly without having to reprint them every time. Some even take it a step further and link to an online ordering platform, so customers can order directly through their phone.

2. Offer a free download, a free trial or a discount coupon

QR codes make a fantastic tool for lead generation. Whether you’re running a brick and mortar business with a shop front, a popup store or a market stall, you can use QR technology to link to a simple landing page where people can enter their details (usually their name and email) in return for a freebie. This is a great way to fast-track your lead generation – even on the go.

3. Use it to let your customers make a booking or schedule a meeting

Know those times you have to email back and forth multiple times just to find a suitable time to meet? This can easily be avoided with a simple scheduling tool like Calendly, for example. Once set up, you can have the QR code take your customers straight to the booking page. You can have the QR code printed on your business cards, brochures, even billboards.

4. Visit a specific page on your website

Sometimes, you may like to explain or showcase more than fits on a brochure or product fact sheet. Using a QR code, you can link directly to any page of your website, allowing people to discover more about your services or products. There’s so much more you can do on a webpage than you could ever do in print. For example, you can embed videos, use forms to collect feedback or other information, offer an interactive quiz, display helpful charts or animations, and so much more to help your customers connect.

5. Link to your social media accounts

QR codes are a quick and easy way to connect your audience with your social media accounts. Link directly to your Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn account – or why not create a page that links to all of the above and more? 

BONUS TIP:

One of the fastest ways to grow your audience is using a giveaway or competition. Use a QR code to a dedicated landing page where people can enter to win. If you don’t know how to create a professional landing page or add pages to your website, this can be easily achieved with a free Google Form.

Common mistakes when using QR Codes

Now that you know how you can effectively use QR codes in your business, let’s look at some common mistakes we should avoid.

1. Using a low-quality image

When printing low-quality graphics, they can quickly look unclear and become unscannable. When creating your QR code, be sure to download it in high resolution (300dpi or more) to ensure it looks clear when printed.

2. Not testing your QR code before printing

It is advisable to print a sample of your brochure or business card to check if your QR code scans properly and actually takes people to the correct link. Especially when printing multiple marketing materials that use different codes, it’s easy to get mixed up. Test each one separately to make sure each code is in its rightful place.

3. Using QR codes on Facebook or in other mobile apps

The whole purpose of a QR code is to take people from one device onto their own smartphone. Posting a QR code on Facebook or Instagram makes little sense, as people are most likely be looking at it on their phone already. In this case, a simple clickable link will make much more sense. 

For some of my clients, I have embedded a QR code to schedule appointments on their contact page. However, it only shows when viewed on a desktop computer. When the page is opened on a mobile device, it changes to a button they can simply click.

Always ask yourself if it will be easier for people to scan a QR code or if a simple link may be a more elegant solution.

How do I create a QR code?

Creating your own unique QR code is easy and fast. There are a number of websites available that let you create QR codes for free. Some even let you customise your QR code by changing colours, embedding a logo and more.

Note: The important thing is that you download the generated code in high resolution (300dpi or more) to make sure it looks clear and scans correctly when printed.

Here are a few websites offering free online QR code generators:

https://www.qrcode-monkey.com

https://www.qr-code-generator.com

https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com

 

Have you used QR codes in your business before? If so, how?

Now you know that you need an email list and have started to build one, the next step is to build the relationship that will make the list profitable. In this article, we list 9 tips to help you get that process started.

1. Unsubscribers Are Good.

The only way that you will not get unsubscribes to your list is to never send them emails. Not everyone will like your personality or writing style. Those that don’t, will never follow your recommendations, so it isn’t a great loss when they unsubscribe.

2. Be Yourself

Let your personality come through to your list. People will buy from you because they trust you. Try to be something you are not and it will come through to your list and you will never develop that trust.

3. Be Informative

Make sure that you are supplying quality information to your list. Even if you are presenting a product for sale make sure that you are also supplying information. Create the problem and your product as a solution but also let your subscribers learn something about the topic even if they aren’t interested in the product.

4. Stay On Topic

If your list is about desserts, that should be the topic of your email. Now, don’t send tips on marketing automation to your dessert list or desserts recipes to your marketing tips list. Yes, there may be a few that have interests in both (I am one and have both types of lists), but the person signed up for a specific topic and you are violating that trust you have worked so hard to create if you don’t keep your promise of what you said you’d send them.

5. Limit Content in Emails

Sending multiple items to your list can be extremely confusing to them and never get you the action you are looking to get. Make sure that you have a clear call to action in every email. Never leave your subscriber wondering what you wanted them to do.

6. Always Have a Reason

This tends to go with number 5. Make sure that there is a reason for the email that you sent. If you have a purpose then people will tend to keep reading. If they have no idea what your reason is for your email then they will quickly stop reading all of your emails. There are some great Email automation tools, like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign, that allow you to send the right message at the right time, which makes your emails more relevant to your audience.

7. Track What Works

Tracking is the only way you will know which of your emails works and which don’t. Measuring the right KPIs will allow you to improve your emails to your list. Do remember that the only purpose of your email is to create the click through to a sales page. If it does that it is successful whether you sell a product or not. The sale of the product is dependent on the sales page.

8. Use Contact Information

You are building a relationship and that is based on trust. Let people know who you are and how to reach you.

9. Be Responsive

If you receive an email from a subscriber, answer it. That goes a long way to building the trust that is necessary to create a customer. People buy from those that they trust.

These tips will go a long way towards helping you to build the relationships that are necessary to build a profitable list.