Tag Archive for: Done Digital

Protect your website against hackers, scammers and above all – lost business opportunities.

The digital world is filled with opportunities for businesses to grow, connect with their audience, and thrive in an increasingly competitive market. However, this interconnected landscape also presents risks, as websites become potential targets for spammers, hackers, and other malicious actors. That’s why at Done Digital, we are excited to announce the launch of DoneGuard® Protection, now included in our Website Care Plan, to provide your website with the security it deserves.

DoneGuard® by Done Digital serves as your website’s ultimate shield, safeguarding your online presence against a variety of potential threats. In today’s fast-paced digital environment, maintaining the security and integrity of your website is paramount. With DoneGuard® you can rest easy, knowing that our team of security experts is working around the clock to monitor and protect your website from harmful intrusions.

We understand that recovering from a hacked website can be a costly and time-consuming process, disrupting your business operations and damaging your reputation. That’s why we offer our unbeatable DoneGuard® Guarantee: In the rare event that your website is compromised, we will completely rebuild it for you at no additional cost. This means that you can continue to focus on growing your business and reaching new heights, while we ensure that your website remains secure, functional, and protected from harm.

By including DoneGuard® Protection in our Website Care Plan, we aim to provide our clients with the most comprehensive and robust security solution possible. As a Done Digital client, you will benefit from the added protection and peace of mind that comes with DoneGuard®. Don’t leave your website vulnerable to threats; invest in the security it needs to flourish in the digital age.

Experience the difference that DoneGuard® Protection can make for your website and your business. Contact our team today to learn more about the Website Care Plan, and let Done Digital be your partner in ensuring a secure, thriving online presence for your business.

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!

Are you a wordsmith with a passion for crafting creative and engaging social media copy? Are you looking for a flexible, part-time role that allows you to put your skills to the test across a range of exciting industries? Then we want you!

Done Digital, an up-and-coming digital agency based in Brisbane, Australia is seeking a talented copywriter to join our team on a casual/part-time basis. As our go-to wordsmith, you will be responsible for creating compelling social media captions, blog posts and website copy that capture our clients’ brand personalities and connect with their ideal audiences.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • Demonstrated experience in crafting engaging copy for social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
  • A knack for distilling complex ideas and messages into clear, concise and attention-grabbing copy.
  • An understanding of social media best practices, including the use of hashtags, emojis, and multimedia.
  • Experience working with a diverse range of industries, with a particular focus on wellness & beauty, health & fitness and professional services.
  • Excellent written communication skills and a keen eye for detail.
  • The ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Experience in using AI tools like ChatGPT to create greater efficiency, however, must be able to make the content match the brand’s personality.
  • Punctuality and ability to join regular Zoom meetings

At Done Digital, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic, forward-thinking agency that fosters creativity, innovation and collaboration. We offer a supportive and flexible working environment and the opportunity to work with a wide range of Australian brands.

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, we would love to hear from you! Visit our Careers Page to submit your resume, cover letter and a portfolio of your best social media copy samples.

At Done Digital, we believe that business can be a powerful force for positive change in local communities. By supporting small business owners, we have the opportunity to help improve their lives and strengthen their communities. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Kiva, an organisation that provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs in need.

Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. By providing loans to business owners in developing countries, Kiva helps these entrepreneurs achieve their goals and grow their businesses. Whether it’s purchasing equipment, hiring employees, or expanding to new markets, Kiva’s loans give business owners the resources they need to succeed.

At Done Digital, we’re committed to making a difference in the world. That’s why we’ve pledged to donate 1% of our revenue to Kiva. This pledge is just the beginning. We also encourage our employees to get involved by allowing them to make personal loans to business owners through the organisation. This allows our team to have a direct impact on the lives of entrepreneurs around the world and be a part of their success story.

How Kiva Works

Kiva is unique among charity organisations due to its innovative relending process. This process allows loan funds to be recycled and reused multiple times, allowing our contributions to make a lasting impact. With each repayment of a loan, the funds are available for another small business in need to access, meaning that every dollar we donate can make a difference multiple times.

Done Digital partners with Kiva to make a difference in the world

The fact that Kiva has funded over $1.5 billion in loans is a testament to the effectiveness of this re-lending process, and demonstrates how even small contributions can have a major impact in a sustainable, long-lasting way.

We know that small business owners have the potential to make a big impact in their communities, and by supporting them through Kiva, we’re helping make that a reality. By donating to Kiva, we’re helping to create a better future for local communities around the globe and improving the lives of business owners in need.

 

 

At Done Digital, we believe that supporting small businesses is one of the best ways to make a difference in the world. Our partnership with Kiva is just one way that we’re working to create a brighter future for communities in need. By growing businesses, we are able to create sustainable, lasting change, and we’re proud to be a part of that effort.

Learn more about Done Digital’s 1% Pledge.

Learn more about Kiva.

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.

It’s a simple question: What is marketing?

The answer, however, isn’t always so obvious. Most business owners I speak to have a very different idea of what marketing really is. For some, it’s simply advertising (in print or online). For others, it’s ​​Social Media, PR or even just ‘word of mouth’.

Everyone’s got a different idea of what marketing means and how to best market their business. Here’s how I put it. 

“Marketing is everything you do to GAIN and RETAIN customers.”

So, when I think of marketing, I think of it as a lot more than just running ads or posting on your Facebook​ page. If you’ve watched some of my videos or visited my marketing blog before, you would have probably already heard me talk about the 3 pillars of business success. 

1. Attract
2. Convert
3. Deliver

In this blog post, I will give you a list of marketing strategies you can do within each of these pillars to grow your business, increase sales and leverage your time better.

Attraction – How to attract more potential customers

Attracting new customers is a crucial element of any business. It’s what fuels business growth and something that many business owners struggle with. Here are ten ways that will help you attract new potential customers continuously. You should be using a combination of these things in your business.

1. Have a great website

Seems obvious, right? The truth is though that many businesses don’t utilise their website enough. In most cases, it’s an online brochure that merely talks about them, when your website can be so much more (here are some examples). There are certain elements every business website needs in order to convert visitors into leads and actual buyers. You can find a checklist of these 17 crucial elements here.

2. Be on Social Media

Again, this seems like an obvious one, however, many business owners don’t explore social media to it’s full potential. When I say be on social, I don’t just mean go create an account for your business on Facebook and Instagram. You need to be active and use these platforms to drive potential customers away from social and back to your website (where you are not competing with cat videos).

The problem with social media is that, if done well, it can be incredibly time-consuming. The answer to this problem is automation. Luckily, these days we have the tools and technology to allow for a hands-off social media strategy that allows us to post as often as we choose to on autopilot. Here’s a complete guide to automating your social media posts so you never have to worry about what to post ever again.

Social media is an incredibly powerful tool when it comes to engaging with your customers. Don’t dismiss it and use it to your advantage.

3. Run print ads

Even though I’m a digital marketer, I still believe print ads have their place. But it depends on your business, the audience you are trying to attract and what print media you have available in your particular market. The key to making advertising work is to track your success. The key to making advertising work is to track your success. Yes, I just said that twice.

Don’t just have your logo and a little blurb printed in a generic magazine or newspaper. Make sure you have a clear call-to-action (CTA) for readers to follow. Coupons work great in most cases, as they will allow you to track the success of your ads and calculate the exact return on investment.

Know your numbers:

  • How much does the ad cost you?
  • How many leads (i.e. coupons) did you receive as a result?
  • How many of these leads actually purchased?
  • What was the total revenue generated from the ad?

Example:

Say you invest in an ad that costs you $300. Your ad results in 100 enquiries, meaning your cost per lead is $3. If out of these 100 enquiries, 3 people end up buying (3% conversion rate) with a value of $200 per transaction, you generated total sales of $600. That’s a 100% return on your investment.

These numbers will, of course, vary depending on the type of business you’re in. In most cases, even if you just break even, it’s still worth advertising in the long run, as you will be building your list of potential buyers, which is the biggest asset in any business.

4. Run online ads (Google, Facebook, YouTube)

Even though online ads are very similar to print ads, I like to list them separately. The great thing about online ads is that you can be so much more specific with your targeting and only put your ad in front of people that are highly relevant. This will help you reduce ad costs and increase your conversion rates.

Say, you own a beauty salon in Sydney and decide to invest in a print ad in a local magazine. Now you are paying for the number of readers the magazine tells you they reach. However, out of everyone who reads it, only a very small fraction of readers will actually be based in your area. Out of the people in your area, only a fraction will actually be potential customers (not everyone needs a beautician). And out of those potential customers, only a fraction will actually notice your ad and even less will take you up on whatever offer you presented them with.

In comparison, a Facebook ad will allow you to run a much more targeted campaign. Going with the above example of a beauty business, you could choose to only put your ad in front of women between the ages of 30-50, who live in your local area and also have shown an interest in beauty businesses. Even though your audience is now much smaller, it is also a lot more targeted, meaning you will reduce your ad costs significantly and increase your conversion rates.

Again, print and online ads can both be great ways to attract new customers. The important thing is that you track your success and never invest in advertising that can’t be measured. Oh, and did I mention, never invest in advertising that can’t be measured? (you may want to write this one down)

5. Partner with other businesses

Business partnerships – also called joint ventures – are one of the fastest ways to grow your business and are heavily under-utilised. It’s important to understand though that not all business partnerships are worth your time. Try to only focus on businesses that will have a significant impact on your marketing.

I recently helped two of my clients join forces, who are based in the same city. One is a local café with a huge customer database of over 10,000 people; the other is a massage business that had only started out a year earlier. Most massage business owners would go around putting flyers in local cafes and other places, which is incredibly time-consuming and will get you little or no results.

But instead, we wanted to leverage the huge database of people the cafe already had, so we sat down with the owner and explained that we would like to send a complimentary $25 massage voucher to every single customer on their list. And to put the focus on them, we wanted to make it look like it’s coming from them as a gift to their customers. They look good for spoiling their customers and the owner of the massage place was putting her business right under the nose of 10,000 locals.

All we had to do was write one email that went out to 10,000 people. And to take things even further, we even made this email a part of the café’s automated email marketing. That means that the gift card did not only go out to everyone on the list at that time but every future customer will receive it, too!

As a business owner, make sure you value your time and only focus on marketing strategies that have the biggest impact on your bottom line. Business partnerships are one of the best forms of leveraging your time and resources.

6. Write a blog

Ok, this one probably sounds boring to most business owners and, at first, you may not see the value in doing it. Let me try to change the way you look at blogging.

As business owners, we have conversations with customers daily. They ask us questions about our products and services, they voice their worries, hopes and fears. They want to feel heard and we want to show them that we know our stuff. A blog allows you to do all of that at the same time and in a much more leveraged way.

Use short articles to answer your customers’ burning questions, help them to understand what you do and how it will help them in their own life or business. Even with just one good article, you can attract plenty of traffic by sharing it on social media, on other websites, in your email marketing, and even in your ads. Everywhere!

Your customers are already looking for the information they need online, so you might as well be the one giving it to them and position yourself as the expert in your industry.

I like to compare blogging to renting vs. owning real estate. You can pay for traffic each month (renting) or you can provide value on your website that people come back for (owning real estate). Every article you put on your website becomes a timeless asset you can use to generate traffic for years to come. I call this Evergreen Marketing and it’s what all my clients’ success is built on.

Tip: Hire a writer to help you come up with and write 12 quality articles to put on your website. Then share these articles on social media each month and link to them in your email marketing. You’ll see your traffic increase significantly (and improve your search engine rankings as a result)!

7. Optimise your website for search engines like Google & Bing (SEO)

Despite what many business owners think, SEO (search engine optimisation) is not dead. Search engines just have gotten a whole lot smarter!

SEO is no longer just about having a bunch of keywords on your website that your customers are searching for. These days, search engines like Google scan your website for a lot more, such as readability, quality of content, how long visitors spend on your site, which pages are shared frequently on social media, the list goes on.

So, how do you take care of all this yourself? Simple. Focus on quality content on your site that people actually want to read, watch and share. That’s why the previous point (blog posts) is so important. Engaging videos are also a great way to connect with your visitors and keep them on your site longer.

There are plenty of resources on how to do great SEO out there. If you have a WordPress website, be sure to install the Yoast SEO plugin to help you optimise each page and article for search engines.

8. Run a competition or giveaway

Giveaways are a great way to reach new potential customers, and they are a lot cheaper to run than other forms of marketing.

The idea of a giveaway is to ask people to enter their details for a chance to win a prize. This is a fast way to build a list. You want to make sure that the prize actually attracts potential customers and not those who are just in for the freebies and who were never going to buy from you.

I see many business owners make the mistake to give away an iPad or similar as a prize. That’s way too generic. Anyone who wants an iPad will enter, which is not what we want. You want to use your give-away specific to your product or service in order to attract the right kind of people.

If you are an accountant who focuses on Xero, for example, don’t give away a free Netflix subscription. Instead, consider the prize to be a free Xero Setup and Consultation to streamline your accounting (valued at $495). That way you are only attracting business owners who would actually be a good fit.

The mistake I see many business owners make ist that they run the giveaway simply for the engagement. But engagement doesn’t equal sales. The whole purpose of a marketing activity like this, especially if you invest the time to set it up properly, is to build a list of qualified leads that you can reach out to afterwards. So don’t stop at the giveaway – think about the offer you can send to all those who entered but didn’t win. This is where you really turn your giveaway into profit.

9. Run a survey or quiz

A quiz or survey is another great way to build a list fast and gain valuable insights about the needs of our customers. You’ll want to come up with a set of questions that helps you improve your product or service and identify what may be missing.

If you don’t have an audience at the moment that you can send your survey too, consider partnering with a business that shares your target market and could also benefit from the data generated. You could incentives the survey, which may help to increase responses but could also result in lower quality leads and dishonest answers from people who just took the survey for the prize.

If you would like to learn more about how to use surveys effectively, I highly recommend reading the book ASK by Ryan Levesque. You can download a free copy here.

10. Send a press release to media outlets

A press release can get you lots of free publicity in major newspapers, magazines and news websites. Once you discover this magical strategy, you’ll never want to pay for print advertising again! How much would a full-page article in a major newspaper be worth to you? Exactly? And it’s so much more powerful and memorable than any ad you paid hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars for.

The key is to have a good story that journalists can pick up and elaborate on. Before you write a press release about a new product you launched or a sale you have going, put yourself in the shoes of a journalist. What would their readers want to read about? Tell stories that are not directly about you, but in which you or your business play a role somehow.

Which story would you rather read?

  1. Local roofing company launches new website and is open for business
  2. Local roofer helps the homeless have a roof over their head for Christmas by handing out free tents

There is no way a journalist would pick up the first headline. Because, frankly, nobody cares. The second story is something they can actually work with. Be strategic about the story you want to tell. The first rule of writing a press release is to NEVER SELL your business or products. Focus on helping the journalists to find the story they are so desperately looking for to hit their quota of articles they need to write each week.

Download my free press release template here to have your press release written in no time.

Conversion – How to turn browsers into buyers

11. Create a lead magnet

If you want to accelerate your email list growth, a lead magnet is your friend. A lead magnet is anything you can offer your subscribers for free in return for signing up. This could be:

  • a discount or value voucher
  • an ebook 
  • a checklist
  • a template or time-saver
  • a helpful video
  • a free trial
  • or anything else of value to your audience.

The key is, it needs to be highly valuable to your ideal target audience and it needs to be free. It should be a first step people can take into the transformation your offer them. 

12. Use email automation to educate and engage with your audience

To this day, email marketing has remained one of the most profitable marketing activities out there. It’s a great way to keep in touch with your audience and create sales opportunities. But let’s be honest… who has time to sit down to send out weekly newsletters anymore? 

That’s where automated email sequences come in handy. Rather than growing your list to send out the occasional email blast, think of email marketing as taking your subscribers on a journey. From the day they join your list, you can map out an entire sequence of emails, each designed with a specific purpose in mind. 

You could include emails that ask questions to learn more about your customers’ needs, showcase your testimonials, answer frequently asked questions, invite them to leave a review, make them aware of other channels you’re on, like social media, and so much more.

This is one of the best ways to leverage your time and frequently engage with potential customers to connect, educate and move them closer to the sale.

13. Use a chatbot to help people find what they are looking for faster

Chatbots have become a lot more common in recent years and they’re a fantastic tool to help you streamline customer enquiries. You can program a chatbot to directly answer specific questions, such as pricing, location, or opening hours, or to direct people to relevant pages on your website for example. 

If someone starts a chat and asks if you have appointments available this week, you could direct them to your booking page where they can check availability and book themselves in, all without the need to interrupt your day.

You can think of a chatbot much like a phone options menu, where when you call are asked to press certain numbers for different types of enquiries. Except a bot allows us to design a much more natural conversation and flow.

Some chatbot software providers I have personally used and love are Chatfuel and ManyChat. Both integrate with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, but there are many other tools out there that let you integrate your bot directly with your website and other platforms. 

14. Create a strong offer people can’t refuse

Sometimes, the difference between failure and success in business is the way you structure your offer. Just like McDonald’s did when they went from selling individual items to selling packaged meals. The famous line “would you like fries with that” added billions to their bottom line. 

Could you add something to your offer for added value? 

15. Run retargeting ads

Running ads online is a great way to increase brand awareness and attract new customers. However, it can be difficult to convert an audience at the first point of contact. A retargeting campaign allows us to follow those around that have expressed interest in our business before. Retargeting ads are also a great way to reactivate past clients or target specific segments of your audience.

If you have a webinar funnel, for example, you could show ads only to those who have previously watched your webinar. If you run workshops, you could target only those who have attended a previous workshop of yours. With a little creativity, the possibilities with retargeting ads are endless.

16. Find a way to help more people (when you do that, you will naturally sell more)

Seems like an obvious one, but sometimes simply by shifting our mindset we can create opportunities on a whole new level. 

I like to do a little thought experiment and ask myself what I’d do if I had to help ten times more people than I currently am. 

Could you change your business model and shift from selling 1-to-1 to 1-to-many? Could you offer a DIY option to serve more people at the same time?

Thinking about 10Xing your business can bring up some important questions that will put your business on the path of growth:

  • Where would you find 10 times more customers?
  • Would you have to change your processes to accommodate that growth?
  • Would you have to hire new people to help you?
  • What impact would you have on the world by helping more people?
  • What impact would it have on your personal life?

To get you thinking about these things, I can highly recommend the book “The 10X Rule” by Grant Cardone. It will open your mind up to new possibilities.

17. Run ‘limited time only’ offers

Creating offers that are only available for a limited time can be effective in creating a sense of urgency and temporarily increasing sales. If your business operates in retail or e-commerce, you could purchase a small batch of a new product and promote it as ‘limited time only’ to increase sales over a short period of time. 

It’s also a great way to test the market response to a new product before adding it to your regular offering. A café, for instance, could offer a new product for a limited time to measure its popularity and collect customer feedback. Then, if it performs well, make it part of their regular menu. 

18. Be easy to do business with (I had to add this one)

It always surprises me how difficult some businesses make it to do business with them. As business owners, we should be focused on reducing as much friction as possible. 

Make it easy for customers to pay using their preferred payment method. If it makes the decision for them easier, consider offering a payment plan or AfterPay. 

Make it easy for customers to get in contact with you using their preferred contact method – whether it’s by phone, text message, social media, email, or through a contact form on your website. 

Make the process easy and fun. You’ll be surprised how much impact ‘being easy’ can have on your bottom line. 

19. Get to know your customers better and understand exactly what they REALLY need, want, and do not want

Never assume that what you have to offer (no matter how awesome it is) is what your customers need and want right now. Listen to their needs. Every customer is different and comes to you for a different reason. 

Find out what their underlying motivation is for coming to you and try to meet their unique needs. Listening attentively can go a long way. And if you feel like your offer isn’t a good fit for you, don’t be afraid to let them know. The reality is, most people will respect you more for your honesty than for trying to make the sale at all costs.

Maybe they need something else first?

20. Make sure your website has all the right elements (just a page online won’t cut it)

Many business owners treat their website much like an online brochure. A little blurb about how long they’ve been in business, a contact page, some generic description about their products or services, and maybe a pricing page.

But your website can be so much more than that! Try looking at your website as your piece of real estate online. A well-designed website will:

  • Establish your business as an industry leader
  • Attract new potential customers
  • Capture leads 
  • Book appointments
  • Help sell your services or products
  • Showcase your competence 
  • Educate your audience and answer pre-sale questions
  • Act as a valuable resource 

 

Delivery – Ways to grow your business during and after the sale

21. Provide great customer service

This should be a given, however, it’s astonishing how many businesses neglect this part of their business. Providing excellent service is a great way to build repeat business and increase “word of mouth”. 

When you impress your customers, they are also much more likely to leave a positive review on Facebook or Google, which in turn will result in more organic traffic and a better reputation, helping you stand out from the competition. 

22. Ensure people only buy something they actually need

As a business owner, it’s tempting to try and sell your product or service to anyone coming your way. However, selling to the wrong person can impact your business negatively. Make sure you only sell to people who will genuinely benefit from your product or service.

Similar to the previous point, this will only strengthen relationships with your customers, increase trust, and result in more referrals.

While it may benefit you in the short term, selling to the wrong kind of customers may result in an increase in refunds, mediocre reviews and decreased customer loyalty. 

23. Offer good quality products and services (you want people to rave about it, not complain about it)

24. Overdeliver and exceed your customer’s expectations by offering something extra

25. Follow-up with your customers after the sale to see how they are going

26. Invite customers to leave positive reviews on Facebook, Google, TripAdvisor etc.

27. Add customer testimonials to your website

28. Send a thank-you note after the sale

29. Offer upsells and cross-sells

30. Consider offering a subscription/membership type product

 

This list is far from complete and you could certainly write a book about each point. But I hope that it will spark some ideas for what you can focus on in your business to grow and take it to the next level.

The biggest challenge most business owners face is finding the time to do marketing well. I can say from experience that this is only possible when automating the majority of your marketing processes. To help you do that, I have created a free step-by-step guide on how to completely automate your Social Media posts, as this is often one aspect my clients struggle with the most.

 

To your success,

 

The words ‘personal’ and ‘automation’, like day and night, couldn’t be any more contrary. So, when suggesting to clients that we should use email automation to communicate with their customers, they often get a little confused. Every day our inboxes are flooded with promotional offers and impersonal emails from big corporations. Part of my job is to make customer experiences more personal and human, and email automation software, like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign and Ontraport are the perfect tools to do just that.

Here are 3 things you can do today to make emailing your customers more personal and gain valuable insights, all while freeing up more of your busy time.

1. Send a ‘personal’ follow-up email

Your customers might opt-in for your newsletter, download a lead magnet, or purchase a product or service. They then usually receive an automated confirmation e-mail to thank them for taking action. One powerful way to make email automation more personal and human is to send them a ‘personal’ follow-up email shortly after the initial confirmation email. The amount of people who reply to this email is phenomenal and many will even thank you for the warm and personal welcome. I usually send this about an hour after the confirmation email.

Real World Example:



“Hi, [Customer First Name],

 my name is David, digital marketing consultant here at Done Digital. 



I noticed that you just downloaded our free e-book and thought I quickly reach out to say hi and introduce myself. If you have any questions regarding the ebook, or in general, I’m always just an email away. :)



Would you be open to sharing some of the challenges you currently face in your business when it comes to marketing, [Customer First Name]? Have you got any specific goals that you looking to achieve in the coming months?



I look forward to hearing from you,



Kind regards,


David”



Tip: Keep the email in plain text (no branding or template) so it actually looks like you just sent it. Insert your email signature at the bottom of the email, just the way you normally would. You might want to restrict send times for this email to business hours, so customers don’t receive a personal email from you at 3am – unless that’s part of the image that you are trying to convey.

 




2. Collect customer data & actually use it

Many businesses collect customer data but never actually make good use of it. Over time, you might collect a number of details about your leads or customers, such as their name, gender, location, birthday, interests, and what products they purchased. This is all data you can use to make your customer experience more personal.

 As a service-based business, you might have a range of services that you offer. Send customers a different series of emails, depending on the service they signed up for. As a gym or yoga studio, you might have a 30-day introductory offer. Design an email sequence that helps people get the most out of their first month with you. Make them feel welcome, educate and inspire them. They are much more likely to stay if you nurture them and deliver a personal experience. Make sure to ask questions to find out where your customers might need some help or what they particularly like about your service. Asking for feedback will not only create rapport with your customers but help you improve your business significantly along the way.

Real World Example:



“Hi [Customer First Name],



it’s already been a week since you signed up for our 30-day intro offer. How are you going so far?

 Have you already had some minor (or major) successes that you are happy to share with me? Or is there anything that you might need help with? Maybe motivation, a nutrition plan, or advice with certain exercises? 

You can always contact me or have a chat with one of our personal trainers. We want to make sure  you get the most out of your 30 days.



Also, how is the time table working out for you? We are always trying to improve and increase the number of classes we offer. Are there certain times during the week that would suit you better?



Look forward to hearing from you, [Customer First Name].



Warm Regards,


[Gym Owner Name]”

 




3. Ask good questions in your email automation sequences

Asking good questions in your emails will give customers the opportunity to respond, thus deepening relationships and building rapport. Most businesses make the mistake to only talk about themselves and their product features. Asking good questions shows that you care about your customers and puts the focus on them. It’s only when we ask questions that we can learn about our customers and use this information to develop better products and services.

Here are some questions that you might want to start asking in your email automation sequences:

•    “What are some of the challenges you are currently facing and how could we be of help?”
    •    “Is there anything about our product/service you think we can improve?”
    •    “What do you like the most about our product/service?”
    •    “Who would you recommend our product/service to?”


Tip: Restrict each email to a maximum of one or two questions. Asking too many questions at once will put off customers, rather than encourage them to reply to your message.

After all, knowing what truly matters to our customers helps us to contribute in more meaningful ways and make the world a little better. One email at a time.

What’s your experience with email automation (good or bad)? Have you sent emails to your customers that performed really well? What are your thoughts about email automation? Let me know in the comments below. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

If you are ready to transform your marketing and take your business to the next level, check out my 90-Day Marketing Transformation. I might be the guy who can help you.

 

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