by Adam Greenbaum
@Greenbaumly
Sure, we’re all on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – some of you even use Google AdWords. Guess what? Those are the things that everyone is doing! Sometimes, you need to be bold, be different, and take things to the next level. Marketing is about being creative and these tools can help you take your marketing efforts to the next level.
Instagram Advertising
Six months ago, Instagram advertising was only for the Coca-Colas and Nikes of the world, but now we all get a try. Even better? You launch these ads directly through your Facebook ad manager. It’s no secret that Instagram is the most engaging social media network for brands – spend some money, perfect your targeting, and corner the market before it gets too popular (and expensive).
Enhanced Landing Pages
Most marketers create generic ads and send users directly to the homepage of your website. This is 2016, we have short attention spans and no time to search for what it is that you’re trying to sell us! Your shiny new product is ready to launch and you’re ready to tell the world. Construct a creative ad and send them to an optimized landing page that promotes, highlights, and makes your product shine. Also, be sure to create an easy conversion path. My favorite? Unbounce. They’ll let you A/B test your landing pages and even give you 30 days for free!
Moz
We live in a competitive world and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t look at what your competition is doing on a daily basis. Moz simplifies that. With metrics like domain authority, page authority, and backlink trackers, you’ll have the data you need to optimize for search. Just like Unbounce, they’ll give you a 30-day trial!
Become the King/Queen of Content
The best way to build your personal brand, gain awareness for your company, and to become an authority in your space is to write such good content that huge business websites and reporters ask to share your content for you. I’ve made so many connections just from writing for Tech Cocktail, not to mention the other business blogs I contribute to. Find the niche you want to be in, start writing for these sites, build your brand. Even better? Subscribe to HARO (Help A Reporter Out). Three times a day, direct asks from journalist, publications, and news outlets will fill your inbox asking for qualified people to discuss a variety of topics. Provide knowledge, get some hits and watch your traffic grow.
A New Take On Direct Mail
I saved the best for last because it’s my personal favorite. Sure, anyone can send an email. And yes, any random human can overspend on a direct mail campaign, 98 percent of which will be useless as people throw it in the trash without looking at it. Friends, meet Postable. Create a custom, beautiful greeting card that gets sent in a beautiful envelope, straight to your contact. Yes, it’s much more expensive than a direct mail campaign, but much more effective. Be creative, send each lead or potential client a custom card, and wait to hear back. Be unique! People will know how much you want to talk to them after receiving your letter. I bet it won’t get thrown away with the rest of the junk mail.
Marketing is getting stale and it’s time we take it to the next level. We can’t do that if we’re doing the same thing everyone else is doing. Use these tools to give you insights and use those insights to create an actionable plan. Spend some money, test over and over again, and keep perfecting until you find the magic recipe.