Social Media Marketing Do's and Don'ts!

The impact of social media marketing on today's business environment is anything but simple! Your business must engage with consumers on many levels in order to attract their attention and keep it. Don't underestimate the enormous value that social media adds to your business website, as well as your brick and mortar presence. For your online marketing assistance, we put together this handy chart on the helpful do's and don'ts relating to successful social media marketing:

Still sound tricky? Luckily, eMarketing247 offers comprehensive social media management services. Visit our website and find out more information regarding this feature.

Why is Customized Content So Important?

Studies show that when customers visit your website, they must be able to find what they are looking for in under three seconds! The addition of custom content adds tremendous value to your website. Well written website copy will explain to customers all the notable facets of your business while appealing to search engines such as Google and Bing. Unfocused content can leave potential clients feeling confused or stressed, which may lead them to other businesses. 

As a result, it is important that copywriting, blog content, articles, and marketing content all be handled with your business in mind. Blogs have become an integral part of internet marketing, and have the ability to connect your business with a variety of audiences. Blogging allows us to consistently add new content to your website, while fulfilling your customers’ unsung desire for more information. In addition, maintaining a blog creates interest in your brand, showcases offers, and invites interaction with your website. 

One of the most popular question is "how do we drive more traffic to our website?" -- the answer is simple. Content! Lost for words? Let us help! Contact us today to customize your website content! 

5 Tips for Marketing your New Business

Just starting a business? New to marketing yourself? Check out some of our suggestions on how to break into marketing as a small business:

1. Claim your social media. Have a business name? That is enough to claim your Facebook, twitter, Instagram, Youtube, and Google+ username. Even if you don't have time to launch a full social media campaign, claim your account now before it is too late.
2. Give stuff away for free. Generate excitement about your new product or service by giving it away! New ice cream stand? Give away a free small cone for a weekend. The possibilities for giveaway options are endless and don't have to be costly to your company. Getting your name out there will be worth it!
3. Leverage email marketing. Emails are completely free to send. If you are a new business, chances are your email base is small, so you can start by using a simple Gmail account. Keep all customer information in a tidy Excel sheet for future use. Email marketing is one of the most powerful marketing tools available for new businesses. 
4. Understand your customers. No matter what marketing plan you choose, put yourself in the shoes of your customers and consider what you would want from your company if you were a consumer. Think about why your customers need your product or service and then hone your strategy accordingly.
5. Well-designed website. This may go without saying, but it is essential to have a well-crafted website. Customers stay on a website for an average of 3 seconds. If they do not find what they are looking for in that time, chances are, they will leave your page for a competitor. Spend a few extra bucks and get a website that is worth your money!

Don't know where to start? Contact eMarketing247 and we will get you started! We can help you with whatever you need, from SEO and Social, to website building and PPC! 

Questions and Answers about Social Media Marketing

Do you feel like everyone is talking about how social media is important for businesses? Have you always wondered why? Is it even worth the effort for smaller companies? eMarketing247 is going to answer all of your questions! So, let's get started:

•  Why is social media marketing important?Well, first off, social media is FREEE and it offers businesses increased exposure! Sure, having great SEO and content on a business website helps, but creating a social media page on Facebook, twitter, Google+, Instagram etc., helps get the word out even more! Who knows when a customer might stumble along and find the company!Social media is also extremely helpful as an avenue of communication. Instead of having to call or email a company when customers have a problem, they can simply comment directly on a social media page, such as Facebook. These comments may even spark conversations with other customers as well, who may have had a similar experience, or who are interested in the product!
• So if customers post a negative complaint about the service/product, what should the company do? The first thing is to RESPOND! We cannot begin to stress this enough! If there is no response on the social media site, then it just proves that the company doesn’t care about their customers. The customer who posted the negative comment looks “informed” and the company looks like it isn't on top of things. Even if the company DOES care about customers, actions speak louder than words! If a company catches a comment in time it is best to respond immediately. Normally there is a 24 hour “grace” period, but after that it looks like the company does not care at all.
• Well, can’t the company just respond privately to the unhappy customer?NO! If the company responds to the customer privately, they still have to put something on the social media site acknowledging that. If other customers/potential customers see that a company did not respond promptly, they will take notice! Responding quickly and effectively to customers is key!
• Hopefully, not everyone who posts is going to be unhappy though! Right? Exactly! Social media is perfect for building a loyal fan base for businesses. Potential and returning customers are able to follow the business on social media and interact with the company on a daily or weekly business. By simply having a social media presence, a company becomes more “real” to a customer who will see it almost every day. Once a company has loyal fans, it is going to want to reward them!
• Reward them how? Like with free stuff? Sure! A company can use social media as an avenue to present special offers to loyal followers and fans. Maybe this special offer is a discount or a buy one get one free coupon. The options are endless! 
• Okay, but is it really worth the time for small businesses to do social media? Yes! It is totally worth it, especially since creating social media profiles is totally free! As I explained above, customers will be able to interact with a company on a daily basis, be first in line for “secret” rewards, and have the option to contact the company right from their Facbeook!
• What type of content should small businesses post on social media? eMarketing247 likes to post links, videos, blogs, and articles related to the businesses that we manage. For example, when we manage social media that is related to cruising, some days we will share our own blog posts or videos, and some days we will share, for example, “Time Magazine’s 10 tips for better cruising.” Businesses should share whatever they think is applicable to their business audience.
• Okay so only business related stuff! Got it.Well, not exactly. Business related stuff is great most of the time, but companies don’t want to bore customers with posts ONLY related to one thing. Throw in some “thank goodness its Friday” pictures and interesting links for a change!   
• What are some ways that businesses can gain more followers on social media? Well, simply posting consistently will help drive exposure! If people like what a business is posting, they will share it with their friends or retweet it to their followers. In addition, People love free/discounted things. Businesses can make special offers only on social media or do drawings or competitions on social media. Current followers may share or retweet to their followers, who may love the content and BAM you just gained another follower. There are so many possibilities! The company just has to be creative!

We hope that we were able to answer some of your frequently asked questions, and hope that we provided you with some insight about social media marketing! Please visit our website for more information about our social media marketing services! 

3 Crucial Marketing Trends for 2015

Mobile is bigger than ever before!

2015 is upon us, and, if you haven't already, it is time to start researching and implementing the top marketing trends for this next year. Luckily for you, we have got everything you need at your fingertips! Check out some of the this years biggest trends:

• Content Marketing will be bigger this year than ever before! If you don't have stellar content on your website, your online presence, and, in turn, your business, will suffer. Content must be relevant to search engines and potential customers who are Googling your product or service, and it must be constantly updated. Don't have this kind of time? Let eMarketing24/7's team of trained professionals do all the work! 
• Mobile-friendly technology will be crucial. In 2015, having a mobile-friendly website is a must. Although people still search using computers, many surf the web on the go, and are tired of navigating websites that aren't mobile friendly. Chances are, if your website isn't customized to fit the mobile environment, potential customers will continue their search somewhere that is more convenient. Luckily for you, eMarketing has created and maintained tons of mobile friendly websites, so we are well-equipped to help your business succeed.
• SEO and Social must work together. Here at eMarketing, we have been saying and doing this for years, and we are excited that the rest of the world is finally catching on! Social media, such as Facebook and blogs, can be tied to websites and products in order to increase Search Engine Optimization. The amount of "likes" and "views" that a post gains will help search engines determine how relevant it is to people looking for similar products. Want to learn more about how to tie your SEO and social media together? Contact us and we will get you started!