Are you often drawing a blank when it comes to clever ideas for social media updates, fresh content for blog posts, or topics to discuss on podcasts or videos?

And to make matters worse, does it feel like there is a new marketing medium every other week, and you just cannot bring yourself to learn how to use yet another one?

Many entrepreneurs get so confused with what to post where, and such a sense of writer’s block when it comes to content, that they clam up and do nothing at all, allowing their public image to wither on the vine.

However, if you want to be one of the business owners who sets yourself apart from the competition, it is essential that you invest time, money, and expertise into your marketing.

You don’t have to do everything, but you do have to do something. Pick one or two marketing avenues to focus on, whether it’s email marketing, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, podcasts, or another form of media that you know you can find your ideal clients on.

Whatever medium you choose for growing your audience, the rules for increasing engagement and stimulating sales are the same.

Here are the 5 rules for a fresh start in your marketing in 2024. 

1. Focus on Community.

When you’re stuck without something to say or share, it’s often because you don’t know who you are speaking to.

If you, instead, focus your efforts on nurturing and growing a community of followers who participate, communicate, and provide feedback, you will become much more clear on how to provide community members with really valuable content they want. You’ll also grow a loyal group of raving fans who care about each other and participating in the community you have fostered.

 

2. Use Your Network. 

When you don’t know where to start online, the simple and smart answer is to go offline. Talk to your existing clients, partners, and friends. Ask them what they want to see more of and in what online spaces they spend their time. Then connect with them on the networks you choose to focus on. From there, expand your circle out to their friends and contacts to grow your reach.

Another important aspect of using your network is looking to the luminaries in your industry to get inspiration, ideas, and best practices. Make sure you follow business leaders you respect and pay attention to what they are doing that works well for them.

 

3. Quality is King. 

These days, high quality content stands out in a crowded world of online attention-grabbing. If you’re sharing what everyone else is sharing, you’ll never distinguish your brand from others.

Not sure how to create quality content? Tell people your story, what inspired your business, and what makes you different from the rest. Share your expertise that you’ve gleaned from years of doing what you do best. Offer your audience perks they only get by being part of your online community like special deals, exclusive content, or access you don’t share elsewhere. And ask your followers what they want!

 

4. Follow Measurable Metrics.

This rule is the one that many small business owners struggle with, and what sets bigger companies with dedicated marketing departments apart. If you want to compete with industry leaders, you must utilize measurement in your marketing.

Tracking your marketing in a measurable way will give you insight into what’s working and what’s a waste of time, money, and effort. Metrics you can and should track include:

• How many times your content is shared on social media.
• How quickly your following grows over time.
• How much engagement your posts create (eg. likes, comments, etc.).
• How many clicks on links convert into buying customers.
• How much time and money you are investing before you see a return on your investment, which could be a new follower, a new customer, or a new purchase from an existing customer.

Once you’re regularly tracking those metrics, make sure you take time to reevaluate as the data indicates. That’s what will allow you to stand out from your competition and grow faster.

 

5. Be patient.

This might be the hardest and most important rule of all. Success does not happen overnight, even if that can appear to be the case online sometimes. It takes consistent effort to produce consistent results.

Make sure your business goals include online marketing growth over time according to the metrics we discussed above, and that your action plans include daily, weekly, and monthly efforts you take to grow your business’s reach online.

The science of effective marketing is also an art. Apply a proven formula consistently and combine that with your unique brand of qualities that attract people to your business, and you will see reliable growth month after month, year after year.

If you’d like to “double plus” your income in 2024, find out what Celeste Giordano Coaching clients are doing that you’re missing out on: contact me today.

 

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus™” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with more than 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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