Business Improvement and Social media

I selected this article from Curatti written by John Jantsch because it explains how to improve your marketing strategy by answering 4 questions.

Developing a marketing strategy for your business can be a challenge -- you need to know where to start and what to focus on.

Answer These 4 Marketing Questions

Many advertisers find themselves getting stuck when it comes to developing a successful marketing strategy. I agree that in order to attain your goals you need to first understand where to begin.

Jantsch provides four ways your business can discover the best plan.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Find out what your personal "why" is. As yourself how you are going to change the world and which things you want to make right. This helps you to see which gaps you are filling.

• To develop a brand story you need to understand your audience, personality, who the hero is, and what your journey will be.

• Make deliverables and expectations clear to your audience so they know what to look forward to. Remove any ambiguity in order to foster an enjoyable working relationship.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Lead feature image: 123rf

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/tzA930c3n0K

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Wade Harman
 because it shows you how your website performance can impact your influence and sales.

Your landing page directly affects your business's bottom line.

Your Website May Be Lagging Behind

To convert your subscribers your website needs to run efficiently for your visitors. I agree that a poor execution will drive down precious sales.

Harman provides an explanation on how this can directly affect your bottom line.

Here's what caught my attention:

• A website that crashes due to a lack of scalability will lose customers. This is enough to send them shopping at the competition instead.

• You can go out of business if too many potential buyers are leaving. This will impact your marketing campaign as well if you're not keeping up with the demand.

• A poorly run website could lose loyal customers. Repeat buyers are the bread and better to many online businesses.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/zc3X309LBDL

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Paolo Fabrizio because it explains how to choose the right platform to handle customer service through social media.

Interacting with your customers takes attention to all digital channels where they are active.

Establish a Successful Social Customer Service System

Being attentive and involved with your customers is the key to growth and trust in your business. I agree that you can better provide for them by choosing the right management system.

Fabrizio shows you several ways to improve your customer service on social media with the right platform.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Create a plan of action before choosing a platform. This enables your business to make the right decisions at the right time -- especially when a team is involved.

• When looking at various services you will want to take a look at their capabilities. This includes omni-channel support, in-depth analytics, and whether is it fully scalable.

• There are a few things that are essential when choosing a social customer service platform. Things such as CRM integration, tasks allocation, sentiment interactions tracking, and more.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of Unplash.com.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/gVWd308Ky9M

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Timothy (Tim) Hughes because it provides insights on how to best approach buyers through persona marketing.

Many potential customers do not make a purchase decision due to a lack of information and too much confusion about a product or service.

How Persona Marketing Affects Your Bottom Line

People respond when we listen and help solve their problems in a clear and effective way. I agree that businesses need to understand what their leads are looking for and why in order to better reach them.

Hughes explains what exactly persona marketing means from the customer's perspective.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Selling today is about social -- this means that businesses need to connect with their audience and engage them in conversation. It's people who make decisions -- not companies.

• Top performing sales agents use both research and social media to reach their prospects. These people are change makers and influencers who are looked up to as a trusted source.

• It is not persona marketing that is to blame for a lack of interest. Businesses can mislead or confuse their potential customers through a lack of information and attention.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Lead/Featured Image: 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/IgpI308oXi1

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Robert Caruso because it provides insights on how marketing experiences has transformed customer engagement.

Your audience is not only involved in your products -- they are also paying attention to your messaging.

How Digital Marketing Affects Your Customers

Experiences are always occurring online whether you would like it to or not. I agree that businesses need to pay attention to how their marketing footprint is affecting their communication and sales.

Caruso explains the current state of customer relations in the realm of digital marketing.

Here's what caught my attention:

• According to a study by Accenture, 34 percent of CMO and CEOs reported that their customers were more likely to engage with new entrant competitors. This is because the experience is more positive than traditional businesses.

• Startups breaking into an established market need to pay attention to new and innovative products in order to be successful. This is important if you want to stay relevant to your audience.

• True marketing experiences are specifically targeted and created for your niche audience. These should be a journey that your customer is taken through.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Lead/Featured Image: Origin unknown.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/6cEv3080mj8

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Timothy (Tim) Hughes because it provides new insights into how to better connect with your social media community.

It's important to connect with your fans and followers instead of just advertising to them.

Understand the Right Way to Interact as a Brand

Social media users are looking for authenticity, not sales. I agree that you can appeal to their needs by letting go of traditional sales and advertising methods.

Hughes shows how to get to know your audience better in order to provide value and increase sales.

Here's what caught my attention:

• "Social now reaches across the whole organisation, not just sales and marketing but human resources, finance, purchasing, research and development, returns, after market, supply chain, etc."

• "Your organisation needs a “top down and bottom up” social strategy that reaches across all departments. Where everybody know what the strategy is, how to interact with customers, the tone of voice and brand message."

• "People are more likely to buy from friends, from people they have a relationship with, people they feel have something in common with, and people they have been recommended. Build relationships on Social and those people are more likely to buy from you."

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image:Multiple sources; origin unknown

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/RteF307iiBc

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Shane Barker   because it explains the importance of being prepared for a successful product launch.

In a competitive online environment it's important for your goods to stand out to consumers.

Create a Successful Product Launch

Today's online market is highly competitive in an age of social media and reviews. I agree that businesses can gain more attention with the right focus and strategy in place.

Barker shows you how you can best present your products with a strategized approach.

Here's what caught my attention:

• A lack of planning can place your product launch off to a bad start. You need to have a strategy in place early on that you can make adjustments with as you move forward.

• Don't forget to include a marketing strategy in the process. During production this can be placed on the back burner or missed -- which can cause you to lose prospects.

• Understand what problem your product solves for your audience. You do this through proper market research and identify the needs and desires of your community.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/QyYx3076uVI

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Joan Selby because it provides insights into how to effectively create a strong email marketing plan.

It's important for your business to have an effective email marketing plan in order to generate more sales.

Email Marketing Success Strategies

In order to reach more prospects you need to produce quality communication. I agree that it's important to pay attention to any errors and spelling mistakes.

Selby explains the most serious blunders marketers can make in their email campaigns and the right approach to take.

Here's what caught my attention:

• In order to make a true impact include strong visuals in your emails. This is because most people use their mobile devices to read your messages.

• Avoid writing something that is over-promotional. Instead, appeal to the customer's needs and how your business can help them.

• Limit the amount of text in your emails in order to improve your open rates. Make your message clear, concise, and to the point.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/i9to30bEbYF

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Tony Zambito because it explains how to digital transformation has changed the way businesses understand their customers.

The new digital-centric world and customer reach.

New Customer Approaches Emerge in the Digital Age

If your business has been online for any amount of time you already know how emerging trends have changed the customer journey. I agree that in order to reach them you need to approach them on their level.

Zambito explains different methods of reaching your audience in the midst of a digital age.

Here's what caught my attention:

• Just sixteen years ago the business landscape was very different. Today digital technology has shifted buyer persona development and insight gathering.

• In order to reach customers today there needs to be new thinking and new approaches in place. This needs to go beyond analytics tools and outdated sales practices.

• The what, how and why of your audience must now be measured through observation. Words are far less effective in measurement -- it's action that counts.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123RF.

.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/wIcL309lnAo

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Martin Shervington because it explains how to successfully connect with your customers.

True marketing today is based on customer service online

Bring More to Your Clients

Being active and involved with your customers is the key to growth in sales. I agree that your business can better provide for them by staying on top of questions and feedback.

Shervington shows you several ways to improve your customer service strategy through relationship building.

Here's what caught my attention:

• When using social listening your business will need to pay attention to both the facts and the emotions of your community in order to be effective in meeting their needs.

• Evaluate your current sales process and how you are following up with your customers. Find out what results this is producing -- more than likely this can be improved upon.

• If your company includes a team or employees make use of their knowledge and expertise. This provides a friendly atmosphere for your clients.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/Q9bV308yFKA

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Wade Harman because it provides insights on compelling your audience to buy through the psychology of scarcity.

Consumers want to grab the next great product before it goes away.

How Scarcity Marketing Affects Buying Decisions

When products become a hot commodity online your customers will be more apt to make a purchase. I agree that understanding the psychology behind this can help your business leverage an effective marketing plan.

Harman explains the power behind this principle with the right methods to use.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The first thing to discover is what makes your audience tick -- what are their needs and desires? Use social listening tools to discover their conversations and questions.

• The fear of missing out is a powerful tool that businesses can take advantage of. When you limit something people tend to want it even more.

• It is worthwhile to adjust your advertising message to show the benefits to your customers. Emphasize the opportunity they would be leaving behind if they don't take advantage of it.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Lead/Featured Image: Pixabay.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/QWwl308k3rf

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Tony Zambito because it provides insights on how digital and online information has transformed content marketing.

The idea of strategizing content has diminished over the last few years due to mobile and technology trends.

Why Context is More Important Than Content

Content should be tailored for your audience and what makes sense to them specifically. I agree that you can reach more people by reducing the amount of information being presented to them.

Zambito explains the basics of context in how it relates to today's online consumer.

Here's what caught my attention:

• In order to be effective marketers need to understand the method of a connected series of stories. These should involve goal-directed behaviors and activities of buyers.

• When it comes to effectively using context timing is critical. It's about what buyers are experiencing over time rather than a specific trigger.

• Understanding the goals of your audience will help you move toward context. Not doing so can lead to content marketing failure.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of Tony Zambito.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/l7qK307CKXw

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

I selected this article from Curatti written by Jenn Herman because it provides new insights into how to better connect with your Instagram community.

It's important to know who your followers are more than how many.

Improve Your Communication on Instagram

Mobile audiences are looking for authenticity. I agree that you can appeal to your prospects with benefits and rewards that show them you care.

Herman shows how to get to know your Instagram followers better in order to provide value.

Here's what caught my attention:

• The best type of follower can mean several things. It includes those who engage with your posts, how influential they are, and how likely they are to make a purchase from you.

• If you have been using Instagram for a while take a look at the activity that has already taken place to discover who your followers are. Make sure they are intersted in what you have to offer.

• Attract better followers through creative posts. Engage with your community and ask them questions. Tag specific people in your posts when mentioning something about them.

Selected by Jan Gordon for Curatti covering Curation, Social Business and Beyond

Image: Courtesy of 123rf.

Read full article here: http://ow.ly/idA33078zgu

Stay informed on trends, insights, what's happening in the digital world become a Curatti Insider today

Excellent article to help you manage or better yet, become more effective with your social media strategy.