As an entrepreneur, your primary goal is to get customers to buy your products and services. Inbound marketing provides you with a low-cost means of getting customers to find you. The idea is to take proactive steps to attract potential customers and motivate them to buy your products because of the quality content you provide. There are 3 main types of inbound marketing: content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media marketing (SMM).
Content marketing is the process of promoting your business through the distribution of information and resources that potential customers find valuable. It is based on the idea that sharing high-quality information with a particular market niche generates profitable consumer action. Content marketing allows you to demonstrate your expertise, build your brand, promote your business, help people, and generate revenue. Some of the most popular forms of content marketing include website posts (e.g. tips, case studies, and tools), newsletters, blogs, articles, white papers, books, eBooks, seminars, webinars, teleseminars and videos.
Search engine optimization is the systematic process of increasing the quality and volume of traffic to your website by improving that site’s visibility through various search engines. The goal is to apply a variety of proven SEO techniques (e.g. site content, inbound links, website title, and header tags) that will allow your web page to rank higher when certain keywords are entered. or phrases in the main search field. engines For example, if you run a sporting goods store and someone types “sporting goods” into a search field, you’ll want your website to appear on the first two pages of results. If you don’t appear on the first or second page, people are much less likely to find your site.
Social media marketing is the process of communicating your message to potential customers through participation in various electronic media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. This happens by becoming an active member of one or more social media communities. SMM provides some significant marketing benefits. It is very economical since there is practically no financial cost. It gives you the opportunity to become an active and respected member in various social communities and allows you to position yourself as an expert in your main areas of interest. While it can be time consuming, many people enjoy spending time networking with colleagues in the virtual world.
So how do you get started with inbound marketing? I suggest you answer two questions. First, what inbound marketing techniques are you using? For example, do you have a blog or a newsletter? Have you written any articles? Do you facilitate any live presentations, such as seminars, clinics, or workshops? What about web-based presentations like webinars? Have you taken any steps to optimize your website for higher search engine rankings? Do you participate in any social media community? Develop a clear image of what you are doing.
Second, based on your answer to the first question, what is the best place to start? For example, if you are already using various inbound marketing techniques, you can simply continue with what you are doing, especially if you are seeing positive results. If you’re not using inbound marketing, identify a technique you’d like to try. Maybe you want to start a newsletter or a blog. You could facilitate presentations on your particular area of expertise (eg seminar or webinar), or you could join a social networking site like LinkedIn and start building a network of associates. Whatever you choose, remember to be diligent and patient. Inbound Marketing takes time to achieve success.