How to Deal With Debt By Doing Business Marketing Smartly?

Published on: 04 June 2018 Last Updated on: 03 September 2024

Small businesses and startups often find it much easier to borrow the lion’s share of their capital. Finding an investor is never completely off the table, but it is not an easy task to do. It is much easier to find lending organizations, who are ready to test out the abilities of the new entrepreneurs to multiply their monies.

Very soon, a time arises when the creditors expect at least a part of their invested money back. Now, this is a time most entrepreneurs know will come, but none are ready to face. It is almost always “too early” or “too sudden.”

Online marking, when you are already in massive debt?

Gaining momentum for a new business not only takes time and effort, but it also takes some serious marketing skills. By marketing, we do not mean TVCs, hoardings, and pamphlets. Those are ancient forms of advertising that no one even notices anymore. If you are in such a situation, what you need is a stable dose of online marketing that will make you visible to your target audience.

Here comes the biggest conundrum in the world. When a business is already nose-deep in debt, can it afford to plunge further in by going in for online marketing? That entirely depends on your perspective of online marketing. Your contenders and contemporaries may think online marketing to be an added expense, but you know what almost 71% of the US population is already online and looking for businesses like you. So, would you deem online marketing as an added expense or a smart investment?

You need a website first :

website

The first step of online marketing is getting your own presence established online. It means an excellent site. By nice, we mean something that’s functional, professional, SEO optimized, and capable of attracting and converting traffic. It should represent your selling theme, services, and products perfectly.

Building a website is no easy feat. You may have the enthusiasm to build a website from scratch, but not all entrepreneurs can have the coding skills and analytical skills needed to construct a working business website. Building a website from scratch can take up a lot of time, and it takes a lot of algorithms to perfect the buying and payment process. Either you can opt for DIY website builders like WordPress or Joomla, or you can surely approach a professional website builder.

A professional website builder will again cost you a few bucks. If you are thinking of building a PHP based website from scratch, it will also take considerable amounts of time. Now, this is not going to be cheap for your business. Therefore, it is not uncommon for entrepreneurs to wonder if going for online marketing is the best way to a debt solution.

The inspiration you need :

So, let us tell you a real-life success story. Initially a nobody, Rank Fishkin started out with his own tech startup and went plummeting into a $500,000 personal debt. From there he is now the owner of the world’s largest SEO, social media, and content marketing website Moz that is netting about $40 million in revenue for the last seven years. That is a success story better than any fairy tale you will ever hear. Was it easy? Did it involve magic spells? No! It required endless hours of smart digital marketing strategies and intelligent investment moves.

The moral of the story is: just because you are nose deep in debt, does not mean you can invest in something new. Digital marketing and social media marketing are the new ways to reintroduce your brand to a new world of potential buyers. People are waiting out there right now to hear from you about your products and services.

How to find them?

Finding the right people at the right time is the only “magic” you need to perform. You will need a few social media listening tools like HootSuite, Buffer, and Social Sprout. These offer a few free services. Their premium services cost less than a Grande. Of course, you will need to work on your social media account before you start listening to what people are saying about your brand online! So get started. Create a professional Facebook page, Twitter account, and at least an Instagram page. You need to post daily. Sometimes twice a day. Engage in regular conversations with your customers. Stay visible and exciting.

If you ever run out of original content, do not shy away from asking your followers for some. Do it tactfully. Introduce new photo contests, quizzes, and polls with attractive rewards. That is the way to create user-generated content. It is the most efficient way to keep your page and wall filled with meaningful content every minute of staying online.

Investing is not the problem, not spending in the right places is :

Online marketing is an investment in every way possible. It is like putting a bait to catch the bigger fish. Using the right keywords in your product descriptions, doctoring your URL to suit the liking of the bots, and including image tags to become visible during Google image searches are all parts of that investment. Still, you may want to consult your personal financial advisor before you take the plunge. You need to be in touch with your financial reality before you can make new investments. Your financial advisor or your debt counselor should help you in understanding the debt program’s details. Your current debt program may have reservations about making new investments or certain kinds of investments unless you pay off a certain fraction of the amount you have borrowed.

Most businesses end up in a fiscal dead-end due to ignorance and bad decision-making, rather than investing in new marketing. We have seen companies drown because they were not adventurous enough and they have always played safe. In 2017, online marketing is not a luxury or an option. It is a compulsion you need to embrace before your competitors take away all your potential clients. Making yourself more visible on the internet will get you more sales and profit. It will help you make more money and pay off your debts faster than usual.

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Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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The Ultimate Guide To Guest Posting: Scale Your Business In 2022

If you are a savvy blogger, you are most probably aware of guest posting. But why is guest posting important for your business? The concept of guest posting is quite simple - You write articles for another blog that you don’t own. Guest posting is a mutual relationship between bloggers and the owners of the website. Both get the benefits of a guest posting. Guest posting is a new opportunity for both bloggers and website owners. They are exposed to a wider pool of audiences and get new traffic from the web. Due to its several benefits, today, online startups and established businesses use guest posting to reach new audiences. However, if you are a startup owner, not familiar with the whole guest posting concept, and looking for sites that accept guest posts, you are at the right place. Today, I am going to tell you how you can use guest posting to scale your business in 2022. Best Strategy For Guest Posting At Scale In 2022 We are already at the end of the year. The year 2021 has been a tough year for businesses. The businesses that survived the first post-pandemic year are expecting great things from the year 2022. This expectation has really burdened the guest posting strategies. Market experts believe that if the businesses want to take their game higher, guest posting might play a key role. Guest posting is a tried and tested method for attracting new yet relevant audiences. It can help your business establish itself as a market expert and present itself as an authoritative figure. Step 1: Start With Setting Your Goals The first step towards creating an effective guest posting strategy is to outline your goals. Having goals will ensure that you are walking on the right path. Ask yourself: Why are you planning this campaign? How will this campaign affect your business? Your answer to these questions will help you determine your goals and make things clear for you about the objective of the guest posting campaign. Step 2: Look For Prospective Sites Creating a guest posting strategy means that you first need to find a platform you can contribute to. This step is crucial as you cannot just post your content on any website. It is imperative that you post your blogs on websites that matter the most to you and are relevant to your niche and industry: Here are a few criteria that should be met while selecting websites. Relevant niche. Huge social media following. DA of at least 40. Keeping your search filtered to these key points will ensure you high-quality, relevant websites for guest posting. Step 3: Make Your Pitch Once you have listed down the website, you want to write for. The next thing is to make a comprehensive and convincing pitch. This is where you will be selling your content idea to the site owner via mail. Do not go for generic pitches; they do not stand out. Furthermore, the website owner will show no interest as he receives hundreds of pitches every day. Here is what your pitch should contain. Introduce yourself and showcase your area of expertise. Show appreciation for the post published on the website. Tell them about your goals. Present your idea. You can even add a brief outline of your idea along with the mail. Step 4: Craft Your Content If your pitch is accepted, it is time to craft your content. Now, what most people do - they think, as this is not their website, giving any content will do. However, that is not the case. Remember, guest posting is a mutual relationship. If your content is of poor quality, it will not perform on the website. Hence, your purpose of guest posting will stand void. Always focus on quality content, as this content will become your advocate. If the content is of high quality, readers would want to know about the author and will trace you back to your website. Step 5: Write An Interesting Author Bio As we have already said, people check the author bio of the writer who creates high-quality content. Hence, it is important that you write an appealing author bio for yourself. An author bio is the only place to directly market yourself, talk about your skills, and even add links back to your website. However, while writing an author bio, don’t make it too long. Just keep it enough that the readers know the kind of person you are. Step 6: Promote Your Content After your guest post is accepted and published on the site, you need to promote your post. This ensures that your content reaches as many people as possible. Here is a cool trick you can use to promote your content. Ta or Mention the site while sharing or writing your content. Step 7: Keep Track Your work is not complete after the guest post is published. In fact, you are just halfway through. One of the advantages of guest posting strategies is that they are scalable. That means, if you can enhance their performances, you can easily scale up your reach. Once your content goes live, make sure to go through the comments. See what readers feel about the content and respond to their comments. Actively engaging with the readers creates a good reputation in the industry and makes the reader feel that their words are taken care of. Guest Posting Is A Communication Exercise You must see guest posting as a communication exercise that needs practice. You will have to accept the fact that even after trying and following all the best practices, you are bound to make mistakes or might not get the results you desire. Making mistakes doesn't mean the end of your effort. Instead, come out with experiences and pitch again—this time ensuring that you do not repeat the same mistake. Like a communication exercise where you talk more instead of thinking, the same thing stands true in guest posting. The more you pitch and connect with the other bloggers in guest posting, the better you would become. 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From Zero To Hero: A Step-By-Step Guide To Building Brand Awareness

Imagine this scenario. You've launched a business. Your products or services are top-notch. Yet, customers don't seem to know you exist. This situation isn't uncommon. Today's market brims with choices. Brands compete fiercely, making it tough to grab the limelight. And with the digital age, there's an information deluge. Every day, consumers face a barrage of brand messages. Cutting through this noise feels daunting. However, there's hope. This article unveils strategies to skyrocket your brand's visibility. Soon, instead of being a face in the crowd, you'll become the talk of the town. With commitment and clarity, you can transition from obscurity to prominence. Understanding Your Brand’s Core Values Diving into brand building starts at the roots. First up, it's vital to grasp your brand’s essence. What do you represent? This involves defining your mission, vision, and values. These elements provide direction. They serve as a compass, guiding every business decision. Next, focus on standing out. In a sea of brands, uniqueness is gold. Here's where your unique selling proposition (USP) steps in. It’s not just about what you offer. It’s about why consumers should pick you over competitors. Think about what sets you apart. It could be superior quality, exceptional service, or an innovative feature. Lastly, weave a compelling brand story. People remember stories, not dry facts. Narratives evoke emotions. They create connections. Your story shouldn't be a sales pitch. It should be a genuine reflection of your journey and values. It’s about resonating with consumers on a human level. Sharing challenges, triumphs, and aspirations makes your brand more relatable. In essence, knowing your brand inside-out is the foundation. With a clear understanding, you position yourself for success in the brand-building journey. Leveraging Digital Platforms In today's digital age, online platforms are game-changers. They can propel your brand's recognition rapidly. Many businesses even turn to specialists like a marketing agency Bristol to help navigate the complex digital landscape. With expert guidance, you can maximize your online presence and ensure you're reaching your target audience effectively. Let's delve into how. Start with social media. It's more than just posting photos or updates. It’s about strategic engagement. Picking the right platforms is crucial. Not every channel suits every brand. Identify where your audience spends time. Then, maintain a consistent brand voice. Consistency reinforces recognition. Over time, your audience will identify with your messaging. Content marketing isn’t about churning out articles. It’s about delivering value. Craft content that addresses your audience’s needs. Make it relevant. Make it resonate. Consistency is key here too. Regularly updated content keeps your audience coming back for more. Lastly, there’s SEO, or search engine optimization. It might sound technical, but its impact is profound. Proper SEO ensures your brand appears when potential customers search online. It's not about stuffing keywords. It’s about crafting quality content that search engines deem worthy. The result is higher rankings and more visibility. In a nutshell, digital platforms offer vast potential. By harnessing them effectively, your brand can soar to new heights in awareness. Engaging With Your Community Building brand awareness isn't a solo endeavor. It's a collective effort. Engaging with your community amplifies your reach. Here's how to foster that connection. First, consider hosting brand-centric events. These could be webinars, workshops, or local meetups. Events provide face-to-face interactions. They help humanize your brand. Attendees gain firsthand experience. They see your passion, knowledge, and commitment. Such events also create buzz. When attendees share their experiences, word spreads. Next up, partnerships. Collaborate with influencers in your domain. They've already done the legwork. They have a dedicated audience that trusts them. By aligning with them, you tap into their follower base. You also borrow some of their credibility. Remember, authenticity is crucial. Choose influencers who genuinely resonate with your brand's values. Lastly, who doesn't love a good deal? Promotions and giveaways can work wonders. They not only boost short-term sales but also foster long-term loyalty. People love feeling valued. Offering exclusive deals makes them feel special. Plus, they're likely to spread the word. Community engagement provides the fuel for your brand's growth engine. By genuinely connecting, you lay the foundation for sustainable brand awareness. Monitoring And Adjusting Your Strategy In the brand-building journey, staying static isn't an option. The market shifts. Consumer preferences evolve. You must keep pace. So, how can you ensure your strategy stays fresh and effective? First, turn to analytics. Modern digital tools offer deep insights. They track metrics like brand engagement and reach. By monitoring these, you can assess your strategy's impact. It gives you a clear picture. You see what's working and what’s not. With real-time data, you can make informed decisions. Then, listen to your audience. Feedback is invaluable. Encourage customers to share their thoughts. Positive or negative, every piece of feedback is a learning opportunity. It sheds light on areas of improvement. With these insights, you can refine the brand experience. It ensures you always align with customer needs and desires. Lastly, flexibility is paramount. The market landscape is dynamic. Being rigid can leave you behind. Adaptability, on the other hand, keeps you ahead. Regularly review your strategies. As market dynamics change, tweak your approach. By staying nimble, you can navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities. To wrap up, a successful brand awareness strategy isn't set in stone. It's a living entity, needing regular evaluation and adjustment. Conclusion Building brand awareness is a transformative process. It moves a brand from the shadows into the limelight. The path from obscurity to prominence demands three things: a solid strategy, unwavering effort, and adaptability. Engaging with customers isn't just beneficial; it's crucial. Genuine interactions build trust. They shape perceptions and solidify brand loyalty. So, never underestimate this power. Additionally, the branding world never sleeps. New trends emerge. Technologies evolve. By keeping a finger on the pulse, you ensure relevance. Stay updated. Embrace the new, while staying true to your core values. Lastly, invest in growth. Not just business growth, but personal and team growth. Continuous learning paves the way for sustainability. It fuels innovation, insights, and improvement. By embracing this methodical approach, any business can rise. You can transition from being a whisper in a crowded room to the main conversation. Remember, brand awareness isn’t a mere checkpoint. It's the opening act in the customer’s journey with you. Ensure it leaves an imprint, setting the stage for a lasting relationship. Make every moment of recognition count. Read Also : How Personal Branding Online Can Help Your Job Search Why Every Business Needs Digital Marketing Building A Brand For Your Small Business

Explore Some Interesting Marketing Trends for Your Business in 2018

How effective is your business marketing strategy? Have you been successful in staying abreast with the latest marketing trends? Have you been implementing effective strategies for measuring your success? If the answers to the above questions are no, do not lose heart. You are certainly not alone on this count. Several small businesses and SMEs do not even bother to find out if at all their business marketing tactics are working successfully. Here we would be examining some of the latest business marketing trends that are dominating the scenario today. You are advised to follow these strategies for gaining incredible business success. Tune Your Market Strategy : A small segment of business owners is aware when their market strategies are tanking. This could happen due to lack of planning, poor planning, haphazard attempts at success and no foresight. Successful digital marketers know that a large portion of their budget must go into content marketing on blogs, social media, and emails and so on. Good content must be created and promoted so that the business is noticed and can take off. Plan, Plan, Plan Less than 40% of businesses have effective content marketing strategies in place. Some fail due to poor quality content, others because they don't target their audience properly. A good marketer always tracks activity through each stage of the funnel and ensure that the strategy is fine-tuned when things go wrong. Tracking & Measuring : How to gain marketing success digitally for your SMEs could still seem to be a mystery for many of you. A huge percentage of small business entrepreneurs, as much as 46 percent to be precise, actually do not have any idea if the marketing strategies for their businesses are effectively working or not. Thanks to the present cutting-edge technologies, you are in a position to keep on tracking all your marketing returns, expenses, and debt. For example, you could today find out exactly how much it would be costing your business for acquiring a new customer. You must consider all dollars diverted toward various areas of marketing including social media, website, blog writing, trade shows, direct mail, paid social, etc. you must consider factoring in all you have already spent on all these important marketing elements and then divide the amount by the number of new clients you acquire every month. Moreover, you must find out from exactly which marketing channel you are able to get new clients and more inquiries. It is imperative to consistently track ROI. Social Media Marketing Is Currently the Rage : As per a recent study, it has been predicted that 2018 is surely going to be the year of intense social media promotion and marketing. Among the SMEs, an impressive 71 percent is expected to gain new clients by using social media platforms effectively for marketing their brands. This present marketing trend must be given a lot of importance and most entrepreneurs are appreciating and understanding the effectiveness of social media marketing. Social media is certainly one of the hottest business marketing trends. Facebook is obviously the prime choice for small businesses as 79% of entrepreneurs would be using Facebook in all their marketing endeavors. Will your business be benefitted if you incorporate the social media marketing plans into your business strategy? According to some Facebook exponents, Facebook success is all about going mobile. If you wish to maximize the impact of Facebook in the marketing and promotion of your business, you must dedicate all your efforts at generating and delivering everything mobile-friendly. Virtual Reality Is Common : Virtual reality is gaining importance by the day and is, therefore, becoming a common marketing tool for both small and big brands. The actual challenge would be to utilize Virtual Reality or VR in such an effective way that it really makes sense for both your target audience and brand messaging in general. VR marketing actually is an emerging trend and now is the right time for exploring the options that are available to you and getting well ahead of the competition. More Dependence on Interactive Content : Several brands, particularly in the B2B sector are relying heavily on PDF content or blog content for generating leads as an integral part of content marketing tactics for their organizations. 2018 is going to be the year of interactive web experiences which ultimately help in boosting engagement. These experiences would be demonstrating amazing thought leadership content definitely in more impressive, visual, and animated ways. Pinterest : Pinterest is actually regarded as a niche social networking site. However, it is forecasted to be a huge success. The best way of grabbing marketing attention is by utilizing Pinterest Lens and its versatility and functionality for engaging effectively with consumers and showcasing your mind-blowing style, products, and services. Artificial Intelligence : Early exponents of AI or Artificial Intelligence have categorically realized the efficacy of AI in boosting user engagement. However, incorporating AI into any site’s chatbox such as the Facebook messenger could be creating more creativity and it also helps you to understand clearly the target market of the brand. Artificial intelligence would be addressing consumer needs and issues with perfection and the same degree of efficacy as a human agent. Remember it would be quite effective and helpful if the artificial intelligence experience absolutely delights your customers in basically lighthearted and fun ways. Conclusion : This year marketing trends have focused on honesty and authenticity. The latest marketing trend is to focus on stark reality or brutal honesty and this marketing trend is winning a lot of acclaim and appreciation. Marketers could discuss their products and explain clearly how advantageous those products or services are. They must, at the same time, tell their target audience the scope for improvement and the flaws that may still exist. All these statements could be supported by truly objective customer reviews. Authenticity for brands is the hottest marketing trend today. Around 86 percent of the customers feel authenticity is of utmost importance while deciding and evaluating the brands. Around 60 percent of consumers believe that user-generated content is the best form of authentic content. Read Also : Marketing – What’s Right For Your Business? Know Why Content Marketing Is Important For SEO Digital Marketing: Utilize Facebook To Support Your Hospitality Business

How to Deal With Debt By Doing Business Marketing Smartly?