A popular, proven strategy that builds brand identity, increases recognition as an expert amongst peers, and helps label you as an influential source in your target market is article writing. However, if you are unsure of the topics that would resonate with your potential customers, or are unaware of resources to help develop an article marketing campaign, I have identified 5 proven strategies that can aid in creating an article writing funnel that can consistently generate topics of interest specifically for your target audience.
1. Surveys: Hidden Source of Story Ideas
3 or 5 question surveys can garner a wealth of information useful in developing new products and services, marketing opportunities, good will and feedback from current and prospective customers. Responses can be used to develop story ideas, providing relevant subject-matter information that can be used in article, service and product creation.
2. Blog Hopping
Develop ideas from other sites’ content. Frequently visit your favorite or the most popular blogs and see what people are talking about. Is it controversial? Can you offer a different perspective? Can you create an article around the topic? Once you develop your article, link back to the originating site. Don’t forget to leave a comment on the site’s blog and let the owner know you stopped by and have expanded the conversation on the topic. You will drive more traffic to your site and increase readership.
3. Analyze Your Blog
Review your own blog and determine which postings receive the most views and reader comments/feedback. Develop a short series on the topic(s) to entice return visits. Use your social media outlets/networks to promote the series and increase blog signups. By giving readers want they want, you will develop loyal readership and capture those all important email addresses.
4. Article Directory Goldmine
Running out of ideas? Visit article directories and read articles written specifically for your target audience. Develop a new “take” on the article’s theme or select an important point, and write about it from your perspective. Article directories are excellent sources for staying abreast of popular topics and you can use them as a starting point to express your opinion and share insights with your ideal audience.
5. Web 2.0: Social Media Opens Doors
Social media venues such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, etc., offer unfettered access to topics, opinions and experts on literally any conceivable topic. Search these sites for resources and various comments that stimulate your creative writing processes. Create a swipe file of ideas, so you will an ongoing repository of new potential subject matter.
It may take a few months of article writing to really benefit from these tactics, and you may be too busy to implement all of them at once. However, the more options you choose, the greater opportunity to increased visibility and nurture brand creation. As more readers visit your site or interact via social media connections, the greater your opportunity to increase traffic, leads and profits.
Technorati Tags: article writing tips, build brand, increase traffic and profits tips
In Part 1 of Have You Created Your Marketing Calendar?, we covered what is a marketing calendar and why business owners should have one. Below are examples of activities to include in your marketing map, and administrative tasks related to accurate monitoring and determining your return on investment (ROI) of time, money and effort.
Examples of activities to map in your marketing calendar/plan:
article submissions
blogging dates/topics
social networking
pay-per-click activities
video marketing campaigns
podcast production and distribution
on and offline networking
media releases
product development/sales
virtual joint venture activities
setup an affiliate program
implement a referral program
major and minor trade and association events
on and offline presentations and teleseminars
holiday-related promotions
Track your results
Make sure your website copy and marketing materials are relevant and valuable, and stay current on industry trends and competition, etc. Always check and recheck to ensure everything is on track and/or if you need to make changes.
Don’t forget to handle the administrative tasks associated with managing a marketing calendar. Check and double check your numbers. For example, number of visits to your website, ezine sign-ups, teleseminar attendees, response to promotions, etc. These steps will also assist in determining return on investment (ROI).
There is no “right or wrong way” to create your marketing plan. It’s about what works best for you. Creating a marketing calendar is just one step in the process of mapping your steps and results, as well as is a record for later reflection and assessment.
By tracking your results, you can discover what is working, what you need to work harder on, and what you need to stop spending time and money on.
Remember
A marketing calendar is an essential tool for planning and implementing marketing strategies, scheduling marketing events and tracking costs and progress.
Have you created your marketing calendar? Share one of your strategies with us.
Technorati Tags: create a marketing calendar, marketing calendar, marketing map, marketing plan, schedule marketing activities
What is a marketing calendar?
A marketing calendar is typically a 12 month description of what you plan to do, from a marketing perspective. It is the creation of a system and process you can monitor your marketing activities by, on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.
A marketing calendar assists in launching your marketing vehicles (tools) that can drive you to your goal in a structured and thought-out manner. It helps you effectively coordinate all your marketing efforts, assists in establishing a budget, crystallizes your focus, provides consistency, and allows you to see the value in your marketing program. It is a vital tool in your marketing arsenal.
Why create a marketing calendar?
One of the main reasons for creating a marketing calendar is to monitor results, preventing marketing lapses that cause the “feast and famine” effect many businesses experience. The calendar helps track regularly actionable occurring activities, such as writing and submitting articles to online directories, creating blog posts, participating in social networking activities, posting videos, etc.
It is an important tool that lets you know exactly when you need to:
begin doing a specific marketing tactic
see each step you need to take to implement a specific strategy
identify gaps in your marketing schedule throughout the year
Part 2 of Have You Created Your Marketing Calendar will identify types of activities to include in your marketing calendar, steps to follow and a call to action.
Technorati Tags: create a marketing calendar, Marketing, marketing calendar, marketing plan, marketing tool, schedule marketing activities
Relationship marketing is the process of attracting, maintaining, and enhancing relationships with key people. It is the establishment and coordination of lines of communication between two or more parties.
Recently, I had another opportunity to take charge and solidify relationships. Read more
Technorati Tags: enhancing relationships, exceptional service, Marketing, referral, referral networks, relationship management, relationship marketing, relationships
Before implementing a marketing campaign, the entrepreneur should develop a plan — a strategy to discover who your potential customers are and how to effectively reach them. You should be clear about your short and long term goals and objectives and how you plan to achieve them.
One of the first steps in this process is to set clear, realistic and measurable objectives, including deadlines, a budget and a breakdown of responsibilities. Read more
Technorati Tags: low cost marketing ideas tips, market analysis, market research, Marketing, marketing campaign, marketing entrepreneur, marketing plan
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