Podcast Summary
Give valuable information for free to gain and keep customers' attention: Provide high-quality, engaging content for free to capture and keep attention, while also considering paid promotion to increase reach and impact.
Giving away valuable information for free can help you gain and keep the attention of potential customers, ultimately giving you the leverage in your industry. Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes that there's no cost of entry to giving away information, and the entrepreneur who does it first and best will likely reap the rewards. However, it's important to note that simply giving away information isn't enough. The content you put out must be high-quality and engaging to truly capture and keep people's attention. Additionally, paid promotion can also be an effective way to reach a larger audience and increase the visibility of your content. So, focus on creating valuable content and consider investing in paid promotion to maximize your reach and impact.
Using social media to build customer relationships: Personalizing interactions and showing appreciation on social media can lead to customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth marketing, as demonstrated by the 'Jay Cutler thesis'.
Building meaningful relationships with customers through social media can lead to significant business growth. In the example given, the company Wine Library used Twitter to identify a customer who was a big fan of Jay Cutler and sent him a signed Jay Cutler jersey as a thank you for his business. This small gesture led to a much larger order from the customer, demonstrating the power of going above and beyond to make a connection. The speaker encourages businesses to make following customers on social media a business practice, and to use this information to personalize interactions and show appreciation. This approach not only leads to customer loyalty, but also generates positive word-of-mouth marketing. In the words of the speaker, "that word-of-mouth will change your business." This concept, which the speaker calls the "Jay Cutler thesis," is a simple yet effective way to build strong customer relationships and drive sales.
Embrace social media as essential tool for human interaction and business growth: Focus on building relationships with existing customers through social media to reach a larger audience and foster loyalty at a lower cost
Social media and digital media have evolved from being mere gateways to becoming essential tools for creating human interaction and building a business with soul. Instead of seeing it as a replacement for traditional marketing methods, businesses should embrace it as the new normal and the gateway to the next level. For instance, what was once considered weird or taboo, like meeting someone online or using social media for marketing, is now the norm for younger generations. By leveraging social media to engage with customers, businesses can create valuable relationships and build a strong online presence. During the discussion, it was mentioned that a pool business, Fiesta Pools, spends around $50,000 a year on marketing, with a significant portion going towards word-of-mouth. However, the speaker suggested that by focusing on building relationships with existing customers through social media, businesses can maximize their efforts and reach a larger audience at a lower cost. For example, an intern could be hired to reach out to all 10,000 past customers on Facebook and Twitter, and friend them as the business page. By engaging with customers in this way, businesses can create a sense of community and foster loyalty, ultimately driving growth and success.
Effective marketing strategies: user-generated content, engaging reviews, and building relationships: Collaborate with local content producers, target high net worth individuals with Facebook ads, be proactive in online reviews, provide exceptional customer service, and build long-term relationships for growth
Effective marketing strategies involve utilizing user-generated content, engaging with online reviews, and building relationships with customers beyond just asking for sales. The speaker shares his experience of saving costs by collaborating with local content producers and using Facebook ads to target high net worth individuals. He also emphasizes the importance of being proactive and loud in the digital space, rather than ignoring online reviews. Additionally, he encourages businesses to provide exceptional customer service and build long-term relationships to encourage positive word-of-mouth and repeat business. The speaker's success story of scaling his company from $100,000 to $100,000,000 in revenue in six years serves as an inspiration for smaller businesses to adopt these strategies and achieve growth.
Maintaining a personal touch in digital marketing: Leverage technology while maintaining a personal touch and unique value proposition in digital marketing. Don't rely solely on third-party platforms and republished content. Engage with potential customers on social media and provide value to build your brand.
While technology offers opportunities to scale and reach a larger audience, it's important not to lose the personal touch and unique value that comes with running a business. Your grandparents may have invented traditions like giving a cake during mourning or personalized service, but you can apply the same level of soul and differentiation to your digital marketing efforts. During a Q&A session, the speaker emphasized the importance of creating homegrown video content instead of republishing the same content as competitors. He also warned against relying too heavily on third-party platforms like HomeAdvisor and Angie's List, which can potentially take advantage of businesses' lack of digital knowledge and cut into their margins. The speaker also suggested using social media and search tools like Twitter to engage with potential customers and provide value, rather than just promoting your business. He encouraged business owners to understand their unique selling points and use them to differentiate themselves in the digital space. Overall, the key takeaway is to leverage technology while maintaining a personal touch and unique value proposition. Don't be lazy or complacent in your digital marketing efforts – put in the work to build your brand and connect with customers in a meaningful way.
Engage in conversations and provide value on social media: To build trust on social media, engage in conversations, provide value, and maintain a balance between self-promotion and interaction.
Building trust on social media platforms like Twitter involves actively engaging in conversations and providing value before promoting yourself. When it comes to social media content, length is not a definitive factor for success, and it's essential to produce a variety of content that resonates with your audience. Regarding the future of websites, they remain crucial for businesses as they provide a central hub for collecting data and showcasing information. However, it's essential to maintain an active presence on social media platforms as an increasing number of people are making purchasing decisions based on these channels. Ultimately, a successful online presence requires a combination of a well-designed website, engaging social media presence, and a focus on building trust and relationships with your audience.
Improve online presence and lead generation: Clear phone number, document phone calls, use Facebook ads, Instagram hashtags, and analyze engagement trends to boost online presence and lead generation
Keeping a website up-to-date and relevant, as well as utilizing various digital marketing platforms like Facebook ads and Instagram, can significantly improve a business's online presence and lead generation. The speaker emphasized the importance of a clear phone number on both websites and ads, as well as documenting and analyzing phone call content to understand customer needs. He also suggested spending time on Instagram by searching relevant hashtags to understand popular content and engagement trends. These strategies can help businesses tell their story effectively, build relationships with customers, and ultimately, drive sales.
Strategies for Finding Instagram Influencers in Neighborhoods and Markets: Search for potential influencers by zip code, examine their content, and build relationships. Utilize empathy and don't expect monetary compensation initially. Transform content into videos for wider reach. Snapchat can help reach younger demographic and stay top of mind with followers.
Finding Instagram influencers for neighborhoods and markets involves putting in the work. Josh from Grand Rapids, Michigan, shared his strategy, which includes searching for potential influencers by zip code, examining their content, and sending them a message expressing interest. He emphasized the importance of empathy and building a relationship, as smaller influencers may not be expecting monetary compensation. Content remains king, and transforming it into videos can be an effective way to reach a larger audience. Regarding Snapchat, Megan Spillers asked about utilizing the platform for businesses. In response, the speaker, who had previously invested $5,000,000 in Snapchat, expressed his bullishness on the platform and its potential to reach the younger demographic. He suggested using Snapchat for staying top of mind with followers and potentially connecting with influencers.
Reach younger audiences on Snapchat before competition does: Snapchat is crucial for businesses targeting young demographics, with filters as a powerful branding tool. AR technology's future impact on industries, especially home improvements, is predicted to generate leads and referrals.
Snapchat, despite facing competition from Instagram and having to deal with the older generation's reluctance to adapt, is an essential platform for businesses looking to connect with younger audiences. The speaker emphasized the importance of getting on Snapchat before the competition does, as more and more young people are spending a significant amount of their time on the app. He also highlighted the potential of using filters as a branding tool, which can increase awareness and generate interest in a business. Furthermore, the speaker predicted the future trend of augmented reality (AR) and its potential impact on various industries. He suggested building an app that utilizes AR technology to help users make decisions about home improvements, such as pool installation, and using it as a gateway for service providers to acquire leads. This approach could potentially lead to a large customer base and referral opportunities. In summary, Snapchat is a valuable platform for businesses looking to reach younger audiences, and AR technology is expected to revolutionize various industries by providing utility and generating leads.
Focus on Facebook marketing for direct response sales and branding: Facebook marketing is crucial for businesses, offering creative opportunities, targeting specific locations, and expected to be cost-effective in the future
Cathy from Aquatec in Winnipeg, Manitoba, should prioritize focusing on Facebook marketing for her business, as it is the closest thing to email marketing in terms of reach and effectiveness, especially in the initial stages when expertise is being built. Email marketing is already being utilized effectively by collecting emails during water tests and transactions. For acquiring new clients, the website is the primary source. While Google ratings are important, Cathy was advised against stopping them entirely. Instead, she should focus on Facebook for direct response sales and branding, as it offers both creative opportunities and the ability to target specific locations. Facebook's underused phone call ads were also suggested as a valuable tool. Overall, Facebook marketing is expected to be a crucial aspect for businesses in the coming years, as the cost of reaching audiences is expected to increase.
Stay engaged with audience through various social media platforms, produce high-quality content, and focus on conversions for long-term business growth.: Engage audience on multiple social media platforms, create top-notch content, and prioritize conversions for sustainable business success.
While competing in the local market is important, the real competition lies in the global business landscape, as Facebook limits the number of ads to keep users engaged. Mary from Regina Pools and Spas shared her experience with using Facebook Live videos to engage with followers, even suggesting multitasking with Instagram Live using a second phone. For those who aren't using Facebook Live, the quality of the video content can be produced using an iPhone. The speaker emphasized the importance of focusing on conversions rather than just likes and views. For smaller businesses with limited following, like Eva from Westburner, Louisiana, the speaker encouraged patience and persistence in implementing these strategies, as the potential for growth can come in the following years. In summary, the key takeaway is to stay engaged with your audience through various social media platforms, produce high-quality content, and focus on conversions for long-term business growth.
Engaging with the community for business growth: Creating a town-wide event, focusing on personal interaction, and using targeted Facebook ads can help build strong customer relationships and grow a business in a smaller community.
Building relationships with customers on a personal level, especially in a smaller community, can be an effective way to maximize engagement and grow a business. The speaker suggested creating a town-wide event as a gateway to meet and engage with a large number of potential customers, and focusing on hand-to-hand interaction and the "thank you economy" to build strong relationships. Additionally, the speaker recommended using Facebook ads targeted to specific zip codes and being open to hiring more staff to handle increased business. However, it's important to note that this approach may not be suitable for all businesses, and the decision to invest in marketing efforts ultimately depends on the unique circumstances and goals of the business.
