We all love fast: fast service, fast internet, fast results. But when it comes to marketing your business, it takes times to see solid results.

It’s easy to become frustrated when you follow all the marketing “rules” — posting consistently on social media, using specific keywords in Google ads, launching an email campaign — and the results aren’t immediate.

Time vs. Budget

Successful marketing doesn’t necessarily require a large budget; what you’ll need is time and consistency. Creating top-notch advertising and marketing materials is important, of course, but what’s more important is the frequency your campaign is seen by customers. The longer your brand is visible in the market, the more people you’ll reach.

Plan Ahead

Because you’re running a marathon and not a sprint, when you start thinking about your marketing needs, it’s important to focus on longer-term goals. What channels do you want to market through? What social media platforms? Websites? Print? Radio? Billboards? Planning ahead can save you money. Billboard advertisers, print publications, and promotional item companies ALL offer better deals to those who plan ahead. What’s more, better cost estimates are also available to small businesses that work on a long-term basis.

Build an Effective Website

A well-designed website is a central component to any digital marketing strategy. It’s how current and potential customers can most easily find and connect with your business. Again, building the best website doesn’t take a ton of money, but it does take time.

Here are a few features you’ll want your website to have:

Make Contact Information Visible & Consistent
Be sure you incorporate your business contact info (phone number, address, email, etc.) throughout your website — not just on the About Us or Contact Me sections.

Make Your Interface Easy to Use
A contemporary-looking website should have an appealing color scheme and straightforward navigation.

Searchable Keywords
Be sure to incorporate keywords that consumers will most likely use when searching for your products and services.

Keep Content Current
Regular updates and new content for your website are crucial. Develop an editorial calendar to update your site for big promotions and sales, events, or when you introduce new products or services. Be aware that, while you want to keep your site refreshed, you should focus on quality over quantity. Create content and ads they provide your audience with valuable information. You want your customers to view your content as genuine and helpful, rather than just trying to make a sale.

Repeat Business
Getting customers to come back again and again is the lifeblood of any business. Focus on bringing in quality customers that plan to come back to your business multiple times. These customers will also help your business by telling their friends and leaving positive reviews. Instant results create short-term excitement for any business owner, but repeat business is what will ensure your long-term sustainability.

Results
How effective is your marketing plan? The bottom line is results, and as mentioned throughout this post, that takes time.  You’ll want to give your strategy enough time to produce measurable results. That time can also be used to tweak your campaigns to make sure they’re connecting with your customers.

 

If you need help with your marketing plan, please contact us at Farmhouse Creative.