The marketing landscape is constantly changing. You have to stay on top of trends while continually managing existing efforts. However, even with the ever-changing marketing scene, there are key marketing focus areas you should not ever ignore if you want your business to flourish.
1. Email Marketing
Email marketing is one of the most personal, wallet-friendly and effective ways to promote and spread brand awareness, and is therefore a great marketing focus. Some people may think email is overused or is becoming old fashioned, but I say “nay!” Research by Radicati shows that there are approximately 2.5 billion email users in the world, and it will increase to 2.8 billion by 2018. Email is definitely a prime tool for marketing with those numbers. With the use of email marketing services or software, statistics such as delivery, open, and click-through rates can be tracked and monitored. You can know exactly how your email campaigns are performing. You can make adjustments as needed, improving your email marketing effectiveness. Email also allows you to build relationships with prospects, past, and current customers by directly communicating with them. You don’t have to worry about invading their personal space because they have given you permission to email them (right?), and they can check their emails at their own convenient times.
2. Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing was probably considered a novelty as recently as 5 years ago, but today social media’s importance is no longer debated. Businesses have realized the power of having a marketing focus on social media and have accepted that social media has to be part of their marketing strategy. According to research by Hubspot, 92% of marketers in 2014 claimed that social media marketing was important for their business, with 80% indicating their efforts increased traffic to their websites. One of the greatest values of social media marketing is the ability to engage with an audience that is interested in your business. Engagement is the heart of social media. You have the opportunity to interact with customers and prospects from all over the world.
3. Direct Mail Marketing
There has been a lot of debate about the efficacy of direct mail marketing in this new digital world of ours. However, the fact remains that businesses have a better chance of being noticed and remembered with the use of direct mail. Since fewer businesses are using this marketing method nowadays, you have the opportunity to catch your audience’s attention. Nobody downloads an email and puts it up on the fridge. That might happen with a well-designed postcard or flyer received in the mail though. When balanced with the right creative and good list, direct mail can deliver more than just a meaningful piece of mail. It can result in a fantastic ROI. According to Harvard Business Review, direct mail has a response rate of 24 percent, compared to email’s 23 percent. This time-tested method has consistently worked well for many, and should be a marketing focus of yours.
If you were lost as to what should be your marketing focus, I hope these suggestions have been handy. These marketing focuses and strategies won’t be going out of style any time soon, and they can help you achieve your business goals and connect with your audience. US Data Corporation specializes in direct marketing, and we would love to assist you with zooming in on these marketing strategies. For direct mail marketing help, or any questions about email marketing, please give us a call at (888) 578-3282.