We recently saw a tweet that said "Sell unto others, as you would like others to sell unto you." We liked that, because we know, while everyone wants to buy, no one wants to be sold. They want to be educated. And we believe that an educated prospect, makes for an appreciative client.

With that in mind, we also subscribe to the theory that not only do people want to be educated, they want to be entertained. So adding a dash of humor to your marketing isn't a bad thing. Done well, it's also a memorable thing.

Five things that get people to your website.

Keep in mind this is all about "Content Marketing," because you have to have something valuable to say, or post, if you want people to pay attention. And you  have to make your first efforts good right out of the gate.

Think about this:

If your first e-newsletter sucks, you can bet no one will be wanting to invest their valuable time looking at your SECOND e-newsletter! Same thing with your Facebook or Instagram posts.

#1: social media

We know, you've heard it before, but it's worth repeating: social media is a great tool for getting on people's radar. A client of ours, Dr. Sean Kelishadi, has had consistent social media done for him and in a short few months, this happened:

• Instagram followers have gone up 250%: from 50 to 300
• Facebook followers went from 800 to 1,000, and
• twitter followers went up from 20 to 1,200: a 6,000% increase!

#2: Search Engine Optimization

Just this September, a statewide organization contacted us to talk about branding work for them. We didn't know them. They didn't know us. So how did they find us? Google.

SEO, like any marketing isn't a set it and forget it type of thing. Like any marketing, it takes an ongoing effort to make it work. We do our SEO by keeping up on our blog posts, and using the right keywords in every post.

It's a fact: the more you post, the more search engines re-index your site, keeping it relevant in the search results. Granted, web design firms are in a tough situation because there are lots of them that know what they're doing with SEO. Fortunately, for you, there's a good chance that your industry isn't as competitive. But if you're starting from scratch with your SEO and playing catch up, you have a long road ahead.

That said, it's never too late to start.

#3: pay per click ads

This is an über complex sub-specialty that requires specialists. In that way, it's a lot like social media: if you think it's easy, you haven't looked into it much. Sure, you know about Google, but there's dozens of other options that fall into the mix.

Plus there's the re-marketing piece. You know those ads that follow you around the web once you've been to a website? You more often see them from retail outlets, but they can just as easily be from home builders, surgeons, or any website you visited.

The key to a successful PPC campaign is to have specific landing pages on your website dedicated to each ad. Those pages should address the content of the ad, briefly, with a contact form near the top of the page. These pages are intended to function a bit differently than your other pages. Less detailed information. Easier access to a contact form.

Because of its complexity, we don't handle PPC campaigns in-house, but align you to experts in this industry that we've had some experience with.

#4:  blogging on your website, or industry articles

Blogging on your website, using the keywords your audience uses to find what it is you do, is still the best way to:

• have search engines re-index your site, keeping it relevant
• show prospects you have a lot going on and share your successes, as well as
• educate people about what it is you do, and share what you have to offer them, because (as we said) we believe an educated prospect, will be an appreciative client!

We've also written articles for the Building Industry Association's print magazine and have given presenatations at several of their events. This is about only getting your name out, but getting your level of expertise out. Articles and presentations are a great way to showcase why your company is different or better than your competitors.

#5: e-newsletters

E-newsletters are a great way to keep your company on both your client's and prospect's radar. But it's critical that the very first issue you put out is fairly awesome. Again, if it appears to be too self-promotional, or a waste of your audience's valuable time, they probably won't open the second issue.

And the key to an e-newsletter working with your website is to have the stories in the newsletter link to pages in your website. That way, you get a spike in traffic to your website on the days (and day after) your newsletter goes out. It might also get someone to your website that ordinarily wouldn't go there.

In addition to designing your website, we can help you with marketing it as well.

Drop us an email to start the conversation.