Unfortunately, it’s not a priority for some businesses in a modern digital marketing company. They mention content marketing, SEO, SEM, SMM, and e-mail marketing, but rarely focus on text messaging. The company prefers and relies on the best apps for salespeople to access the market and provide value to customers.

It is essential to find the pros between text message marketing and e-mail marketing to see which is the best to implement in the business.

What is Text Message Marketing?

Photo taken from Thought Catalog

Text message marketing becomes increasingly popular with marketers because of the increasing demand for it. Smartphones are continuously evolving and becoming smarter with the help of technology. Access to information and communication tool have never been easier.

Text message marketing has two forms – SMS and MMS marketing. SMS or short message service allows 160 characters of plain text. A Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message has a subject line, a media file, and over 500 characters. Both types of messages support link insertion as smartphones become developed.

Both types of text message marketing ensure immediate delivery. Upon hitting “send,” the message transmits to the recipients. It only falters when there’s a technical error.

Setting a campaign for this type of marketing is easy. It can garner impressions and clicks less than five minutes because users and recipients can send their feedback with a tap on the “reply” button.

What is E-mail Marketing?

Photo taken from rawpixel

When compared with social media platforms, e-mail is more efficient at acquiring audiences and transforming them into customers. It’s because e-mail is both a personal and professional account. It also enables the business and users to develop their relationship based on storytelling and extended communication.

E-mails are longer than text messages. They can carry large media files and attach different file formats. Most of all, they can have videos and embedded links. These links push users towards a definite action that generates traffic to your site.

There are millions of people with email accounts and use them daily. E-mail marketing is one the digital marketing strategies with high return on investment. It generates a lot of money when it includes brands, products, services, and business news.

Influential e-mail marketing tactic requires investment. The business must have a professional email address. It also must be creative. It must have a catchy and enticing subject line to increase its open rate. The best subject lines have fifty characters at most.

The brand must think of its audience when crafting a subject line. The same goes for the whole e-mail construction. The message must function on mobile and include a clear call-to-action (CTA).

The Pros of Text Message and E-mail Marketing

Both text message and e-mail are traceable platforms. Tools are available to see if telecommunication subscribers and users open the message and clicked on the link. They also show data who ignore the messages.

Both are also highly regulated, which is good news for users, brand enthusiasts, and product subscribers. E-mail providers and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) of the United States and the National Telecommunications Commission in the Philippines place regulations to protect consumers and marketers.

Their laws and filter prevent spamming. It also prevents brands and businesses to send messages to customers without their consent. Violating the act or memo subjects a fine to the company.

Most of all, both communication tools offer personalization. It provides an opportunity to connect with a client thru a personalized SMS, MMS, or e-mail. You can include the link in the text.

A Closer Look on Text Messages

However, text messaging continues to provide a better experience for its users. As technology develops and adds features to smartphones, text message links and linking out enables users to answer polls, respond to quizzes through their mobile web. The links also connect videos and other content quickly with a higher open rate than e-mails.

There’s also the rise of text messaging chatbot. Chatbots use artificial intelligence (AI) to maintain conversations with humans. As AI improves and gets smarter, so does chatbots. The continuous advancement of AI provides a better experience to users. Chatbots become human-like and hold real and evolving conversations.

Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging, a new protocol or the future of text message marketing, is already in Android messages chat apps. It’s development and added features changes the mobile messaging industry as a whole.

The Stand on E-mail Marketing

Nowadays, people communicate differently. They use text messages, chat apps, and video calls instead of exchanges through e-mail. Hence, several people think e-mail marketing starts to be ineffective to the masses.

Fortunately, it generates a high ROI when applied to the right niche. Almost everyone has an e-mail account, so it pays to pool resources to provide information, news, and services using the right CTA and subject line.

E-mail deliverability is crucial for this type of marketing. Select the best email service provider offering the right tools to create enticing e-mails. It’s best to test e-mails first before handing them out. Ensure they are readable on several devices, especially on mobile. Failing on mobile means losing half of the market.

Which type of marketing is worth the traffic?

Both text message and e-mail marketing are useful for traffic generation. The high open rate of text messages is perfect for targeting the masses while the exclusivity and creativity of e-mails make it perfect for business. The best type of marketing is the combination of techniques to know which tactic makes users and customers respond to the brand.

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Why Focus on Mobile Marketing Tactics

Mobile marketing opens several opportunities to expand a brand. Phones are part of people’s daily routines. They are personal, powerful, and disruptive even if they provide choices and information on the user’s hand. Hence, the mobile experience must be personalized similar to choosing the right smartphone that will change a life. Using mobile marketing creates meaningful connections with users. It makes your branding, products, and services accessible and available to the market. The marketing techniques will attract prospects as it aims to influence decision-making subconsciously. Mobile marketing tactics go beyond the communication aspect for consumers. It covers user interface, search engine, and social media marketing. It utilizes apps and data to find the best combination to transform visitors into loyal customers.

Mobile Marketing Strategies

To integrate an online marketing strategy for the business, here are five mobile marketing strategies to try.

1. Develop an app.

An app makes the customer’s life easier. It has less response time, more interactive, and serves as a two-way communications channel. It can also access the smartphone’s features like the camera, phone book, and other installed apps to provide supply tailor-fit information and data. It enables businesses to come up with a personalized offer, loyalty programs, and exclusive content. When designing an app, ensure it is navigable. Make a compact and straightforward user interface to increase conversion rate. The menu, footer bar, and call-to-action buttons must be where they should be, so the app leads customers to commit or do an action.

2. Improve your mobile site.

Aim for mobile friendliness. Follow the practices by experienced designers on creating a responsive web design. Prioritize the importance of navigation, so users stay and spend their time in your site. The menu must be easy to locate. Use the right theme to complement the elements in your site. The right background, buttons, fonts, and colors come together during an A/B test. Content is crucial for any website. Without the right mobile web design, users aren’t likely to recognize great content. The unappealing design pushes them to look at information somewhere else.

3. Create content based on device.

Content is part of a great mobile marketing strategy. Users use different methods to read or take-in their information, so writing for a desktop site is different for a mobile blog or an app. Some users skim while others read word per word. Creating a mobile-friendly content begins with the headline. The headline must be short, compelling, and persuasive. A tiny and straightforward headline fits small screens and piques the interest of users on the run. Besides the title, it’s also a must to inform readers what is in the discussion. The opening paragraph or conclusion must cover the basics of the idea behind the written content. It helps readers decide if the work is worth their time. Don’t forget to utilize white space. It reduces eye strain and makes it easy to separate the thoughts on each paragraph.

4. Think of Mobile SEO.

Optimize your website for search engines. Keywords are powerful in desktop and mobile organic searches. However, users react differently on each platform. Mobile users tend to type in specific and branded keywords because of their prior knowledge of their query. Some users use a desktop for generic searches on a topic, product, event, or industry. They shift to a smartphone or similar device once they are sure or at least have an idea additional queries. Other than keywords, page loading time is a ranking factor in several search engines. It’s best to optimize the site in these areas to increase ranking. Get the business listed on local maps. Use local SEO so users can find the company. Google My Business creates an online listing for the firm with relevant, useful information such as the address, contact number, and business hours.

5. Personalize your marketing approach.

An effective mobile marketing technique targets users. The app or website provides value through content that emotionally connects with its readers. The marketing tactics are also empathic as the business surveys its products and services through the customer’s lenses. There are several ways to personalize marketing strategies. The company can identify the consumer need. Solving a customer’s concern can target thousands of people who are also facing the same questions. Sharing a story is always a personal attack. A video or a testament from a customer or a successful campaign highlights the excellence and deeds of the brand. Use photos to elicit reactions from the people who visit the site. Creating a mascot or a distinct character separates your brand from others. A mascot for the blog makes it stand out from its niche. It also becomes easy to recognize as the character becomes the essential part of the site and mobile marketing strategy. Last but not the least, combine mobile marketing methods for user engagement. Don’t be satisfied with local and search engine optimization. Target social media marketing. Generate useful content on blogs, make podcasts, e-books, and (if possible) online courses. When you identify your core audience and target market, it becomes easier to personalize a marketing approach.

Mobile as a Sales Leverage

Apps and information on available on mobile enables users to shop and subscribe on services in the comfort of their homes. Businesses who use marketing strategies for smartphones are likely to get these customers through their efforts. Apps and users mobile data help companies as it does to the user. Smartphones are part of life, so mobile marketing techniques for customers and business are part of digital marketing this 2018.

The post How to Improve Business Mobile Marketing Strategy This 2018 appeared first on Internet Marketing Reach.

Whether a self-learner or a veteran, there’s still a bunch of things to learn in this fast-paced industry. Thus, they rely on the information from the community and other fans who follow the topic. Since a lot is going in digital marketing, the content people consume must be informative and essential to the rest of the community.

If you have been under a rock, here are five blogs you must bookmark to be on top of online marketing news, updates, and techniques.

1. Moz

The blog is the go-to-guide for everything related to an SEO company – analytics, keyword research, link building, and content writing. It also has topics that can bring your online marketing skills to the next level. There are posts relating to branding, design, social media, and user experience (UX).

What’s unique about the Moz blog is how each published advice, how-to, and insight is comprehensive. Beginners of SEO can grasp the concept behind each idea because of the simplicity in each explanation. Most of all, some posts come in a different format. You can read, listen or watch. It’s up to you how you plan to consume the information.

Reason to bookmark: Whiteboard Friday SEO lectures by Rand Fishkin

2. Content Marketing Institute

Explore a community of content creators and providers through Content Marketing Institute. The website has articles and resources on content creation up to distribution. It even covers the editorial process as well as the tools and techniques used in generating content for mobile and desktop platforms.

On top of the tips and tricks from the published posts, the website also features what’s new in the content writing strata. There are also announcements on training and events for budding writers, marketers, and those who wish to leverage their existing skills.

Reason to bookmark: Free browsing of Chief Content Officer, a print, and digital magazine published quarterly

3. Kissmetrics

Real-time results and progress need representation. Kissmetrics provides studies and analysis on behavior-based engagement on social media. The blog, on the other hand, is an excellent reference for statistical reports between websites. Besides the comparison, it also includes the tools they use to arrive at the solution.

Kissmetrics is a useful guide to those who want an in-depth understanding of analytics. The blog also includes a discussion of SEO techniques as well as catchy and real-life sales and business operations relating to online marketing.

Reason to bookmark: Articles that explain the importance of conversions

4. Copyblogger

Investing in content marketing is the key to rank a website. As part of the search algorithm, it pays to have a solid content marketing plan and presence to maximize user engagement. A blog that provides information on such topic is Copyblogger. The company founded its operations on optimizing user engagement and traffic.

Though there exist different types of content, nothing beats the long-form writing. Copyblogger’s website has a blog that tackles writing, creativity, and productivity. It also has articles on entrepreneurship, selling and freelancing – essential life tips that will expand your career in writing or blogging.

Reason to bookmark: MyCopyblogger, an online training resource that gives you access to a course and e-books.

5. Marketing Land

The website includes everything about marketing – email, mobile, social, and SEM. It even has a section for Chief Marketing Officers and digital marketing executives. It has an ongoing post called “Marketing Day” that reports what goes on in within Marketing Land and other places in the industry.

It compiles the news within the landscape, so you don’t have to look anywhere else. The articles are a combination of online and traditional marketing. Everyone can catch up with the trends of the practices in the industry.

Reason to bookmark: Click-baiting featured images of each article

Lots of comprehensive and useful websites are available on the web. To ensure you aren’t spending your time on useless and irrelevant blogs and online marketing news, you can narrow down your search. Specify what you need so you get more time learning and less time browsing.

The post 5 Blogs on Digital Marketing To Bookmark This 2018 appeared first on Internet Marketing Reach.

When you own a small business such as a retail store, it is easy to feel frustrated when you don’t get enough traffic and sales are going down. This may be the biggest challenge that online retailers can experience. However, at times like this, consulting an expert from internet marketing agency may be the best option for every retailer.

The internet plays a big role when marketing your business. That means, as a retailer, you have to think about how you can reach your target audience using the internet or any forms of social media. Although marketing your business may take a lot work, but it brings a great impact on your business’ growth. To give you an idea, below are some internet marketing tips for retailers.

1. Determine the Best Distribution Channels

A good promotion of the product is the heart and soul of your business. That means, you cannot reach your target sales or growth when you do not introduce your brand to your potential customers. Through the use of social media, you can now advertise your brand and reach out to your target audience – with just one click, you’re now on the go. However, although social may be a convenient way to promote your brand, there are still a lot of things to consider before you can achieve the desired outcome.

As a retailer, it is important for you to identify where your potential customers are interacting with brands online. Consider the things that grab their attention such as discounts and any other services they want to avail. It is in this way where you can develop strategic messaging in varied content formats. Moreover, this is also to monitor and understand how your customers want to interact through social media.

2. Personalized Customer Experience

After you effectively match your channel to your target audience, you can now create a channel-appropriate content to personalize customer experience. That means, you need to think about the interest of your audience to drive meaningful engagement. Moreover, contents that are personalized are proven to build trust and strike the ideal balance between transaction and the emotion of your customers.

One of the best ways you can grab your audience’s interest is through connecting them based on their wants and needs. Once your audience feel that the brand is created specifically for their own personal lies and interest, they can be your potential customer.

3. Consistency is the Key

Nowadays, it is hard for a particular brand to penetrate on the minds of their target audience, unless you have proven your brand’s worth. However, when you have a consistency on your content, then consumers can have a seamless online experience that can also translate in stores. Moreover, your customers expect the same brand experience on what you have promised whether the advertisement happen online or offline. Moreover, consistency of your brand is also one way where you can build your brand’s credibility and trust from your customers.

4. Integrate Omnichannel Support

When you are a retailer, you have to think innovatively – and integrating an omnichannel support is one way you can connect with your potential customers.  Retail brands need to be accessible to customers 24/7 to attend their needs or concerns. Most customers, if not all, expect you to receive real-time assistance regardless of the customer channel they use. That means, retailers should use an omnichannel support strategies throughout the entire customer’s transaction.

With the use of this strategy, it creates brand awareness to your target audience, product research, purchase consideration, engagement, and conversion with your brand.

When running a retail business, it is a must to merge the digital experience with live interactions. It does not matter who you interact with, creating personalized, omnichannel customer experiences plays a big role in achieving a desirable outcome.

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Guest blogging remains to be the topmost choice of the creators. However, there is one important strategy that these creators forgot about: syndication. No, this is not about paid networks, but rather the organic channels syndicating the RSS feed of your blog.

Syndication is the process of republishing contents as is on other websites with proper credit to the content’s original author. Syndication has various benefits, some of which are:

• More traffic
• Wider reach and sharing
• Content exposure to new audiences
• Obtain expert status
• Obtain quality links
• Better search ranking

Further, syndication is often frowned upon by creators because of the following reasons:

1) Duplicate content

Google penalizes duplicate content; we all know that. However, the attribution will make it clear to Google bots which is the original article actually. Ranking authority (or link juice) will be passed onto the right website. This is the reason you should syndicate contents on reputable syndication networks, putting a link that points to the original article.

If, in case, you have a reputable network in hand but will not link the article, simply put a canonical URL. You can do this through Yoast SEO plugin, advanced setting in WordPress. Go to the editable blog post and input the canonical link.

2) Stagnant traffic

Traffic will stay on the syndicated network and won’t necessarily flow back to the actual website. To continue with the above, traffic will pick up because of the link back to the original article. Such a link is regarded as a quality link.

Further, syndicated contents allow the readers to know more about the topic, clicking through the entire website is possible.

3) Status dilution

If you already have an expert status, this might be diluted and spread too thin on the syndicated networks. This won’t happen as long as you get to share your contents to those who will find value in it. Keeping it in one place is kind of selfish.

Oppositely, if you have yet to establish your credibility and authority, syndication could be the perfect venue.

Come to think of it, we painstakingly create contents. The next best thing for us is to have as many people as possible to read such content. On the other end, we should not treat syndication as a panacea. We shall all proceed with caution.

Anyhow, here are some of the content syndication best practices.

• Choose only the highest quality sites possible
• Make sure the site manually reviews every post
• Make sure the site is not using RSS feeds automation
• Ensure the fit between your content and the site
• Publish regularly for at least three months prior to contacting the site
• Make sure the site checks for blogging consistency
• Write about consistent themes
• Write following a concrete, well-planned editorial guidelines
• Provide adequate internal links to the to-be syndicated contents
• Ensure the existence of relevant conversion elements on your site

Here are some of the best sites to syndicate content:

1.         Quora
2.         Reddit
3.         AllBusiness
4.         BizSugar
5.         Huffington Post
6.         Business Insider
7.         Social Media Today
8.         Business2Community
9.         The Social Customer

Original content is still king. We all love that phrase. So, don’t go overboard with content syndication. Make sure that the contents you will syndicate offer great value to whoever will read it otherwise the purpose of syndication will be futile. What will it be – to syndicate or not to syndicate?

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