by Marianna Muscat | Aug 23, 2019 | Digital Media Marketing
Digital marketing is a rapidly growing and changing organism. As fast as the technology develops, so marketing practices and trends move with it. That means you need to keep an eye on the trends and grow too if you want to keep ahead. Here are some of the developments you should be keeping an eye on in the latter half of 2019.
Voice interaction has taken off in a big way
Why type an entry into a search engine and read the results when you can just talk to someone? Thanks to Siri and Alexa, consumers have got used to just asking their devices whatever they want to know. This is revolutionising the way that people search for information on the web, and thus also the way in which SEO is done.
Up to this point, a search engine would return page after page of results on the basis of a typed enquiry. With voice interaction, only one or two search results are returned. That means far greater competition for the top spots in the search rankings. It also means that SEO now involves optimising body text, headlines and meta-descriptions for speech.
Video is no longer an added extra, emails get personal
Video enables you to create branding content that is more easily accessible, often more engaging and has a more immediate impact on your audience. YouTube viewership grows all the time, making it an increasingly viable marketing platform. Granted, the costs of video production are greater than those of text-based communications, but there is often a tremendous payoff for that expenditure, with increased audiences and closer customer engagement. Videos used to be supplementary content. This is no longer the case – it is an essential and increasingly central part of your digital marketing strategy.
Email marketing is also evolving rapidly. Generic mailers used to be the norm but since they tend to fall through the cracks, end up in spam folders or simply get deleted by irritated recipients, the tendency is now to personalise email communication. In this case, emails are sent to customers in response to specific actions, such as browsing a particular product or completing a purchase. This personalised treatment tends to be more effective and is often the final call to action before a sale is made.
Contact WSI to assist you in creating a great, on-trend digital marketing strategy.
by Marelise da Silva | Aug 20, 2019 | Digital Media Marketing
If you run a website (or websites) using WordPress, you may or not be aware of the additional features that are constantly being added to enhance and ease your work. There are now hundreds of plug-ins for the platform – and counting. Here are WSI’s 5 favourite WordPress plug-ins.
Yoast
Where SEO is the name of the game, Yoast is your perfect companion for crafting your content with the aim of improving your rankings in the search results. It not only helps you with keywords and other SEO elements, it also helps you improve your copy for the benefit of your readers.
Everest Forms
Contact forms are essential to your website and this plugin helps you make them. Forms for any purpose – from general contact to specific feedback – can be drawn up using this plugin, with both excellent functionality and sharp, professional design.
Jetpack
As the name suggests, this plugin helps your website take off with features to manage your security features, traffic and much more.
WooCommerce
If you want to take your website up a notch and start using it as a fully equipped sales platform, this is the tool for you. It sets up features for customers to make orders and make payments, and all with a single automated set-up wizard.
VaultPress
We all know the risks involved in the virtual realm when it comes to information. To set your mind at ease, VaultPress creates optimised backups of your website automatically and, in the event of a crash or other attack, can restore everything in a matter of minutes.
Contact WSI to assist you in creating a great, easily-manageable social media strategy.
by Francois Muscat | Jul 19, 2019 | Digital Media Marketing
If you are anything like most other people, you have probably watched a video in the past few days, if not today. The reason is that the video has become part of the mainstream content on the Internet. Video excites and engages individuals whether they are consuming news, sports, entertainment or branded messages. Videos have the power to engage people, to unite them as well as to educate them. It can even create cultural conversations. Today, savvy digital marketers understand just how crucial it is to use video marketing. In any case, Cisco Systems foresees that video is going to comprise about 82 percent of the traffic on the Internet within the U.S. in some few years to come. So, let us look at why the future in digital marketing is going to be video.
Video Content Increases Conversions and Sales
Using video can make you some serious money. When you add a product video on landing pages, it can increase your conversions substantially. Studies also indicate that 74 percent of people who viewed an explainer-video about one or the other product eventually bought it; this obviously means that videos can directly increase sales. Most of the information that’s transmitted to the brain is visual. If still pictures can enhance engagement, just imagine the power of moving pictures!
According to Wyzowl statistics, about 63 percent of brands are now using video content marketing, and out of those brands, 82 percent feel that video marketing is a very important component of their marketing strategy.
Video Yields Great ROI
Businesses that use video content see an increase in return on investment. Although video production isn’t that easy or cheap, it pays off in a big way when used appropriately. Today, there are many online video editing tools that brands can use to create videos for their brands and products at an affordable price. Your video doesn’t have to be perfect, what matters most is the content in it. Studies show that most users are put off by a video that does not explain a brand, product or service in a clear way.
Videos Build Trust
The basis of conversions and sales is trust. However, building trust doesn’t come easily. You need to create long-term relationships with customers. The good news is that content marketing works pretty well in achieving that. You need to stop selling. Rather, allow people to reach out to you because you provide them with useful information.
Today, there is a focus on igniting audiences and not just the content or traffic. Video creates that focus you need, it engages people and ignites their emotions. For example, YouTubers are some of the most powerful and influential people in social media. They can help to promote your brand. Promotional videos are able to foster trust because they present products in a conversational way that creates the personalisation of a brand. This is why 57 percent of consumers say videos have given them more confidence when purchasing online.
Google Loves Videos
Using videos allows brands to increase the time visitors spend on their site. In turn, the longer exposure helps to build trust. And, it hints to search engines that your site contains good, useful and informative content. Your brand is 53 times more likely to appear on top of SERPs in Google if you have embedded videos on your site. Because Google, the biggest search engine, owns YouTube, there is a considerable increase in how videos impact on search engine ranking. Brands need to optimise their videos on social channels like Facebook and YouTube for search engine optimisation by writing interesting descriptions and titles as well as by adding a backlink.
Videos Appeal to Mobile Users
It’s estimated that 90 percent of consumers view videos on their mobile devices. So, video and mobile tend to go hand-in-hand. Mobile video consumption has been increasing by 100 percent every year according to YouTube. Since the number of mobile phone users is increasing and people like watching videos, it means that the video audience of brands will keep on getting bigger and bigger. Brands have to remain sensitive to the personal experiences individuals will have on their mobile devices. For example, brands should give mobile phone audiences a better choice in video content consumed.
With the increasing popularity of video, it means that much of the content appearing on the top of the funnel needs to be in video format. Videos will bring more conversions and generate more leads and sales. Many potential buyers are unwilling to talk to a salesperson, and that is why they would prefer consumer videos to understand more about a brand or product or service.
If you need help with video content creation, contact WSI OMS today!
by Marianna Muscat | Jul 15, 2019 | Digital Media Marketing
Today’s buyers are much more discerning about the brands they buy from. They want to know that the companies they support don’t harm the environment, that they are invested in social upliftment and that they treat employees and clients well.
When it comes to your company’s marketing activities, how often do you take a step back and consider your impact on the planet? Whether you are manufacturing clothes or planting trees, your marketing methods and channels need to have as little effect as possible on Earth’s natural resources. Here are a few reasons why digital marketing is eco-friendly marketing:
From flyers and banners to booklets, calendars and magazines, a lot of traditional marketing methods focused on printing. Not only does this require trees to be chopped down for paper, but you also need ink to print onto the paper and then you need to distribute the materials.
Digital marketing, however, rarely includes any type of printing. Communication is disseminated online without leaving a paper trail that will eventually land up on a landfill.
Many times, transporting marketing materials from point A to point B requires a car, truck or plane. These carbon emissions can be added to the carbon footprint of your marketing campaign. With digital marketing, there isn’t any transport involved, which will make your brand greener than your competitors’ who need vehicles to transport their materials.
Besides the fact that digital marketing is inherently greener than traditional marketing, it also has more reach, it can be more targeted and the results are much easier to measure. Contact WSI OMS for help with your paid online advertising or digital marketing strategies today.
by Marelise da Silva | Jul 5, 2019 | Digital Media Marketing
There used to be a saying in the world of digital marketing that “Content is king!” While it still holds true, it should be updated to “Video content is king!” With research showing that mobile video consumption increases in volume by 100% every year, video marketing has become increasingly important to master.
The Rise in Popularity of Video
Did you know that video makes up approximately 80% of all current consumer internet traffic? Some of the reasons for this could include that reading on smaller screens strain our eyes, a hunger for ever more beautiful images or perhaps just plain laziness. But the most compelling reason is that consumers like the personal connection that video marketing provides. When they get a chance to get to know your business via video, it almost feels as though they are getting to know you face-to-face.
A Winning Video Marketing Strategy
Two reasons why many business owners are still so hesitant about video marketing (despite the leads it can generate) are the following:
- The perceived costs, and
- Self-consciousness.
Both can be addressed with the same solution: DIY.
Creating a winning video does not need to cost an arm and a leg because authenticity trumps dazzle when it comes to developing strong relationships. The public respond well to videos because they enjoy seeing the person or people behind the company telling their story in a sincere format – one that you could easily create yourself.
Follow these steps for a winning video marketing strategy:
Be Audience-Centric
You may feel uncomfortable in front of a camera, but the audience is only actually interested in one thing – themselves. Instead of trying to please everyone out there, work with your model client in mind. Not only does this take the focus off you, but it also improves your video marketing strategy.
Keep Branding Consistent
Best case scenario – your video goes viral! Wouldn’t you want everyone who watches it to know who you are? Even if it is only shared among your fans, all your videos need to have consistent digital branding – from a colour scheme to a unique intro or having your logo in the corner.
Short and Sweet
Do not try to showcase all your expertise in one go. Shorter videos are more popular, and a clear description of your topic will interest your ideal prospects.
Tell Your Story
Volumes have been written about the impact of storytelling. Video is a captivating storytelling medium because you can leverage your facial expressions, voice, body language and setting.
Even though it is a story, remember to include a call to action at the end of your video.
Digital Marketing Practices
Optimising your videos is as important as all other forms of digital marketing – keywords and tags, link to your website, mobile first. It also varies with each platform, so keep an eye open for WSI blogs in this regard.
Test and measure the results of your video marketing strategy to continually improve.
WSI
Need help with your social media or content marketing campaign? Then contact WSI OMS today.
by Francois Muscat | Jun 24, 2019 | Digital Media Marketing
Whether you recently launched a new website or whether you have had a website for years, it is always a good idea to relook the ways that you drive traffic to the site. Here are a few ideas from the digital marketing experts at WSI OMS:
- AdvertiseThis may seem like a no-brainer, but many business owners want to avoid paying for advertising – even if it can make a direct difference to their bottom line. Paid search advertising, banner advertising and paid social media marketing are all great ways to get your brand in front of potential clients. Be sure to use keywords that have commercial intent so that your website visitors can easily convert to paying clients.
- Get Social
Creating content is great, but it’s of little use if it isn’t being shared and read. Be sure to share your content on social media to drive more traffic to your website. Twitter can be used for short, snappy tweets whereas your product photos, promotions or other appealing visuals can go onto Instagram. Update your social media profiles regularly to continue to drive traffic to your website.
- Experiment
What works for one business owner may not work for you. Mix it up by experimenting with different types of content, different lengths of content and different times of posting. Check out what your competitors are doing and learn from their successes and mistakes.
- Target Long-Tail Keywords
When was the last time you used Google’s keyword planner to find new, niche keywords? Find relevant long-tail keyword phrases and create content specifically geared towards these phrases to see your website visitors number grow.
Need help with your digital marketing, SEO, or content marketing? Then contact WSI OMS today.
