7 Deadly Sins of Digital Marketing

I have a sneaky suspicion this internet thingy is going to be around for a little while.

Not only that, it’s growing… exponentially.

And while you’re busy focusing on the details of your business (rightfully so), it may sometimes feel impossible to constantly stay up to date with every new social media platform, shiny new tool, or marketing tactic that’s getting touted online.

But fear ye not and rest easy…

Because there is still hope if you’re looking to increase your bottom line results and grow your business.

By avoiding these digital marketing mistakes like the plague, you will be able to consistently and profitably bring happy, paying customers into your business.

Let’s begin…

Mistake #1 – Focusing on “Feel Good” Vanity Metrics.

Whether you’re handling your marketing yourself or working with an agency, DON’T lose sight of the big picture. Last I checked, you can’t pay your mortgage with Facebook Likes… or impressions… or clicks.

These metrics have their time and place, but most importantly, focus on the metrics that matter, such as revenues or ROI (return on investment).

From there you can look at other metrics to see where any “constraint” is…

But don’t be deceived – or deceive yourself – into thinking all those “impressions” that brought in zero cash are buying you “brand awareness” and will somehow magically pay off somewhere down the road.

Mistake #2 – Not Tracking and Testing.

If you don’t track and test your marketing efforts, you’re merely guessing. You’re flying blind. You’re shooting in the dark. Feel free to add in your favorite cliché here if there’s any I missed.

But tracking and testing turns guesswork into science…

A science where you can methodically follow the numbers (not your gut) to consistently improve your results. For example, what to tweak, what to do more of, less of, or cut altogether.

Mistake #3 – Being Shy.

In your marketing pieces, don’t leave your prospects confused as what they should do next. Tell them EXACTLY. Should they call you… click here… opt-in…or buy now?

Marketing great, Jay Abraham, once said, if you truly believe in your product or service, you have a moral obligation to do everything you can to help that person. So, don’t be shy – tell ‘em.

Mistake #4 – Working with Someone Who Doesn’t Understand Your Business.

If you’ve ever worked with an agency before, you might know what I’m talking about.

Without taking the time to FULLY understand your business, some agencies try to squeeze you into their cookie-cutter marketing approach like a square peg in a round hole and your results are… underwhelming to say the least.

Work with someone that will spend time getting to know you and your business. Not as another “account”, but as a partner.

Mistake #5 – Not Knowing Your Ideal Customer

Knowing your ideal customer is the foundation of all your marketing. Who are they? How old are they? Where do they live? What do they believe? What do they want? What frustrations do they have? What worries and fears? Where do they “hang out” online?

Once you know this info, you can “speak” so precisely to them that they’ll feel ecstatic that someone FINALLY understands them. And that bond is hard to break.

Mistake #6 – Talking About Me, Me, Me.

This may sting at first, but it will help you in the long run…

People don’t care about you, your company, or your mission statement.

What they do care about is how your business can help them. Can it help them do something easier, faster, better? Talk about that – what’s in it for them – in your marketing.

Mistake #7 – Not Building Your Own List… and Mining It.

You spent £X to acquire that last customer of yours. Milk that investment for all it’s worth. And, equally as important, as Mr. Abraham said above, you have an obligation to continue to help that person.

Stay in contact with them. Give them value, tips, advice. Offer them another product or service you provide that will get them even better results.

There you have it, 7 digital marketing mistakes that will strangle your business. Ignore them at your own peril. Of course, if you have any questions or would like to talk further, don’t be shy, gives us at Floww Digital a call at 0330 175 7080.

Better still, right now we’re offering a FREE, no-obligation Website Audit where we apply our 23-point process to attack these 7 deadly mistakes and many others that are stealing money out of your pocket.

Once again, you can call us at 0330 175 7080 or click here to schedule an appointment.