You’ve written your business plan. You’ve created and implemented your marketing plan for 2018. It’s easy to feel like you’ve done the hard work, that now is the time to settle into business as usual. You couldn’t be more wrong.
The important thing to know about marketing in the digital age is that it is always changing. If your business isn’t constantly adapting, you’re falling behind. Because of this, it’s important to know what trends are emerging in marketing throughout the year and to decide which trends and strategies are a good fit for your water damage restoration business. Here are five new things to try in your 2018 marketing plan.
#1. Adopt New Media
Using video is now a huge part of marketing online. Content with a visual component is 40 times more likely to get shared on social media, according to the marketing gurus at HubSpot. Knowing this, companies of all sizes should be prioritizing adding visual content to their marketing plan.
We suggest trying out live videos as a first step toward more visual content. This could be as simple a recurring series every Tuesday afternoon where you interview an employee, share something you’re learning about your business, or even share something you love from your city. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and don’t be afraid to have fun.
#2. Refresh Your Identity
How long has it been since you took a good, long look at your brand’s identity? Are you still functioning with the same logos, taglines, and branding you created for yourself years ago? Consider 2018 the year to refresh your identity.
As you build a new face for your brand, consider what you want to highlight the most. What words and ideas do you want to come to mind when people are exposed to your brand? It isn’t good enough to be a good at what you do, you have to be able to share what sets you apart above the rest. Rebuilding your brand is a good way do this, to focus on marketing the services you offer that make you special.
#3. Ramp Up Blogging
If you’re posting to your blog once or twice a month, that might be a good start but it won’t get you far in 2018. We know that business-to-consumer companies who are blogging 11 times or more a month are killing it, pulling in four times the leads of those who are only blogging four to five times a month.
Sound overwhelming? Consider hiring this out, finding a writer who understands your industry and basic search engine optimization to take over your blogging strategy.
#4. Optimize Your Website
A website is so much more that a contact form, it is a chance to build a reputation for your brand and reach your target audience in a more organic way. Unfortunately, business owners are often so caught up in jobs they already have on their plate, that their website gets neglected.
In 2018, spend a day or two devoted to making sure your website is what it needs to be. The basics include making sure your website loads quickly and that each page on your website is working properly. Your website must also be mobile friendly, since so many consumers are using their smartphone as their primary browsing device. Additionally, you want to be certain your brand logo is on the home page and that your design is cohesive. Any fonts used should be easy to read. Your contact information and blog should be easy to find.
#5. Embrace Your Location
Digital marketing is king in 2018, but that is no reason to neglect the town, city, or region where you operate. Ultimately, your goal is to become a name people know in your area. Make networking in your area a top priority this year, attending after-work events or getting involved in community service.
At More Floods, our priority is helping small businesses find the marketing strategies that work well for their company. Through trial and error, we have developed the resources that help water damage restoration specialists grow. To learn more about the benefits of being a More Floods member, click here or call 1-866-667-3356.