Business Cents: Digital Marketing for Your Business | Quicken ...

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In order for your business to achieve long-term profitability in today?s competitive consumer marketplace it?s imperative you understand the power of digital marketing.

More than 78 percent of U.S. adults (98 percent of teenagers) are Internet users. The Internet user?s primary on-line activity includes email, search, social media, and shopping.

This is a vast window of advertising opportunity when viewed from a marketer?s perspective.

Major retailers, corporations, and financial institutions have already harnessed the power of digital marketing and the influence the Internet has on consumer behavior and have launched elaborate digital marketing campaigns as a result.

Yet, many small businesses fail to take advantage of the basic digital marketing tools available to them that can help grow their business.

Internet User Statistics

In a 2012 Pew Research Center Report (Digital Difference, Zickuhr & Smith 2012) on digital disparities in America, conducted July 25, 2011- August 26, 2011, it was concluded that adults 18 and older access the Internet to engage in the following activities an average of:

• Email: 91%
• Search: 92%
• Social Media: 64%
• Shopping: 71%

Do It Yourself Digital Marketing

There are three chief areas of digital marketing that you should focus on: web, email, and mobile. Launch your business? digital marketing campaign by integrating these three easy to manage strategies.

Email Marketing:?Email marketing is cost-effective, easy to implement, and a powerful direct marketing tool. It?s reported that 77% of consumers prefer permission-based email marketing communications, and 66% make purchase decisions after receiving direct email communication.

Build an email campaign using a popular engagement marketing solutions provider such as Vertical Response, Constant Contact, or iContact. These providers offer valuable tutorials and other resources to assist small to mid-sized businesses launch successful email campaigns.

Social Media:?Don?t? under estimate the power of word-of-mouth. Create vibrant social media pages and regularly post photos, videos, and questions in addition to plain text. And always be sure to add your social media page tags to your email blast communications.

Search Marketing:?Submit your website to major search engines to ensure your business is visible in local search. Create company profiles with on-line directories such as Manta and Yelp, and industry specific directories like Zagat.com for restaurants and BnBFinder.com for bed & breakfast businesses.

To effectively manage your digital pages, monitor their activity, update necessary information, and periodically review and respond to users to engage and build trust amongst your audience.

Qiana Chavaia is the CEO and Founder of Q Arts & Media, LLC, a New York City-based marketing firm.?She?s also a?digital and interactive marketing strategist, and small business and personal finance columnist?for mint.com and quicken.com.?

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The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public; it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on your taxes, your investments, the law or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.

Source: http://www.quickenblog.com/business-cents-digital-marketing-for-your-business-2012-10-10/

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