Key Points
- A recent survey by GetApp, an online resource company, found that 53% of small-medium businesses in Australia plan to increase their budget for social media this year.
- Although many businesses are willing to spend for their digital media marketing, not everyone is familiar with using them.
- Digital marketing, the industry where consultant Mark Flores belongs, is in demand when it comes to helping businesses utilise it in growing their business.
'Digital marketing'
In today's digital era, various online platforms are available for businesses to leverage on marketing their products and services online.
A recent survey conducted by GetApp, an online resource company, found that 53 % of small-medium enterprises (SMEs) surveyed in Australia plan to increase their social media budget by 2023.
Fifty-eight per cent of those businesses plan to spend more on their advertising; 50 % will increase spending on content creation.
Mark Flores works with business leaders to create their digital marketing needs. Credit: Falcon Creative
"It's really about attention. That's what social media is. The first step is you bring awareness and attention to your brand," video producer, strategist and founder of Falcon Creative Mark Flores stresses.
With the hype of social media and almost everyone getting information online, Flores says that using digital marketing is a good opportunity for businesses to expand their reach to potential customers.
Tips for businesses
For businesses that are ready to invest in digital marketing, it is best to seek help from experts in particular if you are not familiar with using technology and social media.
1. Focus on your branding
Flores advises to first focus on the branding of the business.
"Your branding is different from your marketing. Your branding is all about getting a professional logo, your website and, getting your colour schemes.
He adds that "[A]part from the brand elements, branding is the promise of an experience you are giving to someone."
2. Know your target customer
He points out the importance of identifying your target customer and focusing on them.
It's important you understand who you want to attract - not everyone, but that specific customer or client.
"One of the best things to do is to interview people. Have chats with them. Get to know them and the words they use, instead of guessing what they have to say."
Knowing what your customer needs is also an advantage.
"Once you really understand their needs, desires, and challenges, that's the foundation you will use for your branding and marketing," Mark Flores says on businesses leveraging on digital marketing. Credit: Falcon Creative
Flores says that once you know your customer, you can better craft the message you want to convey.
"More importantly, crafting your market message. When you know who your specific customer or client is, and start understanding from their point of view, you'll be able to create a marketing message that will hit your customers' hearts."
4. Focus on your goal
Business is not just about passion and profit. It's about satisfying your customers' needs.
"You shift from your passion to focusing on other people's passions.
"You want to provide what your clients need and what they love to do. Your offer, the solution that you provide is really solving a problem."
5. Choose the platform to use
Picking the right online or social media platform will make a big difference.
"One, find your story. It's about creating stories that people resonate with and want to share with other people."
"Two, find a social media platform that you think will help you with your goal.
"It could be just focusing on Youtube or if you already have an audience on your Facebook, or it might be on Instagram."
"Focus on only one or two platforms and try to build momentum on those platforms, instead of doing everything all at once."
