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Marketing Holy Trinity

Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or hoping to grow an existing operation, having a strong business development strategy is the foundation of success. But real, sustainable growth doesn’t come from chasing the next big thing, it comes from getting the essentials right. So, what are the fundamentals you can’t afford to ignore? In my view, this starts with something I call the “Holy Trinity” of small business marketing: Email, content, and social media marketing:

Email Marketing

Entrepreneurs have been ignoring this incredible opportunity for years (maybe even decades). Email is still a highly effective, direct way to connect with existing and future clients – the secret is to add value and bring something original to their inbox. So many local businesses are missing this trick – if you have clients and you are not regularly engaging them with email marketing campaigns, no ifs or buts, you are leaving cash on the table. Email marketing might be the granddaddy of digital marketing, but it still sits neatly amongst many of the latest trends.

Content Marketing

People buy from people they like and trust – especially in a place like Gibraltar! The best way to get people to like and trust you is to create content (blog posts, video content, podcasts, etc.) and share it widely via email, social media, and your website. Great content tells a story and solves problems for your target audience and, as such, demonstrates that you are an expert in your field. Content marketing has always been important in terms of SEO. Now that AI is influencing search, it’s even more critical.

Social Media Marketing

Look, it’s not that complicated. Everyone and their dog is on social media. So, if you’re not engaging your audience on social media, you’re almost certainly missing out (and potentially spending more money than you need to on other forms of promotion). Successful social media marketing isn’t about trying to replicate “old-fashioned” print media ads or jumping on each and every social media trend. It’s about documenting your experience, sharing actionable insights, and, the clue is in the name, being more sociable. This leads us on to our next bonus tip.

Bonus Tip: Be More Human 

In an age where business is conducted almost exclusively online, it’s incredible what a little human engagement can do. Build those stronger relationships in the real world by picking up the phone and speaking with clients, invite your business partners out for a coffee, and invest a little more time in networking. If you are confident enough to engage in public speaking – do it. You won’t be disappointed!

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