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Let’s face it. Online marketing has taken the centre stage in the business world. However, many companies lack a proper strategy and have difficulty harmonizing their online presence to stand out as a brand. Traditional forms such as print, radio and television still exist, but can be much more costly and less effective. As such, it’s crucial to develop a robust and unique online presence to maintain a competitive edge. For example, coupling gift cards to marketing campaigns is a great way to attract new clients and create loyalty among existing ones. Here are some tips to get you on the right track!

Take Stock and Develop a Plan

First things first. Before diving into the world of online marketing, press pause and assess where you stand. Are you starting from scratch? Do you know the various platforms? Have you determined which ones are relevant in your field? For instance, some businesses could benefit from a robust presence on Facebook and LinkedIn, while others may perform best on Instagram and TikTok. Some can be on Google My Business, while others don’t meet the criteria. If you don’t have internal resources to manage this, can you hire a freelancer and outsource the work, or is it preferable to train someone in-house? These are all critical points to consider. To truly optimize your strategy, go step by step, carve time for brainstorming sessions, find people with the proper expertise, and craft a detailed plan. If you have small business with limited staff, start with one platform, get comfortable with it, then move onto the next one (if relevant). There’s no point in stretching yourself thin and doing things halfway.

Craft Compelling Visuals and Messaging

Once you understand which platforms are optimal, value quality. Companies who share premium visuals (photo/video) and well-crafted messaging always stand out. You can take pictures/shoot video in-house or use stock images. Or, you can hire professional photographers, videographers, graphic designers and copywriters. When it comes to text, keep it succinct, free of errors, and regularly include a call-to-action.

Be Consistent

Once you start posting, do so regularly. Since every business is unique, decide on an appropriate frequency. For some it’s daily, while for others it’s weekly. To stay on track, develop a social media calendar. It doesn’t have to be complex—just an overall idea of topics and dates of release. Alternatively, numerous social media posting and scheduling tools exist, so that may be an option worth exploring. It’s a great way to prepare materials ahead of time and then forget about it! Since customers really observe brands online, having a steady flow of content is very advantageous.

Use Gift Cards to Stand Out

To attract new followers and/or reward loyal brand supporters, run contests with gift card prizes. These types of posts generate tons of engagement and are a worthwhile return on investment. Ask people to like/follow your pages, to tag others, and to share the posts on their feeds/in their stories. This will cause a buzz and create a nice breadcrumb effect across multiple channels.

Incentivize Online Reviews With Gift Cards

Many brands neglect the power of online reviews, which now have just as much pull as direct recommendations from family members and friends. If your business is on Google, why not ask your supporters to leave you five stars and positive comments in exchange for a gift card or chances to win one? Alternatively, if your own website has a built-in system or you’re part of an industry reviewed on external sites (such as Yelp), do the same! Search engines like Google favour businesses that have high online rankings, so this is an excellent strategy to be noticed and to boost your organic search engine optimization (SEO).

Generate a buzz around your brand by applying these concepts and reap the benefits of an accrued online presence. Create a free account with us and we’ll fulfill your gift card needs in a few simple steps!