It’s hard to tell which is more important in the world of marketing: creativity or data. To some, it might seem like these two things are at odds; one relies on instinct and gut reactions while the other requires running tests and crunching numbers.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Data can help you hone your creative efforts, but it also won’t do any good if there isn’t a spark of creativity behind your ideas to begin with. Find out how both data and creativity work hand-in-hand for successful campaigns:
1. Set a Marketing Budget for Your Campaigns
Before you even start your campaign, you should know exactly how much money it’s going to cost. If you don’t have a budget in mind before starting, there’s only one number that matters at the end of the day: zero.
This is because you should never launch an online campaign without a budget. However, you also shouldn’t be afraid to spend money on social media advertising. After all, if your business is struggling to win over new customers and clients, then this might be what you need to do exactly that.
2. Allocate Time for Each Part of the Online Marketing Cycle
As a business owner, you may be too busy to oversee all of your marketing efforts. You’ll also have employees who need your guidance and input from time to time, so it’s important to allot specific times during the week to each part of the online marketing cycle – from planning and strategizing to creating content, implementing tactics, and measuring success.
By doing so, you’re less likely to lose track of what you’re trying to achieve with your campaigns. For example, if you know that Monday is your day for strategizing and planning, you’ll have to make sure not to blow it off by taking on new tasks or making non-crucial decisions.
3. Find Ways to be Creative with Your Campaigns
To make your online marketing efforts stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to be as creative as possible so that they’re not just another ad or post in someone’s feed. In some cases, this might mean using a new social media platform for your business.
Asking employees and other business owners to participate in contests or giveaways is a great way to boost your online engagement. This way, you’ll be able to get more feedback on your campaigns and learn what’s working best.
4. Consider Using Offline Channels to Support Digital Efforts
The truth is that in most cases, online and offline marketing go hand in hand. You can’t expect to generate results from your digital marketing efforts alone if you neglect the traditional ways of reaching out to new customers.
For this reason, it’s a smart idea to use offline channels such as billboards and print ads to support your digital marketing campaigns.
Keep the two separate, though, as you don’t want to confuse or mislead your customers and clients into thinking these offline efforts are also online.
5. Build Good Relationships with Influencers
If your company doesn’t have the budget to run a massive advertising campaign, then you should consider reaching out to influencers for help. These are people who already have built large followings on social media and other online channels, so they will be able to spread the word about your business and generate more interest in your offers and products.
When reaching out to influencers, you should do so in a way that will be mutually beneficial. For example, if they’re an authority figure in your specific area of expertise, you might not be in theirs. It would be mutually beneficial for you to strike a partnership. This way, you can offer them money or other incentives and get their audience reach in return.
6. Use the Right Tools to Create Your Marketing Campaigns
Lastly, you’ll want to ensure that you have the right tools available to create your online marketing campaigns. These can include everything from a smartphone or tablet for social media updates and live video to a computer with high-quality editing software.
Just make sure that you choose tools that allow you to present your products and services in the best light possible and let you be as creative as you want to be. Of course, you don’t have to buy the most expensive tools in the market. Instead, look for reasonably priced ones and easy to use so you can save the time and money that it would take to learn how to use more complex software.
You should now have some great tips on developing unique and useful online marketing campaigns that will help your company stay ahead of the curve in this fast-moving world. And since you already have what you need to achieve this feat, all that’s left to do is apply them to your business.
Read More: Online Marketing 101