If you want better results from your Internet marketing, and more inquiries from your website in 2019, then consider using these Internet Marketing Best Practices.
15. Amp Up Your Social Media
Engaged couples use social media channels and online “communities” for wedding planning more than ever before. They primarily use Facebook groups, Instagram, and Pinterest. When they come across your social channels, it is important that they see your business is active; offers fresh content, advice, and social proof; and, of course, links back to your website. I recommend you post daily to both Facebook and Instagram. Tools like Hootsuite (https://hootsuite.com) and SmarterQueue (https://smarterqueue.com) make desktop social media marketing management much easier and less time consuming.
16. Blogging
Blogging is an important part of a successful, long-term, effective Internet marketing strategy. It will also give your business competitive advantage. It helps your overall online visibility and search engine rankings; and couples reading your blog posts are more likely to trust you and your expertise. All of your blog posts should
- provide helpful wedding planning information and advice,
- use social proof (specifically testimonials),
- clearly communicate that you are an expert and in high demand, and
- end with a CTA to your website or website inquiry form.
17. Minimize Friction
Friction is anything that makes it more difficult for couples interested in your business to contact you or do business with you. Friction occurs when
- a website doesn’t leave the right first impression,
- web pages load slowly,
- graphics are dark or fuzzy,
- a website looks dated,
- a website has a weak marketing message, or
- a website doesn’t effectively use social proof.
Long inquiry forms with too many fields can also create friction, particularly when more and more couples visit your website from a mobile device.
18. Optimize Your Communication Channels
Using today’s technology, “digital” couples can come at you through a variety of different communication tools including email, text messaging, online contact forms, online chat tools, Facebook messenger, What’s App, FaceTime, or maybe Skype. Like it or not, these things are here to stay and are becoming more popular. Make sure you use the appropriate communication channels that allow couples to easily communicate with your business.
19. Fish Where the Fish Are
Both The Knot and WeddingWire are huge brands that engaged couples know, use, and frequently visit during their wedding planning journey. Advertising at these websites can be a powerful way to drive more traffic to your website and generate more inquiries.
Do your homework and know what you are buying and where you will appear at these websites if you do buy in. Document everything including conversations with any sales reps. Measure the results so that you can make an informed decision on the effectiveness of your advertising and return-on-investment (ROI). Optimize your online listings or “storefronts” with each these sites in order to get the best results.
Wedding businesses with thin profit margins are less likely to see a good ROI when compared to businesses with higher profit margins.
20. Subscribe to My Weekly Book More Weddings Newsletter
All of this Internet marketing stuff can be overwhelming and even confusing. Subscribe to my weekly Book More Weddings newsletter for helpful, easy-to-use information that will help you reach more engaged couples, get better results from your Internet marketing, and book more weddings. Subscribe now! https://bookmoreweddings.com/book-more-weddings-newsletter/