Marketing is a broad area and your time is valuable. Have you experienced a perfect client?
The more you hone your skill of understanding your perfect client, then the message and where and when are easier to define.
It is a loaded question and no doubt one that anyone could throw out, “one size fits all solutions”.
If I say, I am going to the Caribbean where should I eat. You may say Old San Jaun but what good is that if you are in Bermuda?
Kind of a weird way to explain it but the importance of defining first, messaging second and then finding the most cost effective industry/customer specific vehicles of advertising works.
My explanation seems simple enough and so is the process.
My apology if this was more of a hinderance than a solution.
I live by KISS but also know some things require way more than just a KISS.
What research have you done for the niche you serve? Do you have a system? FB is merely a media. And it sounds like that media isn't working for you. But before we discard that media, you need to find out if your incredibly effective message is reaching your ideal clients.
There's a bunch of marketing terms I just used. But they are critical to success. If you're not a marketing expert, you may find this non-selling, no ads website valuable to pump up your marketing and advertising: www.TabletMarketingAcademy.com .
The latest article on that site addresses Word of Mouth. It's worth reading. And it sounds like it is not getting you the jobs you need.
A system for a continual source of leads starts with identifying your ideal client. Then determining how to make a list to market to them. Then you must craft a compelling message that virtually kidnaps their attention. Then, and only then, should you search for a media that will put your well-crafted message in front of your target market/ideal client.
If you do these steps out of sequence, it's like taking a picture with the lens cover on! It won't work.
Many people will come on here and guess. You can follow the guessing or create a little system. The choice is yours.
I recommend utilizing the Google My Business Listing. It's free and let's you see insights into who is checking out your website, calling your number and getting directions to your location. Encourage your customers to leave reviews there for you.
Jay Conrad Levinson always recommended spending 7-10% of revenue on marketing, so it would be good to start working up to that.
After that, if Facebook is getting results for you, invest more into that.
First you need to make sure you have a strong and solid foundation. How is your online presence? Do you have an optimized Google Business profile? Are you asking for reviews? If yes, do you have reviews? Are you promptly responding to reviews, both good and bad? Do you have an optimized website?
Building a strong brand online organically is key before paid advertising. Without that strong foundation paid advertising will only go so far.
Advertising with Facebook can be extremely cost-effective if you have the right offer and you set up your targeting correctly, if you are just "boosting" posts you are most definitely wasting money. Your landing page can have a great effect on your traffic conversion and if you have the right value ladder you can essentially get a paying customer via you landing page and following one-time-offer (OTO).
Something to consider, if you haven't already, is leveraging Instagram to promote your business as well. Based on your FB Business Page, the Pet Portraits for example, you could post some of your best Pet Portraits and use the hashtags relevant to your target customer and geographic location you want to serve. You could also find an influencer in the area, someone with thousands of engaged followers, and reach out to them for a promotion opportunity. Exchange a free small photo shoot for them promoting your business to their followers.
The ultimate goal is to build an e-mail list so you can engage with past customers and promote seasonal photo shoots, essentially for free.
Hi Shannon, a technique that may help you is to find three people that can refer your business everyday. Complimentary business that overlap but not compete with yours. Build a solid strategic alliance with them and help them build their business and they will build yours right along side. Once you build those alliances, you will have 4 salespeople selling you everyday. Best Wishes
All these ideas sound great. But I would advocate for definitely having a website. A clean, well put together website showcasing your best work is what sells you. When I come across someone who needs a photographer online or what have you, I always direct people to my website becausethat is basically your credentials and what you offer them as a photographer.
We are having the same dilemma with our multimedia production company. Finding clients is not an easy thing in this online and the vanishing of professional videos.
Video ads on Facebook are engaged and shared many more times than text and images combined. We provide our clients with precisely targeted, short, and relevant video ads that produce results. It is extremely efficient and effective.
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Answers (1-10)
80% of new customers come from current customers. Be honest, work hard, and make solid connections with people.
Hi Shannon,
Marketing is a broad area and your time is valuable. Have you experienced a perfect client?
The more you hone your skill of understanding your perfect client, then the message and where and when are easier to define.
It is a loaded question and no doubt one that anyone could throw out, “one size fits all solutions”.
If I say, I am going to the Caribbean where should I eat. You may say Old San Jaun but what good is that if you are in Bermuda?
Kind of a weird way to explain it but the importance of defining first, messaging second and then finding the most cost effective industry/customer specific vehicles of advertising works.
My explanation seems simple enough and so is the process.
My apology if this was more of a hinderance than a solution.
I live by KISS but also know some things require way more than just a KISS.
Hi Shannon,
What research have you done for the niche you serve? Do you have a system? FB is merely a media. And it sounds like that media isn't working for you. But before we discard that media, you need to find out if your incredibly effective message is reaching your ideal clients.
There's a bunch of marketing terms I just used. But they are critical to success. If you're not a marketing expert, you may find this non-selling, no ads website valuable to pump up your marketing and advertising: www.TabletMarketingAcademy.com .
The latest article on that site addresses Word of Mouth. It's worth reading. And it sounds like it is not getting you the jobs you need.
A system for a continual source of leads starts with identifying your ideal client. Then determining how to make a list to market to them. Then you must craft a compelling message that virtually kidnaps their attention. Then, and only then, should you search for a media that will put your well-crafted message in front of your target market/ideal client.
If you do these steps out of sequence, it's like taking a picture with the lens cover on! It won't work.
Many people will come on here and guess. You can follow the guessing or create a little system. The choice is yours.
How to start? This low cost opportunity may be an excellent way to get an understanding of how to implement your own simple system: https://www.alignable.com/port-orange-fl/take-control-marketing/85-off-but-only-for-the-month-of-october-oct-2017
Hope that helps!
Mark
I recommend utilizing the Google My Business Listing. It's free and let's you see insights into who is checking out your website, calling your number and getting directions to your location. Encourage your customers to leave reviews there for you.
Jay Conrad Levinson always recommended spending 7-10% of revenue on marketing, so it would be good to start working up to that.
After that, if Facebook is getting results for you, invest more into that.
First you need to make sure you have a strong and solid foundation. How is your online presence? Do you have an optimized Google Business profile? Are you asking for reviews? If yes, do you have reviews? Are you promptly responding to reviews, both good and bad? Do you have an optimized website?
Building a strong brand online organically is key before paid advertising. Without that strong foundation paid advertising will only go so far.
Hey Shannon,
Advertising with Facebook can be extremely cost-effective if you have the right offer and you set up your targeting correctly, if you are just "boosting" posts you are most definitely wasting money. Your landing page can have a great effect on your traffic conversion and if you have the right value ladder you can essentially get a paying customer via you landing page and following one-time-offer (OTO).
Something to consider, if you haven't already, is leveraging Instagram to promote your business as well. Based on your FB Business Page, the Pet Portraits for example, you could post some of your best Pet Portraits and use the hashtags relevant to your target customer and geographic location you want to serve. You could also find an influencer in the area, someone with thousands of engaged followers, and reach out to them for a promotion opportunity. Exchange a free small photo shoot for them promoting your business to their followers.
The ultimate goal is to build an e-mail list so you can engage with past customers and promote seasonal photo shoots, essentially for free.
Hi Shannon, a technique that may help you is to find three people that can refer your business everyday. Complimentary business that overlap but not compete with yours. Build a solid strategic alliance with them and help them build their business and they will build yours right along side. Once you build those alliances, you will have 4 salespeople selling you everyday. Best Wishes
All these ideas sound great. But I would advocate for definitely having a website. A clean, well put together website showcasing your best work is what sells you. When I come across someone who needs a photographer online or what have you, I always direct people to my website becausethat is basically your credentials and what you offer them as a photographer.
We are having the same dilemma with our multimedia production company. Finding clients is not an easy thing in this online and the vanishing of professional videos.
Video ads on Facebook are engaged and shared many more times than text and images combined. We provide our clients with precisely targeted, short, and relevant video ads that produce results. It is extremely efficient and effective.