Beginning to promote yourself online can be a terrifying experience. Where does one even begin? While we can offer a simple strategy to begin solidifying your online marketing, it is important to note that a plan and a strategy must be personalized to your individual brand. Take what is relevant, and toss what isn’t. Let’s get started!

1.Build Your Website

Having a hub where your potential customers can view your products or your portfolio is an essential first step for almost any brand. This is a corner of the internet that you actually own. Social media and Google Business pages are great (more on that later) but you do not own the rights to those platforms. At any moment, Instagram could shut down and you would lose all of that data.

Ideally, your website would be simple with enough information to provide your potential customers with a clear idea of who you are, what it is you do, and why you do it. It is also a great place to separate yourself from any competitors, and highlight your strengths. Brag about yourself and your accomplishments!

If you sell physical products, it is important to have a system that does not disrupt the flow of your sales. Ensuring your POS (Point of Sales) system can link with your website is a must. If you are using Square, there is a list of compatible websites you can utilize in conjunction with this system on their website. It is vital you do your research before purchasing a domain and hosting platform.

We personally use Wix for our site (and we are not being paid to tell you this, we just really enjoy this platform), but we know that most hosting platforms are pretty universal. Some, like Wix, are customizable but do not require knowledge of HTML coding. WordPress can be even more customizable, but may require some knowledge of back-end coding. Squarespace and Weebly do not require a significant amount of knowledge of website building, but can often have limitations for design and placement. The choice is yours, and really is dependent upon your budget and individual needs.

2.Link Your Google Business Page

The next step we recommend is linking your website to your Google Business Page. If you do not already have one, we have a blog post here about how to set one up.

Google Business pages may seem like an unnecessary step, but this helps boost your SEO (search engine optimization) and allows for potential customers to vet you against past customer reviews. Think back to the last time you tried a new tattoo shop. Did you simply walk into the first shop you saw when you were walking downtown, or did you type “tattoo shops near me” into Google on your phone and make your decision based on a combination of reviews as well as their portfolio? If you agreed with the latter, you are in the majority. Most people do not simply walk into a business without prior knowledge, except in special circumstances (think tourists wandering the businesses in a new city).

Once you have your Google Business page set up with photos (including your logo), you can even share relevant information there. They often change the structure, but Google usually allows for image and video posts that help customers understand who you are and what you do.

3.Build Up Your Social Media

Social media is our next recommendation, and while it can be daunting, it is vital in today’s economy to maintain relevance. Many customers decide to work with a brand based on their social media rather than their website. That means––at a minimum–– you have an up-to-date Facebook page with recent posts.

What social media platforms you use are very much so individual, but for Magpie Marketing, we leverage Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. If you want to keep it simple and stick with one platform, be sure to do your research on the type of people who utilize them. For example, Facebook tends to be filled with (on average) older millennials and Boomers. Are these people a part of your ideal customer base? Instagram tends to be millennials and some Gen Z, while TikTok is primarily Gen Z. It truly depends on who your intended audience is!

Social media is constantly evolving, so it is important to stay up-to-date on user reports to ensure you are maximizing your time.

4.Stay Relevant

Whatever strategy you end up implementing, it is vital that you maintain whatever online platforms you use. If you are sticking with a website, be sure to either post blogs regularly or keep any banner images up-to-date with the seasons and relevant products/promotions.

If you are leveraging social media, be sure to post at the very least semi-regularly (even monthly is better than being inconsistent) at whatever level you can manage. For example, Magpie Marketing posts to YouTube monthly, Facebook/Instagram three times a week, Pinterest and LinkedIn are weekly.

Ensuring your Google Business page is accurate as far as your location and website are also extremely important. A great rule of thumb is to check this page monthly. If you are receiving reviews, it is important to respond in a timely manner to boost Google’s (and your customers) trust in you.

Again, while all of these concepts can be a great addition to your individual brand, they may not all apply. If you would like a more individualized strategy session, schedule a free consultation with us today here to see how we can support you.

Happy strategizing!