Digital Marketing, SEO, Inbound Marketing, Social Media, The Mystery Revealed

Everybody has them. A set way of doing things that they are convinced is the right way to bring the best outcome. Businesses have set processes that streamline production, tasks, information flow, business development, brand management, etc. What is the process your company has adopted for digital marketing? Most companies do not have a strategy or process when it comes to all the elements of a true inbound marketing program. The process really is where the results are found. It needs to be said again so it is really heard, the process is where the results are.

So many businesses are taking stabs at social, content creation, SEO, and traditional digital marketing strategies, but the 1,000 ft. view looks more like children blindfolded, swinging the broom handle at the piñata. So many businesses we've spoken with will inevitably say something like, "Facebook, we tried that. Twitter, we tried that. Blog, we tried that. SEO, we had someone optimize our site." What they are really saying is, "I've swung my stick at that piñata and have very little candy to show for it." What most "digital marketing" companies are selling is not a strategy, plan, or process. They are selling a service that results in very little results.

Let's take the mystery out of SEO and inbound marketing. When you work a real strategy and comprehensive plan you have set goals, expectations, and benchmarks you want to achieve. This is where it gets exciting for businesses when you tell them, "here is the process and here is what you should expect in two months." When two months have passed and the goals are nearly achieved, are reached, or are exceeded, clients' eyes get a little bigger and trust is developing. Every month you are getting valuable analytics that verify you are on the right track and the process is refined to improve the results. Where is the end of the refinement? There is no end to the refinement. You continually analyze the data, your effort, and make subtle changes that can have significant results for the program.

If Inigo Montoya (Princess Bride) was in digital marketing he would say of most companies, "You keep using that word, SEO...I do not think it means what you think it means." Here's where I am going to save you time, money. and frustration. Digital marketing companies that give you these items ala carte, and spout them as the "Golden Goose," should be called into question. 

Sound familiar?

Website Optimization - "We will SEO your website and you will get found by everyone."

Social Media - "We will build your Facebook page audience and you will have hundreds of leads every month."

Blog - "We will start a blog for your company and everyone will subscribe and you will double your following every month."

Key Words - "Let us spend two hours, at $300 an hour, researching words that people are using to find your company and companies like yours."

All of these tools are very valuable, but where is the real power? The power is in working a plan and strategy that incorporates as many tools that make sense for your industry. Now, keep in mind, there are very few companies that should not have every one of the above tools employed, but the real results come from incorporating these things into a plan that produces real leads, gives you measurable data and analytics that show a steady increase in traffic to your website, lead generation, and client growth. Odds are you have not gotten these things regularly, as you should, from a company that has sold you on a service. We can show you, client by client, when you work the plan you get results every time. Next month we refine the plan and say, "now, let's do it better," and it does get better, and we see improvements every time you work the plan. There should always be results! Your company should expect them.

So what is the process? How do you take all these tools and develop a plan for my company? Do I dare tackle something like this on my own? Read Bryce's blog on "You should hire someone for $12 bucks an hour to run your inbound marketing program." Call us and let us give you a free consultation because we want to see your success as much as you do.