With 2017 just around the corner, it was time to host our annual Marketing Lunch. This year’s event took place at the Southampton Science Park in the Innovation Centre and we welcomed over 20 local businesses for a jam-packed session. The theme of this year’s event was ’11 tips to get more from your marketing in 2017’ and we’ve summarised below some of the points:

1. Social media-Know your audience

It’s important that you’re using the appropriate social media platforms for your target audience. Instagram for example has a largely young demographic, with 37% of its users aged 16-24, making it an essential tool for businesses targeting younger consumers, but not so much for older consumers who make up only 3% of Instagram. It’s therefore imperative that you do your research beforehand.

2. Google reviews

Not many businesses understand the importance of Google reviews, but if you want to help your business’s presence on Google this is an excellent place to start. Not only will Google reviews give your business reputability, they’re also favoured by Google and the more you have the further you’ll move up on the search engine results. You don’t necessarily have to be the biggest business in order to top the rankings.

3. Social media – 5 things not to do:

• Being too salesy
• Choosing quantity over quality
• Taking on too many channels
• Posting irregularly
• Repeating posts on every channel

4. Have an SEO checklist

While SEO can be a daunting subject for many marketers, it’s an important tool to get right. Use our checklist to get started:
• Google Analytics installed?
• Google Search Console installed?
• Use GSC tools for 404 / 500 page errors, duplicate content etc.
• Used Google’s Keyword Research Tool – to find relevant keyword per page?
• Incorporated primary keyword into page url?
• Title tags created and correct length?
• Meta description tags created and correct length?

5. PPC – Understanding your quality score

Your quality score can have a big impact on the cost and effectiveness of your paid search campaigns. Quality score is Google’s rating of the quality and relevance of both your keywords and PPC ads and it’s used to determine the price of cost per click. You can improve your quality score in a few ways:
• Structure your campaigns into smaller yet targeted ad groups
• Ensure your landing pages are directly relevant to your chosen keywords
• Decrease your landing page load times

• Ensure your ads are directly relevant to your chosen keywords

6. Retarget consumers

Retargeting is a cookie-based technology that uses simple codes to anonymously ‘follow’ your audience all over the Web. When customers visit a website, the cookie is able to ‘follow’ them round as they search the Web and leave reminders in the hope of them returning to the site and making a purchase or undertaking an action. Retargeted visitors are 70% more likely to convert into buyers, making it a powerful marketing tool.

7. Email marketing – some more top tips

• Personalisation – personalising your emails is more likely to generate engagement.
• Context is everything – don’t be fooled by top words to avoid or included in subject lines.
• Mobile-friendly- make sure your emails are responsive.

• Split test – review subject lines and content

8. The best content for B2B vs B2C

Social media is still the most popular way of providing content for B2B and B2C marketers; however there are some differences when it comes to other tools they use. Blogs for example are more popular with B2B marketers and make up 92% of their content marketing, but only 67% for B2C. It’s important to use tools which are the most effective for your audience.

9. Start creating more video content

It’s estimated that video will make up 74% of online traffic in 2017, making it one to watch. We can expect to see trends such as live streaming and 360 degree videos developing within the next 12 months, so it’s the perfect time to practise your video skills and master creating video content for your consumers.

10. Make the most of Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free service offered by Google that helps you monitor and maintain your site’s presence in Google Search results. Keywords, impressions, CTR, site error, broken links and more, Search Console provides you with key data you can’t afford to dismiss if you want your website to be effective.

11. Book your free ideas session with us

Here at TLC Business we offer a 1-2-1 session for SME businesses looking to improve their marketing. If you’d like to know more email emma@tlc-business.co.uk or call 01962 600 147.

We hope you find this useful and would like to thank everyone who attended. We look forward to seeing you again soon!