In-Person
Networking- It’s Still as Important as Ever
Social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and
Instagram make it easy to connect to customers and clients. You create posts
that show what your brand is about. Followers relate to or believe in your
brand and reach out to form a connection. Through likes, comments, and direct
messages, a high genuine engagement rate leads to more sales. It’s a flawless
process, right?
Although a strong digital marketing presence is
crucial in today’s business climate, it shouldn’t be your only focus. Studies
show that authentic, in-person networking is as important as a digital
presence. Why is in-person networking so beneficial when we have social media?
Clear communication relies on visual cues. The way you
stand when talking to someone, your eye contact, and the amount you smile
affect their perspective of you. Often, these things allow the person you are
conversing with to fully understand what you’re saying. There’s more clarity
available in person than in text only. Consider the effort Presidents put in to
meet with other leaders in person. Think of the massive industry conferences
that allow you to learn from and socialize with each other. There is immense
value in communicating in person.
Have you ever noticed how much of your competition is
on Instagram? Anyone can start a profile, grow followers, and claim to be an
expert. You get real credibility when people see you in-person demonstrating
your expertise. That could mean giving a speech, leading a workshop, or simply
socializing at a networking event. You can show that you’re the real deal in
person, not just another account with stolen infographics.
In-person networking leads to the people you interact
with remembering you. Do you remember every profile you browsed through on
LinkedIn? Likely not. However, you will remember the conversation you had with
that potential client about their upcoming holiday. They will remember you
because you showed interest in their needs specifically. The connections you
make in-person are far more memorable than digital ones.
Here are some jaw-dropping
stats to prove how necessary in-person networking is to your
business:
Although 59% say they’re using
technology for digital meetings, 84% prefer to meet in-person.
85% believe that in-person
conferences lead to stronger and more meaningful business relationships.
Every dollar that a company spends
on business travel for networking purposes results in $12.50 ROI.
All that being said, you need a healthy mix of both
in-person and digital networking for success. Exclusively focusing on one over
the other will not help you reach your success potential. When you connect with
someone in-person, follow up with them digitally. When you connect with someone
digitally, let them know about an event you’ll be speaking at or attending.
These two mediums complement and support each other. Using them cohesively in
your marketing strategy will yield better results than focusing on one or the
other.
If you need help creating a marketing strategy that
incorporates both in-person and digital elements, contact us today!
Would you like to increase your landing page’s
conversion rate by
80 percent? Simply add a video. It’s that easy.
Video has taken the marketing world by storm in the
last couple of years. 2018 showed us that video marketing isn’t just an element
of a larger marketing strategy, it’s an entire strategy in itself. There are so
many ways you can use video to boost your traffic, conversions, and sales.
The key to making every video you produce successful
is authenticity. Consumers today
want real, raw, and genuine videos. That’s a win-win for businesses. It means
you can spend less on high-quality camera equipment and editing tools, and
still get an increase in followers/customers.
Not sure how to incorporate genuine video marketing
into your business? Here are some proven successful ideas.
Screen Recording
Don’t worry, camera-shy business owners!
Creating a video doesn’t necessarily mean you need to
be in the frame. With screen recording, it’s just your voice, the mouse, and
your screen. Screen recording videos are an effective form of education for
your consumers.
If you sell a product that comes with a learning
curve, use video to teach about it. For example, the graphics generator site,
Canva, regularly produces screen recording videos to show users how to use
their online tools. You can hear the creator’s voice as they explain the
process and see everything they do with the mouse. If you sell digital software
or online tools, screen recording videos are crucial for consumer education.
Live Video
Almost every social media platform has a live video
feature now. You’ve likely seen it on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Why is
it important for businesses to create live videos? Because consumers today care
about supporting businesses they relate to and believe in. To know if they
relate to your brand’s mission, they need to see the inner workings of your
brand. A nice logo and faceless Instagram profile aren’t enough anymore.
Use live video to talk about the behind-the-scenes
work your business does. Show the problem your business solves. Interview your
employees to give your brand a personality. Talk about the social movements
your business supports. Live video humanizes your business to consumers. That’s
all they really want in a brand, authenticity, and transparency.
Promotional Videos
Are you launching a new product? Opening another
location? Rebranding? These are all cause for an epic promotional video.
Promotional videos are about getting the personality and mood of your brand
across to the viewer. They’re about building interest and excitement. To do so,
you might give a tour of the new location at each phase of the renovation. You
could make daily videos that hint at what the new product is. You could
reintroduce your business, and yourself, with the new branding. When you send
out an email about your promotion, skip the walls of text explaining it. Simply
post one minute of your promotional video with a link to where they can watch
the whole thing. That’s convenient, authentic, and engaging video marketing.
Not sure how to create an epic promotional video or
how to make a screen recording? Nervous about getting on camera for a live
video? We can help! Contact us today for help with your video marketing
strategy.
