It’s hard to believe that 2018 has come and is nearly gone already. I don’t know about you, but this time of year I always do a lot of reflecting back on the year that was. I see it as a healthy way to evaluate the success of the past year both professionally and personally and begin to chart the course of where I want to be this time next year.

Do you do the same for your business? Now is the perfect time of year to take a step back, take a break, and really look at the year, whether it was below par or a resounding success. Regardless of the outcome, now is the time to look forward and focus on self-improvement whether it is in the name of continuing the success that you saw in 2018 or looking to build a bounce-back year in 2019.

With so much on your plate, it can be hard to know where to start and where to focus when it comes to your digital marketing and online presence. I’m here to give you some tips on where you should spend your time on your 2019 digital marketing.

Your Website

Your website is your digital home base. Everything you do online should run through your website whether it be your email marketing, online advertising, social media, or producing leads. And, as your primary online representation, it is important that you are represented well with a strong, great-looking website. That should be a compelling enough reason to start here, don’t you think?

If 2018 was a year that you struggled to close the deal, an outdated site may have been a contributing factor. An outdated site can be a red flag to customers that perhaps, given the importance of a solid website in this day and age, you yourself are an outdated company and they may be better off going elsewhere.

Consider blowing up your outdated design for one that features a more modern design, updated information, and one that is more user-friendly and conducive to getting conversions.

Even if your site is only 2-4 years old, there may be room for improvement with an update rather than a total overhaul. You may be surprised to see some of the latest easily-implemented tools, features, styles, and plug-ins available on WordPress sites.

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Email Marketing

Not only is email marketing one of the most effective methods for driving repeat business from past customers but also works for converting new prospects into new business opportunities. It is the strongest active marketing tool out there.

If you haven’t put much time into developing or expanding your email marketing program, now is the time!

Your program can be so much more than a ho-hum monthly newsletter. Try breaking your contacts into separate lists, each one set to receive niche content that is personalized and relevant to them.

Personalized content won’t just drive greater numbers of opens, it will drive more action.

Automated campaigns can keep your name in the minds of prospects by offering resources or content that can help them move through your sales funnel during their decision-making process all with very little effort on your part.

Offering special discounts, deals, or tips to current or former customers builds favor and can help keep them coming back again and again.

Improve Your Email in Just Five Days.

Blogging

In an interesting turn for 2019, early results of our annual Social Media Survey are showing a trend deemphasizing blogging by small business owners.

However, for my money, blogging is still the most effective and consistent way to add SEO (search engine optimization) value to your site and help your placement on Google searches and is the cornerstone of any effective inbound marketing strategy.

Look, you don’t need to have an English major to write blogs, I promise it isn’t as daunting of a task as you may think. Even as few as one or two blog posts a month can pay huge dividends over time as you continue to use relevant and important keywords that can lead back to your site from search engines.
Blogging regularly also gives you the benefit of having a steady stream of content you can use for emails, social media, or resources you can link to for prospects.

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If you are serious about making strides in 2019, we can help. So, let’s talk!