If you want to engage your customer base in a way that deeply resonates with their needs, you need to communicate a story well. One of the best ways to do story-based marketing is through the Storybrand system. The folks developed the system around seven fundamental principles that make marketing a clear, intuitive, and organic process. Storybrand marketing is a customer-focused marketing technique that you can apply to just about any business model. If you’re interested in creating a compelling brand story that engages with your target market, read on for seven essential steps to get started.
The 7 Steps to Create a Storybrand to Ensure Marketing that Works:
1. Start With The Customer:
Every good story starts with a central character. A lot of businesses feel that they need to be the central character in their account. In reality, the customer should be the center of the story. This restructuring allows them to place themselves within the narrative you are trying to create.
2. Identify A Problem:
According to Donald Miller, every good story has a problem or conflict. This problem that you identify is the central need that your customer faces. This need is the exact problem that you can solve for your customer – and it is often what defines your value as a company.
3. Identify Yourself as The Guide:
This is where you come in. You are the guide in the story who has the ability to lead your customer through the murky confusion of their problem and can guide them to the solution. Speaking of guides, a storybrand certified guide can help accomplish all the steps on this list professionally. Make sure that you, as the company, are clearly the solution to your customer’s unique problem.
4. Have A Plan:
You need to identify yourself as an expert. You have a unique solution to your customer’s issue. This is especially critical for any business-to-business model. You need to explicitly communicate the expertise that you have built over a long period of time.
5. Have a Clear Call to Action:
Now that you have clearly identified the hero in the story (your customer) and the solution to their problem (you), there should be a clear call to action present. It doesn’t need to be pushy — just compelling. Remember, the story should do most of the work for you. A storybrand certified guide can help you toe the line of compelling and overzealous.
6. Define Success or Failure:
The narrative that you craft should make it abundantly clear that if the customer follows the instructions given to him by the guide, they will achieve success. If they choose not to accept the guide’s help, they will run into the same problems that they have been facing.
7. Failure:
Failure shouldn’t be the centerpiece of your story, but it should serve as a vehicle of helpful tension for your story. Make sure that the customer understands the possibility of failure if they choose to not engage with your product or service, as well as the benefit of using your company.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
Small businesses and startups often find it much easier to borrow the lion’s share of their capital. Finding an investor is never completely off the table, but it is not an easy task to do. It is much easier to find lending organizations, who are ready to test out the abilities of the new entrepreneurs to multiply their monies.
Very soon, a time arises when the creditors expect at least a part of their invested money back. Now, this is a time most entrepreneurs know will come, but none are ready to face. It is almost always "too early" or "too sudden."
Online marking, when you are already in massive debt?
Gaining momentum for a new business not only takes time and effort, but it also takes some serious marketing skills. By marketing, we do not mean TVCs, hoardings, and pamphlets. Those are ancient forms of advertising that no one even notices anymore. If you are in such a situation, what you need is a stable dose of online marketing that will make you visible to your target audience.
Here comes the biggest conundrum in the world. When a business is already nose-deep in debt, can it afford to plunge further in by going in for online marketing? That entirely depends on your perspective of online marketing. Your contenders and contemporaries may think online marketing to be an added expense, but you know what almost 71% of the US population is already online and looking for businesses like you. So, would you deem online marketing as an added expense or a smart investment?
You need a website first :
The first step of online marketing is getting your own presence established online. It means an excellent site. By nice, we mean something that's functional, professional, SEO optimized, and capable of attracting and converting traffic. It should represent your selling theme, services, and products perfectly.
Building a website is no easy feat. You may have the enthusiasm to build a website from scratch, but not all entrepreneurs can have the coding skills and analytical skills needed to construct a working business website. Building a website from scratch can take up a lot of time, and it takes a lot of algorithms to perfect the buying and payment process. Either you can opt for DIY website builders like WordPress or Joomla, or you can surely approach a professional website builder.
A professional website builder will again cost you a few bucks. If you are thinking of building a PHP based website from scratch, it will also take considerable amounts of time. Now, this is not going to be cheap for your business. Therefore, it is not uncommon for entrepreneurs to wonder if going for online marketing is the best way to a debt solution.
The inspiration you need :
So, let us tell you a real-life success story. Initially a nobody, Rank Fishkin started out with his own tech startup and went plummeting into a $500,000 personal debt. From there he is now the owner of the world’s largest SEO, social media, and content marketing website Moz that is netting about $40 million in revenue for the last seven years. That is a success story better than any fairy tale you will ever hear. Was it easy? Did it involve magic spells? No! It required endless hours of smart digital marketing strategies and intelligent investment moves.
The moral of the story is: just because you are nose deep in debt, does not mean you can invest in something new. Digital marketing and social media marketing are the new ways to reintroduce your brand to a new world of potential buyers. People are waiting out there right now to hear from you about your products and services.
How to find them?
Finding the right people at the right time is the only “magic” you need to perform. You will need a few social media listening tools like HootSuite, Buffer, and Social Sprout. These offer a few free services. Their premium services cost less than a Grande. Of course, you will need to work on your social media account before you start listening to what people are saying about your brand online! So get started. Create a professional Facebook page, Twitter account, and at least an Instagram page. You need to post daily. Sometimes twice a day. Engage in regular conversations with your customers. Stay visible and exciting.
If you ever run out of original content, do not shy away from asking your followers for some. Do it tactfully. Introduce new photo contests, quizzes, and polls with attractive rewards. That is the way to create user-generated content. It is the most efficient way to keep your page and wall filled with meaningful content every minute of staying online.
Investing is not the problem, not spending in the right places is :
Online marketing is an investment in every way possible. It is like putting a bait to catch the bigger fish. Using the right keywords in your product descriptions, doctoring your URL to suit the liking of the bots, and including image tags to become visible during Google image searches are all parts of that investment. Still, you may want to consult your personal financial advisor before you take the plunge. You need to be in touch with your financial reality before you can make new investments. Your financial advisor or your debt counselor should help you in understanding the debt program's details. Your current debt program may have reservations about making new investments or certain kinds of investments unless you pay off a certain fraction of the amount you have borrowed.
Most businesses end up in a fiscal dead-end due to ignorance and bad decision-making, rather than investing in new marketing. We have seen companies drown because they were not adventurous enough and they have always played safe. In 2017, online marketing is not a luxury or an option. It is a compulsion you need to embrace before your competitors take away all your potential clients. Making yourself more visible on the internet will get you more sales and profit. It will help you make more money and pay off your debts faster than usual.
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You could have the most astounding business, offering the most elite products or service, but if your consumers cannot find you, how will they experience what you have to offer? Digital marketing is the latest way of marketing your business. Why? Because more than 3 billion people in the world use the internet.
Digital marketing agencies specialise in online strategies to get your website found. They use paid searches, search engine optimisation (SEO), the creation of content and social media in order to drive more traffic to your website. More traffic means more purchases, more customers and more revenue.
But why do you need a digital marketing agency? You have a pretty savvy marketing assistant promoting your company, that’s enough right? No, not if you want to beat your competitors. Search engines such as Google are always changing how they rank and who should be placed higher. This makes optimisation ever-changing. Social media’s are constantly modernising algorithms and changing features.
In a continually changing and fast-paced digital world, it can be hard to keep up with digital marketing strategies, as well as run your business. You want to be the best in your game right? You want maximum profits and up-to-date strategies. Here is how a creative digital marketing agency can do this for you.
SEO
If someone is looking for something online, where is the first place they will go? Search engines. The most popular being Google, receiving over 3 billion online searches on a daily basis. If your website isn’t created to work well in a Google search, it’s going to be very difficult for people to find you.
SEO is an organic way to gain traffic because you’re not paying for it; you are just optimizing your site to rank higher on search engines. Keyword placement and gaining backlinks to your site are the main ways a digital marketing agency will SEO your website, but with ever-changing Google Algorithms, it requires consistent updating.
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Social media
A digital marketing agency also provides social media management. Knowing what social media platforms are best for your company is one thing, but being able to use them effectively to successfully promote a campaign is another.
If utilised correctly, social media is a great way to stay connected with customers, reach out to new customers and let people know exactly what your business is doing. Social networking is a powerful tool with 2.34 billion social media users worldwide.
Knowing how to encourage people to share your content on social media can make your business visible to thousands of the sharers’ friends that may not have ever seen your products or services otherwise. There’s specific do’s and don’ts to a social media campaign and accidently doing some of the don’ts could have detrimental effects on your business’ reputation.
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Content
Writing content for digital marketing has to be done in a certain way. You may think it’s good to be creative with your content writing detailed descriptions and drop-intros to hook and engage your readers. However, if you don’t optimise it to the web, you won’t have any readers to hook.
It is not about cramming content with keywords, but about using them in the correct way to keep the quality and creative content, but also publish and promote your content well. Digital marketing agencies write all of your on-site and off-site content in an optimised way.
They create the right content for your correct audience for you through research of keywords used by your consumers and exploration of what your competitors are doing to make sure you are always number 1.
A digital marketing agency is a helping hand in promoting your business the way you know it deserves to be. They have the advantage of knowing their way around the complex digital world so that they can make sure your business is recognised, promoted and established in the digital marketing world.
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Imagine this scenario. You've launched a business. Your products or services are top-notch. Yet, customers don't seem to know you exist. This situation isn't uncommon.
Today's market brims with choices. Brands compete fiercely, making it tough to grab the limelight. And with the digital age, there's an information deluge. Every day, consumers face a barrage of brand messages. Cutting through this noise feels daunting.
However, there's hope. This article unveils strategies to skyrocket your brand's visibility. Soon, instead of being a face in the crowd, you'll become the talk of the town. With commitment and clarity, you can transition from obscurity to prominence.
Understanding Your Brand’s Core Values
Diving into brand building starts at the roots. First up, it's vital to grasp your brand’s essence. What do you represent? This involves defining your mission, vision, and values. These elements provide direction. They serve as a compass, guiding every business decision.
Next, focus on standing out. In a sea of brands, uniqueness is gold. Here's where your unique selling proposition (USP) steps in. It’s not just about what you offer. It’s about why consumers should pick you over competitors. Think about what sets you apart. It could be superior quality, exceptional service, or an innovative feature.
Lastly, weave a compelling brand story. People remember stories, not dry facts. Narratives evoke emotions. They create connections. Your story shouldn't be a sales pitch. It should be a genuine reflection of your journey and values. It’s about resonating with consumers on a human level. Sharing challenges, triumphs, and aspirations makes your brand more relatable.
In essence, knowing your brand inside-out is the foundation. With a clear understanding, you position yourself for success in the brand-building journey.
Leveraging Digital Platforms
In today's digital age, online platforms are game-changers. They can propel your brand's recognition rapidly. Many businesses even turn to specialists like a marketing agency Bristol to help navigate the complex digital landscape. With expert guidance, you can maximize your online presence and ensure you're reaching your target audience effectively. Let's delve into how.
Start with social media. It's more than just posting photos or updates. It’s about strategic engagement. Picking the right platforms is crucial. Not every channel suits every brand. Identify where your audience spends time. Then, maintain a consistent brand voice. Consistency reinforces recognition. Over time, your audience will identify with your messaging.
Content marketing isn’t about churning out articles. It’s about delivering value. Craft content that addresses your audience’s needs. Make it relevant. Make it resonate. Consistency is key here too. Regularly updated content keeps your audience coming back for more.
Lastly, there’s SEO, or search engine optimization. It might sound technical, but its impact is profound. Proper SEO ensures your brand appears when potential customers search online. It's not about stuffing keywords. It’s about crafting quality content that search engines deem worthy. The result is higher rankings and more visibility.
In a nutshell, digital platforms offer vast potential. By harnessing them effectively, your brand can soar to new heights in awareness.
Engaging With Your Community
Building brand awareness isn't a solo endeavor. It's a collective effort. Engaging with your community amplifies your reach. Here's how to foster that connection.
First, consider hosting brand-centric events. These could be webinars, workshops, or local meetups. Events provide face-to-face interactions. They help humanize your brand. Attendees gain firsthand experience. They see your passion, knowledge, and commitment. Such events also create buzz. When attendees share their experiences, word spreads.
Next up, partnerships. Collaborate with influencers in your domain. They've already done the legwork. They have a dedicated audience that trusts them. By aligning with them, you tap into their follower base. You also borrow some of their credibility. Remember, authenticity is crucial. Choose influencers who genuinely resonate with your brand's values.
Lastly, who doesn't love a good deal? Promotions and giveaways can work wonders. They not only boost short-term sales but also foster long-term loyalty. People love feeling valued. Offering exclusive deals makes them feel special. Plus, they're likely to spread the word.
Community engagement provides the fuel for your brand's growth engine. By genuinely connecting, you lay the foundation for sustainable brand awareness.
Monitoring And Adjusting Your Strategy
In the brand-building journey, staying static isn't an option. The market shifts. Consumer preferences evolve. You must keep pace. So, how can you ensure your strategy stays fresh and effective?
First, turn to analytics. Modern digital tools offer deep insights. They track metrics like brand engagement and reach. By monitoring these, you can assess your strategy's impact. It gives you a clear picture. You see what's working and what’s not. With real-time data, you can make informed decisions.
Then, listen to your audience. Feedback is invaluable. Encourage customers to share their thoughts. Positive or negative, every piece of feedback is a learning opportunity. It sheds light on areas of improvement. With these insights, you can refine the brand experience. It ensures you always align with customer needs and desires.
Lastly, flexibility is paramount. The market landscape is dynamic. Being rigid can leave you behind. Adaptability, on the other hand, keeps you ahead. Regularly review your strategies. As market dynamics change, tweak your approach. By staying nimble, you can navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
To wrap up, a successful brand awareness strategy isn't set in stone. It's a living entity, needing regular evaluation and adjustment.
Conclusion
Building brand awareness is a transformative process. It moves a brand from the shadows into the limelight. The path from obscurity to prominence demands three things: a solid strategy, unwavering effort, and adaptability.
Engaging with customers isn't just beneficial; it's crucial. Genuine interactions build trust. They shape perceptions and solidify brand loyalty. So, never underestimate this power.
Additionally, the branding world never sleeps. New trends emerge. Technologies evolve. By keeping a finger on the pulse, you ensure relevance. Stay updated. Embrace the new, while staying true to your core values.
Lastly, invest in growth. Not just business growth, but personal and team growth. Continuous learning paves the way for sustainability. It fuels innovation, insights, and improvement.
By embracing this methodical approach, any business can rise. You can transition from being a whisper in a crowded room to the main conversation. Remember, brand awareness isn’t a mere checkpoint. It's the opening act in the customer’s journey with you. Ensure it leaves an imprint, setting the stage for a lasting relationship. Make every moment of recognition count.
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