20 Things You Can Learn from Our 20 Years of Marketing

Cue drum roll.

We’re been around for 20 years. That’s right, we’ve provided 20 years of marketing services. In those 20 years, we’ve learned a thing or two (or three or 20 or…).  We could write a novel about how marketing (and online marketing) has evolved over the years, but everyone loves a list (it is one of the most popular content marketing ideas). We’ve found that one of the most important services we can provide is educating our clients…so here it goes: 20 concepts about search engine optimization, email marketing, social media and content marketing you can use in your online marketing efforts.

1. Online marketing ALWAYS changes.
2. Knowing your audience has, and always will be, the #1 rule of marketing. It’s also the key to success.
3. Small businesses can achieve BIG results on an affordable budget. Don’t assume an online marketing company is too expensive.
4. There’s no shame or blame in outsourcing your company’s marketing. Many a marketing effort has, and will, fail because of a manager or owner with good intentions.
5. There are do’s and don’ts of outsourcing that every company manager or owner should understand if they want to get marketing results.
6. The best inspiration for your marketing can be found with the people who interact with your customers.
7. Search engine optimization is always evolving (it’s not dead, just evolving). This is one SEO myth that drives us crazy—among others.
8. Not all search engine optimization technology is created equal.
9. Design your website for your audience (see #2) and optimize your site for search engines and your customers.
10. Integrate ALL your marketing tools for optimal results.
11. ALWAYS remember you are marketing to humans. Don’t focus too much on search engines; you are writing for real people (if you need assistance, outsource—see #4).
12. Content marketing is not advertising. Stop yelling at your customers! Instead, ask this question.
13. Headlines matter…in the “old” days on mail pieces, and today in email and content marketing.
14. Every content marketing plan needs to be accompanied by a solid promotion plan.
15. You don’t have to be on every social media site (here’s how to target your efforts).
16. Marketing doesn’t work without excellent customer service to back it up.
17. Be smart with the ways you cut corners in your social marketing efforts—it can backfire.
18. Don’t jump into social media without everything you need to achieve results—and don’t be intimidated by the list of social media must-haves. Small businesses can achieve results on a small budget (see #4).
19. You have to commit to online marketing, and stick to it. This is just one of two R’s to use in online marketing.
20. There is so much more to learn, and continue to learn, about online marketing (see #1). Follow marketing blogs and publications for information, or outsource to a company that keeps up with the latest information and trends.