4 Ways to Build Your Online Presence
Editors Note: We’re excited to welcome Amanda Salem, the Director of Content Marketing at Constant Contact to the Dear Handmade Life blog for a series of blog posts to help you market your creative business.
When I first started my small business over 20 years ago, Constant Contact was my first email service provider! And after testing other providers, I’ve recently switched back to Constant Contact. From gorgeous drag and drop templates to easy ways to segment your email list, I love Constant Contact, and their customer service is awesome. Want to talk to an actual human? Yeah, they’ve got you!
Lucky you, Constant Contact is offering our readers 30% off their first three months. Just click here to get this awesome deal.
P.S. – You can catch the replay of our free workshop with Constant Contact, How to Make the Most of Your Next Market: How to Integrate Your Email Marketing with Your In-person Craft Fairs to Build Your Audience & Make More Sales right here!
Now, here's Amanda to share four ways to build your online presence....
If there’s one thing the last several years have taught us, it’s that being present where customers need (and expect) to see you is absolutely critical. Even for creators who capitalize on opportunities to meet their customers face-to-face, having a strong online presence is the bare minimum. So how can you build your online presence so you’re best prepared to pursue every available opportunity? Here are four easy ways to make sure your web presence is ready when your customers come looking for you.
Make sure your website is up-to-date and representative of your amazing work. This first one is easy, and should be your first area of focus. Creating and maintaining a website doesn’t have to be overwhelming or difficult. Showcase your offerings prominently, and update them frequently. Creating new products or promotions for the holidays? Put those front-and-center on your site so people know your page is current and relevant. And speaking of promotions and special events…
Use landing pages to promote specific initiatives. Landing pages are versatile tools that can help you build your contact lists, gain social followers, drive awareness and even sell products. These standalone pages are ways you can point your customers quickly and directly to exactly where you want them to go, whether it’s a newsletter opt-in, a giveaway entry form, a shoppable set of products, or an event registration.
Use social media wisely and promote it wherever possible. Many creator entrepreneurs have built tight-knit communities of their customers and supporters through social media. Achieving this is done through two things: gaining social media followers and providing them with a great experience on your social pages. Invite supporters to follow you on social media in the same ways you build your contact lists: in-person (at events and storefronts), in print (in product packaging, booth/store signage), and online (via your website, e-receipts, and newsletters).
Engage with customer content. One of the very best ways to promote your product is through satisfied customers. When your customers share photos and reviews of your products on social media or your ecommerce platform, share and respond–your customers will appreciate it, and others will take notice, as well!
Your web presence, while important, is just one part of an effective digital marketing strategy, giving you a place to provide customers information and showcase your products. While each of these tactics can help build your web presence, they are not a one-time effort, but something to be done regularly in order to stay up-to-date and appealing to your audience.
To learn more about how to promote yourself to your customers using digital marketing, be sure to check out our webinar with Constant Contact’s Director of Small Business, Dave Charest.
About Constant Contact
Constant Contact delivers for small businesses and nonprofits with powerful tools that simplify and amplify digital marketing. Whether it’s driving sales, growing a customer base or engaging an audience, we deliver the performance and guidance to build strong connections and generate powerful results. For more information, visit www.constantcontact.com.
