FAQ #1

Why am I not getting the visibility I need when I'm on social media?

Two initial questions for you to think about: 1) where are you posting and 2) how often are you posting?

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It's important to have a presence on social media platforms but you have to go beyond just setting up a social media profile.

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You need to have a plan that includes content, messaging, placement and a goal - all of which are creates to attract and engage your ideal target customers.

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The most important of these things in your plan is to have a content strategy. When there's a plan, you are more likely to act on it. And if you include you will post, what you will post, the call-to-action CTA that will drive a behavior or facilitate the customer journey to the next step and who will be posting, the consistency of showing up for your ideal customers to find you when they need you increase dramatically.   

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If you need a content calendar to start planning now, you can use mine which can be accessed via the below link (without submitting your email address) :

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https://www.vickioneill.com/goal-based-marketing

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Start with the content calendar and create a consistent plan for posting. Make sure you are posting where you ideal customers are spending time.

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FAQ #2

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How do I know I'm posting where my target audience is?

You need to first know who your ideal customer is. Have you created your persona/s? That's the first step.

If you don't know where they are you can't also be there to share your content with them to find you. 

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If you need to create personas, here's a link to help get you started (includes a template and questions):

https://www.vickioneill.com/marketing-sales-creating-personas

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The podcast has a lot of details you'll want to hear. Once you know who your ideal customer is, it's easier to track down where they spend time, what they need, what problems they have, how they respond, what competitive solutions they may be using instead of yours, etc.

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An example, if they are on Twitter, you need to post content on Twitter - make sure you have your notifications on so you can respond and engage with them as soon as they start engaging with you. Timing of responses is critical to the impression they have of your brand. First impressions are very important!

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The key to this content game is engagement. Without it, prospects and customers will simply (and quickly) go someplace else.

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FAQ #3

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What if I don't have time to be waiting at my computer for waiting for prospects to respond?

You don't need to sit at your computer waiting but you need to have notifications turned on, your apps open or someone managing your brand/s. The only option that isn't acceptable is not having a plan. I either have my apps open or notifications on so I can respond quickly whether I'm on my computer or mobile phone. Leaving prospect's questions unanswered creates anxiety for the prospect and drives them to find their answer elsewhere. You don't want to invest time in creating content then not following up on it. Have a plan. 

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Here are the 3 options I see with this scenario (choose what works best for you):

#1 Create time - 'Finding' time is never a popular choice but if you want to control the messaging and be involved in everything this is a choice you need to entertain. You could also hand this responsibility to someone else...

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#2 Delegate - Look to your team members and see 1) who has the bandwidth and/or know how or 2) who wants to take on more responsibility to grow their career? Do some internal team evaluations and determine if this is a viable option for you.

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#3 Outsource - You don't have time and there isn't anyone on your team with the knowledge, bandwidth or desire to take on the additional responsibility. You could hire a VA (virtual assistant) who specializes in social media content management or hire a contractor/freelancer to help you.

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FAQ #4

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I'm familiar with marketing but don't have the time to focus on it. What do you suggest?

That's where I come in. We discuss your business goals, target audience, existing marketing efforts with what worked and what didn't work and a budget. I will evaluate your situation and provide a recommendation to move forward in order to achieve your goals. If I'm not a fit, I have a network of leaders in many areas of marketing expertise that I will be happy to refer you to (I'll provide a list with contact information so you'll have what you need to continue your process without interruption.)

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At that point, you can outsource to me or you will have an action plan to leverage your internal team to take next steps.

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If this meets your current needs and you're ready to outsource, let's take that next step and see if we're a good fit.

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https://www.vickioneill.com/contact

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FAQ #5

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How much time should I be spending on marketing?

My first response is: how satisfied are you with your business as it is today?

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If you're happy with the status quo and not doing anything more than you are today, then I'd say keep doing what you're doing. Don't change what is already working. If this is you, I'm not a good fit for you.

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If your business has plateaued and you want to grow it, then the time you spend on marketing should be an investment in your brand. And that takes time - and resources. But there is no specific amount of 'time' you should spend on marketing. It really depends on your current setup and goals: how established is your business? Do you have someone to dedicate time (part or all time) to marketing? Do you have business goals to help guide marketing efforts? What have you done in the past that's worked and no worked? 

If you want to grow your business, marketing is a critical 'must have' on a consistent basis. 

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And I happen to work with brands who want to grow their business but just don't have the time to focus on it. They understand the value of marketing and the impact it can have on their business goals and results. 

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If this sounds like a path that aligns with your goals and needs, click on the 'Contact' link at the top of the site and let's take that next step together.

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FAQ #6

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What is the best way to grow my business with marketing?

Marketing requires planning - it's not a wing-it-and-they-will-come game.

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If you want to grow your business, you need some form of marketing. It can be social media, email, video, referral or others but the best way to use marketing to grow your business is to have a strategy.

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You need to understand your industry, competitors and internal and external strengths (gap analysis).

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Just like buying a house, you have to prepare for the process and what you get after the sale is final.

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"I need ​a place to live so just pick someplace." said no one ever. It requires understanding the parameters that work for you and ultimately what you want to accomplish: is it to raise a family, city or rural living, school systems, pet parks, shopping, etc. 

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The same is true for marketing and growing your business. Marketing is the 'saving for a down payment' to buy the house: it takes times. And just like saving for the down payment, in marketing terms you need to post (blog, engage, email) for the sale.

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It takes time but with a strategy and the right person to oversee your marketing efforts, you will have the best marketing in place to grow your business.

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For more information on a marketing strategy, navigate to the following on my site:

https://www.vickioneill.com/marketing-strategy

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FAQ #7

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I don't have time - how can I get fast results with marketing?

The short answer: you can't.

The long answer: you can't.

Marketing is a strategy-creating, time-involved long haul. There is no 'fast results' with marketing.

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Today, you have to earn each moment of a prospect's time - and it doesn't come easy (or fast). That's why you need a strategy.

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To start today, here are 10 things you can do:

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1) list your top 3 business goals

2) identify who your ideal customer is

3) know where they spend time

4) know their pain points and needs

5) create content that attracts their attention

6) show how you solve their problem

7) have content to give away or download (without an email address)

8) post content where they are with a call-to-action to help them along their path to you

9) measure impact and results compared to goals (marketing and business)

10) tweak and monitor on a daily, weekly and monthly basis

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If you need help with any of these things, it's what I love to do! And the first step is only a click away. Go to the 'Contact' link at the top of this page and.....let's get started (or email or talk or DM or Tweet or.... whatever works best for you.)

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FAQ #8

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I need help creating better marketing content for prospects and customers. Where do I begin?

The first thing to do is map out how your existing customers found you and bought from you. That's understanding your customer's buying process. 

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This is a great place to start. When you know where they begin and how they navigate to buy from you, you will better understand your customers and what they need along the way.

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When you understand your customers, you create more relevant marketing content that they are more likely to take action on. Here's more information in podcast format on this topic:

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https://www.vickioneill.com/marketing-sales-journey-mapping