More people than ever are using social networks every single day. In 2020, according to Statista, more than 3.6 billion people were using social media worldwide. That number is expected to reach nearly 4.5 billion by 2025.
Even with the rise of social media, email marketing is still a powerful tool; according to HubSpot, 64% of small businesses use email marketing campaigns. In fact, email marketing generates $42 for every $1 spent, which is a 4,200% ROI. There are 4 billion daily email users, and studies cited in the HubSpot article show that 99% of email users check their email at least once a day.
We want to carefully look at some of these marketing techniques and see how you can build a lean, more effective lead list by properly marketing your product or brand through social media. Here are a few tips to help you take your marketing game to the next step.
Editor's note: Looking for the right email marketing software for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.
1. Create custom ads.
One of the best ways to reach your target audience is by releasing ads about your product or service. Facebook Ads is a great tool to use so you can have a strong reach on the most popular social media outlet.
The Facebook Ads program lets you create custom ads with your own images, copy, and headline to attract the right audience. Once you've created your ads, you can use the Audience Insights tab to change the location, gender and interests of the people you want to see your ad.
2. Promote gated content.
Gated content is another excellent way to grow your lead list through social media. In a nutshell, gated content is content that a user cannot access until they sign up for your email list.
It may seem like a challenge to get people to sign up for your list based just on content, but that's where your marketing techniques come in. As you promote your gated articles online, make sure you express why this material is essential to the user.
Expressing value to the customer will help encourage them to sign up for your list to see what the source content contains. If they are interested, you'll have a long-term customer who is engaged in your brand, the service you offer and your knowledge.
3. Create videos.
Visual content has a 40% greater chance of being shared than traditional text content, according to HubSpot. This is because many people are extremely visual. The creation of smartphones has allowed users to browse their favorite social media sites at their own pace, and, now, people have more time to dive into videos and images.
If you want to grow your email list on social media, try creating some viral videos to pull in both your targeted audience and generally interested people. Monitor your social media and website analytics following the videos. Dollar Shave Club did a great job of creating awesome visual content when its brand launched. It focused on humor, convenience, and price, and it's now one of the most popular razor companies in the world.
4. Embrace retargeting.
Retargeting customers has grown in popularity due to automation. It's now easier than ever to track customer behavior and help lead them to your brand if they leave your site sooner than you'd like.
In a similar vein, retargeting ads on social media are a great opportunity to bring in more customers by reminding them why they were on your site in the first place. You can set ads to appear based on their previous behavior on your website. For example, if they made it to the cart page but didn't check out, you can promote a 10% discount to them on social media if they complete their purchase.
These subtle but powerful marketing tools are helping convert more customers and increase subscriber lists for thousands of companies worldwide. As technology advances, there will likely be more sophisticated ways to boost your lead lists, but for now, social media is one of the most popular places for customers, and there are plenty of excellent ways to beef up your leads.
5. Use Twitter chats.
Twitter chats are curated conversations on Twitter brands can host about a specific topic. Customers can reply using a predetermined hashtag to participate in the conversation. This is a great way to build engagement with your audience and incentivize them to join your email list. Twitter chats allow customers to give you feedback on whatever you choose and ensure they feel their ideas are being heard.
Twitter chats are a great way to show your customers you value their input and will take the time to interact. If you take the time to listen to them, they will be more open to continuing the interaction by joining an email list.
6. Create tutorials on YouTube.
Today's digital consumers are more suspicious of internet scams than they were in the past, and to get them to give up their email addresses, you have to earn their trust. Posting tutorials on YouTube is an easy, cost-effective way to build this trust.
YouTube allows you to showcase your professional skills without speaking directly to every potential customer. It's a simple way to prove your authority on a subject. That authority could earn you the trust you need to convince viewers to give you their precious data and be an effective sales driver.
7. Join Linkedin groups.
LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for the modern professional and any modern business. LinkedIn Groups provide an online space for professionals in the same industry to share experiences, ask for advice and build connections. This means that any content you share in LinkedIn Groups regarding your business will be seen by individuals who want to see that kind of content, which in turn leads to building connections and finding leads for your business. In addition to joining previously existing LinkedIn Groups, you can also create your own.
8. Generate leads from SlideShare.
SlideShare is a platform that allows you to share slideshows on a public platform, and if you publish content regularly, this is an ideal internet platform from which you can gain a following. This can provide your business with more search engine visibility and, in turn, increase your credibility and engagement. You can also embed content into your presentations through SlideShare, like links to your website and other social media content for your business.
9. Create webinars with Google Hangouts.
Google Hangouts is an affordable option not only for businesses, but for the average consumer. With Google Hangouts, you can create free webinars that give your audience the chance to learn more about your products and ask questions about them. Google Hangouts also works with any platform and allows you to have an unlimited number of audience members.
10. Use Instagram stories.
Instagram stories are a great way to advertise your content without it ever becoming outdated. They also increase your brand visibility and your followers are notified whenever you post a new one, making them harder to miss. People who don't follow you are still able to see your stories. Instagram stories also allow you to directly engage with your audience by asking questions or conducting polls.