Written by: Torie Mathis, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Are you looking to grow your audience online? Whether you're a new business or have been around for a while, these five tactics will help you reach more people and make a bigger impact. From social media to SEO, there are plenty of ways to get your message out there. So get started today and see the difference it makes!
How to Reach More People Online
Now truly is the best time to be an entrepreneur. With the ease of digital marketing, budget-friendly strategies, amazing ROI, and the low barrier of entry, reaching more people with your business is easier than ever before.
If you're ready to try out some online strategies to get your business out there, these 5 are great places to start.
1. Social Media
Because social media platforms are so popular and easy to use, they're one of the best ways for businesses to reach a larger audience online. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram ‒ there are plenty of options out there to choose from when you want to start growing your following. And the best part for new business owners is they can get a huge impact for free.
"Content is fire; social media is gasoline." ‒ Jay Baer
Take Action
Pick one or two social media platforms to focus on to start, rather than spreading yourself too thin when figuring out the best way to grow your audience. Focus on creating content your audience loves and that they engage in ‒ and double down on the content that works best. Remember to invite your social media audience to connect with you further by email. Email is the holy grail of digital marketing, so all roads should lead to your email list.
2. SEO
Search engine optimization, or SEO, is another popular strategy for reaching more people online. This involves optimizing your website and content to make it more visible in search engine results pages (SERPs), like Google or Bing. This can be done by optimizing your keywords and titles, creating high-quality content, and linking back to relevant external sources.
"Today, it's not about 'Get the Traffic' — It's about 'Get the Targeted and Relevant Traffic.'" ‒ Adam Audette
Take Action
Start with a keyword audit of your website. Research which keywords are most important for your business and use them throughout your website and content, both on-page and in links. You can also create a Google My Business account to improve your SEO ranking with local search results. Finally, ensure you're using social media tags and other methods of attracting backlinks, where appropriate.
3. Online Advertising
Although many people think of online advertising as being expensive and difficult to set up, this is definitely not the case. There are a number of effective online advertising methods that can help you reach more people at a minimal cost. Pay-per-click ads on Google or Bing, Facebook ads, and sponsored posts are all great options for promoting your business in an effective, cost-efficient way.
"Google will know that you are hungry for sushi before you do." – Ben Kunz
Take Action
Consider carefully which advertising method would be most effective for your business, and start small so that you can test the waters without investing too much time or money. Once you find a method that works well, be sure to consistently track, measure, and optimize your results to maximize your ROI.
4. Content Marketing
Creating high-quality, valuable content on a regular basis is one of the best strategies for reaching more people online. Whether it's blog posts, videos, infographics, or other types of content, consistent creation will help you grow your audience over time. You can also build credibility and trust by consistently delivering quality content that people want to see.
"Content marketing applies to every business. There's no reason not to test it." ‒ Julian Shapiro (Growth Marketing Expert)
Take Action
Brainstorm ideas for content that is relevant to your target audience and distribute it via different channels. Consider guest posting on blogs or websites in your industry, joining forums and communities, creating a podcast, or even speaking at events to grow your online presence. Whatever strategy you choose, make sure you're consistent and that your content is high-quality. Remember, the more valuable and actionable your content is, the more likely it is to reach a larger audience!
5. Influencer Marketing
Influencers are another great way to reach more people online and can be a highly effective tactic for growing your following. Whether it's bloggers or social media influencers that you're targeting, partnering with the right person(s) can help you expand your reach much faster than doing things alone.
"Influencers are content creators with built-in distribution: a loyal following that spans across many channels, from their blog to various social platforms. Savvy influencers know to treat their following like their closest friends — and build trust with their audience. It is because of this relationship that influencer marketing, when executed correctly, works to affect purchasing behavior, particularly for the younger generations." ‒ Kamiu Lee, VP of Strategy at Bloglovin
Take Action
First, identify influencers that are relevant to your business and have a large, engaged following. Then reach out to them with an invitation to collaborate on content or promotions for your business. Finally, ensure you're providing value for the influencer in return for their help promoting your brand or product. This can be done through paid partnerships, by sharing their content on social media, or even by featuring them on your website. Whatever strategy you choose, the key is to be authentic and genuine in your interactions with influencers so that you can build a mutually beneficial relationship.
Grow Your Reach Online
So there you have it! Five audience growth tips to help get your business in front of more people. These are tried and true methods that have worked for many businesses, so don't be afraid to give them a try.
And if you want even more tips or assistance getting started, feel free to reach out to me. I'm always happy to help new businesses grow and thrive online. Which of these five tips will you start with first?
Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs like you, use digital marketing to grow your business without wasting time, money, or sanity. She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, speaker + trainer, and your digital marketing coach. You don't need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or dedicated staff to market your business. In fact, you don't even need a lot of time. What you need is to be SMART. Torie hosts SMART AF, a show for non-techy entrepreneurs looking to grow their small business, with her husband, Sean Mathis, and is the creator of SMART AF Magazine. Learn digital marketing for your small business at toriemathis.com
Torie Mathis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs like you use digital marketing to grow their businesses without wasting time, money, or sanity. She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, speaker + trainer, and digital marketing coach. She'll show you how you don't need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or dedicated staff to market your business. In fact, you don't even need a lot of time. What you need is to be SMART. Torie hosts SMART AF, a show for non-techy entrepreneurs looking to grow their business, with her husband Sean, a fellow entrepreneur and founder of the Miles Through Time Automotive Museum. She is also the creator of SMART AF Magazine and Smart Arsenal. You can learn digital marketing for your small business with Torie at toriemathis.com
