Forbes Technology Council — As technology continues to transform our world, the concept of marketing is constantly evolving as well. Gone are the days when a newspaper ad or a few TV and radio commercials were enough for a business to see results. Now, every time people scroll Facebook or Twitter, search for something online, or watch a YouTube or TikTok video, they are bombarded by advertisements. For marketers, this explosion of media is a double-edged sword. While there are many more avenues available to get your message to the consumer, there’s also a greater chance that it will be drowned out by all the other noise. To effectively reach potential customers, an omnichannel approach can help. Omnichannel marketing is a comprehensive strategy that aims to create a consistent customer experience across multiple channels and touchpoints. Unlike multichannel marketing, which also uses multiple channels to reach consumers, the omnichannel approach ensures the channels are all interconnected. The Benefits Of Omnichannel Marketing Consistent messaging across multiple channels reinforces brand awareness and recall among consumers. When customers encounter a brand on several different platforms, they develop a stronger familiarity and trust in the brand’s values. As a result, they are more likely to recommend the brand to others. This can be very effective in increasing your reach and establishing a positive reputation. The omnichannel approach enables businesses to create a seamless experience for their customers. Customers can begin their journey in one channel and easily move to another without feeling disconnected. For instance, a customer may discover a product on social media, research it on the website and finally make a purchase in-store. With multiple touchpoints, omnichannel marketing allows businesses to interact with their target audience in diverse ways. Customers can choose the channels they prefer, and by having a presence in these channels, brands can foster deeper connections with their audience. Interactive content, personalized messages and targeted advertisements across platforms ensure that the brand remains at the forefront of the customer’s mind, encouraging meaningful engagement. Also, the various digital touchpoints, including social media, websites and mobile apps, allow you to gather data on your customer’s habits and preferences. With this information, you can optimize your marketing strategies by identifying what’s working and what isn’t. Continually refining your marketing efforts will allow you to reach more people and hopefully contribute to a higher ROI. The Challenges Of Omnichannel Marketing While omnichannel marketing may seem simple on the surface, there are many challenges involved with making sure all the moving parts work together so the strategy works effectively. One of the key objectives of omnichannel marketing is to maintain consistency in branding across all channels. However, some businesses make the mistake of presenting varying brand messages, visuals or tones across different platforms. This can confuse customers and dilute brand identity. In today’s digital landscape, mobile devices play a significant role in how customers interact with brands. Failing to optimize your omnichannel strategy for mobile can be a costly mistake. Your website, emails and other digital touchpoints must be mobile-friendly to provide a seamless experience for users on smartphones and tablets. Since omnichannel marketing relies on data to create personalized experiences, failing to integrate data from various channels and touchpoints can be a huge problem. Disparate data sources can lead to fragmented customer profiles and missed opportunities for personalization. Invest in robust data integration solutions to ensure a unified view of customer data. Continuous improvement is key in omnichannel marketing. Many businesses fail to regularly analyze data and conduct A/B testing to optimize their strategies further. Without ongoing assessment and testing, you may miss opportunities to refine your campaigns and achieve better results. While omnichannel marketing is excellent for acquiring new customers, it’s equally vital for customer retention and engagement. Some businesses concentrate solely on attracting new leads and overlook nurturing existing ones. A balanced strategy should cater to both acquisition and retention efforts to build lasting customer relationships. How To Optimize Your Omnichannel Marketing Efforts To get the most from your omnichannel marketing strategy, first identify your audience. Use the data you collect from your digital touchpoints to dial in on who’s buying your product or service and determine the best way to reach them. Next, fine-tune your message. Your branding, your values and your goal need to be clearly defined. Also, the way you present your brand across channels needs to be consistent, from the tone of your copy to the colors and font styles you use in your graphics. You must communicate your strategy to your entire marketing team. If they don’t understand it, they can’t consistently deliver what you need. Be sure you don’t ignore traditional ways of getting your message to consumers. Companies sometimes place all their focus on digital efforts, while overlooking tangible ones. Direct mail marketing has been around for centuries because it works. Especially these days, when consumers receive fewer physical pieces of mail, delivering your message to their mailbox will help you stand out. Integrating direct mail marketing into your omnichannel strategy is easy by adding a QR code that takes recipients to your website. And even if they don’t take that extra step, just glancing at that piece of mail reminds them who you are and what you sell. Omnichannel Marketing Gets Results Investing the time and resources needed to properly executive an omnichannel marketing strategy can help your business build stronger customer relationships, increase customer loyalty and improve overall customer satisfaction. When it’s done correctly, customers benefit from a more convenient and personalized shopping experience, leading to increased engagement and repeat business, potentially providing your business with a larger return on investment. If you’re interested in direct mail marketing, postcard marketing or digital marketing – please complete our Contact Form & we will be in touch within 24 business hours. Article by Forbes Technology Council Member and President/CEO/CTO of Our Town America, Michael Plummer Jr. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the […]
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5 Marketing Ideas for Dentists: Navigating the Digital Landscape
Dentistry Today — As technological advancements continue to reshape the digital landscape, dental practices grapple with the need to distinguish themselves amidst a sea of online competitors. With more patients now relying on the internet to discover and vet dental professionals, a dynamic online marketing approach is essential. According to a survey of 500 dentistry professionals conducted by NexHealth, at least 80% of dental offices are using social media to promote their practices. They utilize online marketing to keep existing patients up to date on dental visits and attract new patients with online reviews and active social media accounts. Here are five marketing ideas for dentists to ensure their online marketing efforts convert potential patients into loyal ones: Integrate Direct Mail With Digital Marketing: Traditional marketing methods, like direct mail, still hold significant value. However, when combined with digital strategies, their impact multiplies. Our Town America’s approach integrates direct mail marketing with effective online channels to ensure consistent brand visibility. By supplementing mailings with digital ads, dental practices can increase conversions, serve ads to their target market, and retarget website visitors on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google. This multi-channel approach ensures that potential patients encounter your brand multiple times, increasing the likelihood they’ll choose your practice. Leverage Social Media: A staggering 72% of people access social media to interact, and at least 70% use Facebook daily, as reported by Pew Research. Ensure your ads reach potential patients on their favorite platforms before and during your mailing campaigns. By strategically placing ads on newsfeeds, you can significantly increase conversion rates. Social media isn’t just about ads. It’s also a platform to share patient testimonials, provide dental care tips, and showcase your practice’s culture, further establishing trust and rapport with potential patients. Implement Data Match Technology: Understanding your audience is crucial. Data match technology allows dental practices to receive a list of visitors to their website. This enables more effective campaign tracking and allows practices to retarget more of their website visitors, ensuring potential patients receive consistent messaging and reminders about the services you offer. Track ROI: To understand the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns, it’s essential to track return on investment (ROI). Tracking tools, such as call tracking and QR codes, can help you gather information. They also provide insights into how patients are interacting with your ads and mailings, allowing you to gauge the success of your campaigns and adjust your strategies accordingly. Optimize for Local Search: Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for dental practices. When potential patients search for dental services, they often include local terms, such as “dentist near me” or “dental clinic in [city name].” To optimize your website and online listings, ensure your Google My Business listing is updated and encourage patient reviews. Be responsive to online reviews to ensure your reputation is top-notch. According to ReviewTrackers, customers do not trust businesses with less than four stars. It’s also essential to regularly update your website with content relevant to your local community, such as blog posts on local events your practice is involved in, dental health tips tailored to local events or seasons, or even highlighting patient success stories from the community. New Mover Marketing: Turning New Residents into Loyal Patients One of the most effective ways to grow your patient base is to target new residents in your area. New movers are actively seeking essential services, including dental care. By reaching out to new residents with a compelling message and offer, you can establish a relationship before they form loyalties with another practice. If opted-in by the client, Our Town America’s digital ads play an important role in new mover marketing. When new residents use the internet, they’ll continue to see your ads on other websites they visit, thanks to online follow-up. This repetition ensures that your practice stays top-of-mind, increasing the chances that they’ll choose you for their dental care needs. Dental practices must employ a multi-faceted approach to online marketing. By integrating traditional methods like direct mail with modern digital strategies, dental practices can ensure they reach potential patients at multiple touchpoints, increasing brand awareness and conversions. With the right tools and strategies, dental practices can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, turning potential patients into loyal ones. Source: Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]
Enhancing Marketing Effectiveness with Direct Mail & Digital Ads
Patch.com (Columbia, SC) — In an ever-evolving world of marketing strategies, businesses are constantly seeking the most effective ways to reach their target audiences and leave a lasting impression. For Our Town America, a company known for its focus on direct mail, the decision to venture into the realm of digital services might seem counterintuitive at first glance. However, this strategic move has proven to be a game-changer, demonstrating the value of blending traditional and modern approaches for maximum impact. While Our Town America has deep roots in direct mail, the company recognized the need to adapt to the times. “We ultimately decided to venture into digital marketing due to evolving client needs and a changing business landscape,” said Jane McElhaney, Owner of Our Town America of Columbia. “Our Expansion into digital services has been a natural progression that aligns with our commitment to adapting and delivering value to customers.” It’s a move that’s proven successful for the company that’s been around since 1972. “As we diversified our offers to include digital marketing strategies, we’ve witnessed several key indicators or success: Increased reach and engagement, measurable analytics, enhanced targeting, optimization, complementary strategies, and positive client feedback,” said McElhaney. A shining example of the power of combining direct mail and digital strategies comes from a local grocery store chain. Seeking to boost their mobile app downloads, they leveraged Every Door Direct Mail Postcards in conjunction with a Digital Ad campaign targeting the same mail recipients. The recipients received an app offer in their mailboxes, followed by a direct link to the App Store in a digital follow-up. The result? An impressive nearly 50% increase in app downloads during the digital campaign. In a world where marketing strategies continue to evolve, the story of Our Town America’s journey into the digital realm serves as a testament to the power of adaptation. By seamlessly blending the strengths of direct mail and digital, they have not only met evolving client needs but also set an example for businesses looking to maximize the impact of their marketing efforts. Brittany N. JohnsonBrittany is the head of Our Town America’s corporate marketing department. She specializes in digital and print media, social media, and public relations. […]