Four States Small Business Blog

For companies to reach people who are more likely to purchase their products or services, they need to develop advertising that is locally relevant and more personalized. Enter geo-targeting.

With the number of digital marketing techniques currently available to businesses, it can be tempting to spread your budget thin by launching campaigns through every channel. However, true success comes when marketers take a strategic approach to allocating their budget to ensure funds are spent properly.

Not all advertising is created equal. The right placement is crucial, and many marketers purchase media real estate in order to find the best venues for ad placement. This is called media buying, and the goal is to get your ad in front of your target audience during optimum times.

On Christmas Eve, 1926, Wheaties took to the radio and invited America to “Try Wheaties, the best breakfast food in the land!” inventing what we now call the “radio jingle.” Through the power of the song sung by a male quartet, Wheaties soon became the best-selling breakfast cereal, and the benefits of radio jingle advertising became quite clear. In fact, jingles have been grabbing the attention of radio audiences almost since the beginning of this form of entertainment.

We live in a digital age, and as a result, many marketers are turning to digital advertising to reach customers where they are. However, while digital advertising is a critical piece of any marketing strategy, traditional advertising channels are still very effective at getting the word out about your business. Falling into an “either/or” way of thinking can be harmful, because you can miss valuable opportunities to reach and engage your target audience.

A business, no matter its size, needs proper branding to find marketing success. Branding your business helps increase the value of your business in the mind of your target audience, ensures people recognize your brand, and keeps your brand top of mind. For small business owners, building a brand often feels like a challenge, but with the right tools you can do this effectively. Here are six secrets you can use to brand your business.

Businesses who have an integrated marketing strategy have an opportunity to expand their reach, achieve greater brand visibility and deliver clear and consistent messaging. Despite those benefits, nearly 40% of marketers have limited or no integration strategy at all.

In the past, it was typical to consider each marketing channel as a completely separate entity. Today, however, businesses have access to a wide range of traditional and digital marketing channels. And to be successful, each channel must be unified and work together cohesively to create a seamless experience for consumers. This requires an integrated marketing strategy.

Not surprising, more marketers are realizing the benefits of an integrated marketing approach. In fact, 36 percent of marketers are now actively working to integrate traditional and digital marketing efforts. To begin using this tactic, start by learning the basics of an integrated marketing strategy.

Choosing the right digital advertising agency to manage and execute your company’s digital ad strategy is not a simple task. You must carefully consider each option to find a partner that can help you achieve your marketing goals. Hire an effective, skilled agency, and your marketing efforts will be successful, driving new customers to your company. Select an ineffective agency, and you will likely waste time, money, and effort on your digital marketing goals.

Zimmer Cares has one central purpose: Helping nonprofits committed to serving the local community. Each quarter, the program gives $50,000 of free radio advertising to a nonprofit organization that make a positive difference in the area.