It would be an understatement to say that the choice of a marketing strategy can make or break business operations. The thing is – good marketing strategies are expensive and need to be adjusted continually to remain efficient.
Still, there are some tips and tricks on how you can cut costs seamlessly and effectively. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. Select a Stellar Email Client
This sounds so simple that it is easily overlooked. The choice of a proper email client is crucial, not only because email marketing is the cheapest way of advertising, but also because efficient email management can make a huge difference in your overall business efforts.
Good Gmail desktop apps are usually among the best choices, because Gmail remains one of the most popular (and most widely used) email providers.
Of course, there are also numerous alternatives. It all depends on the goals you set.
2. Set Targeted Goals
Speaking of which, every serious business knows how important it is to set targeted goals. Note that not just any goals will do.
A fairly efficient strategy in this regard is the Objectives and Key Results (OKR) methodology. OKRs and goals go hand in hand, but it is important to remember a few crucial factors.
The OKR approach implies focusing on your objectives through a set of key results. In order for the key results to be efficient, they need to be realistic, measurable, moderate in number and have set deadlines.
OKRs are best observed as detailed and proven initiatives resulting from strategic thinking. When defined properly, they should be able to make changes happen fast.
OKRs should be tracked in real-time for added efficiency. They can (and should) be adjusted as needed to ensure the change is taking place.
3. Define Clear SOPs for Your Marketing Strategies
Defining a standard operating procedure (SOP) is a great way to optimize the costs of your marketing efforts and to set viable standards for future success.
An SOP is a document that defines step-by-step employee instructions on performing technical, repetitive processes within your organization. As such, SOPs are written for the employees to perform the task, with the aim of creating consistency of the process in order to deliver expected outcomes.
The approach is rooted in the assumption that a business is a series of processes. By optimizing standard procedures for all of them, success can be achieved more easily. Important SOPs list all guidelines for the employees, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
4. Incorporate Google Tasks
Google tasks is a superb task management tool that can help your marketing strategy be more successful. Some of the notable features of the tool include:
· Task creation, editing and deletion
· Adding details to tasks
· Creating sub-tasks
· Creating multiple lists for one or more accounts
· Viewing your to-do list
· Adding emails as tasks through Gmail synchronization
· Receiving task notifications
· Setting due dates and times that synchronize with Google Calendar
Because of all these benefits, Google tasks are extremely popular. The tool is highly customizable, allowing for a range of options that can help you simplify everyday processes.
5. Brainstorm Subject Lines
Back to the topic of email marketing, it’s important to note that no matter how stellar the content of your messages may be, if you’re not taking your time to brainstorm the subject lines, success will be limited.
The finest of subject lines are clear, catchy and no longer than 41 characters. Efficient subject lines feature keywords, preferably those likely to attract readers’ attention. According to Alchemy Worx, the five most efficient keywords are “go,” “just,” “upgrade,” “content” and “wonderful,” followed by “congratulations,” “promotional,” “snapshot,” “deduction” and “voluntary”.
Other high-performing subject line keywords include: “introducing,” “off selected,” “brand new,” “bulletin,” “iPhone,” “available,” “sale starts,” “great deals,” “back in stock,” “breaking,” “latest,” “golden,” “thanks,” “thank you,” “order today,” “orders over” and “special.”
Finally, the subject line should address urgent issues and offer solutions to immediate problems. Use insights to get the idea of what the recipients are looking for when it comes to the best results.
Remember that the finest of subject lines address urgent issues and offer solutions to immediate problems. If you’re using insights to their full potential, you should be able to determine what exactly the recipient is looking for.
6. Develop Targeted Content
The next logical step is to develop targeted content. Once again, you should use insights to get to know your target group. While demographics, location and gender are the usual starting point, don’t forget other important insights such as are visitors’ browsing and purchase history, as well as their feedback.
Asking for direct feedback is not undesirable when done in the right way. Many people actually look forward to providing intel because they want a secure supplier.
Targeting should, thus, take into account a number of factors, including knowing your audience, its shopping interests, favorite products, purchasing power, demographics and any potential technical issues.
Also, make sure to segment your campaigns to offer only relevant products.
7. Stick to OKRs
Lastly, remember that success is dependent on a company’s ability to set relevant goals and align and execute its priorities. To achieve this, you should ensure that the employees know exactly what they should do.
One successful strategy is to set the Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), defining exactly what you are trying to accomplish. OKRs should be aligned across the board for best results.
Key results should explain, in detail, how your company is to achieve its goals. For key results to be relevant, they need to be measurable, moderate in number and have deadlines.
Simply put, you should set realistic priority objectives first and follow up with smaller ones. Joint company efforts should focus on priorities and be aligned.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are numerous approaches and strategies to cutting the costs of your marketing efforts. For starters, you should set goals and use insights to determine the best way to reach the target audience.
Remember that adjustments should be made whenever the situation changes and that company efforts should be aligned. As for the rest, use your creativity!
