How To Use Social Media & Blogs for CTA Marketing

Danielle Wiley, column writer for MarketingLand.com shares how important social media and blogging can be for powerful CTA (Call-To-Action) marketing. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and many more are the places people are talking about goods and services. Technorati’s 2013 Digital Influence Report shares that growing trend of consumers turning to blogs and social media when looking to make a purchase, thanks to the trust and clout carried by online influencers.

Wiley says that no one would argue against the power of blogs or social media to create awareness, but what about action? Are all those impression really worth anything if the audience isn’t following through?

Increasing a brand’s social reach through online promotions can be incredibly beneficial, but it’s possible to create an even bigger impact with a call-to-action. The key is to encourage readers to take that extra step — while maintaining the honesty, disclosure, and expertise that makes an influencer a trusted source of information.

It’s About The Right Kind of (Native) Advertising

Native Advertising has many benefits rather than banner advertising. With native advertising, consumers are 25% more likely to look at a native ad than a banner, and they look at them 53% more frequently. If done well, Wiley says native advertising produces more click-through rates to that of editorial content.

Authenticity and transparency are the key elements of a successful native advertising campaign. The best sponsored content feels authentic, in that it fits with the publisher’s brand and personal style.

Discounts Drive Results

When executed poorly, Wiley says that discounts have the potential to undermine perception of quality and hurt brand equity. On the flip side, they can also be an extremely effective tactic for boosting sales. Wiley provides some good points to consider when strategizing a discount campaign:

• Create a Single CTA. Whether it’s a “buy here” link, button or other method of channelling the consumer to the intended destination, clear the path of any distractions. One click should get them where you want them to go.
• Offering a Compelling Incentive. A 20% discount on a purchase? A free month of a subscription service? This is where it can help to partner with an agency skilled in blog management and social media promotions to find that pricing sweet spot.

Follow Up Sales By Turning Customers Into Marketers

Once a consumer follows that call-to-action and you make the sale, how do you convert into a company spokesperson? You can start by encouraging social shares with great content: pinnable images, fun videos, relevant articles.

If your customers were satisfied with their purchase from your company, get them talking about it through social media and comments. Ask them to “like” your Facebook page and give your company a review as well.

At Five Technology, we’re here to help your Internet marketing with social media marketing as well as starting up and maintaining a blog. With social media and composing blog posts, you’ll create more brand awareness and hopefully more CTAs. Let’s talk to get started!

Read the full article by Danielle Wiley.