It goes without saying that the past few months have been a challenging time for many businesses and business owners. There’s a good chance you’ve encountered many new and unfamiliar challenges to overcome, and are feeling unsure of the direction your business should take while restrictions are in place. We can say with certainty that there is no better time than right now to create or update your digital strategy. We’ve compiled this list of helpful digital resources that will help you and your business thrive during this uncertainty – and long into the future!
1. Google Trends
Google is so much more than just a search engine. They also offer a wide variety of search and analytical tools entirely for free! If you’re unsure about what types of social media and web content you should be creating and sharing, Google Trends is a great place to start. We need to know what our audience is interested in so that we can share content that we know they would like to see.
Google Trends allows you to view the most popular search terms in a certain location. We can use this information to create social media and blog content that is relevant to current events, as well as avoid topics that would be inappropriate. By posting relevant and appropriate content, you’ll keep your audience engaged with your brand, as well as increase the chances of your audience sharing your content with others.
Via Google Trends, you’re also able to view the popularity of specific keywords that are relevant to your industry and services, then compare them to similar keywords. Include the most frequently searched for keywords in your content to optimize your website for search engines, so you’ll be able to reach your target audience more effectively. We are all spending more time at home at the moment, so we have extra time to browse social media and shop online. This means that creating relevant, shareable content is especially important right now!
2. LinkedIn Learning
If you and your team are struggling to adjust to working from home, then LinkedIn Learning’s Remote Working Learning Path could be an invaluable resource. LinkedIn is temporarily offering this resource for free to assist businesses and employees who are working remotely for the first time. This covers everything you and your team will need to stay motivated, productive, and happy while working from home. Consisting of videos contributed by experienced professionals, this Learning Path will help you and your team with everything from time management and productivity to leading teams virtually. There’s even a Zoom tutorial for those of us who haven’t quite got the hang of it yet! If you or your team members aren’t thriving in their new work environment, encourage them to take a look. Their new skills will not only benefit them, but your business, too!
3. HootSuite
If you’ve ever been responsible for managing social media accounts, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of HootSuite before. In short, it’s a social media planning tool that allows you to schedule content in advance. It’s a great way to ensure your social content is being posted at times that your audience is most likely to see it, as well as an invaluable resource when creating digital marketing plans.
Even if your business’s regular operations have been impacted by isolation restrictions, it’s essential to keep in touch with existing customers and reach out to new ones. Keep your business and brand in their social media feeds regularly so they come right back to you when we all transition to regular operation. Ensuring you have loyal customers when regular operation resumes will make this transition a whole lot smoother for both you and your customers.
While HootSuite does have premium pricing options, they also have an extensive range of features available for free. This makes HootSuite perfect for any business trying to navigate the online world while we’re social distancing. So, what are you waiting for? Start scheduling!
We hope this list of resources will help you and your business navigate through these uncertain times. If you’ve been inspired to overhaul your marketing strategy, keep reading to find out all about our online Internet Marketing courses! Careerline offers three courses, all delivered entirely online, each focusing on a different aspect of marketing yourself or your business online. Get in touch with us to inquire today!
FEATURED COURSES
1. Internet Marketing: Introduction: Are you a small business owner looking to venture into the world of internet marketing? Or, do you dream of making it big as a social media influencer? We have just the course for you! Careerline’s online Internet Marketing course will teach you all about the basics of marketing, including the marketing mix, keeping on top of market trends, and managing your brand. You’ll also learn how to market to international audiences, and how to understand, analyse, and design a marketing strategy based on consumer behaviour.
2. Internet Marketing: Advertising and SEO: If your online advertising strategy needs an overhaul, Careerline’s online Advertising and SEO course is perfect for you! Learn how to harness the power of social media, digital advertising, and search engine optimization to grow your business and reach your target audience. This course will teach you how to create engaging web and social media content, determine the most effective platforms for advertising various products and services, and utilize psychology theory to achieve online marketing success.
3. Internet Marketing: Marketing Planning: Whether you’re an experienced marketer, a total beginner, or anything in between, Careerline’s online Marketing Planning course is for you! With a focus on digital marketing, this course will teach you how to create and implement marketing goals that will set your business up for long-term success. You will be guided through the process of creating a year-long social media strategy for a product or service, equipping you with the skills you need to design a digital marketing plan for your own business.