I’ll forgive you if you’re wondering what on earth gamification is and what it has to do with you. Potentially, quite a lot. Gamification is everywhere, from coffee shops to online courses.
So, what is it and how could you use it?
After booking: are you giving good customer care?
In any industry, there can often be a bit of a gap between a customer making a purchase and actually using the product. Even in my business a fair bit of time can often pass between the initial meeting and delivering the first piece of work. It can be hard to make your customers feel looked after.
This is especially true in the travel business. Unless your customers are making a last minute break for the sunshine several months can often pass between the booking and their actual holiday. So what do you do? Leave them to it and trust that their excitement will build the closer they get to their break? You could, but then you run the risk of your valued customers feeling neglected. If you want to deliver great customer care from the time they book to the journey home, here are a few ideas.
Your marketing needs great after sales care
You put so much effort into marketing your business. You work out who is most likely to buy from you, what they like and where they spend their time. Then you carefully craft your marketing message and put it where they’re most likely to see it.
(If you’re not doing any of the above, call me. We need to have a serious talk about how much time and money you’re probably wasting.)
It’s easy to think of marketing as a separate task but it doesn’t have to be that way. Everything you do day to day can play a part in spreading the word.
Do you still need a travel agent?
Who really needs a travel agent these days? After all, almost anyone can search online and find their perfect holiday in a few minutes. Or find flights and hotels separately and save themselves a heap of cash.
How do you market yourself when your potential customers are convinced they don’t need you anymore? Here are a few things to focus on…
The three social media modes and why you need to know about them
You might not have heard about the three social media modes before, but trust me, you’ll want to know about them. We’ve all heard about Facebook’s new emphasis on building communities. How do you build community? By getting people talking on your posts and about your content.
The most important thing to remember about social media is that it’s social. It’s not about you giving your customers a lecture. They want to see things that inspire them and get them excited rather than just hearing about how wonderful you are. In short, it’s about them, not you. When your customers see something they enjoy they’ll respond with a like, a comment or by sharing it with their network. That’s where the three social media modes come in.
Do you still need a blog?
Given that you’re running a business and probably not living in a cave*, you’ve doubtless been bombarded by talk of ‘Facebook Zero’ and how we’re all going to have to pay to be seen.
I’ve heard that I need to be doing more videos and should be going live on Facebook more often. But is that really the solution? Will everyone just get tired of seeing videos and scroll on past?
Equally, does it mean that the blog is no more? Not necessarily. A good blog still has a place in a well-rounded marketing strategy.
(*If you are living in a cave, your ability to access the internet is very impressive.)
Why you might need a professional video
I confess, I haven’t made the leap into having a professional video made just yet. I’ve seen some wonderful work but the businesses featured are all, well – more active than mine. I don’t doubt that a decent videographer could tell me how to showcase my work in an interesting way but I’m not quite there yet.
If your work involves an activity, whether it’s personal training or floristry, you can engage your customers by showing them what you do. However, having a professional video made for you is quite an investment. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider it.
Your golden rules for great marketing videos
It’s no secret that using video is now key to everyone’s business marketing. If this comes as a surprise to you, where have you been? Read this blog to find out why you need to include video in your marketing strategy. However, to win with video you need to get it right.
Here’s my guide to the golden rules for producing great marketing videos that will help you to win over new customers.
Do you need video confidence?
When you’re using video, confidence is key. But what if you don’t have any? What if the idea of putting yourself on video is enough to give you the heebie jeebies?
The good news is, there is help. Here’s my handy guide to building your video confidence and sharing your business on screen.
Why you need to use video in your marketing
I know I’m just the latest voice to join in with the ‘video is big’ chorus. You’re probably sick of hearing it by now. But, if you’re tired of hearing about why you should be using video but aren’t actually doing it, why not?
If you’re reluctant to take the plunge, you’re not alone. Using video gives me the fear. I did the only thing I can do in this situation and gathered together some facts to help me get over myself. Hopefully they’ll help you as well.