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The face of digital network marketing has changed forever. Since the start of the pandemic, marketing a business has taken a hit. You once counted on meeting face-to-face with customers, but now, sitting down with your clients over coffee is mostly gone. Many people would rather not meet in person today.
The “new normal” means finding better ways to reach your audience.
In 2017, Harvard Business Review (HBR) published an article stating that face-to-face requests were thirty-four times more successful than emails or other network marketing strategies. Back then, that was true.
This year, HBR published an article posing the question, When Do We Really Need Face-to-Face Interactions? The answer: it is unlikely that marketing strategies will ever return to the “pre-crisis status quo.”
So, what does that mean for you? It means you’re going to have to adapt to the changing times.
Big Ideas:
- Meeting clients in person has changed in the face of the global pandemic, and your new strategy requires creativity
- Social media is the new king of content, and marketers are using this to reach audiences more than ever before
- The digital age of network marketing requires a little help from the latest technology (and you don’t have to be a guru to use it)
What is digital network marketing?
Digital network marketing is the process of transitioning your network marketing practices online, in addition to making a website or social media business profile.
It’s about building your personal brand so that you can reach customers more effectively. And it takes more than one approach.
Digital network marketing is the tool network marketers use to reach their audience when face-to-face contact isn’t possible. It was a strategy utilized long before the pandemic. However, recent global events have caused marketers to place an even greater emphasis on this method.
Top 3 digital network marketing strategies
Did you know that cold calling only has a 0.3% success rate for making appointments? Before the digital age, this was once a very lucrative practice for closing deals and increasing sales. Those days are gone. Better methods are available online.
Social media is the new content king
In the marketing world, content is king. However, in the digital marketing age, social media content is king. Nearly everybody uses social media, even companies. Social media is a great way to market your brand, and you can do it without expensive ads.
Facebook and Instagram are constantly making it more difficult for businesses to gain organic traffic—meaning they limit your exposure unless you pay for their ad space. Yet, creating profiles on sites like TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube will give your brand increased exposure.
Since these sites are more about videos than written advertisements, it’s almost like making a mini-commercial without the production costs. The platforms also make it easy to share your content on Instagram Reels and Facebook Stories.
Now, don’t count out Facebook and Instagram just yet—they have their place. If you have a modest following, you can post to these sites to gain even more marketing traction. There are plenty of resources available to help you make this strategy more effective for your brand.
Messaging apps keep you connected
Another great way to reach your audience is through messaging apps. Unlike a cold call, the person receiving the message has the power to decide whether they want to speak with you now or at another more convenient time.
Messaging apps will make the process of closing the deal a lot smoother because the customer will feel in control of the communication. Some of the most popular messaging apps include:
- Telegram
- Facebook Messenger
- Twilio
Communication through such apps decreases the need for face-to-face communication with your customers. For network marketers, these are powerful tools that allow easier contact with your network.
The best part is that you will be notified if any of your followers on social media also use messaging apps. You’ll receive a notification asking if you’d like to connect with them by message. This approach gives you another direct method of communication with your potential customer, straight to their phone without needing a phone number.
If you happen to have a prospect’s phone number, SMS text messaging is another excellent form of communication. In fact, this is consumers’ most preferred channel for receiving brand updates since 98% of adults own a cell phone.
Virtually, all things are possible
The next best thing to communicating with your audience face-to-face is using virtual meeting software. Platforms like Zoom, GoToMeeting, Webex Meetings, and Google Workspace are excellent ways to connect with your audience.
The best part about these platforms is that you can meet with multiple people at one time. For example, if you want to host a sales opportunity meeting to inform your potential customers about a new product, you can reach as many people as you want in one conference.
These channels are not challenging to use. In fact, they are quite user-friendly. Getting people to join your meeting is as simple and easy as sending a text or email. Some don’t even require a software download when used on a computer.
Strategies for network marketers in the digital age
The face of marketing has changed over the last few decades thanks to the new digital age. However, the right tools can make adapting to the ever-changing landscape of marketing easier.
Network marketers face many challenges in their industry. And recent global events have changed how people want to interact with others. That’s why your digital network marketing strategy in 2021 must evolve as well.
Are you a network marketer looking for better strategies in the digital age? Start here to learn about Vector Marketing.