Are Social Media Ads Right for Your Business?

Author

Netta Dobbins
June 03, 2024

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Good morning. This Saturday, June 8th, I’ll be speaking at the Wealth and Wellness Summit in Nashville. My workshop will focus on how to use marketing to create profitable sales funnels. So, if you want more funds in your business bank account, grab your ticket here.

Here’s what you can expect in today’s newsletter:

  • A Beginners Guide to Marketing for Busy Small Business Owners

  • Are Social Media Ads Right for Your Business

  • YouTube Drives Results for All Brands

MARKETING STRATEGY
A Beginner’s Guide to Marketing for Busy Small Business Owners

If you’re reading this, chances are you have an amazing business idea, but don’t know exactly where to start when it comes to getting your products or services in front of the right audience.

I want you to know that you’re not alone. In fact, “Where do I start with marketing?” is probably the top question I get from small business owners.

And my answer is always, “It depends.” Helpful, right?

While it does depend on a variety of factors, if we think about marketing from a birds-eye-view, there are a few questions that every small business owner should be asking themselves:

  1. Who are you saving?

  2. How do you reach them?

  3. How do you build a lasting impression?

A MESSAGE FROM OPUS PRO

The secret to growing on LinkedIn in 2024

The secret to growing on LinkedIn in 2024

There's a rising demand for high-quality video content on LinkedIn. This presents a major opportunity for brands (and thought leaders) ready to step in.

Here’s how you can capitalize:

  1. Grab your company's existing video assets, like interviews or webinars

  2. Generate dozens of clips using OpusClip

  3. Schedule your whole month’s worth of video clips on LI using our new Calendar feature

  4. Reply to comments on your videos to foster your new connections

Want the full breakdown, with examples from companies like SaaStr and Chili Piper? Read it for free here

SOCIAL MEDIA
Are Social Media Ads Right For Your Business?

I recently read a white paper on Social Media Ad Effectiveness by DISQO, a platform that helps you better understand your customers and their behaviors. In it, they shared the best ways that brands in different categories can optimize their social media ads for the best return.

Here’s what they had to say:

For Those Selling Everyday Items (Consumables): Social media ads are great for making people familiar with your brand (like shampoo or snacks) and getting them to like it. They might not buy right away from the ad, but they'll remember you for later.

Focus on making your ads visually appealing and easy to understand. Make sure it's clear where people can buy your product once they're interested.

For Those Selling Physical Products (Goods): Social media ads are powerful for driving sales of your products (like clothes or electronics) directly from the ad or by getting people to visit your website. They can also make people more likely to search for your brand online.

Since your products likely have a clear buying process, social media ads can be very effective. Use clear calls to action in your ads, like "Shop Now" or "Visit Our Website."

Selling Services (Like Consulting or Internet): Social media ads can help people discover your services (like financial advising or home repair) and learn more about your offerings compared to competitors.

Social media ads might not be the best place to close a deal for complex services, as people might need more information. But they can be a great starting point to get people interested and guide them to your website or other resources where they can learn more.

BIG STRATEGIES, SMALL BUSINESS
YouTube Drives Results For All Brands

In this section of my newsletter, I share some of the coolest marketing tactics from larger brands and give insights into how small business owners can do something similar.

Forget everything you thought about "TV" these days.

The landscape has shifted, and YouTube is king. In fact, in a recent Adweek article, YouTube’s VP of Ads Marketing, Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle, shares sone amazing insights to how brands can stay ahead in this new era of entertainment.

Now that’s fine and dandy for the major players, but I wanted to ensure that you, as a small business owner, knew that you too can leverage this massive platform to reach engaged audiences and grow your business.

Here are Nelson-Bogle’s top insights and how you can use them in your small business:

1. Must-Watch TV...But Not on Traditional TV!

People are ditching cable and flocking to YouTube. In fact, it's the #1 streaming platform, with viewers logging over 1 BILLION hours daily on their TVs! Creators are producing high-quality, engaging content that rivals traditional television, and viewers are eating it up. This is where your target audience is hanging out – are you there?

How You Can Do It:

  • Create Engaging Video Content: This doesn't require Hollywood budgets. Start with behind-the-scenes glimpses, product tutorials, or industry insights. Focus on providing value and entertainment.

  • Partner with Local Creators: Tap into existing YouTube communities by collaborating with local creators whose audience aligns with yours.

2. Creators Are The New Hollywood Stars

People trust creators. They see them as genuine and relatable, and would rather watch a creator break down a news story than the traditional news broadcast itself. This trust translates to powerful marketing opportunities for small businesses.

How You Can Do It:

  • Run Influencer Marketing Campaigns: Partner with creators in your niche to promote your products or services to their highly engaged audience.

  • Engage with Creators in the Comments: Build relationships and participate in conversations happening around relevant videos.

3. The Power of AI for Small Businesses

Don't be intimidated by the term "AI." YouTube uses artificial intelligence to help brands like yours get the most out of their video marketing efforts.

How You Can Do It:

  • Optimize Your Videos for Search: Use relevant keywords and titles to ensure your videos show up when people search for related topics.

  • Target the Right Audience: Leverage YouTube's targeting options to ensure your videos reach the viewers most likely to be interested in your business.

YouTube isn't just for entertainment giants. It's a powerful platform for small businesses to connect with their target audience and achieve real results. By creating engaging content, partnering with creators, and leveraging AI tools, you can tap into the magic of YouTube and watch your business grow.