Ankit Sharma’s Post

We’ve heard of random acts of kindness, but what about “random acts of marketing”? One is good ✅ The other is not ❌ Came across this article by The Marketing Centre from two years ago that absolutely still holds true in 2024 — and probably even MORE true than it was in 2022. As marketers, we have A LOT of tools in the toolbox: organic social media, paid social, email, PPC, SEO, website, content, etc. And just like tools, usually only one (or a few) is needed for the job. e.g. You don’t need a wrench, pliers, screwdriver AND a hammer to put a nail into a board — you just need a hammer. In other words, you don’t just throw every tool you have at something in the hopes that something works. Marketing works exactly the same. You should test — of course — but without structuring your team correctly, strategizing based on business goals, choosing tactics to help you reach those goals and then allocating resources and team members accordingly, it’s just “random acts of marketing.” 1️⃣ Strategize. 2️⃣ Test. 3️⃣ Focus In. 4️⃣ . . . THEN Scale! #MarketingStrategy #Marketing #DigitalMarketing

Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a business, product, or service, only to have it fade into the abyss of obscurity. It's a nightmare scenario for many entrepreneurs and dreamers, but it's also a preventable one. Marketing is the engine that drives attention and interest. It's the fuel that powers visibility and engagement. Without it, even the most brilliant ideas can struggle to gain traction. But with the right marketing strategy, you can not only survive but thrive, even in the midst of an economic downturn. At Prolific West Coast Marketing, we specialize in creating marketing solutions that are tailored to your unique needs and goals. We understand that every business is different, and that's why we take a customized approach to each project. Whether you're a startup looking to make a splash or an established brand looking to maintain your market share, we have the tools and expertise to help you succeed. One of the biggest misconceptions about marketing is that it's all about flashy ads and aggressive sales tactics. While these elements can certainly play a role, the core of effective marketing is understanding your audience and providing them with value. It's about building relationships, fostering trust, and delivering on your promises. In today's digital age, there are countless ways to reach your target audience. From social media and email marketing to content creation and search engine optimization, the options are seemingly endless. But without a clear strategy and a deep understanding of your audience, these tools can quickly become overwhelming. That's where Prolific West Coast Marketing comes in. We help you cut through the noise and focus on what matters most. We work with you to identify your key differentiators, craft compelling messaging, and choose the right channels to reach your audience. We strive to not only meet your goals but exceed them, providing you with measurable results and a strong return on your investment. In a recession, it's easy to tighten the belt and cut back on marketing expenses. But history has shown time and time again that businesses that continue to invest in marketing during downturns are the ones that come out on top. They're the ones that are able to maintain their visibility, engage their audience, and emerge stronger than ever. So if you're ready to take your business to the next level, it's time to explore the power of marketing. With Prolific West Coast Marketing by your side, you can turn obscurity into prominence, and dreams into reality. Don't let your business be another casualty of the recession. Let us help you thrive.

We’re often asked, “What is the marketing funnel?” – It's a commonly asked question, but it's essential to understand. The marketing funnel is the journey your customer takes with your brand. It can be easy to forget that there are multiple touchpoints (interactions) between your ideal customer and your brand. On average, it can take eight different experiences with your brand for someone to become a customer. So – what are the stages your ideal customer will go through with your brand? 👇 1️⃣ 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 – This is where potential customers first discover you through various channels such as social media, paid ads, or word-of-mouth. 2️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 – Once they're aware of you, they might start looking at your website, social media, and reviews to see what your brand is all about. 3️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – This is where people are really starting to consider buying from you. They're comparing options, reading reviews, and maybe even adding items to their cart. 4️⃣ 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – The potential customer takes the desired action! This is the success we've been waiting for, but, it's not the last step... 5️⃣ 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 – Now, you must focus on retaining those hard-earned customers. Give them a great experience, delight them! 6️⃣ 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 – When you've truly won them over, your loyal customers become advocates for you, sharing their positive experiences and recommending you to others. This is a great time to ask for reviews. 📣 Each touch point is served by different elements of marketing – this is your marketing strategy. That could be a mix of SEO, paid advertising, social media, and your website. But, the key thing is, they must all work together to achieve that desired action, spanning the funnel and delighting your customer at each stage. ✅

The Marketing Rule That’s Been Around Forever (But Got a Fancy New Name) You’ve probably heard about the 95:5 rule. The idea? At any given time: - 5% of your audience is ready to buy. - 95% isn’t. It’s everywhere on LinkedIn. And, oh, it’s backed by science. The Ehrenberg-Bass Institute says it. LinkedIn champions it. (Collaboration goes back to 2021) And marketers everywhere are nodding along. But here’s the thing: This Isn’t New. - Philip Kotler called it share of mind. - David Ogilvy called it brand-building. - Peter Drucker called it market development. We didn’t need data to know that most people aren’t ready to buy. We just called it common sense. So Why the Buzz? Because LinkedIn’s B2B Institute wrapped it in a shiny package. It’s clever. Strategic. Even a little sneaky. The 95:5 rule nudges you to think about: - Always-on campaigns to reach that 95%. - Consistent ad spend to build “mental availability.” You guessed it: spending more on platforms like LinkedIn. What’s Actually Changed? Not the truth. That’s been there forever. What’s changed is our ability to measure it: - Data validates what good marketers always knew. - Tools like LinkedIn make it easier to reach the 95%. But here’s the rub: When did we start needing science to do what our instincts already told us? What Should Marketers Do? Here’s the tricky part: Yes, the 95:5 rule makes sense. No, it’s not one-size-fits-all. For industries with long buying cycles, High ACV it’s gold. For fast-moving, low-value, and transactional markets? Meh. The key? Balance. - Build mental availability (for the 95%). - Capture demand (from the 5%). And always ask yourself: Am I adopting this because it works for me? Or because it works for the platform selling it? Final Thought - The 95:5 rule isn’t wrong. - It’s just not revolutionary. Good marketing isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about knowing when to nod along, when to question, and when to break the rules entirely. What’s your take? Is the 95:5 rule the future, or just a clever rebrand of what we’ve always known?

Marketing is often the lifeblood that keeps a company thriving. Yet many businesses (including yours.....maybe) fall prey to persistent myths that can stifle their growth and effectiveness. This post is to uncover the truth behind these myths about marketing that hinders your progress and growth. 1) MARKETING IS ONLY FOR BIG BUSINESSES WITH BIG BUDGETS Many small business owners believe that marketing requires substantial financial resources, which can deter them from pursuing effective strategies. In reality, small businesses can achieve significant results with limited budgets through digital marketing tactics like social media, search engine optimization (SEO), and targeted email campaigns. These methods can yield high returns without the need for extensive financial investment, making marketing accessible to all businesses, regardless of size. 2) MARKETING IS ALL ABOUT SELLING FALSE! A prevalent misconception is that marketing's sole purpose is to sell products or services. While sales are important, marketing also focuses on building brand awareness and establishing long-term relationships with customers. Successful marketing strategies involve understanding customer needs and fostering connections that encourage repeat business. By shifting the focus from immediate sales to customer engagement, businesses can enhance their overall success. 3) MORE OPTIONS LEADS TO MORE SALES Some marketers believe that providing customers with numerous choices will increase sales. However, too many options can overwhelm consumers, leading to decision paralysis and ultimately causing them to abandon their purchase altogether. It’s more effective to simplify choices, guiding customers towards a clear decision between "yes" or "no" rather than presenting them with multiple alternatives. 4) GREAT PRODUCTS SELL THEMSELVES Another myth is that having a superior product guarantees success in the market. Powerful brands like Apple and Starbucks invest heavily in marketing to ensure their products is known by desired and known customers. While quality is essential, effective marketing is crucial for creating awareness and positioning products in a crowded marketplace. Without strategic marketing efforts, even the best products may go unnoticed. Businesses must actively promote their offerings and communicate their benefits clearly to attract customers. 5) EVERYONE IS A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER Many businesses mistakenly believe that their products appeal to everyone, leading them to market broadly instead of targeting specific audiences. Effective marketing requires identifying and understanding a target demographic—those most likely to benefit from and purchase the product. By focusing on a defined audience, businesses can tailor their messaging and increase engagement, ultimately driving sales more effectively. These truths will help you allocate your resources more wisely and engage more effectively with your customers.

Marketing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, especially when we dive into the realms of social media versus online marketing. Many businesses often mix these two up, but there are some crucial differences to keep in mind: 📱 Social Media Marketing: Think of it as your dynamic playground! It's all about quick engagement, building brand visibility, and fostering customer interaction. Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn shine when it comes to creating community and staying top of mind. 🌐 Online Marketing: This is your strategic powerhouse! It’s more about long-term planning, driven by data, focusing on SEO, paid ads, and email campaigns. Consider it your digital foundation for sustainable growth. 🔑 The Winning Strategy: The most successful businesses skillfully blend these two approaches. They tap into social media for immediate engagement while leveraging online marketing for reliable, steady growth. However, finding the right balance can be a bit tricky. Wondering which strategy aligns best with YOUR business goals? Shoot me a message, and let’s craft a personalised plan that elevates your brand. Ready to unlock a powerful strategy that harnesses the strengths of both? Let’s chat!

What if your marketing approach could transform overnight? 🌙 A colleague of mine shared an eye-opening experience recently. After implementing a few digital marketing strategies, their small business skyrocketed in engagement and customer retention. The pivotal moment was learning how to effectively utilize social media and content marketing tools. The most important lesson? Being adaptable and open to new techniques can lead to unexpected results and significant growth. 📈 Have you seen a change in your own marketing strategies? I’d love to hear your stories and any tips you might have! #DigitalMarketing #Growth #MarketingStrategies #BusinessJourney #Innovation https://lnkd.in/gxBnQ6MF

Not every business needs to advertise but EVERY business needs marketing. The beauty of marketing is the limitless angles businesses can leverage. Every audience responds differently Every offer has unique aspects to it Every brand, being personal or business, has a different character to it The way one should craft their marketing should be unique to their business. Not every business needs to be on every social media platform Not every business needs paid advertising of Facebook, google, Linkedin, Pinterest, ect... But you know what every business should have? A robust streamlined marketing process to take their visibility and interest to checkout or close. Automated SMS, Email, and DM workflows to respond to their audience and give them the information they are looking for. Marketing should really accomplish these three factors: Visibility. Where are you found. “The key to tripling your revenue is to make sure your ideal customers know you exist!” Accessibility. How can your interested audience learn more about you, your offer, and proof of concept. Responsiveness. How fast you respond to your audience when they reach out. Make you so fast to respond buyers don’t have time to talk to competitors Here at Scaling Lean, we tackle advertising with a Cold Traffic Funnel: -> Direct Response META Ads -> Direct Response VSL -> Qualification Survey -> Booking Calendar -> Direct Response Thank You Page with Value Video. Under each of the assets above we have automated SMS & Email Campaigns shooting out as reminders and other proven nurturing asset that increase trust and authority. But in terms of marketing... We are everywhere so our prospects are nurtured until they are ready to come through. 5 emails per week DMs being sent out 1 LIVE per week 5 posts on FB per week 5 posts on LinkedIn per week Re-engagement campaigns Re-targeting campaigns SMS Marketing Promo Campaigns You don't have to be omni - channel to scale. You simply need to be omnipresent. And the best way to do that is through simple automated Email, SMS, and DM workflows that keep an audience not only engaged But deepen the trust and authority so qualified prospects are more likely to buy. Marketing is a game. It's the best game to play. If you are looking to level up your marketing and advertising game, shoot me a message and I'd be more than happy to audit your current strategy. I can guarantee you will walk away with at least three ways to increase profitability for your business :D Cheers, - Nina Brennan

💡 Top 10 Tips for Cost-Effective Marketing You Need to Know! 🔗 Check Out the Full List Here: https://lnkd.in/db62SaJY Looking for actionable advice to boost your marketing efforts without breaking the bank? Our latest blog features a curated list of 10 essential tips to help you maximize ROI and achieve your marketing goals. Highlights Include: ✅ Tip 1: Optimize your social media strategy to reach a wider audience. ✅ Tip 2: Leverage user generated content to increase brand credibility. ✅ Tip 3: Utilize email marketing to nurture customer loyalty and retention. (and so on...) Don't miss out on these valuable insights! Click the link to read the full list and implement these tips to see immediate improvements. As a thought leader in the industry, we aim to provide you with practical strategies that drive results without draining your budget. Stay ahead of the game and start implementing these cost-effective marketing tips today! #marketingtips #thoughtleader #ROI #costeffectivemarketing #digitalmarketing

One of the important aspects in marketing is understanding your customers' behavior. Let me break it down for you. Do you know that it's actually more complicated to include your contact details on the actual design compared to adding a "Call-To-Action" (CTA)? Let's look at how each one functions. I'll start with the outdated method of using a CTA. I'm calling it outdated because that's old-fashioned, and any digital marketer who is upto-date with international standards should know this by now. First of all, when you include your contact details on the actual design, for customers to call you, they first need to either download the poster. Now, before I talk about the methods customers would use, do you know that some social media platforms don't have an option to download things like a poster? For example, Instagram and LinkedIn don't have that option, which means customers need to take a screenshot. Do you think all your customers are as knowledgeable as you are? We have people out there who don't even know how to take a screenshot on their phone. Let's look at the other method: customers can retype the number in the comment section, copy the contact, and then paste it on the keypad. I'm not sure if you can see how complicated these methods are. Now, let me explain what I think people should be using. These social media platforms introduced "Call-To-Action" buttons for a reason. For example, if you're running paid ads on Facebook and Instagram, using the provided CTAs by these platforms helps you track which of the two platforms is giving you more leads. This can be helpful the next time you want to run paid ads because you have an idea which platform you should spend money on, as you can generate a report. Not only that, but it's easy for the customer to email, call, or send you a message because this can be done with just a single click. In sales, it's very important to make your customers' journey as easy as possible.