‘Sales Communications’ Tagged Posts

How to Construct an Effective Internet Message Plan

Successful companies invest in brand image and in establishing a solid leadership image in their industry. Companies of all sizes can utilize the sa...

 

Successful companies invest in brand image and in establishing a solid leadership image in their industry. Companies of all sizes can utilize the same strategies though, to compete for new revenue. Development of an effective internet message strategy requires an investment of time and effort. This investment usually pays off with increased sales.

Most organizations utilize the company website as the major communication tool to interact with customers and prospects. Effective use of this tool though requires understanding of customer behavior and the level of internet and web skill users typically possess. Savvy business markets know the level of internet skill that current customers have and have taken the time to build a consumer profile that outlines who the usual customers are and how they acquire data and information.

Start Up enterprises or new businesses may have more difficulty because they lack an established client list, but research into client purchasing behavior can overcome this in the early stages. Gathering research and consumer data is necessary though, to help formulate a communication strategy that will effectively reach new and potential customers.

Consultants can help gather this information and organize it into an effective message plan. SEO Consultants in Denver has used this basic framework to guide clients through development and implementation of an internet message start-up companies and new organizations will have to invest time and creativity in developing a consumer profile for use in their message plan.

A good message and communications strategy will establish: Credibility Leadership Depth of knowledge Confidence

Understanding how your current customers use the web, you can build your messages to address points that establish you as the leader in your line of business. Here are a few techniques.

Credibility: Providing information helpful to prospective customers is always a good idea. Blogging or posting common questions that consumers in the field frequently face can establish the company as one that is effectively “on the same side” as the customer. Including little known industry facts are also useful. Purchasers new to the industry will appreciate knowing the experiences of others – particularly as they navigate unfamiliar territory.

When future questions arise, these readers will remember your ability and willingness to provide useful help and information. If your customers frequently use the web to research product features or location, you can address concerns about product reliability, ease of acquisition (shipping or delivery features that you provide). Understanding the reasons your customers use the internet is important to structuring the credibility message.

Leadership: Success stories provided by current customers are extremely useful in building a leadership image. Stories detailing how the business helped clients achieve greater profit margins or decrease expenditures are great inclusions. Newer companies or start-ups of course don’t have the experience base to draw upon, but with a little creativity and perhaps a performance guarantee, a lack of experience can be overcome.

Story telling is a proven method of delivering information. Focusing on how clients realized the value of the product or service should be included on the company website or blog. New companies won’t take long to acquire a few of these stories. Maintaining a log of these customer experiences is necessary to build into the message strategy as the company matures.

Depth of Knowledge: This can be difficult to establish with the reader without boring him with details. Still, building trust with your reader that you have the depth of knowledge to solve her/his problems is ‘key.’ Again, story-telling or case studies are useful.

Questions that customers asked in the past are also useful to include in the web page content. These questions are relevant to future customers. Providing answers and solutions in advance allows the company to build brand image around its depth of knowledge.

Confidence: Return on Investment or ROI is the ultimate measure of success in the customer relationship. If ROI is delivered, the customer is happy. The value or essential element that provides ROI requires client success stories. Customers want confidence in their investment in the company product or service.

Prospective customers are willing to invest in products and services if value is delivered. The message strategy needs to minimize the perceived risk held by the prospect. Telling stories that communicate the results other customers received reduces the level of perceived risk.

Building a message strategy that addresses each of these communication objectives can over time, increase business and revenue earned or supported by communication on the internet. The methodology can also increase internet traffic and convert readers into customers.

SEO Consultants Denver helps clients nationwide attract new business income streams and earn new sales using proven Search Engine Optimization and internet market communication processes and methods. Specializing in article market communication and link building, the company serves both service and manufacturing companies.