• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Services
    • New Website Development and Design
    • Website Updates, Maintenance, and Redesign
    • Web Consulting and Education
  • Portfolio
  • Website Tips & Resources
    • Articles on Websites and SEO
    • Successful Web Design Tips
    • Guide to Starting a New Website
  • About
    • Web Design Process
  • Contact

Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant

Websites for people who make a difference.

Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant

September 1, 2013 by Adam Barkafski

Succeed with Online Marketing

How can you successfully tackle social media and online marketing?

Facebook. Twitter. YouTube. Pinterest. LinkedIn. Google+. The list of social media outlets seems to grow every day. And the list of “to-dos” for social media and web marketing also seems to grow, too. Do you ever feel overwhelmed at all that needs to be done?

You’re not alone. There are many small business owners and nonprofit directors who are squeezed for time that their marketing often gets pushed to the side. But there are simple ways that you can address these items and do your best to put your website forward.

What’s your goal?

When you’re thinking about marketing your website and engaging in social media, what’s your goal? Do you intend to engage potential customers? Are you seeking to encourage repeat business from current customers? Are you building brand recognition? Do you want to manage customer service? There are many possibilities when building your online marketing plan, but before you get started with anything, knowing your desired outcome will help you narrow your focus to the most relevant activities. Otherwise, you’ll probably end up doing too much and reaping too little. If you’re not sure what to do, ask a marketing professional for help.

Where is your target audience?

When you know what you want to do, you next need to find out where your target audience is. Are potential buyers for your shoes on Facebook or Pinterest? Are facilities managers who would be interested in your building services on LinkedIn or industry-specific forums? Do your current customers use Twitter? It’s important to find out where your target audience is so that you don’t spend precious time posting pictures of your excavating equipment on Pinterest when your potential customers aren’t even there!

How can you find out where your audience is? Again, a marketing professional can help you research this. But you can also ask your own current customers. They are a wealth of information. Use their experiences to get into the minds of more people like them!

What are you willing and able to do?

Once you have a handle on your goal as well as where your target audience is, it’s time to figure out what you are willing and able to do. What I mean by this is ask yourself some honest questions. If you think that a blog on your website will give great returns, do you have the time and ability to write several posts a week, or at least a few per month? And are you prepared to handle moderating comments? If so, great! If not, can you pay someone else to do it? If neither is a possibility, then perhaps it’s not the right time to start a blog.

The same is true for other marketing tools. Twitter requires frequent attention if you want to use it to interact with customers. YouTube needs new videos now and then to keep the interest up. Each social media outlet has its own needs, and you have to be prepared to use them well. That’s why you need to think carefully about what you can and want to do. It looks worse to have a neglected Facebook page or outdated blog than to have none at all.

Go for it!

Now you’re ready for it. Start with small goals, ones that should be easy enough to accomplish. For Facebook, pledging to make three posts a week is a good start, for example. Pick one activity with a manageable goal, and do it well. Succeeding with these “baby steps” is easier than tackling a huge plan, and you’ll feel more confident to take the next steps, not to mention learn more about what works and what doesn’t. You should soon be reaping the benefits of your stronger marketing plan!

Filed Under: Search Engine Optimization and Website Marketing Tagged With: Facebook, Marketing, Pinterest, Social Media, Tools, Twitter

About the author

Adam Barkafski has been designing websites since 1998. He founded Dream Seed Multimedia in 2006 to offer affordable web design specifically for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Since 2016, Adam works exclusively with WordPress websites for individuals who seek to make a positive difference.

Primary Sidebar

Need a new website?

Click here to learn what you need to do!

Articles to Help Improve Your Website

  • Internet and Technology
  • Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimization and Website Marketing
  • Web Design and Hosting

Footer

I’m ready to help

Let's start your new website.

What people are saying

  • My needs and preferences were thoroughly assessed and listened to, which made drafts and concepts right the first time and made the whole project flow smoothly.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • Adam, you are great! You listened to what we wanted, and you produced it. We are extremely happy with the website! We will definitely come to you for all our website needs.
    Ronda Brubaker-Brooks, Beaver Creek Farm Cabins
  • Adam took the time to learn my business and to answer all my questions to help me learn how my website operates. Great job! Thanks!
    Bob Sims, Steel Expressions
  • You taught us so much, but the biggest thing was holding our hands through the process! You were awesome! We get great reviews on our website.
    Jody Sambrick, Red Rose Coffee Roasters
  • I truly felt my website and my business were as important to Adam as they are to me.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • It has been a pleasure working with Adam. All my questions were always answered and our requests completed. Customer service is excellent, and the overall experience was very positive. We will definitely refer Adam to our coworkers and friends!
    Evelyn Billings, Billings Bilingual
  • Adam treats me like a friend and always takes the time to listen to me and understand my needs. I never feel like I have only two minutes to say what I need to.
    Linda Fisher, Wings of Angels
  • Thank you so much for your hard work and keeping our website up to date. We are so fortunate to be able to do business with you!
    Nadinne Ziegler, Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster
  • You worked hard to fit my needs when others proposed more expensive unneeded elements. Thanks for all your hard work and advice. You do an excellent job!
    Lance Noel, Spinning Moon Press
  • Not only has Adam been extremely helpful during the building of our site and in helping us to maintain it, but he has gone out of his way to provide ongoing assistance, tips, and education designed to help us succeed.
    Jennifer Murray, Bournelyf Special Camp
  • Adam’s professionalism and clear communication throughout the project made for an efficient and effective web development process.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • You helped me through some confusing decisions and pointed out some important considerations that I hadn't thought of. I've gotten nothing but positive comments on the site. Thank you!
    N. Dianne Gadbois, Hana Bento
  • I am so impressed with Adam’s communication and can-do attitude! This project was a complete success, and I am so happy with the end result!
    Barbara Hostetler, HostetlerBenefits
  • You do create something from nothing, or at least from just a sketch on a page and create something ‘magical.’ You’ve taken our website ideas and made them come to life, and I just can’t thank you enough!
    Karen Mann, Grace United Church of Christ
  • No problem is too large or small…thank you for finding an answer to them all!
    Michelle Miller, Wheatland Custom Homes
  • Adam Barkafski is SUPER DUPER who is very interested in learning about his clients, their likes and dislikes. Working with Adam to create a website for my church was so easy. He is fun to work with and has some very good ideas and suggestions. Website updates are done very quickly. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
    Karen Mann, Grace United Church of Christ

Get in touch

  • Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant
  • Adam Barkafski
  • Email here
  • business 717-723-8680
  • P.O. Box 423
    Smoketown, PA 17576 United States

More

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Site Map

Copyright © 2021 Adam J. Barkafski and his licensors. All rights reserved.