Listen to “MIH 040:How to Develop Your Winning Digital Media Strategy” on Spreaker.

Why is a digital media strategy important?

Recently I’ve been designing websites and working with women entrepreneurs to better their web presence. I’ve been helping mompreneurs with creating their own digital media strategy. And you want to know something?  I LOVE IT!

Helping female entrepreneurs develop a winning website is a passion of mine.  But I can’t just stop there.  I have to literally keep pressing for more- and helping women to shoot for higher.  It’s not just about having a website but using it as the tool that it is for helping you increase your income. That’s why I talk about having your digital media strategy at hand before you even begin to develop your blog.  I talk about this in my book- in full detail.  You’ve simply got to have a digital media strategy in place so that your website has the potential for success. Set up your blog for success up front.  I know you’re probably thinking: “How on earth am I supposed to do this?”  Great- let me answer that for you!

Start with the end in mind.

What’s your vision? Your purpose?  Who are you trying to reach?  What is your main goal for your blog? When you start with the end result in mind, you’ll have a better shot at creating the website you really want.  If there’s anything I try to stress when developing and designing blogs for creatives, it’s to know what you want your end result to be. Do you want people to buy from you?  What do you want them to purchase?  Do you want them to listen to you?  Will you have a podcast?  Do you want them to watch you?  Will you have videos?  Do you want to provide a service?  What will you provide?   How will you provide your products?  Will you need a shopping cart? There is so much to think about, and you really should sit down and map it out.  Never believe anyone who would have you think that the perfect site is one that looks beautiful.  Yes, you want to have a beautiful blog you can be proud of, but you absolutely need to think about functionality.  At the end of the day, beautiful blog and all, did your blog accomplish its goal? Start with the end in mind and work your way backward so that your planning is much more effective. (I love helping with these kinds of planning sessions, so reach out to me if you need to.)

Set up a strong web presence.

Once you’ve begun with the end in mind, get your blog designed, and have your designer set it up with keywords that will give your blog the cornerstone it needs to compete for your future customers.  After all, we want your customers to be able to find you in Google. Pay close attention to SEO for your blog and for many of your posts.  This can be the difference between getting noticed on Google or staying in the background behind other similar blogs.

Create loads of content.

Content, content, content is king.  I know you’ve heard this catch phrase in online marketing before, but it really is true. You’ve got to keep pumping out helpful content and stay in the forefront of your customers’ minds. Make sure you are offering helps and freebies along the way, as well as rewarding your clients with discounts and special bonuses. Besides blogging, think on terms of creating worksheets, ebooks, webinars, podcasts, videos…the sky is the limit. There are a variety of platforms to do this from: Periscope, Google+, YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, Facebook Live. There are just so many options out there for creating good, juicy content your readers want.  No excuses!

Solve their problems!

If you want to be considered at the top of your field, you’ve got to be willing to solve problems.  Being a problem solver is what makes money, and the more problems you solve for others the more desirable your services and products will be.

Engage and network.

The best way to make your digital media strategy a success is to engage and network.  The only way you can solve your customers’ problems is to get out there and start networking! Get involved in Facebook groups.  Engage on social media like YouTube.  Keep an ear and eye out for the needs of your niche market and pop in to see how you can be of value to them by answering questions on forums and groups. I’ve met some really wonderful people through networking this way. Awesomeness!!

Balance it all out.

The hardest part and the most important part of this entire process is balance.  You’ll notice I talk about balance a lot on this blog- and it’s because every single mompreneur has to learn to balance business life and the intricacies of it plus family life. When it comes to your digital media strategy, you’ve got to be able to balance working for yourself, working for and with your clients, developing new products, keeping up with current services you offer, and using your blog as the platform to set all this into motion. Seems like a lot?  Well...because it is!! But no worries…we’re here to support one another (well I’m here to support you!) And that’s what this blog is all about.  It’s a support system to help you figure out how to pull it all together. I guarantee you – this is the digital media strategy you need that will help you be effective in your online business.  If you set up your website for success by planning in the beginning (starting with the end in mind), pay close attention to setting up an attractive blog around strong SEO, create loads of juicy content, solve your clients’ problems, engage like crazy, and then balance this out so you don’t make yourself and your family crazy- you have a winning digital media strategy! And because I’m speaking to women entrepreneurs here, my take on what a successful digital media strategy is will always be spoken with the mompreneur in mind. I know you’re busy.  I know you have kids and you’re probably exhausted from all your daily activities. I’m there and I completely understand.  And I wouldn’t encourage you to do something that I am unable to do.  You can do this! If you need a digital media strategy consultation, reach out to me and let’s talk!