The Importance of Building Long-Term Relationships in Business

Introduction

The world of sales has changed. 

Gone are the days with endless cold-calling and spam emails – because let’s be honest, that’s borderline harassment! To be successful in sales you have to play the long game. It’s about understanding the way in which your avatar thinks and the moves they make. Because at the end of the day, money is a trust currency. You don’t just hand over your hard-earned money to strangers. There needs to be a level of trust built between you and your client so that when the time comes for them to be making those big decisions, you are the clear, trusted choice. 

And that’s where building relationships comes in. Every step you take in building a stronger relationship with your client, the bigger their trust for you will be.

Why do business relationships matter?

Creating a relationship with both new and potential customers allows businesses to offer a more personalized and enticing customer experience. And it’s exactly the quality of the experience you offer that will determine whether or not you’ll establish long-term business success. 

In a recent study, 86% of customers claim their experiences are just as important as the actual product or service they purchase.

This means businesses are not only required to provide products or services their customers need, but they should also deliver a great end-to-end experience across every touchpoint.

Building Long-Term Relationships in Business

So how do you build these long-lasting relationships with your clients? Well it starts with YOU. 

Your business should be aligned with your values and integrity. Your passion for your industry should shine through in every product you offer, every communication you make and every campaign you share! 

There should be a seamless integration between you and your business. They should be one and the same. If you don’t feel that your business aligns with your values, take a read of our blog post ‘How to Define Your Brand Essence’, which will guide you through translating your core essence into all areas of your business. 

Ultimately, to be successful – your business needs to establish positive relationships with its clients. 

Follow these relationship-building steps to ensure that when your clients need a service – you are the easy choice!

1. Be Authentic

Authenticity can make or break your business. 

Great products are the bricks to build your business, but your values are the foundation holding it together. Without a genuine approach, your business basically has no support system. 

Great products will bring customers to you. But it’s your core essence that keeps them around. 

Let the love for your craft show. Passion translates. Radiate energy and inspiration through every step of your customer journey. If you enjoy what you do, clients are going to want to work with you. 

Establish core values (and stick to them). Don’t try too hard to be catchy and full of ‘sales talk’. Aim to have open, honest communication with your clients. This helps build long-term, trusting relationships, ensuring your business has the longevity you desire! 

Keep in mind your business is always growing. And if at any point it doesn’t feel like ‘you’: stop, regroup and reflect. Establish your core essence and then get back to creating magic. 

2. Don’t be afraid to get personal!

Part of building a long-term relationship is getting to know each other. Remember, your clients are humans too! The more transparent you are, the easier it will be for them to trust you. 

Don’t be afraid to share your true self and opinions with your clients – as well as making you relatable this can also really help mutual growth! Sharing your vulnerabilities can not only increase your relatability but also increases trust levels. Vulnerabilities don’t make you weak – there is a strength in sharing past failures or mistakes with potential clients. It shows that you are capable of growth (and that you’re also a real person)!

3. Take things offline

In a digital, tech-centric world designed to streamline communication, losing our personal connections is all too easy. The difference between a video conference and talking to someone in person can go a long way toward building trust.

Covid permitting – invite your clients out to dinner! The power of wine and dine works in business relationships too! Get to know them over a great meal and start to understand their motivations. This will make doing business further down the line a much easier transition! 

Conclusion

Just like your personal relationships, business relationships take time to develop. It’s an investment. And as with anything you invest in, it compounds over time. It’s a process that turns every touchpoint with your client into an opportunity for communication, trust and mutual growth. 

Play the long game. Take your time getting to know people without the intention of selling anything to them. Build those relationships and trust so that one day when the potential client requires a service, you are in their mind as a respected, trust-worthy choice.

Ready to build a long-term relationship?

Is your business currently single and ready to mingle? 

Because we would love to enter into a ‘business relationship’ with you. 😉

Do you imagine the world as it should be?

Do you believe in elevating the human experience at a core level?

Then we want to hear from you! 

If you’re open to growth opportunities for not only your business, but for yourself as an individual, then we might be a great fit for each other!

Our team prides ourselves on quality of service and creativity – and we expect the same from a partner. 🙂If you’re feeling committed to investing time into boosting your business then we would love to partner with you! To learn more about ‘Watt’ we can offer you, feel free to explore our website for more information 🙂

Free Your Digital Nomad!

Introduction

With so many of us having the opportunity to work from home these days, it’s the perfect time to seize the day and make the most of the freedom! We’re going to show you how to upgrade your workspace and take it on the road – allowing you to unleash your inner digital nomad! 

When we first started Watt Advertising, we knew we didn’t want to be confined to working in just one part of this beautiful world. We wanted to create a lifestyle business. A business where our team can work efficiently in any corner of the planet, whilst enjoying every aspect of life. 

If you’ve always aspired to work on the road, or just fancy taking a few weeks out of the office to breathe some fresh air and gain new perspectives, here are a few tips on how to be a digital nomad!

Tip 1: Recreate your creative workspace

No matter where you are in the world, you should always create your version of an office space to maintain your level of focus and creativity while on the road. A workspace is essential for productivity! Your workspace doesn’t even need to be private, in fact, during our time traveling we’ve often been most productive whilst working in local coffee shops! 

We’ve put together a few tips for creating a portable workspace: 

• Pack your essentials – make it easy for yourself by having a small pouch or case for all your work essentials. Whether it be just a notebook and pen, or a whole abundance of stationery, get yourself organized so that you have everything you need to set yourself up for success!

• Have an outlet or charging station nearby – whether you’re working by the beach or on the top of a mountain, always bring a portable charger with you to keep you powered up

• Appreciate the scenery – set up your space to face the incredible views that await you in whichever part of the world you’ve stumbled upon that day! You’ll find that the bright sunshine and fresh air can really motivate you into keeping up the hustle. If you’re in a campsite, make use of the shared communal areas or even head over to the picnic site! Don’t be afraid to get creative with your workspace – it doesn’t need to look conventional! 

Tip 2: Schedule your travel around work deadlines

In every business, there are going to be deadlines popping up, but the trick is to find that sweet spot of time where you have accomplished all the really BIG things, and it’s going to be business as usual. If you do have big projects that are expected to take a lot of brainpower, we recommend working on this later in the evenings. That way, you have the daytime to really unwind and soak up the culture or scenery in your location. Because let’s face it…that’s what being a digital nomad is all about! If you were going to lock yourself away all day, you might as well stay in your office at home! Don’t be afraid to get a little flexible with your timings. 

Another tip to being efficient whilst being on the road is to schedule all your meetings before you start the days’ events. It means you can brief your team and answer any questions they have in the morning meaning no one is getting bottlenecked! That way once your meetings are done you can relax knowing everything is in order. Starting the day on a productive note gives you a positive outlook on the rest of your day, allowing you to feel refreshed and enjoy your adventure. 

Tip 3: Your phone hotspot is your best friend

Wi-fi is probably your main concern when it comes to working on the road – and let’s be real, it’s a pretty big factor! Whether you’re working shotgun in a rental truck, or in a cabin in the mountains somewhere, you want to make sure you have unlimited data and access to service. Don’t be planning any zoom calls when you know you’re going to a remote part of the world!

To ensure high browsing speeds, install a hotspot on your phone! That way you have a reliable connection for your laptop or tablet so you can focus on keeping the wheels of your business turning. 

*Secret tip: when you find a place to steal Wi-Fi from e.g. campsite, shopping center, etc. take the time to download all the things you’ll need for success while you have no service!

Tip 4: Find your power source

Make sure that at the end of every day, you power up all your devices so that the next morning you are geared up and ready to step back into action! In this day and age, most vehicles have charging ports so if you’re road-tripping, charge up your devices while you’re driving! That way, when you reach your destination you’re ready to go! 

Portable chargers are also going to be your best friend. Invest in a few before your trip so you always have a backup option wherever you are and aren’t left drained of power. Aside from your phone, most laptops now sell compatible portable chargers too. And if you can, find one that is solar-powered to really make use of your surroundings! 

If you do find yourself without any power on the road then your last resort should be heading to a campsite. While you may have to pay, it will give you enough reliable connection to complete any important or outstanding tasks that are stopping you from reaching your goals. 

Tip 5: Make a plan

While being a digital nomad means you probably enjoy going with the flow and following adventure – working on the road does need a bit more planning than that if you’re going to do it right. Right when you’re planning your next getaway, spend some time Googling public spaces! Think libraries and coffee shops and read reviews to dig deep and figure out where is going to have the best Wi-Fi and outlets! 

If you’re traveling to a location that is a bit more remote, research the area to find good workspace options! Criteria for this should be somewhere with a good view, public toilets, no paid parking meters and also a level of safety! You don’t want to encounter a bear when you’re in the middle of an important project!

While it’s important to have somewhat of a plan when you embark on your adventure, remember to also enjoy the ride! Nothing is going to be completely smooth when you’re working remotely on the road, but if you maintain a good level of communication and expectations with your team then it’ll work out great in the long run. 

If you haven’t tried this way of working we highly recommend giving it a shot! Working on the road can give you the freedom you’ve been craving, allowing you to make the most of life. Just follow our tips and tricks to make sure you stay productive and continue to run a successful business! 

How To Know Your Ideal Avatar

Introduction

So you’ve got a product you’re passionate about and your marketing campaign seems flawless. 

With too much focus on what you’re selling, you may have lost sight of who you’re selling to. The result? A campaign that doesn’t speak to your customer, and therefore doesn’t sell to your customer! 

Without fully understanding and catering to your avatar, you are sinking your campaigns before they even launch. Now more than ever, business is PERSONAL, with emotions and feelings guiding most consumer behavior. People will choose your business based on the level of trust they feel with your brand. Don’t underestimate the power that a great connection will have on your sales figures! 

Enter the importance of knowing your avatar! 

Your brand is strong and your product is awesome – so how do you identify your ideal avatar? 

We’ve put together a few easy steps you can take to truly understanding your target audience (and steering your campaigns into their world!)

How to Know Your Avatar

Step 1: Goals and Values

Take some time to really unwrap your avatar’s inner workings. What do they believe? What do they want out of life? Understanding what drives your avatar into making their decisions can allow you to build a marketing campaign that will influence them on a deeper level.

If your avatar is driven by personal improvement and self-care, tailor your campaigns towards reaching their goals. 

Make them believe that through choosing YOU, they are choosing THEM. 

This is the time to form those relationships with your target consumers and create a level of trust; which can only be gained by reaching their inner essence! 

Step 2: Sources of Information

To really get a grip on influencing your ideal avatar, you need to uncover what other sources are influencing them in their daily life. Where do they get their information? If they are avid social media users – you need to be selling on those platforms! Does your avatar turn to YouTube tutorials for their every need? You need to be utilizing YouTube Ads! Is your avatar a keen TikToker? Get yourself a TikTok account and build a solid, trustworthy platform which you can use to reach them! Get inside their world and put yourself in the best position to truly influence their decisions.

To understand your avatar even more, we also suggest thinking about what material they enjoy to consume. What books do they like to read? What blogs do they follow? What gurus do they idealize? By doing this you are more capable of designing ads that truly speak to your avatar. It can help you to manifest your campaign into the right places and ensure your customer is viewing it! 

Step 3: Challenges

The next step is to think about the challenges that your avatar might face in their everyday lives. 

If you know their problems, you can solve their problems. 

Understanding your avatar’s pain points can help you speak to them on a deeper level. Form a relatability with them that can compel them to take action. If you reference their commonly-faced problems in an advertising campaign, they will instantly pay attention. Instantly feel heard and feel a sense of relatability to your brand. 

For example, if your avatar often feels stuck in their typical 9-5, use your advertising campaign as a way to invite them to take action! Show them that by choosing YOU they are taking a leap of faith and doing something exciting for a change!

Whatever their challenges may be, unearth them, understand them and USE them to show your avatar that by choosing you, their problems will go away! 

Step 4: Objections

Lastly, what could be your avatar’s objections to choosing you? As confident as you may be in your brand or product, you have to consider the possibility that your avatar may simply not want to choose you. And that’s fine! But by understanding possible reasonings for this, you may discover ways you can adapt and change your campaigns to make you more appealing! 

Think about the process they take when deciding to buy from a brand. Do they simply click and purchase? Or do they take a few days to debate their decision. If they prefer to find quick solutions to their problems, you need to ensure your campaigns are captivating and engaging to promote that quick click! 

If it’s the latter, you need to find ways to drive them down the funnel. Maintain a level of communication with them to ensure they don’t forget about you! Focus on building those relationships and trust levels so they can see that you are the right choice. 

Also consider that your avatar might not be the main decision maker and think about how you can adapt your campaign to reach those key people! Encourage a conversation! Ask questions that make your consumers think so they are more likely to talk about you with their colleagues (and hopefully those decision-makers!)

Conclusion

By following our quick steps you can begin to fully understand your avatar and create more seamless, relatable marketing campaigns that actually speak to your ideal customer. 

Generating more traffic and ultimately, more sales!

If you would like to hear more tips on how to refine your Google ad campaigns or tailor them to your ideal consumer, contact us right here on our website! We would love to hear from you and help you truly uncover the inner workings of your avatar!

Google Ads vs. Facebook Ads: Which is best?

Introduction

The main question we hear time and time again is this. 

“Are Google Ads better than Facebook Ads?”

Facebook and Google are two of the most popular advertising platforms out there. They both offer cost effective strategies that are allowing businesses to sell more than ever before. But one of them is the smarter choice and here’s why. 

Google Ads are your lemonade stand. 

And no, we’re not suggesting you begin selling cold beverages out in the street – unless you want to. 😉

What we want to show is how Google Ads quite literally are the smartest choice when it comes to marketing, as you’re putting your campaigns in front of clients who are looking for YOU.

Let’s try something. Picture this…

You’re 8 years old again, it’s a hot day and you’re selling refreshing glasses of lemonade on the sidewalk. 

But nearby there’s a large group of people working out…and down the street a group of boys are playing basketball.

These are potential clients. But instead of going out there and selling to them, you’re simply waiting for passive sales! 

Facebook marketing is a little like that. When people have a problem, they don’t scroll through Facebook for a solution. Nobody runs to Facebook when they’re searching for a new hiking boot or the nearest independent coffee shop. They type their exact needs straight into the little search bar of Google. 

So in order for your clients to find you – that’s where you need to be selling!

To be successful you want to be proactive. Don’t wait around on the sidewalks of the internet waiting for your ideal avatar to find you. Position yourself in the most lucrative portion of the world wide web. So when your target consumer is suddenly in need of a cooling refreshment…boom, you’re right there! 

Google Ads allow you to be at the heart of it. Using Google Ads the right way can ensure your business is right there at the top of your client’s search results! These clients are already looking to buy, and by promoting your business on Google Ads you are one step closer to fulfilling the needs of your clients. 

And besides, putting your eggs in one basket is never the answer. Facebook ads work, but combining it with the wonders of Google ads is the smart choice for creating a strong marketing strategy.

Tried Google Ads before and it didn’t work out?

So you’ve heard of the wonders of Google Ads and tried your hand and it. But you found that you weren’t getting the engagement or the clicks that you were expecting so changed tactics? We get it – it’s hard not to take it personally! 

Believe it or not, there isn’t some magical trick to getting ad visibility or interactions. The answer is actually pretty simple – if you want attention on your ads…you need to pay attention to your ads. The best success stories involve consistent ad management and strategy – something which is quite simply a full-time job. And with the best will in the world, sometimes there are just not enough hours a day to run a business AND put the attention that is needed to truly reap the rewards the Google Ads has to offer.

And that’s where we come in!

We can offer you a dedicated team specialising in all things Google ads. We consistently monitor your numbers and adapt our strategy so your online presence continues to grow and succeed. 

If you would like to get in touch with us to hear how we can help you restart your Google Ads journey, please fill our contact form right here on our website! 

We can take over the reins and ensure that you fully experience all that Google Ads can bring to your business. By taking part in our free 40-minute consultation, you can hear all about our services and how we can work together to build out your marketing campaigns within Google – all while ensuring your core essence is translated into the digital masterpiece!

How to 80/20 Your Business: The Ultimate Guide

How To Define Your Brand Essence (And Make It A Digital Marketing Masterpiece)

Introduction

In a world where talk is cheap, you may think that you need to be everywhere, marketing on every social channel to be successful. But less is now more! 

We believe the real trick to digital marketing is clearing away the noise. 

We’re debunking the myth that in order to reach customers, you need to be churning out endless campaigns into the void – hoping that they stick! So what makes it stick you ask? You. 

Your brand’s core essence is the real glue that holds your business together. At this very moment, you might be losing the core of what you’re offering because customers are being blinded by the colors and bold statements of your campaigns. In reality, it’s YOU that sells your business. 

Why is this so important? 

A brand’s essence is intangible for your audience. It’s unique to YOU and most importantly, creates a trusting and reliable bond between you and your customer. When they can see the real you, they are more likely to want to build a business relationship with you! When people hear your brand’s name you want it to light an emotional spark within them so they immediately know exactly what you stand for as a business. 

Let’s look at some success stories. For example, when people hear the word, Disney, they automatically associate the brand with a magical, family-oriented experience. You trust them. And that is what is going to generate sales for a business. If you trust the company, you trust them with your money.

So what’s the key? 

Clear the channel. Refine the core essence of your business. Revisit the real reasons why you started in the first place, your true values, and figure out the exact message you want to be getting across to potential customers online! Your main priority should be translating your essence digitally in a fuss-free, natural way, so your customers can see what’s beneath the surface. 

Now taking things back to basics might seem like a tough feat, but by following our simple steps you can start your journey of defining your core essence and turning it into a digital marketing masterpiece!

Let’s Begin! 

Step 1: Take a trip down memory lane

Some people get so caught up in logo designs and website building that they lose the essence of why they started the business in the first place. Look back to where your company came from. What were your main motivations to start your business? What inspired you to sell the products you are selling or offer the services you are offering? What did you feel was your ultimate purpose as a brand? 

A really great way to figure these things out is to go around your business and speak with the key people within your company. Comparing their different stories and versions of how your business began can give you a real insight into the kind of business you are running. 

Step 2: First Impressions

The main part of defining your core essence is to understand how people see you. What words or feelings pop up in their minds when they hear your brand’s name? And more importantly, are these the feelings that you want to be generated? If not, it might be time to redefine your essence! While you don’t necessarily want your clients to define you, it’s important to realize how you come across in the current marketplace. A brief audit can give you a chance to pinpoint any characteristics that you currently have aligned with your company (and gives you a chance to eliminate any that don’t resonate with you).

A useful (and slightly weird) way of doing this is to imagine you are writing an obituary for your company. Write a list of all the things you think people would say about your business, the good and the bad, and look out for any trends!

Step 3: USP

Think about what makes your business special. Part of this comes from comparing your business with competitors and figuring out all the ways in which what you are offering is different. Once you’ve figured this out, think about why these differences are useful. After all, a car with square wheels might sound unique, but it doesn’t necessarily make it appealing! 

Make Your Core Essence Digital!

Once you’ve figured out what makes you tick, it’s time to translate your core essence into a digital masterpiece! We make it our business to help clients achieve digital greatness, ensuring that their core essence doesn’t get lost amongst the crowd and shines through every campaign they are running! 

While there are a few techy things that really make this process successful, there are a few steps you can take to start the ball rolling in sharing your core essence with the world! 

Step 1) Interpret your core essence

Develop voice, tone, and design guidelines for your brand. Think about the kind of voice you want to be heard on your digital platforms, ensuring it speaks to your brand’s identity! Your logo, brand colors, typography, and graphics, etc. should also all be representative of your core essence!

Step 2) Define your aligned focus

Take a look at all your current content on digital platforms, including emails, social media, and ad campaigns. Identify where you need to be more consistent and what core message you want to be sending. Lastly, make sure your entire team has this aligned focus when producing content!

Step 3) Paint your core essence into a digital masterpiece 

Once you have identified your core essence, create templates for your team to use for all types of communications e.g product updates and promotional emails – and always make sure your voice and design guidelines are used throughout!

Step 4) Launch your digital essence into the world

Spread your essence amongst all digital platforms, continually adapting to your customers and creating content you are passionate about!

Want to hear more?

At Watt Advertising, we specialize in all things digital marketing and Google Ads (in particular how to share your essence with the world!) If you would like to speak to a member of our team about how you can better define your core essence and translate this into a digital masterpiece then please contact us! 

We are currently offering Google Ads audits, where we explore the current message your marketing campaigns are sending out – as well as your landing page, keyword research, and more! Fill out the contact form on our website and we will get back to you soon!