Top 5 Facebook ads strategies for ecom or dropshipping

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StrategyDriven Online Marketing and Website Development Article | Top 5 Facebook ads strategies for ecom or dropshipping | Facebook Ads | EntrepreneurshipIf you are looking forward to boost the popularity of your dropshipping business and get more orders, you must take a look at Facebook marketing. In fact, Facebook paid advertisements are in a position to provide outstanding results to you. At Strategy Driven, our favourite course for ecommerce is Franklin Hatchett’s ecom elites course. The ecom elites review on aaronsreview.com goes into great detail as to why you should buy the course.  As an alternative, you can also work with Facebook advertising agencies.

As the first thing, you need to understand that Facebook advertising is completely different from Google advertising. If you are familiar with Google advertising, you will not be able to apply the same strategies in here to end up with positive outcomes. You must be aware about the specific strategies, which can help you gain positive results in Facebook.

Here is a list of 5 such effective Facebook ads strategies that you can follow for dropshipping or ecommerce. All these strategies can provide amazing returns to you and you will be able to go ahead with any out of them.

1. Make sure that you create a sense of exclusivity

Facebook is all about exclusivity. Therefore, you need to make sure that your advertisements on Facebook are also in a position to create a sense of exclusivity. This can provide you with a clear advantage by being on a social media network such as Facebook. You should always provide exclusive content via the Facebook ads. This can consume a lot of time and effort. But when you compare it with the returns that you get, you will be able to have a clear idea about the benefits that come on your way.

2. Highlight before and after

In the Facebook advertisements, you need to highlight the conditions that exist before a specific action and the conditions that exist after a specific action. No matter what kind of a product you are trying to promote with Facebook, you need to take it out of the box and snap a photo to be uploaded to Facebook. Then you need to snap another similar photo after you use the product. Both these photos should be combined and uploaded on Facebook.

For example, assume that you are going to sell running shoes through your ecommerce store. The first thing you need to do is to take out the running shoes, keep them along with the wrapping and then capture a photo. Then you need to take another photo, which indicates a person wearing the running shoes. This photo should be taken with a nice background behind it. If you can follow this strategy, you will be able to get the best possible results out of your Facebook advertisements.

3. Receive benefits from the fame of your competitors

When you are promoting a dropshipping or an ecommerce business on Facebook, you need to pay special attention towards the competition. However, you will be able to take advantage from the fame of your competitors.

Many people worry that having famous and reputed competitors is a disadvantage. That’s because people often tend to go ahead with the brands that they can easily recognize. However, you will be able to talk about those recognizing brands and then tell that there is something even more interesting and better. With that approach, you can promote your product. This will provide you with a better opportunity to grab the attention of your audience.

All you have to do is to upload a post with information related to the product offered by your competitor. Inside the post, you can promote your product according to the above-mentioned approach.

4. Highlight the contrast

You must be selling variant or customizable products through your ecommerce store. In such a situation, you need to make sure that you upload Facebook advertisements, which highlight the contrast between them and the ordinary products available in the market.

You can even do with the help of exact same shoes as well. All you have to do is to introduce the different colors and textures, when your customer keeps on scrolling through. This can give life to an outstanding advertisement in the long run. It can also highlight all the variants that you have got for sale under your store as well.

However, you need to understand that it is not possible to receive effective results by paying attention only towards the colors. You should also take a look at the fonts and background colors as well. That’s where you need to think about handing this over to a professional designer. Then you can completely focus on promoting your dropshipping or ecommerce store on Facebook.

5. Create excitement about products on the minds of customers

Through Facebook advertisements, it is also possible for you to create excitement about your products in the minds of customers. You just need to think the most exciting moment for your customer would be in the product lifecycle. In most of the products, unboxing is the most exciting part. For that, you need to select a product and then promote it via Facebook advertisements. Due to the excitement that you create among customers, they will be tempted to visit the ecommerce store. As a result, you will be able to generate a significant income out of it as well. That’s because you can get more people from Facebook to purchase the product that you offer. It can create a positive impact on the other products available for your purchase in the ecommerce store as well.

Any ecommerce or dropshipping store owner will be able to follow these strategies. Then you can easily end up with outstanding results. You will also fall in love with Facebook advertisements due to the amazing returns that are offered to you in the long run.

5 Ways to incorporate an explainer video to your marketing strategy

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StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article | 5 Ways to incorporate an explainer video to your marketing strategyAmong the marketing strategies that you can find out there in the digital world, video marketing has received a lot of attention. As you already know, a picture can speak a thousand words. Likewise, a video can speak millions of words. Hence, it is always better for you to use videos for the marketing campaigns.

Many different types of videos are being used for digital marketing campaigns in today’s world. Among those different types of videos, you can find explainer videos as well. Most of the businesses prefer to use explainer videos due to the simplicity and effectiveness linked with them. On the other hand, it costs fewer resources and a lower number of time in order to create an explainer video as well. If you don’t like to appear in front of a camera, consider animated video production to create your explainer video.

Once you get an explainer video created for the business, you need to learn how to incorporate it to your marketing strategy. Here are 5 different approaches that you can follow to get the job done.

1. Use explainer videos to communicate efficiently

Efficient communications play a major role behind the success of marketing campaigns. If you want to get your message across, you need to make sure that communications take place via an efficient path. The explainer videos will be able to help you with that.

In general, the explainer videos are created to explain a process. Hence, it can create engagement, raise awareness and increase sales volume. On the other hand, using explainer videos can be considered as an excellent method to communicate efficiently with the customers. That’s because the customers will be able to understand what you are trying to say. They will be attracted towards you’re the products or services that you offer after the understanding they get. You will also be able to highlight the specific message you want to say with this kind of an explainer video. Animation Explainers are the best animation studio in Toronto Canada.

2. Use explainer videos to create brand awareness

Without enhancing the visibility and presence of your brand, it is quite difficult for you to attract new customers or retain the existing customers. Therefore, you must look at all possible options that are available for you to create brand awareness. Explainer videos can assist you with that as well. According to a recent study conducted by eMarketer, it has been identified that more than 56% of people say that they are interested spending their money on the brands that they are familiar with.
The explainer videos can help you to promote your brand via interesting visual content. You just need to think about incorporating your brand colors, brand logo or product and service specific visual content to the explainer video. You will also be provided with the chance to combine all the different branding efforts that you have into one single message. It will be a powerful message, which can provide outstanding results to you. Hence, you will be able to reach your brand awareness goals in an effective manner as well.

3. Use explainer videos to educate the visitors of your website

After getting the explainer videos created, you can think about adding them to your business website. When you add an explainer video, you will be able to allow the visitors to spend more time on it. In other words, you will be getting a better level of attention from the visitors of the website. Hence, you are provided with an ideal opportunity to educate the audience in an effective manner as well.

The explainer videos are packed with a lot of useful information. People are attracted towards the valuable content that they can receive out of an explainer video as well. This can help you to deliver the exact same message you want to give out as well.

You must also understand that most of the people in today’s world prefer to watch something, instead of reading. Hence, you should think about providing them with what they want. Explainer videos can help you with that. You shouldn’t load your website with unnecessary content. All you have to do is to replace them with the explainer videos. This strategy will help you with transforming the official business website into a lead generator as well.

4. Use explainer videos to attract new prospects

If you don’t put an extra effort to attract new prospects, you will find it as a difficult task to ensure the overall sustainability of your business in the long run. You can easily attract new people towards the business with the explainer videos. That’s because most of the people in today’s world tend to do a research before they select a company to work with.

Even if you take a look at the search engine algorithms, you will notice that videos are provided with a high priority when indexing on the results pages. Therefore. You must think about getting some effective explainer videos created for the business and published them online. Then you can see how they are generating new prospects, which can heavily contribute towards the future success of your business.

5. Use explainer videos to engage on social media

No business can survive without social media these days. After creating your social media profiles, you should also take appropriate steps in order to engage with the followers. Explainer videos can assist you with that. That’s because the explainer videos can easily provide you with the opportunity to grab the attention of the followers and keep them interested about your business.

You can add questions and other engaging elements to the explainer video in order to make it more appealing for your social media followers. Then they will interact with the videos and help you to further increase your brand visibility. Therefore, you will be able to cover up your investment within a short period of time.

Your Company Is A Well Of Ideas – Stop Poisoning It

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StrategyDriven Innovation Article | Your Company Is A Well Of Ideas – Stop Poisoning It | Innovation For The FatiguedI work with creativity and innovation in companies, and I’m frustrated. There are many reasons for this, with my famous impatience being near the top of the list, but one things stands above the rest. This is the insistence of companies and CEOs that their organizations lack ideas. I hear this over and over again, yet it is never true. Not in their organizations, and not in yours.

The fact of the matter is, I’ve never met an organization that lacks ideas. Not one, and I’ve worked with some of the most backwards bureaucracies in the world, and with innovation in North Korea to boot. Be it a Fortune 50 corporation, or a small, local company, the same holds. They all claim they have a problem with generating enough ideas, and they’re all wrong. They already have all the ideas they could even need, and so do you.

You see, the problem is never idea generation. Ever. I can teach a monkey to run a decent idea generation workshop, and although it would make people all creative and stuff, it wouldn’t impact your bottom line in the slightest. Because it isn’t more ideas you need, it’s not killing the ones you already have. In my research, I’ve found a myriad of ways through which companies kill ideas. Bad processes is one, a lack of leadership is another, but the number one idea killer in the world is one that gets little attention – not having a culture in which ideas can take root, but which kills them through not caring.

This can play out in a number of ways. It might be that an eager young employee suggests a new way of working, but only elicits yawns in response. It might be the way in which people who aren’t seen as “innovators” get marginalized and feel that their ideas are not listened to. It might be a lack of psychological safety, where the company is filled to the brim with ideas, but where no-one dares give voice to them. In all these cases, a toxic innovation culture has effectively killed innovation before it even has had the chance to present its first, weak saplings.

What leaders need to do is not just to demand people innovate, or encourage people to “think outside of the box” (a phrase I hate with burning passion). The first task of the innovation leader is to ensure that the culture into which ideas might come is fertile ground for them, rather than a place where only the few get listened to and where ideas are more likely to get shrugged or yawned at than engaged with. You might already have a well of ideas, but if the water is poisoned, it won’t help you a whit.

So before you have your next creativity workshop or innovation initiative, make sure you’ve audited your culture for the things ideas need to flourish. Is it respectful, to ideas and people, and is the conversation civil? Does it exhibit psychological safety, and encourage diverse ideas and conversations? Is it inclusive or exclusive – does everyone get invited to play? Is your culture one of generosity, of give and take, or is it every person and idea for themselves? Unless you are prepared to reflect over such things, it rarely matters what kind of innovation management you have in place, and all those innovation consultants will be for naught. For just like culture might eat strategy for breakfast, it can have a ravenous appetite for ideas, killing them outright at the very first moment they come out of hiding.

So don’t complain about how your company, or your team, lacks ideas. It doesn’t. It never did. Complain about the culture that kills your ideas before they come to fruition, and then start thinking about what you might do to change the situation. Make sure people stop poisoning the well, and you’ll never go without ideas again. You might get a nicer, more civil organization to boot.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Alf Rehn | Innovation for the FatiguedAlf Rehn, author of Innovation for the Fatigued: How to Build a Culture of Deep Creativity, is recognized as a global thought-leader in the field of innovation and creativity. Rehn is Professor of Innovation, Design, and Management at the University of Southern Denmark, sits on numerous boards of directors, is a bestselling author, and serves as a strategic advisor for hot new startups to Fortune 500 companies.

For more information, please visit KoganPage.

Sales Success – Strategy or Mindset?

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Is your company’s sales strategy well planned and executed? Does it include a comprehensive prospecting plan for getting in front of the right people followed by a methodical sales process and the right tactics executed by a well-trained sales staff? If you answer yes to all of that and there is still a gap between desired and actual results, you might not have a tactical or strategic problem at all. It just might be experiencing the negative belief systems that reside within the hearts and minds of most everybody regarding salespeople and their roles, that are holding you back.

Sales is an emotionally charged vocation. Sometimes all it takes is one unsuccessful appointment, one prospect who looked promising and then went dark or one too many think-it-overs to cause a salesperson to question their choice of profession – or judgment. Clearing your salespeople’s heads of the “trash” that besieges their identity and self-image; helping them better understand the fears, anxieties and confusion about the sales process, both the seller’s and the buyer’s; steadying their ship as they ride the emotional seas of sales – all of these might be just as important as drilling them in the right tactics. Of course, tactics are important. They’re the answer to the question, “What do I do?” But understanding the why behind the what might be the best place to start.

In my own sales experience and in my coaching efforts with hundreds of salespeople, it is apparent that most of us in a sales role struggle to some degree or another with the idea that we are engaging in one of the least respected of all professions. Here are some fundamental mindsets needed to regain self-respect and a healthy sales mindset:

  • Embrace rejection – Go for the “NO.” Let ”NO” be your second favorite word in the English language. Stop wasting time on eternal “think-it-overs,” stop chasing non decision makers and stop appearing desperate in front of prospects. Sales interactions should be win-win for everybody. If you find yourself wanting or needing the sale more than your prospect, you’re probably not going to emerge from the sales process as a winner.
  • Get comfortable with being NOT OK – If you, like most people, let other peoples’ opinions determine how you feel about yourself, you’ll spend a lot of life feeling NOT OK. Coincidentally, if you’re always searching for your own “OK-ness” you’ll often find yourself in competition with your prospect for who’s going to get their needs met in a sales interaction. Learning to be OK on the inside while being NOT OK on the outside is paramount for sales success.
  • Tame your inner voices – Dwelling within each of our minds are the competing voices of our parents, ourselves as children and, fortunately, the logical fact driven Adult we strive to be. Parents can chastise – “Salespeople are crooks! When will you get a real job?” – or nurture – “You’re a brave soul! Success is right around the corner for you!” Children can get highly emotional – “If I don’t make this sale I’m sunk for sure!” – or seek approval – “I wonder if she likes me, she didn’t seem happy with my price.” Adults, however, tend to seek useful information, make clear decisions and filter out inappropriate responses – “It might be time to walk away from this sale, it’s going nowhere; too much time spent on a prospect who is not motivated to make a decision.” Knowing which voice to heed and which to ignore is critical for developing mental toughness.

Sales strategy, tactics and process are invaluable to sales success. But people don’t ultimately fail in sales because of poor strategy. They fail because they give up and they give up because their mind is not sufficiently steeled for the rough seas of the sales profession. Once they fix their mindset, then another day of rejection is no longer an anxiety producing event, it’s just another step closer to a YES, a big sale and sales success.

About the Author

StrategyDriven Expert Contributor | Brad McDonaldBrad McDonald, author of The Art and Skill of Sales Psychology: Why Buyers and Sellers Do What They Do, is an operations director at Sandler Training. He is responsible for domestic franchisee support and growth. This includes all facets of on-boarding, training, and coaching of trainers within the network. He also provides on-site training to Sandler Global clients. In addition he spent 28 years in the United States Navy, principally as a submarine officer.

For more information, please visit www.sandler.com.

7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Business Attorney

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StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Business Attorney|7 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Business AttorneyAt one point or another, every business needs to represent itself legally or handle some sort of court proceeding. When that time comes, you don’t want to be scrambling to choose an attorney at the last minute, as your selection will probably be rushed for the sake of getting the issue resolved as quickly as possible.

When you’re operating based on a panicked need instead of patiently and thoroughly comparing prospective attorneys, that’s when you’re prone to making rash decisions. Ultimately, you’ll be more likely to choose an attorney that is an optimal match for your company when you’re more informed about what to look for in a business attorney. With that said, here are seven factors to consider when choosing a go-to attorney for your business:

1. Achievements and Credentials

Any attorney can tell you that they’re the best person for the job, but their portfolio is what you really want to look at. A strong history of successful cases and a long list of achievements are usually good signs that you’re dealing with a prestigious expert. Beyond the accolades that are readily apparent on the attorney’s website or social media profiles, you can also find press releases related to their accomplishments by typing the attorney’s name followed by the terms, “achievement” or “award.” Alternatively, you can check out curated lists from organizations like America’s Top 100 Attorneys – you can learn more here about them and their lifetime achievement awards.

2. Determine Which Type of Attorney You Need

Having a one-size-fits-all attorney on standby is not necessarily a bad thing. However, when you need someone with a certain set of skills and experience to represent your business during litigation procedures, you’ll want a specialist who is familiar with industry-specific processes and requirements. Thus, other than keeping an eye out for awards and other accolades, determining which type of attorney you should have on-call will be the second most important factor to consider. When it comes to legal issues related to employment, hiring the best employment lawyer NYC would be very beneficial in representing your business and they can also guide you on how to prevent future lawsuits.

3. Look for an Attorney that Specializes in Your Niche

Once you know what kind of attorney you need, try to get even more specific about the work experience of your prospective attorneys. Have they represented clients in your exact niche before? Can they help you prepare and interpret documentation that revolves around an uncommon lexicon specific to your niche? In essence, you shouldn’t have to explain your business model and what you might need to your attorney. In fact, a competent attorney should already be somewhat familiar with how your business works and what you may require as soon as you tell them what kind of business you operate.

4. Choose an Appropriately Sized Firm

Choosing the largest law firm isn’t always the best choice. Sometimes, small or medium-sized firms can provide a more personalized approach at a more budget-friendly cost. Larger firms are typically busy with many clients and some would even say that high business volume makes a firm less likely to value each client individually. In other words, a major firm may not even care if you decide not to utilize their services any more, whereas a smaller firm or independent attorney will be more likely to accommodate your needs without hesitation in order to keep you as a client. Still, if budget and responsiveness aren’t your highest priorities, larger firms can be ideal for companies that need reliable guidance or on-call legal services.

5. Additional Social Perks and Skills

Let’s face it: legal services aren’t necessarily cheap. Thus, it makes sense that you should take steps to get the most for your money. Look for attorneys that are members of trade groups or other associations. Also look for an attorney who has an extensive social network that they might be able to leverage in times of legal need. Some law firms will even provide webinars, live networking events, and other online resources to keep clients informed and in touch.

6. Fee Structure and Billing

Sooner or later, price has to come into play during any comparison of a professional service. Most attorneys will bill you by the hour for their services, but some have begun to charge set amounts for predefined service packages. If they charge an hourly rate, you may need to deal with them for a little while to get a feel for how they bill for their time. Some attorneys are more generous than others in terms of the minimum time they will bill you for. One lawyer might nickel and dime you and charge a minimum of an hour for every single consultation or inquiry, while another may charge as little as 10% of an hour’s rate for short discussions.

7. Friendliness and Support Quality

Finally, don’t forget to take the attorney’s personality into consideration. After all, you don’t want to be dealing with someone who is hard to get along with, as you’ll be entrusting the fate of your business with this individual. Likewise, the firm that the attorney works with should have solid customer support and you should always be able to easily reach someone.

Choosing a Lawyer That Will Do the Job Right

There are plenty of lawyers who will come running to assist you with any business problem you may have, but not all of them will provide the same level of service and expertise. In fact, many attorneys rely on the fact that most clients don’t take the time to do their own due diligence in order to do the least amount of work possible per case. Look for a lawyer who has the “win or nothing” mentality.
You’ll often see law firms promising that they take no compensation unless your case is successful, and some will even take cases pro bono – with no money upfront – if you have a worthwhile case that will probably go in your favor. Regardless of which attorney you decide to hire, it’s always best to participate in an initial consultation as soon as you feel you might be facing court proceedings of any kind.