After conducting a thorough competitor analysis, it's now time to put that knowledge into action. Understanding your marketing funnel is the key next step, setting the course for your consumer's journey. It can influence potential customers, guiding them towards making a purchase. With social media playing a pivotal role in this process, learning to craft a social media marketing funnel is a necessity.
A social media marketing funnel is a strategy that utilizes various stages of the consumer's journey - from becoming aware of your brand, to becoming loyal customers, and even brand advocates. Informed by insights gained from your competitor analysis, you can tailor your funnel to resonate with your target audience and stand out from the competition. This journey can be divided into stages: Awareness, Interest, Conversion, Loyalty, and Advocacy.
With the understanding you have gained from your competitor analysis, you now know what your potential customers are exposed to. Your goal at this stage is to make a good first impression and build brand recognition.
Example: Suppose you're launching a new vegan shoe brand, in a market filled with non-vegan competitors. Start by creating broad campaigns that raise awareness about your brand. Use vibrant, attractive visuals, and focus on the unique aspects of your brand - the fact that your shoes are vegan and eco-friendly.
Once people are aware of your brand, you want to pique their interest. Share more in-depth content about your brand and products to foster curiosity.
Example: Post engaging content that showcases the features of your shoes, the range of styles available, or even the manufacturing process, to underscore the eco-friendly aspect. You could also share posts from happy customers, or host a Q&A session to address
This is the stage where your potential customers make a purchase. To encourage conversions, provide incentives such as discounts, free shipping, or free returns.
Example: Run targeted ad campaigns highlighting a limited-time offer or exclusive discount for first-time buyers. Consider retargeting ads for those who have shown interest but haven't made a purchase yet.
After the initial purchase, you want to turn one-time buyers into repeat customers. Keep them engaged with your brand and provide value beyond the product.
Example: Engage with customers on social media. Respond to their queries promptly, acknowledge their feedback, and perhaps offer a loyalty program with special offers for repeat purchases.
In the final stage of the funnel, satisfied customers become advocates for your brand. They share their positive experiences and recommend your brand to others, essentially providing free word-of-mouth advertising.
Example: Encourage satisfied customers to share their experience on their social media profiles. You could incentivize this behavior by creating a referral program.
To build a social media marketing funnel, use the information gathered from your competitor analysis to inform your decisions. Follow the algorithm:
Ensure consistency in visual style across all campaigns and check the campaign multiple times for errors and inaccuracies before launching.
Finally, remember that creating a social media marketing funnel is a dynamic process that requires continuous monitoring and tweaking. But with the right strategy and execution, you can effectively guide your audience from awareness to advocacy, boosting your brand's reach and success. As you navigate this process, remember to revisit your competitor analysis to keep abreast of any changes in the competitive landscape.