15 Highly Effective Digital Marketing Tactics That Actually Work
Digital marketing is constantly evolving, but some tactics stand the test of time and consistently deliver results. At IncRev, we’ve experimented with countless strategies over the years to grow our website traffic and email list. Through rigorous testing and analysis, we’ve identified 15 digital marketing tactics that have proven to be incredibly effective.
Let’s dive in and explore these powerful marketing strategies that can take your digital presence to the next level.
1. Leverage the Power of Twitter Lists
Twitter lists are an often overlooked feature that can significantly boost engagement. Our data shows that tweets containing lists get 2.1x more clicks on average compared to standard tweets.
The list format helps your tweets stand out in crowded feeds and provides easily digestible information for followers. We’ve seen consistent success using this tactic to drive more traffic to our blog posts and offers.
2. Regularly Update and Improve Existing Content
Don’t let your old content gather dust. Updating and improving existing blog posts and pages can lead to massive traffic gains. When we systematically updated every post on our site, we saw a 49% increase in organic search traffic.
Here’s our process for content updates:
- Audit all existing content
- Categorize posts as “leave as-is”, “improve”, or “rewrite”
- Update statistics, examples, and information
- Add new relevant sections
- Improve formatting and visuals
- Re-optimize for target keywords
This tactic breathes new life into your content library and signals to search engines that your site is consistently providing fresh, valuable information.
3. Cross-Pollinate Your Audience Across Platforms
Don’t keep your audiences siloed on different platforms. Actively encourage followers to connect with you across multiple channels. This creates a “lateral pipeline” of new followers and expands your reach.
For example, we include a call-to-action in our email welcome sequence inviting new subscribers to follow us on LinkedIn.
Look for opportunities to cross-promote your various platforms to create a more interconnected and engaged audience.
4. Publish Original Research and Data
Creating and publishing original research is a powerful way to establish authority and earn high-quality backlinks. Our original studies have been featured in multiple major publications.
There are two main approaches to original research:
- Analyze existing data in new ways
- Conduct your own surveys
For example, we analyzed over 1.3 million YouTube videos to uncover ranking factors, which generated significant interest and backlinks. We’ve also run industry surveys to gather unique insights that other can cite.
While original research can be time-consuming, the payoff in terms of authority, backlinks, and media coverage is well worth the investment.
5. Harness the Power of LinkedIn Native Video
LinkedIn has become a powerhouse for B2B marketing, with 9 out of 10 executives citing it as the best platform for quality content. Unlike other social platforms, LinkedIn still offers excellent organic reach, especially for video content.
When creating LinkedIn videos, focus on providing valuable insights, tips, or analysis relevant to your professional audience. Keep videos under 10 minutes for optimal engagement.
6. Personalize Outreach Email Subject Lines
Email outreach is a crucial tactic for link building, PR, and partnerships. Our analysis of over 10 million outreach emails revealed a key insight: personalized subject lines get 30% more responses.
Here’s an example of an effective personalized subject line:
“[Recipient’s Name], quick question about [Their Company/Website]”
This level of personalization helps your message stand out in crowded inboxes and demonstrates that you’ve done your research.
7. Optimize for Featured Snippets
Featured snippets, often called “position zero” in search results, offer a prime opportunity to leapfrog competitors and gain visibility. To optimize for featured snippets:
- Identify the snippet type (list, paragraph, table) for your target keyword
- Structure your content to match the snippet format
- Provide a clear, concise answer to the query
- Use appropriate HTML tags to help Google understand your content structure
Earning featured snippets can significantly increase your click-through rates and establish your site as an authoritative source.
8. Craft Longer, More Descriptive Headlines
Our extensive content marketing study revealed a surprising insight: longer headlines tend to get more social shares than shorter ones. In fact, headlines between 14-17 words received 76% more shares on average compared to shorter titles.
When crafting longer headlines:
- Include your primary keyword
- Clearly communicate the benefit or value proposition
- Use power words to evoke emotion
- Consider using numbers or parentheses to add extra detail
Remember, your headline is often the first (and sometimes only) thing potential readers see, so make it count.
9. Implement Exit-Intent Popups
While popups can be controversial, exit-intent popups offer a non-intrusive way to capture leads before visitors leave your site. These popups only appear when a user is about to exit, minimizing disruption to their browsing experience.
When creating exit-intent popups:
- Offer a compelling lead magnet or discount
- Use attention-grabbing headlines
- Keep the design clean and simple
- Include a clear call-to-action
- Make it easy to close the popup
10. Segment Your Email Subscribers
Email segmentation allows you to deliver more relevant, targeted content to your subscribers. By dividing your list based on interests, behaviors, or demographics, you can significantly improve engagement and conversion rates.
For example, we segment our list based on interest in specific topics like YouTube SEO or link building. This ensures we’re only sending content that each subscriber finds valuable.
Start with basic segmentation and gradually increase complexity as you gather more data on your subscribers’ preferences and behaviors.
11. Build Buzz with Pre-Launch Marketing
When launching a new product or service, don’t wait until launch day to start promoting. Research from the Norwegian Business School shows that pre-launch buzz can significantly impact sales.
Before our recent product launch, we ran a 3-part email series about YouTube marketing, previewing the upcoming course at the end of each email. This pre-launch campaign helped us exceed our internal sales goals.
Your pre-launch strategy might include:
- Teaser content
- Early bird discounts
- Behind-the-scenes looks
- Beta testing opportunities
- Countdown timers
12. Leverage Podcast Guest Appearances
With nearly a third of Americans listening to podcasts monthly, appearing as a guest on popular shows can significantly boost your visibility and authority. Podcast guesting offers several benefits:
- Exposure to new audiences
- Opportunity to showcase expertise
- High-quality backlinks from show notes
- Building relationships with influencers in your industry
To secure podcast guest spots, create a compelling pitch highlighting your unique expertise and the value you can provide to the show’s audience.
13. Craft an Engaging Welcome Email
Your welcome email sets the tone for your entire relationship with new subscribers. Make it count by creating a warm, engaging message that gets readers excited about what’s to come.
Key elements of an effective welcome email:
- A warm, personal greeting
- Clear expectations for future communications
- Highlight of key resources or popular content
- A small ask or action step to encourage engagement
- Links to your social media profiles
14. Focus on Long-Form YouTube Content
YouTube has become the most popular social network, with 73% of American adults using the platform. Our research shows that longer videos (10-16 minutes) tend to perform best on YouTube.
Longer videos allow for more in-depth content and naturally accumulate more watch time, a crucial factor in YouTube’s algorithm. Since focusing on long-form content, we’ve seen our channel’s views and subscribers skyrocket.
When creating long-form YouTube content:
- Start with a compelling hook
- Break content into clear sections
- Use timestamps in the description
- Include visuals and examples to maintain engagement
- End with a clear call-to-action
15. Create Custom Visuals and Infographics
Custom visuals not only enhance the look of your content but can also attract backlinks and social shares. We consistently use custom charts, graphs, and infographics in our blog posts to illustrate key concepts and data.
These visuals are often embedded by other bloggers in their own posts, naturally generating high-quality backlinks to our site. While we work with a professional designer, tools like Canva make it possible to create impressive visuals even without extensive design skills.
Bonus Tactics for Digital Marketing Success
Optimize for Low-Competition Keywords
When starting out with SEO, focus on long-tail, low-competition keywords to gain traction. Use tools like Semrush to identify keywords with lower difficulty scores that still offer decent search volume.
Implement Retargeting Campaigns
Retargeting ads shown to recent website visitors tend to have higher conversion rates and lower costs per click. We’ve seen Facebook retargeting campaigns reduce our cost per click from $4.42 to $0.98.
By implementing these 15 proven digital marketing tactics, you can significantly boost your online visibility, engage your audience more effectively, and drive measurable results for your business. At IncRev, we’re constantly testing and refining our strategies to stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Which of these tactics will you implement first in your marketing plan?
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I update my existing content?
We recommend auditing and updating your content at least once a year, with more frequent updates for time-sensitive or rapidly changing topics.
What’s the ideal length for a blog post?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, our research shows that long-form content (2000+ words) tends to perform best in search results and attracts more backlinks.
How can I improve my email open rates?
Focus on crafting compelling subject lines, segmenting your list for more targeted content, and maintaining a consistent sending schedule to build reader expectations.
What’s the best way to start building backlinks?
Begin with creating high-quality, original content that naturally attracts links. Then, reach out to relevant websites and offer to contribute guest posts or share your unique insights.
How important is mobile optimization for SEO?
Mobile optimization is crucial, as Google now uses mobile-first indexing. Ensure your website is fully responsive and offers a seamless experience across all devices.
