Historically, traditional women’s roles were limited to the kitchen and raising children, while men worked and provided for the family. However, this position has shifted as women now hold significant offices—for example, in governments and business enterprises. Many women have become more entrepreneurially minded, running profitable ventures.

As women make their presence in every economic sector, they leave their mark on business innovation. A recent case study indicates that in 2021, the number of women-owned businesses in the United States had risen to 31%, up from 27% in the previous year, even with the Covid-19 pandemic hitting. Despite these strides in entrepreneurship and corporate leadership, there are fewer women taking up roles in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

These differences affect how women entrepreneurs use digital marketing and may reflect clients' perceptions of women in the field. The implication here is that for women to compete in a male-dominated industry, they must take measures that give them an edge.

Luckily, there are a few key ways women leaders and entrepreneurs can use their strengths to create a competitive advantage in digital marketing.

1. Understand the digital landscape and how it's changing.

While the number of women venturing into entrepreneurship is increasing, there is still a stark contrast in how many embrace technological resources.

By learning about new technologies and how they can benefit their business, women will be able to capitalize on opportunities they might otherwise have missed.

There's no doubt that the digital landscape is rapidly evolving, but women leaders and entrepreneurs shouldn't shy away from these changes—instead, they should embrace them.

So what can they do to stay ahead of the curve? First, make sure they keep up with industry news and developments. Spotting trends early on gives a better understanding of how to use these innovations to their advantage or how they may impact the business. One such example of change in the digital world right now is the metaverse and its implications for business.

As a female entrepreneur in digital marketing, my latest networking opportunities with tech gurus have shed light on how much potential exists in exploring those areas of the industry unknown to us.

2. Focus on customer service and creating a great user experience.

Women can achieve a competitive advantage in digital marketing by understanding the consumer better.

​One way to do this is by leveraging empathy to create better user experiences. Some women are naturally in tune with the emotions of others, which can help in understanding how users are responding to their product or service.

Additionally, getting detailed and creative with communication can be beneficial in crafting targeted marketing messages and designing user-friendly interfaces. Ultimately, by tapping into their unique skill sets and perspectives, women can create more effective and successful digital marketing campaigns.

3. Create women-friendly e-commerce shops or websites.

Not as a gender bias but as a way to use their "insider knowledge," female business leaders can and should take advantage of their understanding of the female gender. Women who start businesses often venture into "female-themed" businesses, with hair/nail salons and pet care businesses as popular choices, but they may not understand or may fail to utilize their innate knowledge when marketing their products online. Those selling female-oriented products should design user-friendly websites and, even more importantly, women-friendly websites. They can make their websites women-friendly by avoiding generic or generalized content that does not connect at a personal level with women.

4. Leverage social media to grow business.

A female entrepreneur needs to envision herself as a leader even when building a business from scratch as a one-woman initiative. Thinking like a leader will empower them to utilize the numerous online tools to lead their targeted audience.

Women have to speak out, build brands and position themselves as leadership authorities of this era. I am a big fan of constant experimentation and improvement. One of the patterns I have observed in social media marketing is how gender often plays a role in the number of followers.
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As women typically have larger social media followings than their male counterparts, this is an opportunity to grow their brands. Female entrepreneurs who leverage social media stand to accomplish more with their ventures. Moreover, social sites such as LinkedIn can help business leaders and entrepreneurs gain more confidence in their professional endeavors.

5. Connect with other business leaders and entrepreneurs online.

The value of networking in the digital business world cannot be overstated. By connecting with other entrepreneurs and business leaders online, business leaders can access a wealth of knowledge, resources and connections to take their business to the next level. For instance, mastermind groups are an ideal resource for support and advice to navigate business challenges.

Networking is another invaluable way for women to learn about digital marketing from tech communities and conventions.

One way to build a network is to find and actively participate in professional and business forums.

Other opportunities to connect involve actively seeking chances to contribute to industry-related and established publications and websites or to speak at highly impactful events.

Conclusion

The internet is flooded with content marketing materials daily. Female business leaders need to craft better digital marketing approaches to highlight their business and outshine the competition. The key takeaway is that despite the size of their companies, female entrepreneurs must optimize internet marketing strategies to amplify communication and ensure consistent growth. They can remain competitive when they fully utilize the existing potential in digital marketing and incorporate their strengths when implementing digital marketing plans that focus on the relevant aspects of their businesses.



Source: https://www.forbes.com/
Image credit: Getty

With so many competing companies in today's marketplace, customers have countless options when it comes to patronizing a business. To influence their decision making, customers look for companies that they believe will add value to their lives.
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Below, 11 members of Young Entrepreneur Council shared their thoughts on ways small business owners can consistently bring value to customers. They explain how these methods strengthen a business's connection with its customers and ultimately ensure the company's longevity.

1. Demonstrating A Constant Mission Of Improvement

There's rarely such a thing as a perfect product, but demonstrating a constant mission of improvement is something I've learned customers highly value. One way to ensure you're always bringing fresh value to new and existing customers is by not only taking their feedback, but implementing it. Your clients are the ones using and benefiting from your product or service every day, and they can be your best allies in improving it to their advantage. Ask questions, listen to your customers and apply their feedback in actionable ways they'll notice — and don't be shy about sharing these improvements. Letting your clients know what changes you've made and why reassures them that you're taking their input seriously. It also keeps you from staying stagnant down a long road of growth ahead. - Andrew Powell, Learn to Win 

2. Building Strong Relationships With Customers

Customers are humans and there are people behind every successful business and huge brand name. Building a strong relationship with the customer builds trust and customer empathy. The customers really feel that you understand their problems and feelings. We are close to our peers (we do not call them customers because we feel like we are together on this journey), carefully listening to them and offering a high level of customization and support to cover their needs. At the same time, we are always curious to get to know people and we are always in for a virtual or face-to-face exchange with our peers. - Dave Hengartner, rready 

3. Meet Their Changing Needs

The one way you can always bring value to your customers is to meet their changing needs. Customers change their lifestyles, and consequently their needs, over the years and you must recognize that to move into that flow. For instance, those selling bulk items to customers during the years when they are raising children should recognize there will come a day when the customer will be an empty nester. You could lose them if they feel all you are willing to sell them is bulk items. The key to keeping them is to know when that time approaches and offer to change their orders before they come to you. The same goes for any industry. Know and recognize changes your customers are making in their lives and learn how to add to them. How do you do that? You listen to them. - Baruch Labunski, Rank Secure 

4. Get Their Feedback

It could be through an online survey or other methods, but find out what they like and don’t like about your business. They’ll be honest, especially your regulars, and they’ll normally also have some pretty intelligent commentary. From there, act on the feedback. Bonus points if you specifically recognize a customer who helped improve your business. For example, when Mr. Smith comes in saying you should do something and you do it, tell him about its impact and you’ll have a customer for life. - Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance

5. Support Them Through Hardships

Bringing value to your customers happens not only in the product or service you provide them, but in going beyond that. At the height of the pandemic, many of Metal Mafia's customers (tattoo and piercing studios across the country) were among the first to be shuttered. Those who were closed were not able to use our products for the time being, but we brought them value by providing them with intel and assistance in navigating the PPP loans and tracking down other grants to stay afloat. Customers were so appreciative that our company not only cared about them, but were also providing them with actionable assistance — and the value to them was priceless. - Vanessa Nornberg, Metal Mafia 

6. Listen To Your Customers And Implement Their Feedback

Many companies tout that they listen to their customers, but that is only half the equation. Listening to your customers and implementing what they say into your offerings is the best way to add value. If you don't implement or respond to what is being said, you effectively communicate to your customers: Thanks, but no thanks. Pro tip: If you implement a change based on customer feedback, highlight the difference, why you made the change and reference that you listen to your customers. If you can put a face and name to the customers giving feedback, all that much better. This gives your customers the feeling that they are part of the innovation and helping to drive business offerings. And if you do it for one customer, others will believe you'll do it for them, too. - Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.

7. Pay Attention To Customer Complaints

Pay close attention to what your customers complain about. Even the most successful business has customers who are dissatisfied some of the time. It's never pleasant to focus on things like negative reviews or critical social media posts, but these can be very helpful in pointing out areas where you need to improve. You can also learn about potential issues by polling your customers. Be as specific as possible in your questions. Aside from multiple-choice questions, it's good to ask open-ended questions, such as, "What's one feature you'd like to see that we don't currently offer?" - Kalin Kassabov, ProTexting

8. Get On The Phone With Customers

Pick up the phone to check in. Don't wait until the end of an engagement to get feedback — seek out your customers' insights proactively so you can adapt to address them before the relationship is complete. Ask what is going well and what can be going better. Then, rally your team to address any suggestions for improvement, both for that client and for others who might also benefit from those real time adjustments. - Lindsay Tanne, LogicPrep

9. Integrate Question-Based Customer Service

Are you not asking your customers how they are doing? Are you leaving it to Survey Monkey for them to answer 1 to 10? Bad idea. Open-ended questions asked by real team members and having real conversations is the way to put your customers first. You bring value by listening as well. Take notes, follow up on concerns and show that you are really paying attention to what your business is offering them and how you are helping. All of this is tantamount to two-sided communication. It’s not shouting platitudes via social platforms or canned email responses, but one-to-one customer service. You can automate a lot these days, but the key to longevity is keeping one-to-one communication personal. - Matthew Capala, Alphametic

10. Use Data To Demonstrate Success

To consistently bring value to your customers, you can show them how you compare to your competitors and give them a reason to choose you instead. Using data and numbers will demonstrate why your brand is the better option. For example, you could compare the costs of products to show that yours is the better deal. Whatever you choose to compare, it'll allow your audience to conclude that your business is the way to go so it feels like a no-brainer. - Jared Atchison, WPForms

11. Nurture Your Relationships With Customers

In business, the relationship you have with your customers can die if you don't nurture it. And many entrepreneurs make the mistake of starving the relationship they have with their customers by reducing it to the transactions of their current products or services. Sales, revenue, profit or whatever metric you hold sacrosanct is a lagging indicator of the value you bring to the market. Value is the core of business activity and to maintain focus on the value, you have to pay attention to these parts of your business. One would be the buying process. I prefer to see it as the customer's experience of your company. Make the transfer of value substantial and fast. From the top of the funnel down to the checkout button, meet your customer where they are and provide contextual value. - Samuel Thimothy, OneIMS - Integrated Marketing Solutions



Source: Forbes.com

With technologies, knowledge and events constantly advancing, consumer values and behaviors naturally shift over time as well. In order to keep pace, businesses small and large must evolve alongside their audiences if they want to ensure they don’t become irrelevant in the market.
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But how can business leaders predict or discern what their customers will do or think next? Below, a panel of Young Entrepreneur Council experts offer their advice on what entrepreneurs can do to keep up with customer behaviors and opinions and ensure their brands are shifting to meet changing needs.

1. Listen To Customer Feedback
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In order to get and stay ahead, we must always learn about our audience and shift our way of thinking and our way of doing business to fit those changes. I strongly believe that we are only as good as the way we are able to adapt to the ever-changing world around us. We value customer feedback and take what our customers have to say to heart. This is a direct insight into how customers are thinking, which, in turn, is a pointer in the direction we should be shifting. Companies that are adapting to changes can oftentimes leverage their innovative solutions to stay ahead of the curve. - Roman Smolevskiy, A+ Construction Pro 

2. Stay Updated On The Latest Social Research

Value-based media is more important than ever, and polling data indicates that this is especially true among Gen Zers. I recommend staying abreast of polling data and social research from companies such as Gallup, The Harris Poll and Pew, to find out what your core demographic audience believes in—not in order to pander to them, but to make sure they're heard. Find the values that your organization has in common with your core demographic and amplify those values in your messaging. Let it be known, unapologetically, what your company stands for. You're more likely to leave a positive and memorable impression with your audience this way. Those who you alienate will likely pale in comparison to those you attract. - Amine Rahal, IronMonk Solutions

3. Aim For Transparency

Transparency in brands is heavily respected and appreciated. We all know that a company that starts on day one will evolve as it goes through years of business. The company will receive feedback, gain knowledge of what's working, be more aware of its customer base and consumer needs and make changes to cater to that. Transparency allows the brand to show that it is changing and evolving and invites the consumer to be a part of the process instead of the company showing up one day with a rebrand and confusing everyone. Modern-day consumers respect brands that are transparent by allowing the consumer to take the journey with them. - Mary Harcourt, CosmoGlo 

4. Get Involved On Social Media

It’s tougher and tougher these days to stay on top of the shifting social trends that can impact both the public perception and ultimately bottom lines of companies. The speed of information is nearly instant now, which means the decision-making processes of public-facing companies must be equally speedy in their willingness to adapt to what’s trending. Building brand stories that resonate with the target audience comes down to listening to what the conversations are all about in their social circles. Getting involved in groups on social platforms like Facebook can make a major difference in the understanding of what your customers really want (not just what you think they want), so these tools are invaluable for any business. - Richard Fong, Bliss Drive

5. Pay Attention To Trends

Look at what the platforms are promoting and doubling down in, and then re-create your story for that form of media. Right now, for example, TikTok and Instagram Reels are huge! If the platforms are doubling down, then you know you need that style of content. By simply following the trends of what you see from platforms and consumers, you can evolve your brand story to be most relevant for that end user, even if the overarching message is the same. - Ethan Kramer, EK Creative 

6. Focus On Timelessness

It all starts with having a timeless brand from the beginning. If you can, during the early days of your company, you should really reflect on where you want your brand to be five, 10 and even 20 years down the road. This type of planning isn't just good for figuring out your brand identity, but it's a compass for the direction you want to take the company in the future. A truly timeless brand will be as relevant 10 years from now as it is today, so don't get too stuck on what's trendy today when you're developing your brand. - Andy Karuza, Base64.ai

7. Perform Frequent Brand Messaging Audits

From the home page of your website, to your social media content, audit your messaging to keep users engaged and keep your content authentic. As entrepreneurs, we design our messaging once at the outset, but many of us do not craft a dynamic story with our brand values, so it needs to be audited frequently. If you are just starting out, consider drafting a dynamic brand storyline that can be easily adjusted, so you can avoid potentially embarrassing insensitivity in your messaging. Current events play a major role in buyer decisions and perceptions. If your messaging is not responding to these, you are missing out on building brand loyalty and connecting with your audience in meaningful ways. - Matthew Capala, Alphametic

8. Ask Customers Directly

For your brand to evolve with its customers, you must stay informed about what they're into currently. You can stay in tune with the latest trends to keep up with your audience's needs and interests so you can give them exactly what they want every time. You can send customer surveys, run a poll or simply ask customers on social media how to keep up with what they need. There are a lot of ways to collect this information so you can continue catering to your audience and giving them what they need. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms 



Source: Forbes.com
​Image Credit: ravirocks010 from Pixabay 

One of the main purposes of a business website is to convert website traffic into revenue. This means creating calls to action (CTAs), building sales funnels and curating interesting, valuable content for those browsing your website.

But there are multiple ways to optimize your website for conversions and usher potential consumers to your sales page. To help you do this, nine members of Young Entrepreneur Council provide their top-recommended "tricks of the trade" to boost website conversions below.

1. Offer Valuable Visual Elements

Have fewer products, less text and more value. Don't overwhelm your shopper. Instead, offer more visual elements on your website that emphasize the value of the product or service rather than flashy images of the product itself. Also, I suggest creating affiliate sales links that can be sent to content creators and bloggers. This way, your website can reach a wider audience and you can support important content creators in the process. - Amine Rahal, IronMonk Solutions

2. Implement Proper Tracking And Pixel Codes

The No. 1 tip I can give on optimizing for conversions and turning your website traffic into revenue would be to make sure you have the proper tracking and pixel codes on your website. This element is crucial for paid traffic. It allows the algorithms to show your advertisements to the right people who are more likely to convert after getting the data. Along with the proper tracking, you want to make sure you are extremely direct with your messaging. Don’t just try to get anyone to your website. You need to work on your messaging to get the right people to look at the information you have to offer. Even if it’s a smaller number of people going to your website, you want to get people who will be interested instead of just looking at vanity numbers like website traffic. - Bryan Driscoll, Motivated Leads

3. Curate Interactive Content

Switching from static to interactive content will yield a consistent, and often staggering, increase in conversion rates. This is because more content will be viewed, making the user more aware of your brand and product. At the same time, users are more likely to provide more information, which is key to converting them. From quizzes to surveys, interactive content gets people more engaged, which, in turn, leads to higher revenue. - Vlad Gozman, involve.me

4. Remove Purchasing Obstacles

The fewer clicks to buy, the better. Give people multiple payment options so they can choose the one they’re most comfortable with. Make it easy to get answers to questions quickly; it should take a single click to get answers to frequently asked questions with information about shipping, returns and so on. Add live online chat to your site. It’s not only helpful today, but most consumers expect it. It’s worth the investment. Every product page should offer as much information as possible so consumers are convinced to buy immediately. What are the obstacles consumers often cite that keep them from buying? Make sure those obstacles are removed from your website. This could require adding information, features or technology to remove all barriers. - Jonathan Prichard, MattressInsider.com

5. Provide Social Proof

Social proof is an extremely powerful way to optimize your site for conversions. In marketing, social proof is anything that shows visitors that your site is trusted and respected by consumers and other well-known businesses. There are plenty of ways to get more social proof on your site. One of the easiest ways is to add the option to leave reviews on your product pages. When new visitors see reviews from existing customers, they are more likely to engage with your brand. Other social proof possibilities include live sales notifications, trust badges and user-generated content on social media. - John Brackett, Smash Balloon LLC

6. Offer Something For Free

Give them something for free! When shopping for services or goods, there are an unlimited number of options for customers. They are all looking for the best product or service for the best price point. To help showcase your value, give them a taste of what you have to offer. A free digital download or a limited-time trial can leave them wanting more. - Leila Lewis, Be Inspired PR

7. Create Clear Copy

Be concise and avoid confusing your customers. Copy should tell a story that engages your customers and motivates them to buy, whether that is a service or a product. Sales funnels are traditionally used for this purpose. However, that doesn't work with today's savvy buyers. Customers have all the information they need at their fingertips to make a judgment about your product or service. Your reputation or the quality of your product or customer service will sell the product. That is the story. Engagingly telling that story with the help of influencers and testimonials will help get your products and services noticed. Be authentically you. - Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.

8. Show Your Product In Action

Show the product in action however you can. Remember, your customers can't pick it up and hold it, so give them any media or explanations they need to understand it. Nobody buys something they don't understand, so focus on clarity, clean design, testimonials and showing the product in action one way or another. If you need examples, simply peruse the top-ranking e-commerce listings on any major online platform. You're likely to see no background photos, well-lit videos and a couple of quotes from happy customers all readily visible to shoppers. A product listing is an evolving medium. It can adapt to the needs and expectations of consumers over time, and it should. Test and retest until you get the result you want. Steal ideas from the best in the game! It's a great way to learn and grow. - Tyler Bray, TK Trailer Parts

9. Understand Your User Experience

To make money from your website and online content, it's important to focus on creating a positive user experience (UX). Failing to optimize your website will lead to fewer conversions and less engagement because people don't want to deal with annoying websites and long loading times. Things like your navigation menu, site speed, layout and more all affect how users interact with your website and whether or not they'll continue to engage. Don't underestimate the impact that your website design has on users and their ability to stick around. The more you optimize it for your audience, the likelier they'll be to return. - Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms



Source: ​https://www.forbes.com/