These are some of the phrases you’ll hear from creators on live streams when talking to their audience. Livestream chats are just one example of how creators nurture their communities on social media. With Discord, Twitch and other one-to-many platforms continuing to gain popularity, creators and influencers are transforming how they interact with their supporters.
Since Meta announced Instagram broadcast channels in February 2023, creators have used the functionality to foster closer connections with their most devoted followers. Influencer relationships are evolving, and marketers need to adapt how they collaborate with them as new ways to connect emerge on social.
In this article, we’ll cover how to use Instagram broadcast channels for your influencer strategies and show you creators who connect with followers in unique ways.
What is an Instagram broadcast channel?
An Instagram broadcast channel is a one-to-many messaging feature that enables creators to send direct messages to their audience, creating an exclusive chat experience for loyal followers.
A creator can send messages, questions, voice notes, links, photos and polls to members on the broadcast channel. Although members can’t send messages to the channel, they can vote and react to messages the creator sends. Creators can only send messages to followers who have joined their channels.
How to use Instagram broadcast channels for brand-influencer strategies
Instagram broadcast channels are an opportunity for businesses to rethink influencer-brand partnerships. Along with nurturing a community, Instagram broadcast channels are often used to promote the creator’s projects, brand partnerships and content on other social platforms. Typically, broadcast channels are only available for creator accounts, but some business accounts are eligible. If your brand account isn’t available, we recommend working with influencers to incorporate broadcast channels into your influencer strategy.
Here are five of our favorite ways to use Instagram broadcast channels for brand-influencer strategies.
1. Use polls to inform your campaign content
Collect information about your audience and get feedback by asking creators to share polls and/or ask questions. Based on the results of the poll and responses, you can use the insights to inform your campaign messaging and content.
2. Share live updates during an event or activation
Tap creators to use broadcast channels for live updates during a brand trip or activation. If your business is hosting or sponsoring an event, the creator can share behind-the-scenes content that typically isn’t shown on feeds or from a brand account. Creators can also share posts ahead of your brand’s event to help generate excitement and interest.
3. Promote external channels
Cross-promote content by sharing links to your other social media channels. Links in broadcast channels are interactive, so members can click on them and be directed to your website or another platform like YouTube to increase visibility and traffic.
4. Use Instagram Subscriptions for early access launches
Instagram subscriptions allow creators to monetize by offering exclusive content and benefits to followers for a monthly fee. Creators can offer broadcast channels solely for subscribers. Beyond exclusive content, the subscriber-only channels can be used to support product launches and sales. For example, a creator could have one broadcast channel open to all followers and another made for subscribers. In the subscriber channel, the creator can offer early access links or discount codes for a new product. This tactic can also be used for restock notifications of best-selling items.
Your social team can work with creators to determine how your brand wants to leverage subscriptions, but this is also a great opportunity to lean on your influencer marketing manager for guidance.
5. Build broadcast channels into your influencer campaign briefs
If you want to take advantage of broadcast channels, build them into your influencer campaign briefs. When creating your influencer campaign brief, you can list broadcast channels as a tactic and outline expectations for the partnership. For example, you can outline the approval process, the content type(s) you want created and shared to followers and key messaging points.
How to find broadcast channels on Instagram
You can only access broadcast channels via the Instagram app. You can find broadcast channels via notification or bio link. Here’s a step-by-step guide to show you how to find channels:
Instagram notification
If a creator you follow starts an Instagram broadcast, you’ll get a notification inviting you to join their channel. Click on the notification to see the Invites pages. On the Invites screen, you’ll notice the Most popular and Most active tabs. These tabs feature broadcast channels you don’t follow.
Instagram bio link
You can find broadcast channels in the bio section. Simply tap the message icon next to the broadcast channel name.
There might be more than one broadcast channel depending on the creator or business. For example, the NBA has three broadcast channels in their bio: NBA, NBA Draft and NBA All-Star.
Whether it’s a creator or business, join and explore broadcast channels to inspire your content and influencer strategy. Pay attention to the type of content posted and what gets the most engagement.
3 examples of creators using broadcast channels
1. @jazmynjw
Comedian and content creator Jazmyn W (@jazmynw) uses her broadcast channel to nurture community. Along with using voice messages to share jokes and inspirational messages, she shares polls and asks questions to interact with her audience. For example, in the image below, she asks about weekend plans.
Jazmyn also uses the channel for promotion. For instance, she announced her comedy tour on her broadcast channel. To learn more about her ticket sales and gauge interest, she asked, “I’m on tour right now. Y’all coming? Why or why not?”
She discovered there were a lot of members in the Houston and Atlanta areas who wanted to attend, but couldn’t afford to purchase tickets. In response, she created a giveaway through her Patreon–a subscription service for creators.
Jazmyn’s broadcast channel serves as an excellent example for creators and brands looking to connect and learn more about their audiences to inform future content and activations.
2. @fazerug
@fazerug’s broadcast channel is filled with inspirational quotes, exclusive discount codes and giveaways. To support the launch of his candy brand, the entrepreneur offered a limited-time discount code to members.
He also uses the broadcast channel to promote posts on his main page. For example, in the image below, he shares a link to a photo and tells the group to comment on a specific phrase:
The post he shared in the broadcast was for a brand event sponsored by Bose.
Regardless of the message, @fazerug’s broadcast channel fuels engagement and brings him closer to his community.
3. @mikaelashiffrin
Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin (@mikaelashiffrin) gives her audience an inside look into her life as a professional ski racer. Her broadcast channel is adorned with behind-the-scenes photos and videos, but you’ll also find her promoting various videos on YouTube—many of which are sponsored by brands. She shares videos with her community first before sharing it more widely.
Along with launching videos to her broadcast channel, she encourages members to share feedback and ideas for upcoming episodes and seasons. For example, below she shares a new episode of Moving Right Along, which was sponsored by Adidas Terrex.
Mikaela’s channel is a masterclass in using the feature to promote and inform new content.
Strengthen your creator partnerships with Instagram broadcast channels
Instagram broadcast channels enable creators to form closer relationships with their audiences by opening the door for real-time connections and feedback. By using broadcast channels to target their most engaged followers, creators and brands alike can learn more about their audience and optimize upcoming content. These channels are just one way influencers support cohesive brand experiences. Learn more about the evolving landscape and how to create influencer marketing content that resonates in our 2024 influencer marketing report.
Gain a competitive advantage and kick-start your affiliate marketing strategy with the latest, most advanced tools to improve your efficiency and save you (loads of) time.
If you sell affiliate products or services, you probably know the “overwhelm” feeling that happens when you realize there’s a lot of work (and sometimes money) involved in marketing.
The right affiliate tools can save time and money by helping you manage campaigns, write content, track ads, and find the perfect brand partners.
No more overwhelm.
In this guide, we review 17 of the best high-performing tools for affiliate marketers.
The majority (57.55%) earn less than $10k per year.
How much should you expect to earn from affiliate marketing?
The same survey indicates that experienced marketers earn more:
Beginner marketers: $0 - $1,000 per month
Intermediate marketers: $1000 to $10,000 per month
Advanced marketers: $10k - $100K per month
Elite affiliates: $100k and up per month
At first, you may earn very little with affiliate marketing. But as you learn more about digital marketing (and your audience), your income begins to rise.
How does affiliate marketing work?
Earning income through affiliate sales is a 5-step process.
Choose your affiliate program(s) and products from networks or direct partnerships.
Receive your coded affiliate product links, which track your referrals and sales.
Promote your affiliate products or services on one or more of the following: website, blogs, social media, email marketing, and paid ads.
Visitors click on your links and are directed to the merchant's website. Every time one of your visitors makes a purchase (within the defined cookie 🍪 period), you earn a commission.
You get paid. Merchants or affiliate networks handle all the calculations and pay you according to the terms of your agreement.
Sometimes there is a minimum account balance or waiting period required before your payment is issued.
In time, commissions can turn into lucrative income streams that require very little effort to maintain.
What are affiliate marketing tools?
Affiliate marketing tools are apps, software programs, and platforms that help you become more successful, more quickly, with affiliate marketing.
17 best affiliate marketing tools for all levels of experience
ShareASale affiliate marketing platform connects you with more than 30,000 brands across all sectors and countless niches.
It’s a marketplace where affiliates go to find products and services to sell. The network also tracks sales and helps you manage commissions.
ShareASale supports large and small publishers, including:
Content creators
Influencers
Loyalty and incentive sites
Media Partners
Technology solutions
The service has a good reputation and offers excellent support resources that make it easy for you to partner with established brands.
Its user-friendly interface and reliable payment tracking make it a good choice for beginner and advanced marketers.
ShareASale Pricing: Free to join as an affiliate
#2 - Amazon Associates: Affiliate marketing program
Amazon Associates is Amazon’s affiliate marketing program. It gives you access to millions of products with recognizable brand names and is an easy, accessible program, even for beginners.
The affiliate program provides unique links, banners, and widgets that make it simple to promote Amazon products.
Amazon associates also gain access to basic reporting tools that track clicks and commissions.
Affiliates can earn up to 10% commission and in some cases, also collect earnings from customer actions such as free trials.
The Amazon Associates affiliate program is open to bloggers, content creators, and publishers who have a qualifying website.
Amazon Associates pricing: Free to join as an affiliate
Keyword research tools for affiliate marketers
Keyword research tools help you create blog and social media content that drives more traffic from search engine results pages (SERPS).
#3 - Google Keyword Planner: Keyword research tool
However, it’s also a valuable resource for affiliate marketers looking for basic insights on keyword search volume, trends, and related keywords.
The tool’s easy accessibility and direct connection to Google search data make it attractive to people wanting to do keyword research without paying large fees.
Some of Google Keyword Planner’s best features include:
Keyword discovery
Search volume data and trends
Historical data and forecasting
Google Keyword Planner is a good option if you’re searching for a free keyword research tool that provides basic insights for choosing the best keywords for your content and audience.
Google Keyword Planner Pricing: Free
#4 - Semrush: Keyword research tool
Semrush is an all-in-one digital marketing tool that helps you optimize your online presence for search engines, social media platforms, and paid advertising channels.
The comprehensive (and sometimes complex) program includes a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, keyword research tool.
Semrush provides all the information you need for successful SEO keyword research, including:
Search volume
Keyword difficulty by score
Search intent match
Competitive research
Keyword gaps
Keyword ideas
Beyond keyword research, Semrush offers a wide selection of optimization tools, including competitive analysis, local SEO, and rank tracking.
If you're looking for a powerful tool that supports both content creation and paid search campaigns, SEMrush may be a good choice.
Semrush pricing: Free one-month trial; paid plans from $129/month
It's a perfect keyword research tool for affiliate marketers wanting a streamlined experience that doesn’t overwhelm you with complex metrics or complicated navigation.
Backlinko’s keyword research tool includes metrics such as:
Search volume
Keyword difficulty
Cost per click
Number of results
Search trend graph
If you visit Backlinko, don’t miss the chance to browse its blog. It’s packed with well-written, easy-to-understand optimization tips from SEO powerhouse Brian Dean.
While it might lack some advanced features, Backlinko's streamlined approach is ideal for beginners or those who value speed and actionable insights.
Backlinko keyword research tool pricing: Free
Content creation tools for affiliate marketers
Content creation tools help you create and publish blog, social media, and email marketing content.
#6 - Grammarly: Content creation tool
Grammarly is an AI-powered writing tool that helps improve the quality of your writing.
The free version of Grammarly is a popular grammar-checker tool that catches spelling and grammar mistakes. It highlights any errors in your content and suggests how to fix them.
If you write a lot of blog and email content, the paid version of Grammarly is gold.
Grammarly’s paid version includes an in-depth plagiarism checker, which is far more thorough than similar tools such as Copyscape.
The premium version also provides feedback and recommendations on:
Clarity
Engagement
Delivery
Style
Tone detection
You can use Grammarly on the web, within its app, or by integrating it into your web browsers and writing programs.
Grammarly pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $12/month
#7 - Hemingway: Content Creation Tool
Hemingway helps make your content more “readable” for online publishing.
College textbooks are written with perfect spelling and grammar. But your online audience doesn’t want to read college textbooks. They’re drawn to writing that’s clear, skimmable, and easy to read.
That’s where Hemingways readability tool comes in.
Hemingway guides you toward more effective writing without replacing your creative voice.
Affiliate marketers can use Hemingway to ensure that their content is reader-friendly in ways that both audiences and Google search engines appreciate.
Hemingway pricing: Free
Landing page builder tool for affiliate marketers
A landing page builder tool helps affiliate marketers create high-converting campaigns and lead generation content.
# 8 - AWeber: Landing page builder tool
AWeber is a great tool for busy affiliate marketers because it provides a simple, user-friendly way to create professional landing pages in minutes. Its drag-and-drop interface and wide selection of prebuiltlanding page templates ensure that even beginners can market their affiliate products with style.
AWeber landing pages integrate seamlessly with your email marketing campaigns.
AWeber’s landing page features include:
Over 100 landing page templates
Drag-and-drop interface
Already integrated with AWeber’s email marketing tool
Advanced marketing automation features
Built-in Canva designer (lets you create eye-catching designs!).
Landing page and email analytics
AWeber landing page builder is a great choice for affiliate marketers seeking a simple path to professional results.
AWeber pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $12.50/month
Social media management tools for affiliate marketers
Social media management tools help you create, preview, publish, and track the performance of your social media content.
#9 - Buffer: social media management platform
Buffer is a user-friendly social media management platform that helps affiliate marketers streamline social media content scheduling across multiple platforms.
It's a great option if you’re wanting to maintain a consistent social media presence without spending hours of every day on social media.
Here's how Buffer can simplify your social media efforts:
Customize posts for different social platforms.
Automatically publish pre-scheduled posts.
Track engagement metrics and identify top-performing content.
Buffer also includes a visual content calendar tool to help keep your content organized and on schedule.
Buffer pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $6/month
Email marketing and automation tools for affiliate marketers
Email marketing and automation tools let you build and execute personalized email marketing campaigns.
AWeber is a great tool for affiliate marketers who want a user-friendly email marketing platform that:
Allows you to include affiliate links in your marketing emails.
Easily highlight the product you’re recommending by simply pasting a link in your email.
Includes a built-in AI writing assistant.
Lets you easily create personalized campaigns with behavioral segmentation.
Allows you to create custom signup forms.
Provides advanced automation features (put it all on autopilot!).
Offers pre-written email campaign templates.
AWeber’s automated behavioral segmentation makes personalization simple. It can automatically track clicks and engagement in your emails, on your landing pages, and on your website — then use that data to send personalized messages and campaigns to your subscribers.
If you’re looking for an email marketing platform that provides you with the latest automation features, AI writing tools, and marketing personalization features, AWeber is a great choice.
AWeber pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans from $12.50/month
Campaign builder tools for affiliate marketers
Campaign builder tools for affiliate marketers help you design, execute, and track the performance of your promotional campaigns across various channels.
ClickFunnels is a sales funnel platform that focuses on high-converting landing pages.
While a powerful tool for creating sales funnels, it's geared toward advanced marketers who don’t mind the higher pricing and semi-steep learning curve.
ClickFunnels makes a good option for marketers looking for a high degree of control over the entire customer journey and are comfortable with its comprehensive feature set.
Here's what ClickFunnels offers:
Funnel builder: Allows you to design multi-step funnels.
Pre-designed templates: Includes landing pages, sales pages, and webinar funnels.
A/B testing: Allows you to compare page variations and optimize conversions.
Email marketing integrations: Lets you easily connect with email providers for lead nurturing.
Membership sites: Provides the option to create restricted content areas.
Its wide range of features makes the learning curve steeper. But if you’re looking for a program that can help you build membership areas and complex affiliate campaigns, it’s a great option.
ClickFunnels pricing: From $127/month. 14-day free trial available.
#12- AdRoll: Campaign builder tool
AdRoll is an advertising platform that provides affiliate marketers with helpful tools to manage their ad campaigns.
It’s a good fit for experienced affiliate marketers looking for advanced audience segmentation, cross-platform retargeting, and in-depth reporting.
AdRoll’s affiliate marketing features include:
Cross-platform campaigns
Dynamic ads
A/B testing
The ad campaign tool integrates with major e-commerce platforms and other marketing tools. If you have an established affiliate website or online store, the integrations are an important feature.
If you're wanting to take your affiliate campaigns to the next level, AdRoll is worth considering. However, while it’s a powerful campaign management tool, AdRoll also has a steeper learning curve than many of its competitors.
AdRoll pricing: Pay-as-you-go pricing for ads. More plans available.
If you’re looking for a more streamlined and beginner-friendly approach to campaign building, AWeber email marketing and landing page tools make an excellent all-in-one campaign management tool.
Ad tracking tools for affiliate marketers
Ad tracking tools provide in-depth monitoring of your ad performance across many different channels
#13 - Google Analytics: Ad tracking tool
Google Analytics is a comprehensive website analytics platform that provides in-depth metrics and insights for affiliate marketers.
If you’re an affiliate marketer looking for a tool that provides an in-depth understanding of your traffic sources and campaign performances, check out Google Analytics. It’s a great tool for helping you make more data-driven optimization decisions.
Google Analytics pricing: Free version available. Contact for paid pricing plans.
#14 - Voluum Affiliate Tracker: Ad tracking tool
Voluum affiliate ad tracker is a comprehensive ad tracking platform for experienced affiliate marketers and people who manage large-scale paid campaigns.
It offers in-depth analytics, granular tracking across various platforms, and advanced features for optimizing ad performance.
Voluum ad tracking features include:
Detailed reporting: Provides extensive data on clicks, conversions, costs, and ROI.
Traffic distribution: Allows you to split-test landing pages and direct traffic for optimization.
Anti-fraud tools: Helps identify and block bot traffic.
Integrations: Connects with major ad networks and traffic sources.
API access: Offers flexibility for custom integrations.
If you’re looking for a tool that provides sophisticated tracking, robust reporting, and a high degree of control over your campaigns, Voluum is an excellent option.
Voluum pricing: From $199/month
Bitly: Ad Tracking Tool
Bitly offers a beginner-level ad tracking tool for people who aren’t ready to take on comprehensive analytics tracking.
The company is mostly known for its link-shortening tool, but it also provides simple ad tracking features.
Bitly is a great beginner alternative to comprehensive ad-tracking tools that come with a steep learning curve.
Its simple approach doesn’t provide in-depth analytics. But the tool is very user-friendly and easy to learn.
Here's what Bitly offers:
Link shortening: Creates short, branded links for easy sharing.
Click tracking: Provides basic data on clicks and traffic sources.
Simple dashboard: Includes an easy-to-understand overview of link performance.
Integrations: Connects with some popular social media platforms.
Bitly pricing: Free
6 Best affiliate marketing tools for beginners
Looking for affiliate marketing tools that allow you to learn as you go?
Here’s a list of beginner-friendly affiliate marketing tools that don’t have a steep learning curve.
Best affiliate network for beginners: Amazon Associates
Best keyword research tool for beginners: Backlinko keyword research tool
Best content creation tool for beginners: Grammarly
Best email marketing and landing page tool for beginners: AWeber
Best social media management tool for beginners: Buffer
Best ad tracking tool for beginners: Bitly
Scroll up to the review section of this guide for more information on any of the beginner-friendly affiliate marketing tools above.
6 Best free affiliate marketing tools
Not up for shelling out $$$ on yet another paid subscription service? We’ve got you covered.
Below is a list of FREE affiliate marketing tools to help you get started building a successful affiliate business.
Best FREE affiliate marketing tools for beginners
Free ad tracking tool: Bitly
Free affiliate network: ShareASale
Free landing page tool: AWeber
Free content creation tool: Grammarly free version
Free email marketing tools: AWeber free version
Free keyword research tool: Backlinko keyword research tool
Free social media management tools: Buffer free version
Scroll up to the review section of this guide for more information on any of the free affiliate marketing tools above.
7 marketing courses & classes for affiliate marketers
Want to make more informed decisions, develop stronger campaigns, and grow your affiliate business more quickly?
Fill in your knowledge gaps with one or more of the following courses related to affiliate marketing.
You don’t need to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars to get high-quality training. Some of the best courses are free or very affordable.
Free Google Marketing Platform course: by Google on Google Skillshop. 100% free. Skillshop also offers a variety of training modules on Google ads, analytics, marketing, and more.
Free Meta Blueprint: Beginner-level training to help you improve your marketing campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Everything you need for affiliate marketing success
We’ve covered quite a bit of ground in this guide, including the best tools, free tools, beginner tools, and reputable courses for affiliate marketers.
When you’re ready to start selling affiliate products drop by AWeber. We’ll help you get up and running in minutes, not days,
Building trust with your audience is crucial for business success, and it all begins with effective marketing for your small business. If you’re already running a few marketing campaigns, you likely have an edge over your competition. In fact, almost half of small businesses spend less than two hours per week on marketing. But of those, 46% are unsure whether their marketing strategies are even working.
Understanding the marketing funnel, the path your customers take from awareness, consideration, conversion, loyalty, and, finally, advocacy, can help you see why developing and investing in a strategic marketing plan is more than just a good idea; it’s a necessity for brands looking to stay competitive.
Even without a large budget, extensive marketing experience, or much time, you can still effectively market your business with these inexpensive marketing ideas for small businesses. These strategies will help you build trust, increase visibility, and drive growth without breaking the bank.
1 - Create online business directories
An online business listing is the digital equivalent of the Yellow Pages phone book (remember those). It’s where people can find information about your business and leave reviews. Setting up or claiming your business listings on directories like the Google Business Profile, Yelp, Facebook Pages, and LinkedIn for B2B business is a great way to make your business easier for people to find.
There are hundreds of these kinds of directories. Don’t overlook the industry-specific ones like Zillow (Real Estate), TripAdvisor (Travel), and AutoTrader (Automotive).
And keep in mind that even if you don’t claim your listing in a directory, it’s still possible for you to have a presence there, even without knowing it.
Taking the time to claim your listings across all the relevant directories is an easy, free way for you to market your business.
2 - Leverage email marketing
Email marketing remains the most effective marketing channel, outperforming social media and search engine marketing — making it one of the best ways to build strong relationships with your customers. Platforms like AWeber offer affordable plans tailored for small business marketing.
3 - Use social media to promote your business
Social media can be a powerful tool to increase awareness, create customer loyalty, drive sales, and find influencers for your business.
The first step is understanding your customer demographics and which social media platforms they’re using. Are you targeting businesses? If so, you may want to consider being active on LinkedIn. If you’re targeting consumers, you will have more work deciding which platform(s) are best suited for your audience.
Once you’ve determined your target social media platform, be active and encourage customers to like or follow you. Post regularly and make your content interesting and interactive. The more people who interact with your post through likes, comments, or shares, the more visibility your posts will gain both within your network of followers and beyond.
Keep in mind people are following you because they had a good experience with your brand and want to learn more about you. Social media isn’t a place for hard sells; it’s a place to share and engage with your audience.
A well-written press release is a great way to give your company media exposure through news outlets (TV, print, and radio), influential bloggers, industry-specific publications, and more. A press release can bring you instant exposure, grow your sales potential, increase your brand awareness, improve your search engine results, and expand your target audience.
Writing a press release isn’t difficult. Once you find a structure that works for you, use that same format with every release. The most time-consuming part of issuing a press release is finding journalists who might be interested. To build this list, research and find a journalist who has previously written about your industry or topic.
Tips for writing a press release:
Start with an interesting, attention-grabbing headline.
Include essential details like who, what, where, when, and why in the first paragraph.
Add quotes from key players in your business.
Provide background information and context about your business.
Include your contact information for follow-up.
5 - Build landing pages to collect new leads
One of the most effective and inexpensive marketing strategies for small businesses to generate new leads is through dedicated landing pages.
A landing page is a standalone web page specifically designed to capture visitor information. Its main purpose is to convert visitors into leads by focusing on a single call to action without the distractions of a full website. More leads can ultimately result in more sales.
Landing page tools
The AWeber landing page creator allows you to develop highly converting landing pages to drive more potential clients to your brand. Our landing page tools enable you to build visually stunning landing pages. A few of those landing page features include:
Pre-stocked image library
Professionally designed templates
Powerfully simple design flexibility with our drag-and-drop editor
Automatically tag subscribers to manage and segment your list easily
The best part? You don’t even need a website to start.
6 - Utilize an effective search engine optimization strategy
One of the best things about search engine optimization (SEO) strategies is that even small businesses with limited budgets can still get the #1 spot in search results. By optimizing your web pages to increase visibility in search engines like Google and Bing, you can get more organic traffic without a huge budget.
5 Simple steps to improve your SEO
Keyword research
Determine what keywords will be the focus of our webpage or blog post. There are a few free keyword research tools you can use to help.
Target long-tail keywords as they tend to be less competitive, giving your small business a better chance to rank.
Think about the keywords your customers might use in a search bar to find the information that you provide.
Consider additional keyword suggestions that make sense for your blog.
Optimize your content for SEO
Write content focused on your chosen keywords.
Mention your main keyword in the first paragraph
Structure your page URL
Your page URL extensions should have your focus keyword. For example, if your main or focus keyword is “How to paint a house”, your URL extension could be /how-to-paint-a-house/
Add your title tag
A title tag is your display title that appears on a search engine results page.
Structure your title tag to include the page title, a separator like a dash or a line, and your company name for brand recognition.
The optimal length is 50 – 60 characters.
Add your meta description
A meta description is the brief information shown below the title tag on a search engine results page.
Ensure your meta description accurately describes the content of your page.
The optimal length is between 150 and 160 characters.
These simple steps are just the beginning. Continuously improving your SEO strategy can indefinitely boost your chances of ranking higher in search results, driving more traffic to your site.
7 - Let influencers do the work for you
Influencer marketing involves leveraging individuals who are passionate about your company and can actively promote your product or service to their network. Influencers have the power to affect the buying decisions (influence) potential customers due to the trust and relationships they have built with their audience.
Brands are increasingly seeking out these influencers because of their potential impact. Influencer marketing is when a business actively collaborates with influencers to promote their brand.
A great place to find your influencers is through social media. Identify who is already promoting your products and services to their friends, family, and colleagues. Reach out to these individuals and consider offering incentives or to attract more popular influencers who have greater reach.
8 - Check your local chamber of commerce
Joining your local Chamber of Commerce can be a great way to increase your brand awareness within your community. Becoming a member has several advantages, including being listed in their newsletter and on their website. Some Chambers of Commerce also offer free advertising opportunities for their members.
A Chamber member also comes with a certain level of credibility. Studies have shown customers are 80% more likely to purchase from a business that is a Chamber member.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to meet with other business leaders who can provide valuable business advice or potentially develop partnerships with other businesses.
9 - Grow your email list with sign-up forms
You can use sign-up forms to expand your email list by adding them to your landing page, website, blog, or Facebook page to collect subscriber information. With an AWeber, you get access to unlimited sign-up forms, making this an inexpensive yet effective marketing tool.
A sign-up form is designed to collect subscriber’s information through input fields so you can communicate with them through email.
You can use a sign-up form to get subscribers for your email newsletter, webinar or event registrants, students for your online course, ebook or guide downloads, customers for your products or services, or just general lead generation.
You can effortlessly grow your email list with hundreds of ready-to-use sign-up form templates. It’s easy for even amateurs to create professional-looking sign-up forms in just a few minutes. And if you don’t have a company website, AWeber has you covered there, too. You can add a sign-up form to your landing page builder, and AWeber will also host the sign-up form for you, allowing you to use it on your Facebook page.
10 - Set up a business partnership
Do you have an opportunity to partner with a complementary business? A business partnership can be as simple as a collaboration between a local restaurant and a movie theater offering a dinner-and-a-movie package, or it can be more complex, such as strategic alliances between Fortune 500 companies.
Regardless of the scale, business partnerships are an excellent way to tap into a new audience and create mutually beneficial opportunities. Look for businesses that offer products or services that complement your own and explore ways to collaborate on joint marketing efforts, special promotions, or bundled offers.
11 - Collect customer feedback
Collecting feedback from your customers is a cost-effective way to update your products and refine your brand’s marketing strategies. By understanding what your customers think and feel about your offerings, you can make better, more informed decisions which will, in turn, boost your customer experience and drive brand loyalty.
There are lots of simple survey tools you can incorporate like Google Forms and SurveyMonkey. And, yes, AWeber also has tools to easily create and distribute surveys.
Also, by encouraging customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business and Yelp, you can further get the word out about your business and attract new customers.
Finally, including feedback forms on your website or in your emails gives your customers a direct line of communication to share their thoughts and suggestions.
12 - Run competitions or donate a prize
Organizing contests is another inexpensive and fun marketing strategy. Encourage participants to like, share, and comment on your posts. This spreads the word not only within your network of followers but reaches their followers too, getting your name in front of new potential customers who may not have ever heard of you.
Besides social media contests, donating a prize for community events or charitable causes like auctions is another great and cheap way to get a better reputation in your community.
13 - Create a referral program
Encourage your existing customers to refer friends and family by offering incentives like discounts, free products, or exclusive access to new products. This tactic rewards your loyal customers and also encourages them to advocate for your business.
It's important to make sure you track and manage your referrals well. Wouldn’t you be annoyed if you sent your friends and family to some company website, expecting a gift or a discount in return, and got ignored? That’s how you lose customers!
Use a simple referral tracking program like ReferralCandy or LoyaltyLion. These even automate the process, ensuring your customers get the rewards you promised without you having to micromanage the process.
Ready to start marketing your business?
As you can see, you don’t need a bottomless budget and hours of time to effectively market your business. With these inexpensive marketing ideas for small businesses, you can begin to make a splash right away.
The great news is you don’t have to do it alone. Get started with AWeber Free and get access to
It’s important for your brand to prove its credibility every chance it gets. With TikTok marketing, that often means getting the coveted blue checkmark added next to your username. It’s a symbol for identity verification across all social media platforms. Get the checkmark, and you’ve proven to TikTok (and your followers) that you’re the real deal.
The coveted check doesn’t appear automatically, so we’ve got six tried-and-true tips for how to get verified on TikTok.
What is TikTok verification?
TikTok verification is a process the platform uses to confirm the identity of an account owner. It appears as a blue checkmark by your username to signal to users that your account is yours, not that of an imposter, scammer or fan account. Getting verified protects your audience from getting tricked by copycat accounts.
The verified badge helps businesses and creator accounts build trust with their followers.
Why is TikTok verification important?
The blue checkmark may seem like a status symbol to the casual browser, but the value of TikTok verification goes far beyond this. Let’s go over some reasons why verification is important for your brand’s TikTok strategy.
Authority
Getting verified helps demonstrate your brand authority. The blue checkmark is considered a symbol of credibility on social media, and consumers are more inclined to trust brands that have it.
If a customer has the option to engage with, follow and purchase from an unverified brand or a verified competitor, they’ll likely be drawn to the verified option. By getting verified on TikTok, you make it easier for users to support your brand without hesitation.
Authenticity and trustworthiness
Because the verification process is all about proving who you are, consumers perceive creators and brands with a checkmark as more authentic and trustworthy than those without.
This also protects your account from fraud. It’s not uncommon for impersonation accounts to crop up, especially if your brand stands to make money through TikTok Shop. If a TikTok user happens upon an account impersonating your brand, the blue checkmark may be the only safety measure that keeps them from getting scammed.
Credibility
A verification from TikTok tells your audience that your brand is legitimate. When you verify your business identity, you create a safer, more transparent experience for users and advertisers. Your verified business name will be displayed on all your content and under ads shown to customers.
Audience and engagement growth
Getting verified on TikTok can help your account grow faster. Some people believe that verified accounts are prioritized on TikTok’s For You page (FYP). If this rumor is true, getting verified could expand your reach, helping you get more views quickly.
Even if your content isn’t prioritized on the FYP because of your verification status, the enhanced brand authority, credibility and trustworthiness will influence more people to follow and engage with your account.
6 tips on how to get verified on TikTok
You understand why being verified is so important. But how do you get verified on TikTok?
1. Focus on content creation
The first thing you need to do is create content consistently. No one gets verified on day one—you have to prove that you’re worthy. So brainstorm unique TikTok video ideas, put together a content strategy and publish on a regular basis.
Consistent content creation can lead to consistent follower growth, which can act as evidence of your account’s notability during the verification process.
Create TikToks daily and pay attention to the ones that tend to get the most engagement. Creating more videos like that is probably going to be your best bet when growing your account, especially when it comes to our next point.
2. Create a viral video
If you want to get verified on TikTok, it helps to go viral. Going viral on TikTok means creating a video that shows up on many users’ For You page, generating hundreds of thousands of likes and views. This not only helps grow your account but also lets TikTok know you’re creating great content that users love. Focusing on creating content that generates engagement, hopping on popular trends and participating in challenges can also increase your chances of going viral.
Of course, there’s no specific method for achieving virality. For the most part, it’s about getting lucky or putting out the right piece of content at the right time. If you remain consistent with quality content, your hard work will pay off.
3. Get verified on other social media platforms
TikTok wants to make sure it’s being smart about its verification process, so they’ll often check if users’ other social media profiles are verified. This means you want to start the verification process on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) before moving on to TikTok.
If you’ve already been verified on other platforms, you have a much better chance of gaining that same status on TikTok. Check out our guides on how to get verified on other social media platforms (linked above) so that you can prove your authenticity across social.
4. Get media coverage
TikTok also considers whether you’ve been featured in media coverage. Getting your TikTok account featured in an online publication is another way to let the platform know your account is worthy of verification.
So, how do you get media coverage? This all goes back to our first tip: Focus on content creation. Work with your PR team to identify ways of embedding TikTok content into existing or planned media pitches. If there’s opportunity, you can also submit videos to be featured in example roundups for industry-specific publications.
5. Work with influencers
If you want to grow your account even faster, consider working with TikTok influencers. This will help your brand reach even more users, leading to new followers and better engagement.
Start by browsing TikTok to find influencers that are resonating with your target audience. For example, a brand selling kids’ toys may reach out to parent influencers who create content about child enrichment.
Once you find your influencers, compile a list and start reaching out to them about a partnership. Many creators will include an email address for media and brand inquiries in their bio to help brands easily start the conversation. Be sure to define your budget ahead of time. According to the 2024 Influencer Marketing Report, nearly half (47%) of influencers charge between $251 and $1,000 per post.
When you find the right influencer, work with them to create a video that’ll appeal to their audience. The 2024 Influencer Marketing Report also found that influencers resoundingly prefer to create short-form video for brand partnerships. The more their video resonates with their audience, the better chance you have of growing your account and reaching new customers.
Our last tip is simple: Follow the rules. If your videos are repeatedly being removed for violating community guidelines, you’ll struggle to get verified on TikTok. Stay aware of what content is acceptable and post on your best behavior.
How to request verification on TikTok
To be considered for a verified badge, you can complete a TikTok verification application. They don’t consider the number of followers or likes you have. Instead, they have a list of specific requirements:
Active: You’ve logged in within the last 6 months.
Authentic: Your account represents a real person, business or entity. Businesses must use a branded email domain on their application (like @brand.com) and a username similar to their brand name.
Notable: You or your brand must be featured in multiple news sources, not including press releases and sponsored or paid media.
Secure: Your account must enable two-step verification and use a verified email to ensure it stays with the authentic owner.
In the past, there wasn’t a clear answer to how to apply for verification on TikTok. These days, TikTok is offering a lot more clarity on how to get verified on TikTok. In fact, you can request verification on TikTok right from your app. Here’s how:
Open your TikTok app and tap Profile at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the Menu button at the top of the Profile screen.
Tap Settings and Privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Verification. If you are registered as a Business Account, you can apply for business verification. If you’re registered as a Personal Account, you can apply for personal and institution verifications.
If you don’t see the option to submit a verification request in your app, you can submit one through TikTok’s online form. If you have a managed account, you can go directly to your TikTok representative to inquire about verification.
Why does TikTok remove verification?
TikTok reserves the right to remove verified badges at any time, without notice. Here are some common reasons badges are removed:
The account was transferred to another owner, making the verification inauthentic.
The username changed, which means the account owner must re-apply for verification.
The account type changed between business, personal or institution.
The account repeatedly or severely violated TikTok’s Community Guidelines and/or terms of service.
Get verified on TikTok and go viral
Engagement is key to getting verified. Start by implementing the tips shared to accelerate your path to verification. Then check out our ultimate guide on TikTok for business for new ways to reach your audience, increase your reach and go viral.
The healthcare industry has always been a bit conservative when it comes to adopting new tech—and social media is no exception. Although experienced professionals understand that social media is transformative for healthcare organizations, some still need to persuade their leaders of its impact and elevate their strategies.
From boosting patient engagement to transforming service delivery, the potential benefits are huge. Of course, this also comes with its own set of risks and challenges.
So, how can healthcare providers navigate these waters effectively? Let’s explore the pros and cons of social media in healthcare and discuss actionable strategies to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks.
The pros of social media in healthcare
Social media offers a variety of advantages for the healthcare industry—ranging from combating misinformation to enhanced service delivery. Here are some of the ways healthcare organizations benefit from an integrated social media strategy.
Grow patient services and retention
Social media allows healthcare organizations to connect with patients at every stage of their healthcare journey.
By maintaining a dialogue on social media, healthcare providers can promote services, share health tips and establish an ongoing relationship with their community, enhancing patient retention.
Organizations can use locally trending healthcare topics to address the needs of their patients in a particular geographic area. For instance, regional healthcare providers can share information and advice on combating seasonal allergens by publishing posts to social platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
By regularly posting health tips and updates, providers can keep patients informed about new services and health advice, making them feel valued and cared for.
Provide better patient care
Social media is a powerful tool for healthcare brands that commit to keeping social media response times low.
Real-time interactions lead to faster resolutions and improved patient satisfaction, which is critical in a field where timely responses can significantly impact patient outcomes.
But delivering a timely response isn’t just beneficial in healthcare—it’s an expectation. The 2023 Sprout Social Index™ Report found 30% of consumers assume they’ll receive a response from a brand on social media the same day, and even 23% anticipate a response within 1–2 hours.
Consider how a hospital can use X (formerly known as Twitter) or Facebook Messenger to answer patient questions about visiting hours or appointment scheduling. By giving immediate answers, the hospital not only improves the patient experience but also reduces the workload on other customer service channels.
To elevate this functionality, hospitals can integrate social media chatbots—like those powered by Sprout Social. These automated customer service chatbots can handle routine inquiries efficiently, making sure patients receive timely information while freeing up staff to focus on more complex tasks.
Get a glimpse of the entire patient lifecycle
Social data and reporting tools allow healthcare organizations to gain deeper insights into patient interactions and behaviors. By tuning into what patients want and identifying key pain points, healthcare providers can tailor their services to better meet patient needs.
Using listening tools to gather this data and present it to leadership teams supports more informed decision-making. With social listening, healthcare providers can monitor and improve brand health by identifying trends in audience sentiment and feedback.
For instance, if patients frequently mention long wait times, the organization can take steps to address this issue, improving patient satisfaction. Also, social media data can reveal which services are most popular, allowing providers to allocate resources more effectively.
Support risk mitigation
Healthcare networks monitor patient and community feedback to mitigate potential risks using social listening and sentiment analysis tools. Staying up to date on what’s said about your organization online plays a major role in risk mitigation and crisis management.
For example, say there’s a sudden increase in negative comments about your organization on Facebook. Marketers for healthcare organizations can use sentiment analysis tools to investigate and address the issue before it escalates any further.
Sprout’s AI-powered sentiment tools classify direct messages and posts surfaced through Listening as positive, negative or neutral. With review classifications supported by automated messaging features, healthcare providers can prioritize and respond to critical messages as soon as possible.
Encourage employee advocacy
With staffing shortages being a major challenge, healthcare organizations can use social media to support their employer branding strategy. Creating an employee advocacy program that highlights the positive aspects of working for your organization can attract qualified candidates and supercharge recruitment efforts.
For instance, CVS Health has a staff spotlight series that encourages employee advocacy. They effectively leverage their employees’ voices on social media to showcase their workplace culture, career opportunities, and the benefits of working at CVS Health. This approach not only helps in attracting new talent but also strengthens their brand image.
Highlighting employees in a “meet the team” series inspires them and their connections to share the posts on their social media accounts, which helps broaden your audience and draw in more potential talent.
Another bonus is employee advocacy can boost morale and foster a sense of pride among staff members, which ultimately leads to higher retention rates.
Cons of social media in healthcare marketing
While the advantages are compelling, healthcare organizations must also navigate a range of challenges and risks associated with social media use. Here’s what’s top of mind for healthcare marketers regarding social media:
Compliance and security risks
Patient privacy must be rigorously protected, and any breaches can have severe consequences. To mitigate these risks, healthcare organizations should implement robust social media policies and adhere to regulations such as HIPAA.
Healthcare providers must be vigilant about what information they share on social media. Sharing identifiable patient information or even discussing a case can lead to privacy violations. Implementing strict guidelines and training staff on the importance of patient confidentiality can help prevent such incidents.
Healthcare organizations should develop comprehensive social media guidelines that align with HIPAA regulations. This includes clearly defining what constitutes protected health information (PHI) and providing examples of do’s and don’ts for social media posts. Regularly scheduled training sessions should cover these guidelines and emphasize the importance of patient confidentiality.
Additionally, appointing a dedicated compliance officer to monitor social media activity and adherence to HIPAA standards can further safeguard against privacy breaches.
Red tape and lack of buy-in
Due to inherent risks, gaining approvals for social media initiatives can be challenging in some organizations. The need for extensive vetting and approval processes can slow down the implementation of effective social strategies. Building a strong case for the benefits of social media and demonstrating successful examples can help gain buy-in from stakeholders.
Too often, organizations face internal resistance when trying to adopt new technologies or strategies. To overcome this, it’s essential to communicate the value of social media clearly and provide evidence that it delivers results. Sharing case studies and success stories from other healthcare organizations can help build confidence and support for social media initiatives.
For instance, take a look at this Sprout Social case study featuring Inspire Medical Systems. This example demonstrates how effective social media strategies can positively impact patient engagement and organizational success, helping to illustrate the tangible benefits of adopting these tools.
Misinformation
The widespread nature of social media allows misinformation to spread. This can lead to patients receiving incorrect health information, which can have dangerous consequences.
Misinformation can take many forms, from incorrect medical advice to conspiracy theories about treatments and vaccines. Healthcare organizations must actively work to combat misinformation by sharing accurate, reliable information and correcting false narratives when they arise.
Providers must be proactive in addressing misinformation by monitoring social media for false claims and providing accurate information through their own channels. Collaborating with trusted health influencers and organizations can also help amplify the correct information and reach a broader audience.
Best practices to advance your healthcare social media strategy
Now that we’ve reviewed the pros and cons of social media in healthcare, you can make informed decisions on how to use it as a marketing tool. Healthcare organizations can follow these proven strategies to effectively tackle challenges and maximize the benefits.
Create an employee social media policy
Developing a comprehensive social media policy for employees will help make sure all staff members understand the guidelines and best practices for using social media. This can help prevent compliance issues and maintain a consistent brand voice across all platforms.
A well-crafted social media policy should outline acceptable behavior, confidentiality requirements and procedures for handling sensitive information. Regular training sessions can reinforce these guidelines and provide staff with the tools they need to use social media responsibly.
To get started with implementing a policy, consider using this social media policy template. This comprehensive template offers a structured approach to drafting effective policies, making sure you cover all key aspects. It helps organizations establish clear guidelines, mitigate risks and empower staff to engage on social media platforms with confidence and professionalism.
Have rules to move conversations to a private channel
To protect patient privacy according to HIPAA compliance, conversations involving sensitive information should be moved to private channels. Be sure to establish clear rules and protocols with social managers for when and how to transition public interactions to private communications.
Healthcare organizations must create and follow defined escalation management strategies to protect patient privacy at scale. For instance, if a patient asks a question about their medical condition on a public social media post, the healthcare provider should respond by asking the patient to continue the conversation through a private message or secure email. This approach makes sure sensitive information remains confidential while still addressing the patient’s needs.
Partner with trusted vendors
Working with vendors that are willing to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) can help ensure third-party partners comply with healthcare regulations and protect patient data. A BAA provides legal assurances that the vendor will handle patient data responsibly and in accordance with regulations.
When selecting vendors for social media management, analytics or marketing services, healthcare organizations should prioritize those with experience in the healthcare industry and a proven track record of compliance.
Invest in strategies to combat misinformation
Healthcare organizations should actively participate in health awareness campaigns and leverage social platforms to share accurate information
Creating engaging and evidence-based content, such as infographics, videos and blog posts, can help educate the public and dispel myths. Additionally, participating in health awareness months and other campaigns can raise awareness about important health issues and encourage patients to seek accurate information from credible sources.
Creating engaging and evidence-based content, such as infographics, videos and blog posts, can help educate the public and dispel myths. For example, Cleveland Clinic and Mayo have officially partnered with YouTube to share reliable health information and engage with their audience through various formats.
Participating in health awareness months and other campaigns can raise awareness about important health issues and encourage patients to seek accurate information from credible sources, too.
Partner with health influencers and strategic voices
Collaborating with health influencers and industry thought leaders can amplify your message. By leveraging their large followings and trusted voices, healthcare organizations can reach a wider audience and build credibility.
For example, influencers on Instagram like Dr. Mike can informally educate the public and provide credible health information, which enhances your organization’s reputation through their association.
Just remember to choose influencers who align with your organization’s values to maintain authenticity and trust as a provider.
Use the pros and cons of social media in healthcare to inform your marketing strategy
While social media offers both substantial benefits and potential risks for healthcare, a well-crafted strategy can help most organizations effectively manage these challenges.
Healthcare brands that responsibly manage their social media presence can enhance their overall impact. To learn how your organization can harness social platforms to foster community and increase talent retention, check out this article on creating a social media strategy to boost patient engagement.
