First, Cloud is not a product. It is a term that refers to software, data and services that are Internet-based or not stored on your computer. Thus, cloud-based is a program that runs on someone else’s computer that you log into when you need it. It is not a scary monster. It may seem that way, but the beast has no fangs, and you have already ridden it. Have you used online banking? If the answer is yes, then you’ve been to the cloud. Cloud is powerful, and you can tap it to your advantage.
Small Businesses and Cloud Marketing
The problem with small business and cloud marketing is that there is often a gap between marketing knowledge and small-business owners. That is not meant as a rude statement. That is simply a noticeable observation of an obstacle that many small-business owners face. So let’s begin with a few basics.
Cloud marketing is Internet-based marketing services that other companies host. You simply log into the company’s server and access your account, data, and marketing tools. It is that simple. What is not simple is the marketing part of Internet marketing or cloud-based marketing. Marketing is the location of the where the information gap is. Here are a few quick terms to help bridge that gap.
- Target marketing: The placement of specific Internet ads in front of interested online shoppers.
- Conversion: The act of selling an idea or product to the Internet user. The Internet viewer converts from a viewer into a buyer.
- Social Marketing: Ad placement is on social networks. Data collected from social media networks becomes social media marketing. Another specialized form of target marketing.
How Does Cloud Marketing Work in Your Favor?
A huge advantage of using cloud marketing is that the cost of software development belongs to someone else. Depending on the product, the cloud-based software offers superior design and function. Small businesses save tons of money using cloud software over paying someone to design programs just for their small businesses. The cost of cloudware (cloud software) is equally leveraged across all users and not as a single point of sale. So cost is a favorable point too.
You have access to leaders in cloud development, such as Mark Hurd, co-CEO of Oracle. Mark is an industry leader for Internet marketing and cloud-based marketing software. He is also one of the few people who bridge the technology gap between small-business owners and marketing technology.
Cloud marketing allows businesses to target potential customers regardless of where that customer stands in the sales process. In so doing, cloud marketing allows for micro-segmentation of your target market. If your target market consists of 1 million people, and each has a favorite color then you can target those people by advertising their favorite colors. Let’s look at your target market.
- 30 percent of your target market prefers blue
- 25 percent prefers green
- 23 percent is hot for pink
- 20 percent only wear black
- 2 percent wear yellow
Already, you know you can reach 55 percent of your target market simply by marketing blue and green. That’s 550,000 potential customers and only two market segments. What about the color blue? It represents 30 percent of your potential customer base. That is 300,000 shoppers, and they all like blue. But, what kind of blue do they like? Dark blue? Light blue? Baby blue? Teal? This is where experts like Mark Hurd change the game for you.
Oracle’s cloud marketing allows you to pixelate your target market. You can target each of those people who like baby blue. That is highly focused marketing that has a personal touch to it. Customers love that. It is like going to a department store and having a personal shopper who knows you. That is how cloud marketing works in your favor, especially if your competitors do not use the cloud for marketing.
The big message here is not to fear the cloud. Instead, migrate toward company and experts like Mark, who also have the patience for bridging the marketing and tech gap.
