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Marketing Channels, The Ultimate Guide: Use Cases, Synergies & Activation
6/11/2025
20
min read

Marketing Channels, The Ultimate Guide: Use Cases, Synergies & Activation

Getting started with marketing channels can be overwhelming. After reading this guide, you should have more clarity on what marketing channels make the most sense for your business, which to prioritize, and how to get started.

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“Paralysis by analysis” is typically what most business owners get when they consider all of the possible areas to begin their digital marketing journey, and for good reason.

With so many different digital marketing categories, like owned media, paid media, and earned media, most just throw their hands up in the air, thinking, “I just want customers!”

The truth is that the options that exist should be looked at as a blessing, not a curse.

Business owners have more ways to connect with their potential customers today than they ever have in the past, and while this makes getting started more complicated, it means there are always more opportunities to go deeper and extract more value.

The place where most business owners miss the mark in modern digital marketing, however, is that the first goal should not be to extract value, but to add value.

Seeking to add value sets your business and brand up to be a valuable resource to a community of customers that are looking to connect with high-quality businesses.

Providing value gets your foot in the door with potential customers and earns you an invitation to the conversations that your customers are having all across the web.

In this guide, we’re going to:

  1. Bring clarity to the many marketing categories and channels that exist today
  2. Explain the use cases behind these channels, with examples
  3. Explain how these channels work together and become more efficient when connected
  4. Explain how to investigate these channels to decide where to start first
  5. Explain and provide a very simple framework for how to get started

What you should come away with is:

  • A clear understanding of what channels resonate the most with you
  • Which channels lend themselves best to the strengths of you and your business
  • How to activate those channels, and in what order
  • What to expect from these channels, and how to adapt over time
  • A clear idea of the first initial steps that should be taken

Ready to achieve marketing clarity?

Let’s get started.


What Are Digital Marketing Channels?

Marketing channels are the pathways or platforms a business uses to communicate, deliver value, and promote products or services to its target audience. They help move potential customers through the buyer's journey — from awareness to consideration, purchase, and loyalty.

In short marketing channels are the methods you use to reach customers and get them to take action.

Digital Marketing Channels Explained

Now that the brief definition is. out of the way, here are the different types of marketing channels, with a brief summary and example of how they could be used.

1. Owned Media

  • Website
    Summary: Your main online presence where you control content and user experience.
    Example: Optimizing your site for conversions can increase sales or lead signups directly.
  • Blog
    Summary: A platform to publish educational or engaging content.
    Example: Regular blog posts improve SEO and attract organic traffic interested in your products.
  • Email Marketing
    Summary: Direct communication with your audience via newsletters or targeted campaigns.
    Example: Sending personalized promotions can boost repeat sales and customer loyalty.
  • Mobile App
    Summary: An app tailored for customer interaction and engagement.
    Example: Push notifications through an app increase user retention and sales frequency.
  • SMS/MMS Marketing
    Summary: Text-based promotional messages sent directly to mobile phones.
    Example: Flash sales or appointment reminders can increase immediate customer actions.
  • Web Push Notifications
    Summary: Browser alerts that engage visitors even when they’re off your site.
    Example: Notifying about new offers can drive traffic back to your site quickly.
  • Podcasts
    Summary: Audio content to share expertise or brand stories.
    Example: Building authority in your niche encourages trust and attracts new customers.
  • In-app Messaging
    Summary: Communication within your app for user engagement or support.
    Example: Onboarding messages help reduce churn and improve user satisfaction.
  • CRM / Customer Portal
    Summary: Systems to manage customer interactions and provide self-service.
    Example: A portal allows customers to track orders and support tickets, improving satisfaction.

2. Earned Media

  • SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
    Summary: Optimizing content and site structure to rank higher in search engines.
    Example: Ranking on page 1 for key terms increases free, targeted traffic to your site.
  • Organic Social Media
    Summary: Free posts and interactions on social platforms.
    Example: Engaging posts can build community and brand awareness without ad spend.
  • PR & Media Outreach
    Summary: Gaining media coverage through news stories or press releases.
    Example: A feature in an industry magazine can raise your profile and credibility.
  • Guest Blogging
    Summary: Writing content for other websites to reach new audiences.
    Example: Links from reputable sites improve SEO and drive referral traffic.
  • Online Reviews & Reputation
    Summary: Customer feedback on platforms like Google or Yelp.
    Example: Positive reviews increase trust and influence purchase decisions.
  • Community Engagement (Reddit, Quora, Slack, etc.)
    Summary: Participating in relevant online groups and forums.
    Example: Helping users solve problems positions you as an expert and drives interest.
  • Influencer Mentions
    Summary: Unpaid shoutouts from industry influencers.
    Example: Getting noticed by influencers can organically widen your audience.
  • Podcast Interviews
    Summary: Being a guest on other podcasts to share your story or expertise.
    Example: Reaching engaged niche audiences who trust the host’s recommendations.

3. Paid Media

  • Paid Search (Google Ads, Bing Ads)
    Summary: Paying for traffic through ads in search engine results.
    Example: Capturing high-intent buyers with targeted ads can increase sales rapidly.
  • Paid Social (Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.)
    Summary: Ads on social platforms targeted by demographics, interests, or behaviors.
    Example: Running lookalike audience campaigns to find new customers similar to your best buyers.
  • Display Ads & Retargeting
    Summary: Banner ads on websites, often used to re-engage visitors who left without converting.
    Example: Showing ads to past visitors can boost conversion rates by reminding them of your brand.
  • Video Ads (YouTube, OTT/CTV)
    Summary: Paid video placements on platforms or connected TV devices.
    Example: Demonstration videos can explain products visually and drive higher engagement.
  • Affiliate Marketing
    Summary: Partnering with affiliates who promote your products for a commission.
    Example: Expanding sales through affiliate networks without upfront ad spend.
  • Sponsored Influencer Content
    Summary: Paying influencers to create content promoting your brand.
    Example: Leveraging influencer credibility to increase awareness and trust.
  • Native Advertising (Taboola, Outbrain)
    Summary: Paid content recommendations that blend with editorial content.
    Example: Driving traffic via native ads to high-value content can generate leads.
  • Sponsorships
    Summary: Paying for brand placement in newsletters, podcasts, or events.
    Example: Sponsoring a popular newsletter in your niche puts your brand in front of a relevant audience.

4. Search & Marketplaces

  • Google Search (Organic & Paid)
    Summary: The dominant search engine for both free and paid visibility.
    Example: Optimizing product pages to rank or running shopping ads drives sales.
  • Amazon & Other Marketplaces
    Summary: Selling or advertising products on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, or eBay.
    Example: Listing products on Amazon can expand reach to millions of buyers.
  • App Stores (ASO + Paid)
    Summary: Optimizing app store listings and running ads to increase installs.
    Example: Improving keywords in your app title and description boosts organic downloads.
  • Booking Platforms (Airbnb, Booking.com)
    Summary: Platforms for travel or service bookings.
    Example: Managing listings effectively increases bookings and revenue.

5. Content Marketing Modalities

  • Blog Posts
    Summary: Written articles providing value or insights to attract visitors.
    Example: Answering customer FAQs can bring in qualified traffic and nurture leads.
  • Long-form Guides & Whitepapers
    Summary: In-depth resources showcasing expertise.
    Example: Offering downloadable whitepapers generates leads through gated content.
  • Case Studies
    Summary: Stories showing how your product/service solved a problem.
    Example: Case studies convince prospects by demonstrating real-world success.
  • Infographics
    Summary: Visual representations of information or data.
    Example: Shareable infographics improve backlinks and social shares.
  • Videos
    Summary: Visual storytelling for engagement and education.
    Example: Product demos reduce buyer hesitation and increase conversions.
  • Webinars
    Summary: Live or recorded online seminars for education or sales.
    Example: Hosting webinars can nurture leads and drive high-value sales.
  • Ebooks
    Summary: Downloadable books providing comprehensive insights.
    Example: Gated ebooks can capture contact info for lead generation.
  • Interactive Tools/Calculators
    Summary: Engaging utilities to assist users in decision-making.
    Example: A ROI calculator can demonstrate product value and encourage purchase.
  • Quizzes & Surveys
    Summary: Interactive content gathering user data or preferences.
    Example: Personalized product recommendations based on quiz answers boost sales.
  • Templates & Checklists
    Summary: Ready-made resources for users to apply immediately.
    Example: Offering downloadable checklists builds goodwill and email subscribers.

6. Social & Community

  • Facebook Groups
    Summary: Private or public groups for niche communities.
    Example: Building a group fosters loyalty and direct feedback from customers.
  • Subreddits (Reddit Communities)
    Summary: Topic-specific forums for discussion and sharing.
    Example: Active participation drives brand awareness and trust.
  • Discord / Slack Communities
    Summary: Real-time chat platforms for engagement.
    Example: Hosting your own community improves customer support and retention.
  • Contests & Giveaways
    Summary: Promotional events to encourage participation.
    Example: Viral giveaways increase social reach and grow your email list.
  • AMA Sessions
    Summary: “Ask Me Anything” live Q&A sessions.
    Example: Building transparency and direct engagement with prospects.
  • Comments & Engagement
    Summary: Responding and interacting on posts and forums.
    Example: Active engagement strengthens community and brand affinity.

7. Conversion-Focused Tactics

  • Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
    Summary: Improving website elements to increase desired actions.
    Example: Testing button colors or copy increases lead submissions.
  • A/B Testing & Multivariate Testing
    Summary: Comparing different versions of pages or ads to optimize performance.
    Example: Identifying the best headline to maximize click-through rates.
  • Exit-intent Popups
    Summary: Offers shown when users try to leave your site.
    Example: Capturing emails before visitors exit reduces bounce rates.
  • Chatbots / Live Chat
    Summary: Automated or real-time support to engage visitors.
    Example: Immediate answers increase conversion likelihood and reduce support costs.
  • Personalization Engines
    Summary: Tailoring content or offers based on user data.
    Example: Showing product recommendations based on browsing history increases average order value.
  • Dynamic Website Content
    Summary: Content that changes according to user behavior or profile.
    Example: Displaying region-specific promotions to visitors improves relevance.

8. Analytics & Data

  • Google Analytics / GA4
    Summary: Tracking website traffic and user behavior.
    Example: Identifying high-exit pages to fix and improve conversions.
  • Heatmaps (Hotjar, Crazy Egg)
    Summary: Visual data showing where users click or scroll.
    Example: Spotting ignored areas to redesign for better engagement.
  • Attribution Modeling
    Summary: Understanding which channels contribute to conversions.
    Example: Allocating budget more effectively to top-performing campaigns.
  • Customer Journey Mapping
    Summary: Visualizing the customer’s path to purchase.
    Example: Improving touchpoints that cause drop-offs to boost sales.
  • Customer Data Platforms (CDPs)
    Summary: Integrating customer data from multiple sources.
    Example: Creating unified customer profiles for better personalization.
  • Surveys & Feedback Tools
    Summary: Collecting direct user opinions.
    Example: Using feedback to improve product features or messaging.
  • Cohort Analysis
    Summary: Studying user groups based on shared characteristics.
    Example: Measuring retention rates for customers acquired via different campaigns.

9. Automation & Lifecycle Marketing

  • Email Automation
    Summary: Triggered emails based on user behavior.
    Example: Welcome sequences to onboard new subscribers.
  • Behavior-based Triggers
    Summary: Marketing actions based on specific user actions.
    Example: Sending product recommendations after browsing specific categories.
  • Lead Nurturing Workflows
    Summary: Step-by-step campaigns to educate and convert leads.
    Example: Drip emails that build trust and guide prospects to purchase.
  • Retargeting Campaigns
    Summary: Ads targeting users who previously interacted with your brand.
    Example: Recapturing cart abandoners with targeted offers.
  • Abandoned Cart Sequences
    Summary: Emails reminding shoppers to complete their purchase.
    Example: Recovering lost sales by offering discounts or assistance.
  • Loyalty/Referral Program Management
    Summary: Encouraging repeat purchases and word-of-mouth.
    Example: Rewarding customers who refer friends boosts acquisition cost-effectively.

10. B2B-Specific Channels

  • LinkedIn Organic & Ads
    Summary: Building professional connections and running targeted ads.
    Example: Generating qualified leads via LinkedIn InMail campaigns.
  • Account-Based Marketing (ABM)
    Summary: Targeting specific high-value accounts with personalized marketing.
    Example: Creating tailored campaigns for key prospects increases close rates.
  • Cold Email Outreach
    Summary: Sending unsolicited but targeted emails to prospects.
    Example: Booking meetings with decision-makers to start sales conversations.
  • Webinars / Virtual Events
    Summary: Hosting online events to educate and engage.
    Example: Demonstrating product value to a qualified audience drives pipeline growth.
  • Industry Directories & Forums
    Summary: Listing or participating in niche-specific platforms.
    Example: Gaining visibility among industry professionals increases trust.
  • Partner Co-Marketing
    Summary: Collaborating with complementary businesses for joint promotions.
    Example: Sharing audiences and costs to expand reach efficiently.

How Marketing Channels Work Better Together

Marketing channels should be interwoven to have the highest impact. Many marketing channels are incredibly synergistic and give direct, improved impact to other channel's performance when set up and utilized properly. All channels contribute to a unified branded ecosystem of messaging that potential customers will come to know you by, so ensuring you have consistent messaging throughout is vitally important.

Some of the ways channels work better together include:

1. Cross-Channel Amplification

  • Example: A blog post (Owned Content) optimized for SEO (Earned Media) drives organic traffic. That blog post is then promoted via Paid Social ads to boost reach, while email marketing campaigns (Owned Media) share the blog with your subscriber base.
  • Why it works: Each channel supports and multiplies exposure, capturing audiences at different touchpoints using the same base asset.

2. Consistent Messaging and Branding

  • All channels—from social media posts and paid ads to emails and website content—should use unified brand voice, visuals, and core messages.
  • Why it works: This consistency builds trust and brand recognition, making each touchpoint reinforce the others and increasing customer confidence. A confused mind says no.

3. Data Sharing for Better Targeting

  • Data from Analytics, CRM, and Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) can inform paid ad targeting, personalization in email campaigns, and content creation. Conversion data from paid ad platforms can also increase certainty of success in targeting the same keywords through content marketing and SEO.
  • Why it works: Insights into customer behavior and preferences allow you to tailor messaging and offers, improving relevance and conversion rates across channels.

4. Lifecycle Marketing Across Channels

  • Use automation and triggered emails to nurture leads captured via Paid Search or Social ads. Retarget visitors with Display Ads or Social Ads who engaged but didn’t convert. Then, use SMS or Push Notifications to bring back customers for repeat purchases.
  • Why it works: Moving prospects smoothly through the funnel with timely, relevant messages maximizes conversions and lifetime value.

5. Leveraging Earned Media to Boost Paid and Owned Channels

  • Positive reviews and influencer mentions (Earned Media) build social proof that can be highlighted in Paid Social ads or website testimonials. Guest blog backlinks boost SEO, increasing organic traffic to Owned channels.
  • Why it works: Social proof and authority signals increase trust, improving click-through and conversion rates in paid and owned media.

6. Content Repurposing Across Channels

  • A webinar can be repurposed into blog posts, infographics, short social videos, and email snippets. A podcast episode can be turned into a blog summary and social posts, as well as be cut up into short bite-sized video content across YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
  • Why it works: Efficient content use reduces production costs while maintaining consistent messaging and reaching audiences on their preferred platforms.

7. Community Engagement Feeding Back into Owned Channels

  • Insights and questions from social communities, forums, and support chats help identify content gaps and customer pain points. Use this info to create targeted blog posts, FAQs, or product pages.
  • Why it works: Responding to real customer needs improves relevance and SEO, increasing organic traffic and engagement.

8. Personalization Powered by Integrated Data

  • Combine CRM data, web behavior, and social interactions to personalize website content, email offers, and ads. For example, showing dynamic product recommendations based on past purchases or browsing history.
  • Why it works: Personalized experiences increase engagement and conversions by making customers feel understood.

9. B2B ABM and Multi-Touch Campaigns

  • Target key accounts with personalized LinkedIn ads, cold email sequences, and retargeting ads, complemented by content marketing like case studies and webinars tailored for their industry.
  • Why it works: Multi-touch, multi-channel approaches increase touchpoints and relevance, improving conversion odds in complex sales cycles.

10. Feedback Loops and Continuous Improvement

  • Analytics and feedback from all channels feed into optimization: SEO improvements, ad targeting adjustments, content strategy pivots, and CRO experiments.
  • Why it works: Data-driven iteration ensures the entire marketing ecosystem evolves to become more effective over time.

Digital marketing channels are most effective when they don’t operate in silos. Instead, by integrating channels around a unified customer journey, data flow, and consistent messaging, your marketing engine becomes a well-oiled machine—delivering personalized, timely experiences that build trust, capture attention, and drive conversions across every stage of the buyer’s journey.

How to Investigate Marketing Channels for Largest Presence & Fastest Impact

The key thing that all business owners want is for their marketing to connect quickly. Identifying which marketing channels have the most of your potential customers already engaging can help speed up the time to results.

Here's how to investigate these marketing channels properly to find which has the most customers that could yield the fastest impact for your business:

1. Define Your Target Audience Clearly

  • Who are your ideal customers? (Demographics, interests, behaviors, job roles, geography, etc.)
  • Which platforms do they frequent? (Consumer vs. B2B platforms, age groups, professional vs. casual)

Example: If you’re a B2B selling SaaS tools to mid-level managers, LinkedIn is a must-check platform. For Gen Z consumer products, TikTok or Instagram might dominate.

2. Analyze Platform User Data & Audience Insights

  • Use publicly available platform statistics (active user counts, demographics) from sources like:
    • Platform’s own advertising dashboards (Facebook Audience Insights, LinkedIn Campaign Manager)
    • Industry reports (eMarketer, Statista, Pew Research)
    • Competitor ad libraries (Facebook Ad Library, LinkedIn Ads Transparency)

Example: Check if your audience size on a platform is large enough to support meaningful campaigns.

3. Research Competitors’ Presence and Activity

  • Analyze where your competitors advertise or engage organically.
  • Tools: SparkToro, Ahrefs, SEMrush, SimilarWeb, SpyFu for ad spend; Social media monitoring tools like Brandwatch, BuzzSumo.

Example: If competitors get a lot of engagement on Instagram but not LinkedIn, Instagram might be the more fertile ground.

4. Test with Small, Measurable Campaigns

  • Run pilot campaigns with small budgets on a few promising platforms.
  • Track key metrics: CTR, CPC, conversion rate, cost per lead/sale.

Example: If Facebook ads yield a $10 cost per lead but TikTok ads cost $50 per lead, Facebook might be more efficient initially.

5. Consider Your Business Type & Sales Cycle

  • B2B businesses often benefit most from LinkedIn, Google Search Ads, and email marketing.
  • B2C or direct-to-consumer brands may see faster impact on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Google Shopping.

Example: For high-ticket B2B, a webinar promoted on LinkedIn + nurturing emails may be faster and more effective than Instagram.

6. Evaluate Your Content & Resource Strengths

  • What content do you already have or can create easily? Video-heavy? Long-form articles? Visuals?
  • Choose platforms that play to your content strengths for faster impact.

Example: If you have great video content, YouTube or TikTok might be ideal. If you have strong thought leadership, LinkedIn or blogs work better. It’s also sometimes important when starting out to cut through the noise, which sometimes means taking an entirely different approach to what is normal in the industry, but just be sure to carefully consider if it’s generating results early on before continuing to run against the grain for too long.

7. Assess Budget & Time to Results

  • Some channels need more upfront investment and time (SEO, organic social) but pay off long-term.
  • Paid ads often yield faster data and results but require budget and expertise.

Example: Starting with Google Ads or Facebook Ads can generate fast leads; SEO investment grows traffic over months. Quality SEO, though, can reduce cost-per-click and increase the quality score of ads, leading to more efficient ad spend over time.

Interesting Marketing Channel Statistics from Industry Studies

Each marketing channel has a different unique use case and mindset that direct how a user might interact with the content they find in that medium. Understanding the statistics can sometimes help paint the picture of how your business may perform in these different channels, and help drive deeper focus.

Note: All of this data is current as of 2024-2025, sources are cited by brand and URL when possible (not gated, or from a downloadable).

1. Search Engine Marketing (SEO & Paid Search)

SEO

  • 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine. (BrightEdge)
  • SEO drives 1,000%+ more traffic than organic social media. (BrightEdge)
  • The average click-through rate (CTR) for the #1 position on Google is around 27.6%. (Backlinko)
  • 75% of users never scroll past the first page of results. (HubSpot)

Google Ads (Paid Search)

  • Google Ads delivers an average ROI of 200% – $2 for every $1 spent. (Google Economic Impact Report)
  • 65% of people click on Google ads when making a purchase decision. (WordStream)

2. Social Media Marketing

Platform Usage

  • Instagram has over 2 billion monthly active users, with 62% of users saying they’ve become more interested in a brand after seeing it in Stories. (Meta)
  • TikTok has over 1.7 billion monthly users, with users spending 95 minutes per day on average. (Statista)
  • LinkedIn drives 80% of B2B leads from social media. (LinkedIn)
  • Facebook remains the largest platform with ~3 billion monthly users, and over 66% of marketers still prioritize it for ad spend. (Meta)

Paid Social Performance

  • The average CPC on Facebook Ads is $0.94. (WordStream)
  • Video ads on Instagram can increase engagement rates by 38%. (Sprout Social)
  • 57% of Gen Z have made a purchase based on a social media ad. (Statista)

3. Email Marketing

  • Email marketing delivers an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent. (Litmus)
  • 77% of marketers have seen an increase in email engagement over the past year. (HubSpot)
  • Personalized subject lines increase open rates by 26%. (Campaign Monitor)
  • Automated emails generate 320% more revenue than non-automated emails. (Campaign Monitor)

4. Content Marketing

  • 70% of buyers say they prefer to learn about products through content (like blogs, articles, or videos) rather than ads. (Demand Gen Report)
  • Businesses that blog get 55% more website visitors and 67% more leads than those that don’t. (HubSpot)
  • Video content is expected to make up 82% of all internet traffic in 2025. (Cisco Visual Networking Index)

5. Video Marketing

  • Adding a video to a landing page can increase conversion rates by up to 80%. (Unbounce)
  • YouTube is the second-largest search engine, with over 2.7 billion logged-in monthly users. (Google)
  • 95% of video marketers say video has helped increase understanding of their product or service. (Wyzowl)

6. Influencer & Affiliate Marketing

  • The average ROI for influencer marketing is $5.78 for every $1 spent. (Influencer Marketing Hub)
  • 92% of consumers trust influencer recommendations more than ads. (Nielsen)
  • Affiliate marketing spending is expected to reach $15.7 billion globally by 2024. (Statista)

7. Analytics & Conversion Optimization

  • Companies using conversion rate optimization (CRO) tools see an average conversion uplift of 223%. (Forrester)
  • Only 22% of businesses are satisfied with their conversion rates. (Econsultancy)
  • 86% of marketers say improving customer experience through data personalization increases performance. (Salesforce)

8. Marketing Automation

  • 75% of marketers use at least one type of marketing automation tool. (HubSpot)
  • Businesses that use automation for lead nurturing see a 451% increase in qualified leads. (Annuitas Group)
  • Email automation is the most popular use case, used by 63% of marketers. (Ascend2)

How to Start & What To Build Upon

Here's where the fun begins. Time to stack marketing channels, test, iterate, and grow.

Here's how to get started, what channels to build out at a foundational level, and how to grow upon them:

1. Start with Your Owned Media Foundation

  • Optimize your website for conversions and mobile.
  • Set up analytics tools (Google Analytics, heatmaps).
  • Create content on-site to attract and engage visitors.
  • Build or improve your email list with lead magnets.

Why?
Your website and email list are yours. They serve as a hub to funnel all other traffic and nurture leads.

2. Test Paid Search and Paid Social for Quick Feedback

  • Run targeted ads to validate demand and messaging.
  • Collect data on audience engagement, cost-effectiveness.

Why?
Paid campaigns give immediate feedback, allowing you to tweak messaging and audience before scaling.

3. Build Content and SEO in Parallel

  • Create high-value blog posts or resources aligned with your audience’s needs.
  • Optimize high-intent conversion-focused “commercial pages” to capture middle and bottom-of-funnel demand, which will likely have lower volume but higher interest in your product or service.
  • Optimize for relevant keywords to capture organic traffic over time.

Why?
SEO is a long-term asset that reduces dependency on paid ads as it grows. It also synergizes well to increase paid efficiency over time. SEO is also the basis of most GEO (generative engine optimization) or optimizing for AI search visibility on LLMs like ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc., which is growing in its impact, specifically in B2B, every month.

4. Leverage Social Media for Engagement and Community Building

  • Pick 1-2 platforms where your audience is most active.
  • Share content, interact, and gather feedback.

Why?
Organic social builds brand awareness and trust, supporting other channels. Organic social traction can also help improve paid social impact.

5. Layer in Email Marketing & Automation

  • Use captured leads to nurture and convert with drip campaigns.
  • Ensure lead magnets are present on content on your website and that each lead magnet has a unique and relevant email drip campaign.
  • Automate abandoned cart or follow-up sequences.

Why?
Email marketing has high ROI and helps turn prospects into customers and customers into repeat buyers. Ensuring lead magnets are present to generate new email signups by providing direct value to visitors is essential to creating high-performing email revenue engines.

6. Expand Based on Data & Resources

  • Scale what works: more budget for best-performing paid channels.
  • Explore influencer marketing, affiliate partnerships, podcasts, webinars, or emerging platforms.
  • Consistently test new methods or approaches

Why?
Continuous testing and expansion maximize reach and revenue efficiently.

Starting Checklist & Framework

If you use this framework, and obviously customize it to your specific situation, you should be well underway to activating your marketing channels and getting your growth engine going.

Hopefully at this point you have:

  • A clear understanding of what channels resonate the most with you
  • Knowledge of which channels lend themselves best to the strengths of you and your business
  • Knowledge of how to activate those channels, and in what order
  • An understanding of what to expect from these channels, and how to adapt over time
  • A clear idea of the first initial steps that should be taken

It's vitally important to focus on throughput.

There's so much that can be done, but nothing happens unless you do something.

So start small, take action, get started, and be consistent.

If you're still not sure where to get started, reach out, and we can help you directly.

Takeaways

Sean Smith
Sean Smith
Founder & CEO

Sean is the Founder & CEO of Make Reality and an owner of multiple service and SaaS businesses, and has consulted hundreds of businesses on go-to-market strategy over 15+ years.

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