Attention is the Currency of the Internet: How to Earn It, Keep it and Turn It Into Profits

It's hard to deny that the internet has changed our lives. It is not just about convenience anymore; it is about how we live and work.

We are more connected than ever before, but also more distracted by social media, email, mobile phones and other digital distractions.

This blog post will help you understand why attention is so valuable on the internet today and show you how to earn it, keep it and turn it into profits for your business.

Attention is the currency of the internet. It's what we seek and pay for when we read, retweet or click through to a website.

What makes it so valuable? According to Google: "80% of users do not revisit pages they don't like." So if you're ignoring 80% of your potential customers with every new post, then that attention needs to be spent differently - on getting people back!

Attention spans have been decreasing over time and we can expect that this will continue into the future. As such, as marketers who want their products or services noticed by those potential customers out there, consider what strategies you could use which would be most effective at gaining people's attention rather than losing it!

Purchasing decisions are emotional, not rational.

Creating sensory branding experiences - with sights, sounds, smells and touch points - can help you get prospects thinking about your product in positive ways even before they make a purchase decision.

Sight - Videos are fun and engaging because they give your audience something visual instead just reading text from a screen.

This is why more businesses than ever before are integrating video into their websites to help tell the story of their brand, build trust with new customers, drive traffic back to their site and increase sales conversions.

Sound - Podcasting provides numerous benefits for your business including expanding reach, increasing awareness and making customers stickier so you can increase your bottom line.

I've had several clients create audiobooks, meditation tapes and audio programs for clients who enjoy listening to personal and professional development information while during their daily commute, or while walking and driving. You can create educational, entertaining and inspirational audios that are fun and appealing to listen to!

Smell – Use scents that remind prospects of familiar products they love. Scents can create an emotional response in people’s brains because memories associated with smells tend to be more powerful than other senses.

For example, my client Beverly Biehl created Joy Water, an essential oil product that essentially improves the energy in a room. I am not kidding. If you ever find yourself around a bunch of people who are either sad, lonely, depressed, complaining, upset or angry, whip out your Joy Water and spray two pumps. It will change your life! Visit Beverly at https://www.theintuitiveinterior.com

GIFTS - Don’t underestimate the power of gifts! Give your customers freebies, whether it be a sample or discount code.

I love to gift people Suzy Batiz's product Poo-Pourri. Poo-Pourri is an all-natural product for toilets that eliminates bathroom odor before it begins. It's a fun gift and most importantly, it works!

My point is this: when your potential customers receive something of value from you (like an opportunity to try out your product or service), then chances are good they will return to engage with you again - especially when you're competing against other businesses who aren't gifting their audience like you do!

Touch – Increase touch points to increase brand engagement and customer loyalty by adding value with things like branded swag, contests/giveaways, etc.

Consider sending out samples of your product to prospects or even just providing a coupon code for them to try your products before they buy.

For example, I have done this with my coaching clients who are professional speakers so their potential customers get the opportunity to experience what it will be like working together by using some free tips via email on how to improve their speaking skills prior meeting me in person if they choose do so.

These strategies help build trust between you and new customers which leads directly into gaining more attention for your business!

Taste – At events where you are sampling products (such as food) don’t just hand out samples; also give away small recipe cards so that people can recreate your dishes at home!

Quick tip: you are encouraged to try Cheryl's Cookies and gift them to your staff and or customers as a sign of appreciation. They are so delicious and they will definitely increase your brand engagement! Go to Cheryl's website for more information:

Feelings - Fill out an empathy map and understand your target audience before you create any online content. An empathy map is a visualization tool that allows to create a map of the feelings, perceptions and motivations that drive your audience so you can connect with them on an emotional level.

Get More Eyes On Your Business Website By Using Videos

YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world and using videos to market your business can help boost traffic back to your website through organic (unpaid) and paid channels.

Did you know that more than half of users are viewing online video content? This means it's a perfect time for small businesses with limited budgets to use videos on their websites, blogs or social media pages.

Even if you don't have money for high-quality production, there are many affordable options available today from animation companies like PowToon , Wideo and GoAnimate . These tools make it possible for even startups without an advertising budget get noticed by new customers.

If you aren't incorporating video into your company's marketing plan, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to build relationships and trust with potential customers.

Get More Ears On Your Business Website with a Podcast.

Podcasting is a great way to attract new customers, keep existing ones engaged and cultivate an audience for your business. If you are not already podcasting or thinking of starting one, here’s what you should know about the benefits it can provide your company:

Expands Your Reach - A study by Edison Research found that more than 40% of Americans age 12+ have listened to at least one podcast in their lifetime; that number has increased from 17% since 2008 (Edison).

Podcast listeners listen longer too – 87 minutes per week on average compared with only 22 minutes spent listening to AM/FM radio (Edison). And they tune into them any time they want rather than when programs air so there’s the potential to get in front of them when they are most likely to buy.

Increases Awareness - Podcast listeners have a higher intent to purchase than the average internet user according to Edison Research (Edison). A survey by NPR found that 82% of podcast listeners surveyed said it made them more aware of products and services, while only 57% reported hearing about an advertiser on AM/FM radio or TV (NPR). And 60% could recall at least one brand advertised on podcasts which is far above other platforms' numbers (Adage).

Attention is the currency of this information age - but there are only 24 hours in one day which means you have limited time for marketing activities. Understanding how to delight the customer's senses will help build brand awareness and loyalty.The best-in-class brands are always creating a sensory brand experience for their customers; they know that when people feel good, they’ll buy!

Post updated 17 January 2020