Any online marketing efforts should also include measures for cyber security. Failing to implement digital security could mean damage to your customers and your brand.

Here are some areas that require proper safeguards.

Content Marketing

Many businesses use a Content Management System (CMS) such as WordPress to support content marketing. This allows you to easily upload, edit, and feature new content like blog posts. However, as the most popular CMS, hackers are very familiar with how WordPress functions. If they hack your site they can use it to distribute malware to your users. Needless to say, this can severely damage your reputation.

If you’re using WordPress or any other popular CMS platform, it’s important to integrate security features. Installing security plug-ins and regularly updating will also help to close off many vulnerabilities.

Use a strong password for logging into WordPress and make sure you change the default login URL ending in /wp-admin. Moreover, avoid accessing your CMS from public Wi-Fi networks which are unsecure as the data you send or receive is not encrypted. This means that any cyber criminals can easily acquire your password and compromise your website.

Email Marketing

A common hacker tactic is to hijack one of your email accounts and use it to send spam, including fraudulent or virus-infected emails. Most ISPs and many servers have set up spam filters to identify and block spammers based on the originating IP address. Hackers want to take over your site’s email to do their dirty work while protecting themselves.

If this happens, your site could be black-listed and blocked by hundreds of servers as a result. This can handicap your own email campaigns. Even if the problem is corrected, consumers are very concerned with email fraud and will abandon your business once you’ve been identified as a risk.

Look for software that will provide monitoring and security for all your email messaging through encryption. You can also set up out-bound filters that help to prevent emails containing certain phrases and even hidden malware. It’s prudent that employees be trained on spotting email issues and observing safe practices in their own communications. Any network security audit should include your email system.

Customer Relationship Management

Forming strong relationships with your customers is about building trust. Start by installing SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocols on your website.This will ensure that sensitive information is not stored or transferred in plain text format; instead, it will be encrypted.

By employing the latest encryption standards, even experienced hackers that can intercept your communications won’t be able to read them.

You should also never save customer data that you don’t need, and delete it as soon as it’s no longer useful. Define and enforce strict data security policies for your staff.

Social Media Marketing

While it’s important to keep all your security software up to date, most data breaches occur because of human mistakes. Unauthorized downloads, shared copies, and poor passwords can introduce threats to your network. One channel that requires special vigilance is social media.

Information carelessly shared over social media can be an open invitation to hackers. Social media accounts can also be hijacked to spread malicious posts or fraudulent and embarrassing information that spoil your online reputation.

Establish a policy for your social media activity that includes using strong passwords, preventing spams, blocking phishing scams, and avoiding suspicious add-ons or apps that may conceal malware. Allow only selected employees to access your company’s social profiles, and instruct them on how to minimize these risks and act appropriately.

Final Thoughts

In summary, your security measures should encompass all your internet activity, not just data protection. Hackers know how to exploit human error and familiar digital platforms. To stay safe, be sure to implement the latest software updates and train your team to recognize and avoid online threats.

The post Overcoming Cyber Security Challenges in Digital Marketing appeared first on Relevance.

Budget limitations can compound competitive pressures and discourage you from pursuing a content strategy. Don’t let that happen. Instead, use the following tips to promote your content on a tight budget in ways that get results without breaking the bank.

Leverage the Power of Influencers

As you publish content, mention established names in your industry. Regardless of whether you quote their work or praise their virtues, you give them a reason to notice you. Even if they don’t, you can call what you’ve said to their attention.

Send an email with the link to your content to each influencer you mention. Tell them you’ve mentioned them as a source and ask them to kindly share your content. There is a very good chance that they will share a link to your content with their followers.

In the end, you can dramatically expand your reach by getting noticed by new audiences. Additionally, your association with those big names will enhance your own standing and help you on your ascent to prominence.

Find Similar Content and See Who Shared It

A simple Google search can give you access to other content that covers a similar topic as yours. From here, you can use online tools such as Open Site Explorer or Ahrefs to find sites that link to that content.

Whenever possible, you should connect with the sites where you’d like your material to appear. Use online forms, social media, and email channels for contacting the right people and asking them to share your content.

Of course, the chances a website owner will share your content will be higher if it offers real value to their audience, so make sure you think about this during the content creation process.

Share with Your Subscribers

Get a quick response to your content by sending it to your mailing list. The fact that your recipients have already opted-in suggests that they are already engaged with your brand. And if you’ve been doing email marketing the right way, there is no reason your subscribers wouldn’t want to hear from you with your latest blog posts.

For this reason, you should regularly send messages to your list to keep them up-to-date. You can also use your mailing list to learn what content most resonates with your audience. That information can help you determine what to publish on your website and social media.

As you share your content, you can create a routine. For example, you can distribute links to the people who subscribe to updates. Next, you can send your full articles to your email subscribers. Finally, you can collate your best pieces into a monthly newsletter.

Use Content Syndication

If you commit yourself to producing outstanding content, you may have a chance to benefit from a syndication service. In this case, the syndicators recognize the value of your content and have confidence that it will add value to their subscribers.

As a result of syndication, you can gain the attention of large media outlets and, subsequently, their audiences.

To get the most from your syndication strategy, wait to see how your content performs on your website. That way, you can submit only the best material and improve your chance of being accepted.

In addition to paid syndication services, you should use LinkedIn and Medium. Such sites are freely available and can make your content available to large audiences.

Final Thoughts

In summary, the above tips can help you successfully transition from creating to promoting content on a tight budget. By investing some additional time and effort into your content campaigns, you can expand your reach and achieve your goals.

The post 4 Ways You Can Promote Content on a Tight Budget appeared first on Relevance.