It takes concentration and effort to develop a marketing campaign that resonates with your specific audience. As a strategic marketer the development an effective marketing strategy takes much consideration. Thorough research backed by a focus on innovative ways to compete with popular tactics used by other companies will ensure a highly successful campaign. The following 20 are proven marketing strategies that will yield the best results possible for any business.
Social Media Marketing- Leveraging the power of content and social media marketing can help elevate your audience and customer base in a dramatic way. Most marketing and advertising is now done on the social media level. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc, are primary avenues to create a following for a business or company.
Collaboration with Allies- When partnering up with another creator there usually tends to be a more effective yield of content. Also marketing partnerships are more cost effective, success is seen sooner, and you are able to spread your brand to a new audience.
Customer Interaction- Customers want to interact with your company. Creating online applications, tools, and other informative content makes customer feel more engaged and informed about the company’s product or service.
Maintaining Existing Customers- New business is to be constantly sought out, but you can’t forget your current customers. For example, pecial promotions and exclusive offers are emphasize to the existing customers how valuable they are
Avoid Inconsistent Advertising- A potenial customer must be exposed to the company's brand and message repeatedly before they are ready to entertain a buying decision. Choose an advertising vehicle where you can afford to have an ongoing and consistent presence
Establishing Expertise- Speaking engagements, publication articles and volunteer leadership roles can all help label you as an expert in your field
Promote The Solution- Customers don't necessarily want the service you perform. They want the solution to a problem or benefit your service provides. Get better results from marketing by focusing on the specific problems your service solves or benefits it provides.
Look for Social Media Groups- Look for social media discussion groups that attract your target customers. Depending on what you sell, look for topic-specific groups and location based discussion groups.
Building an Email Campaign- Build an email list and send informative mailings to it on a regular basis. Having a newsletter signup box on your web page is one good way to get people to “ask” to be on your mailing list.
Branded Tools- Create awesome, valuable tools that your audience will find useful. You can use parts of the tool to push towards your product offering,
Incorporate Mobile Usage- With 80% of internet users conducting online shopping via mobile devices, it is imperative to be mobile friendly.
Consult Experts- Interview industry though through leaders with specific questions and share their responses in a blog post. This kind of content tends to do well, and it’s always interesting to see where industry gurus agree and where they don’t.
Useful Templates- Templates are another powerful form of visual assets that visitors find extremely helpful. Templates serve as a visual framework that can help users create custom pieces.
Post To Deal Sites- People love incentives, especially ones that give them free things.,The people who really look for deals tend to frequent deal sites and forums. There is almost always the most qualified prospects, but if you want quantity over quality, this is a solid strategem guaranteed to gain your business resourceful customers.
Keep Tabs on Competitors- Business social media pages allow you to follow other accounts. Keeping an eye out for your competitions post to see which ones gain the most following are sure to prove highly valuable.
Be Event Driven- Influential people are invited to participate in an event like a dinner, corporate function or hosting an online event. These events are typically meant to influence a client, motivate workforce or drive attendance.
Create YouTube Video- Creating a YouTube video as a part of your marketing campaign is a great way to get noticed. With video content, you have the opportunity to get creative, show a side of your business that your customers and clients don't always see.
Utilizing Street Art- Street art is a highly unorthodox marketing tool. It's edgy, eye- catching and comes in numerous forms, so if graffiti isn’t the direction you want to head in, there are plenty of potions at your disposal. The point is, do something unique and your business will definitely get attention. Just don't do anything illegal in the process.
Get Creative With Hashtags- Getting customers on Instagram or Twitter to post a certain hastag can now give your company high visibility and your customers free things. With Innovative Vending Solutions’ Twitter- and Instagram-activated vending machines, you can market in an innovtive way. Standing in front of the machine, your customer would be prompted to tweet or post a specific hashtag or tag a certain @ handle from their smart phone. Once the post is shared by your customer, the machine automatically dispenses a product.
Online Reviews- Every review a customer or visitor to your store leaves should be responded to both positive in negative. Responding to positive reviews with genuine appreciation show you are being aware of your customers experience. Responding to negative reviews shows that you care and feel bad for letting a customer down. Negative responses aren't bad, but a way to assess your product and company.Don’t use your response as an opportunity to sell; just respond to reinforce your company’s values.
These strategies are highly effective and if applied correctly could potentially increase your customer base tremendously. Out of the 20 tactics listed the 10 listed that resonate the most are the ones that are social media driven. This current economy thrives on the vehicle of social media. If the marketing tactics are positioned to penetrate this particular medium it will gain the most ground.
- Michael E. Austin is a copy writer, content contributor and social media specialist working with Aesthetic Innovations, LLC