Starting a new business is exciting and you will be keen to launch your new brand into the marketplace. But before you take the plunge and invest in a costly advertising campaign, you need to pause and develop a marketing strategy. This is your main priority as effective marketing will ensure the future viability of your business. Your marketing strategy needs to focus on how your brand will meet the needs and wants of your target market.
To direct your marketing effectively, it is important to adopt a variety of techniques. Using several forms of media rather than one will ensure customers are reached across the board. You also need to ensure your brand is strong and tells the customer what your business is all about. Clear labelling on your products and effective branding materials will ensure your brand is noticed.
Here are some forms of marketing which you could consider implementing into your marketing strategy.
Social Media
Promoting a service or product on social media has the potential to reach a huge audience. The different platforms have their pros and cons, depending on your business goals and target audience. For example, if your products look amazing in photos, Instagram is a great advertising tool. Facebook allows you to build up a rapport and engage with your followers. Twitter is fast-paced but instant and can help you create a buzz around your brand. And let’s not forget Pinterest, which is more of a search engine, where you can share your products and drive traffic to your website.
Using social media allows business owners and brands to build up a relationship and rapport with followers. It is important to stay professional at all times, otherwise, the negative effect may occur. You also need to post regularly, respond to comments and messages, and measure your results.
Traditional Adverts
Advertising in the traditional sense such as in magazines, newspapers, radio and TV used to be the only option available. There is still a place for these forms of advertising, especially if you want to reach a local or niche market. They have staying power, meaning that adverts are often kept or remembered more effectively.
Adverts placed in local press and magazines are often cost-effective, which is great for business start-ups. TV advertising is expensive but has a terrific reach and impact. Radio advertising can be a good way to reach a captive audience and create a memorable message.
Trade Fairs
Trade fairs are frequented by major retailers and buyers who are all looking for the next “big thing”. If you can capture the interest of a major player, your product could end up being stocked nationally or even internationally.
Trade fairs normally cover particular niches. There are trade fairs for toys, gifts, electronics, gaming, camping, and many more. Showcasing your product at a trade fair is not cheap, but has the potential to give your business a kick start. You also get the opportunity to network with other businesses, get feedback from customers, and learn from your competitors.
Web Presence
Web presence It is important to have a strong web presence and your website needs to feature highly on search engines. If web design and SEO aren’t your area of expertise, it is worth consulting the expertise of a website designer and SEO expert. They can help you create a user-friendly, attractive, and optimised website that showcases your products or services and converts visitors into customers.
Online Payments
Make sure that if you take any online payments, you have up-to-date cybersecurity installed. Also, if you have cybersecurity software installed, you are less likely to suffer from a data breach. You also need to comply with the relevant laws and regulations regarding data protection and privacy.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is one of the most effective and affordable ways to communicate with your existing and potential customers. It allows you to send personalised and targeted messages that can increase your brand awareness, loyalty, and sales. I recommend trying Mailerlite, it’s free to use up to 1000 subscribers!
To succeed with email marketing, you need to build a list of subscribers who have permitted you to contact them. You can do this by offering them something valuable in exchange for their email address, such as a free ebook, a discount code, or a newsletter. You also need to create engaging and relevant content that provides value to your audience and encourages them to take action.
Content marketing
Content marketing is the process of creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content that attracts and retains your target audience. Content marketing can help you establish your authority, credibility, and trust in your industry, as well as drive traffic to your website and generate leads and sales.
Content marketing can take many forms, such as blog posts, videos, podcasts, infographics, ebooks, webinars, case studies, and more. The key is to provide useful and informative content that solves your audience’s problems or answers their questions. You also need to optimise your content for search engines and promote it on social media and other channels.
Influencer marketing
Influencer marketing is the practice of collaborating with influential people who have a large and engaged following on social media or other platforms. Influencer marketing can help you increase your brand awareness, reach new audiences, and boost your sales.
To find the right influencers for your business, you need to research your niche and identify the people who have a strong influence over your target market. You also need to consider their relevance, reach, engagement, and reputation. You can then reach out to them and propose a mutually beneficial partnership, such as sending them free products, offering them a commission, or sponsoring their content.
Creating a robust marketing strategy is pivotal to your business’s success. However, it’s not just about the methods you employ—it’s about consistency, adaptation, and understanding your audience. Remember to analyse your strategies periodically, adapt to market changes, and listen to your customers’ feedback.
You can also learn from other successful businesses and see what marketing strategies they use. For example, you can check out this article that lists the top eight changes you can make to boost your marketing strategy. You can also find more tips and examples on how to create a marketing strategy in this article and this article.
