There are several components to both a solid and successful marketing strategy and plan, and they all need attention and balance to really make it work. There’s no way around it; you can’t make a good marketing strategy on your own, you simply need some things you should know. Here are some of them.
1. Market Research
Market research is the most important thing you should do when it comes to your marketing strategy. How will YOU know what your target market wants, needs, and expects? It’d be a waste of time if you didn’t do any research. After all, how can you improve what’s already been done or make something better without knowing what it is that makes it good? This is essential to a successful marketing strategy. Know who your customer base is going to be. Keep in mind that this isn’t just about who they are as people but where they tend to spend their time online, on social media sites, etc., as well as what other types of products/services they typically buy. This is something that market research can help you with, but it’s still essential to know your target market in every way possible.
2. Use trade shows to your advantage
Trade shows are a smart idea for several reasons, but not just because they can make your company seem bigger, more elaborate, and give you access to people who want to do business with you. More importantly, they give you the chance to network in person with potential customers, partners, influencers, etc. You can even get a custom tablecloth for trade shows, and you will look more professional. These trade shows are an opportunity to see the competition better than ever before, too. It’s also an excellent way to get feedback on what your target market is looking for; remember that this is something market research isn’t! This is definitely one of the most important things to add to your marketing strategy.
3. Allocate budget wisely
This is where most small businesses come short in their marketing strategies; they don’t know how to allocate their budget, and they go overboard with spending their money unwisely. Yes, there’s a lot of benefit in social media, but it needs to be done right if you want the most out of it. Not every website is equipped for everything you throw at it at one time, so really consider how much your website can actually handle without crashing or slowing down. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t spend enough on marketing, though! You just need to know where exactly to spend money and who will get the most out of it (influencers, social media sites, etc.).
4. Use YouTube as an advertising tool
YouTube is an excellent way for companies and businesses, no matter what industry they’re in, to gain more exposure. It’s a free social media platform where people can watch videos on anything they want, and it gives you the opportunity to showcase your business in an engaging way. Use these videos with relevant hashtags to get your target market interested too! If you want to target younger audiences, for example, make your videos more entertaining and not too formal. You can even link them together for a longer (and better) promotional video!
5. Use email marketing for promotions
Email marketing is an effective way to get in touch with customers who have already submitted their contact information to you. It’s far more personal than any other marketing method, and it allows you to create attention-grabbing email subject lines that will get your target market interested in what you’re offering! Plus, people are still checking their emails on a daily basis, so it’s worth doing the research needed to find their preferred communication methods. There are even ways to send out multiple types of emails with great open rates if you make use of this; known as email marketing service providers.
6. Work with influencers
Influencers are an excellent way for small businesses in particular to gain exposure that they wouldn’t otherwise have, simply because they don’t have huge followings or a lot of money to sink into social media advertising. You can pay influencers (usually a bit more than the average worker) to make sponsored content for you, and it will be worth every penny because they have such targeted followings! This type of marketing tactic is essential when you want your business to directly target younger audiences, too. It’s all about knowing who you want to talk to and how best for them!
There are more tips out there than the ones listed above, but this list should get you started if you’re not quite sure on how to make marketing work for you. After all, marketing isn’t just about throwing money at it; it’s important to use the correct platforms and reach your target market effectively, so make sure you get it right!
