When you think of marketing tools, websites usually come to mind first, but there are so many other ways to market your business, too. These 14 marketing strategies will boost your visibility, attract customers, promote your business, and build customer loyalty!
Online Marketing
1. Social Media
Social media platforms offer ways to connect with your audience, showcase your products/services, and build brand awareness.
- Facebook: Great for sharing updates, running ads, and creating community groups. This is one of the most popular social media platforms.
- Instagram: Perfect for visual content like photos and videos of your products or services. Also great for sharing updates and running ads. Many users on Facebook also utilize Instagram.
- TikTok: Ideal for creating engaging and creative videos that reach a younger audience. TikTok is great for hopping on trends and creating relatable content.
- YouTube: Showcase your expertise with tutorials, behind-the-scenes content, or product demos. If there’s something helpful your customers should know, make a video!
- Pinterest: Inspire your audience with visuals like infographics or lifestyle-oriented boards. Create pins, ads, and boards that match your brand!
- LinkedIn: Best for B2B marketing, professional connections, and industry updates. If your business involves a lot of professional networking and connection, make sure you’re on LinkedIn!
Not every platform will suit your business, so research where your competitors are active and start there. Facebook and Instagram are usually a great place to start. Once you’ve mastered those, consider branching out. Remember to manage your current accounts effectively before adding new platforms.
2. Email Marketing
Email marketing helps you reach your customers with messages directly tailored for them. Use email campaigns for:
- Announcements of new products or services.
- Reminders for upcoming events or promotions.
- Discounts and loyalty rewards.
- Personalized recommendations to boost engagement.
Platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or Klaviyo can help streamline your email marketing efforts. Do research into what works best for your email marketing needs.
3. Google Business Profile
Optimize your Google Business Profile to make it easy for customers to find and trust your business. Keep the following updated:
- Address, phone number, and business hours.
- High-quality images of your location or products.
- Links to your website and social media accounts.
Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, and don’t forget to respond to reviews! A well-maintained profile can improve your local search rankings and attract more customers.
Offline Marketing
4. Radio Marketing
Reach a broad audience by airing commercials on local radio stations! Radio spots are especially effective for businesses with local customers. Sometimes radio marketing is forgotten, but it’s a powerful tool to reach audiences that may not otherwise be exposed to your business.
Target local stations that your audience listens to, or partner with a station to sponsor traffic updates, weather reports, or community announcements. A catchy jingle can be a hit and make your ad memorable! Just don’t make it too catchy – you’ll have the whole community singing along!
5. Signs and Billboards
We caught you looking! Catch people’s attention with visually appealing road signs or billboards. Whether on a busy highway or near your business location, signage helps with brand recognition and awareness.
- Outdoor Billboards: Place large, eye-catching advertisements along busy highways or high-traffic urban areas.
- Yard Signs: Perfect for local events or temporary promotions. Place them in strategic locations, like neighborhoods or near schools.
- Vehicle Wraps: Turn your car, truck, or delivery van into a mobile advertisement with branded wraps or decals.
6. Direct Mail
Engage your local community with direct mail! Use eye-catching postcards to announce sales or special events, or promotional flyers around neighborhoods near your business. Include a limited-time offer to entice recipients to visit your store or contact you, and tailor messages to specific customers for a personal touch. Thoughtful, well-presented direct mail delivers your message in a way that feels personal and meaningful to your audience.
7. Print Ads
- Local Newspapers: Advertise in the community section to connect with local readers.
- Trade Magazines: Use industry-specific publications to reach target audiences.
- Event Programs: Purchase a spot in programs for local events, like theater productions or sports games.
- Community Newsletters: Many towns and neighborhoods have newsletters that offer affordable advertising options.
Traditional print media can yield excellent results when targeted effectively! Research different locations, curate meaningful designs, and test to see what works best for your business.
Event Marketing
8. Networking Events
Attend local business mixers, chamber of commerce meetings, or industry events to meet potential customers and partners, build relationships, and grow your referral network.
- Business Mixers: Attend local mixers hosted by chambers of commerce or professional organizations. These informal settings make it easy to connect with other business owners and professionals.
- Industry-Specific Events: Look for trade associations or niche groups in your industry that host events, such as meetups or conferences.
- Community Groups: Join community boards or local clubs that your target audience might be a part of, such as parenting groups, fitness clubs, or civic organizations.
Be prepared to share business cards, promotional materials, or even a freebie that highlights your brand at these events. After the event, reach out to new contacts via email or LinkedIn to strengthen the relationship and keep the conversation going. Networking is about listening and building genuine connections that can lead to referrals and partnerships.
9. Sponsorships
Sponsor local events like charity runs, school activities, or community events! Sponsoring events is a fantastic way to align your business with meaningful causes or community activities.
Sponsor a local race in your community. Your logo might gain exposure from T-shirts, banners, or race materials, helping you reach a large audience. Or maybe support school sports teams, theater productions, or fundraisers. Partner with organizers of fairs, parades, or seasonal events. Set up a booth and connect with locals!
10. Trade Shows
Show off your products or services at trade shows. This is a great way to connect with industry leaders and potentially generate leads.
Never been to one before? Here’s what you can expect:
- If you plan to have a booth for your business, make a plan! Maybe pick a theme or just stick to brand colors for your booth. Make sure you have your business’s sign, displays, and merch to giveaway. Include promotional materials and demos to keep people engaged.
- Build relationships with other exhibitors who have potential to become partners, suppliers, or referral sources.
- Collect contact information from attendees through sign-up sheets, QR codes, or digital forms to generate new leads. Offer incentives like a giveaway to encourage sign-ups. You could giveaway a service or product you offer, or a popular product on the market!
- If the trade show offers workshops or breakout sessions, apply to present! Speaking opportunities establish your expertise and give your brand extra exposure.
- After the event/show, reach out to your new leads via email or phone. Thank them for visiting your booth and share additional information about your products or services.
In-Store Marketing
11. Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs keep customers coming back! Create a program that resonates with your audience by offering rewards that they will be excited to receive. For example:
- Point Systems: Customers earn points for each purchase, which they can redeem for discounts, freebies, or exclusive perks.
- Tiered Rewards: Encourage more spending by offering different levels of rewards. For example, customers who spend $100 receive a 5% discount, while those spending $250 receive a 10% discount.
- Special Member Benefits: Consider offering loyalty members early access to sales, VIP-only events, or free delivery options.
By personalizing these programs, you show customers that their loyalty matters, making it more likely they’ll continue shopping with you.
12. Promotions
Promotions are a fantastic way to boost foot traffic and increase sales, especially during slower periods or special events. Here are a few ideas:
- Seasonal Discounts: Offer sales that tie into holidays or special occasions. For example, a “Winter Wonderland Sale” offering 20% off holiday decor.
- Bundle Deals: Encourage customers to buy more by bundling complementary products. Buy one get one free!
- Limited-Time Offers: Create urgency with flash sales or promotions that last for a few hours or days, motivating customers to act quickly.
- Exclusive In-Store Discounts: Advertise deals that can only be redeemed in-store to drive foot traffic.
Make sure to promote your deals through social media, email campaigns, and signage at your store to ensure customers know about them.
Word-of-Mouth
13. Referrals
Happy customers are your best advocates. Referrals can amplify your customer base, as people trust recommendations from friends and family. Offer a discount, free product, or store credit for both the referrer and the new customer. Encourage customers to tag their friends on your social posts or share their purchases online, offering a small incentive for doing so.
Building trust through referrals not only brings in new customers but also strengthens relationships with existing ones.
14. Influencer Marketing
Collaborate with local influencers or industry leaders to promote your business. Working with the right individuals can help you reach a broader and more targeted audience.
Collaborate with individuals who have strong ties to your community or industry. This can be someone popular in your industry specifically, or just someone that’s known around town! By partnering with trusted voices in different segments of the internet, you can introduce your brand to a wider audience and establish credibility in new markets.
Conclusion
Marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Try out different strategies to see what works best for your business and target audience. Combine online, offline, event, and word-of-mouth techniques to create a balanced and comprehensive marketing plan.
