Marketing methods have changed over the years. However, the old-style marketing strategies still have an important part to play. The modern business must embrace new digital marketing techniques, but not to the total exclusion of the old. Here’s seven traditional marketing strategies that are as effective today as they always have been.
Know Your USPs
Do you know what sets your products apart from the rest? This is what marketing gurus call product differentiation. Writers of marketing textbooks call it a unique selling proposition (USP). Most of us know it as the wow factor. It’s what’s going to make people sit up and pay attention when they see your offering. Make sure you know what your wow factor is and play on it. If you don’t know what your USPs are, how can you expect anyone else to?
Give Your Customers a Reason to Contact You
Don’t just sit back and wait for customers to contact you. Do something different that will inspire them to get in touch. You could send them a pre-printed postcard instead of the regular newsletter. Include a persuasive call to action or give them a coupon code that will get them a discount on their next purchase. You could list the reasons why they should contact you. Or, you could offer them a fun incentive, such as a free doughnut or a free cup of coffee.
Grab the Low Hanging Fruit
Start networking with the older, more established businesses in your field. Invite them out to lunch and suggest that they might refer leads to you that are too small for them to handle. Larger businesses often qualify out potential leads when they are too busy, or the prospect doesn’t have the budget. That’s the low hanging fruit that could be passed to you. Don’t forget to thank the large business for referrals. A hand-written note with a Starbucks gift card for a coffee always makes a nice thank you.
Get Noticed with HARO Gift Bags
The website Help A Reporter Out has a list of gift bag requests every Friday. Guest bags are a relatively inexpensive way of getting the name of your business in front of potential customers. Review that list to see if there are any events that decision makers in your marketplace are likely to attend. If there are, make up a gift bag that includes a business card, your website address, and other things that will inspire people to check out your business.
Be Generous All Year Round
You can keep customers loyal by sending them the occasional surprise gift. People expect gifts at trade shows and they expect frequent buyer programs. When they get a gift out of the blue, though, it has far greater impact. Simple branded gifts will work well. Things like small pocket calculators, mini-flashlights and pens. Remember to carry the gifts with you too. Then you can give a gift when you meet new people as well.
Start Small Interest Groups
Hosting interest groups us a good way of boosting the credibility of your business. It could be a small discussion group that meets once a month to discuss developments in the industry. It could be a forum for local businesses. When you host events for other business leaders, you generate confidence in your own business. Anyone who attends your events will naturally be more inclined to buy from you as well.
Food Is the Way to Everyone’s Heart
Anything that includes food is guaranteed to get people’s attention. You could partner with other local business to host events at a local restaurant. Sharing contacts with other businesses is a great way to broaden your network. You can use food to promote events as well. Free candy or a S’more’s kit will make more people read your invitation.