Getting the message out to customers is critical to a strong sales strategy. Marketing is evolving because markets themselves are growing and changing. A few key strategies stand the test of time when it comes to making an impact in the market through advertising. Here are seven proven tactics for better marketing.
1. Automate the Right Way
Now that so much marketing is digital marketing, automation is making a massive difference in sales. Customer relationship management (CRM) software and project management systems are only the most prominent tools. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications options like Skype enable time-saving remote work. Everyone can see the effects of digital transformation for healthcare technology over the past few years. Shopping around for the best in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies can facilitate more efficient sales campaigns.
2. Know Your Target Demographic
You probably think you know your customers pretty well by now. Be careful. Consumer habits and expectations change as trends come and go. Staying relevant means keeping abreast of these shifts. Quantitative data like consumer confidence is crucial to keep an eye on, but the qualitative impressions of the average buyer count for just as much. The next time a customer makes a purchase, consider sending out a brief survey with your follow-up email. The steady stream of feedback will be invaluable.
3. Engage on Social Media
Social media gives brands an unprecedented ability to reach their niche market and beyond. The strength of social media lies in its diversity of channels. Certain channels are designed to cater to specific subcultures. Instagram Stories are well-known for short-form video content. Ello and Medium focus on artists and other creators. Learning to tailor your message to the medium will pay dividends in terms of reach and the perceived legitimacy of your brand.
4. Prioritize Inbound Marketing
Effective content creation allows you to make inbound marketing central to your overall strategy. That’s a good thing. Traditional outbound strategies inundate customers with offerings they may or may not be interested in. Doing so is often needed, but an aggressive campaign can alienate many leads. Inbound marketing emphasizes attracting customers with content tailored to their interests. Instructive videos and testimonials are two helpful methods. Long-form writing is another excellent channel since it works well with search engine optimization (SEO) tactics. Engagement turns leads into buyers.
5. Focus on Quality
It’s all too easy to let product quality fall by the wayside. Justifying cuts to quality for the sake of cost savings is only sometimes a positive solution. Your brand should not only be distinctive in appearance; your offerings should differentiate your company from others in the same field. This is called a unique selling proposition (USP). Whether the difference in quality is perceived value or rooted in objectively better performance, a commitment to quality will make you stand out from the crowd.
6. Cater to Repeat Customers
A study cited in Forbes Magazine revealed that repeat buyers spend around 67% more per purchase than new customers. The reason? People spend more on brands that resonate with them. Quality offerings are only one way to generate customer loyalty. Reward programs, free giveaways with bulk purchases, and VIP invites to company events are only a few ways to keep your customers returning and turn them into brand advocates.
7. Have Worthwhile Customer Service
One method for earning customer loyalty is generating a lot of buzz lately: customer service. Research shows that customers overwhelmingly seek out the human element in customer service. For most, it’s as simple as a phone call. However, not just any phone call will do. Long wait times, useless transfers, and unfriendly staff can ruin a customer’s experience. Train customer service reps to be empathetic and knowledgeable. Keep service local if you can. Make email and live chat options available so long waits aren’t necessary. When customers know they’re valued, they tend to keep coming back.
Marketers don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Creating an effective campaign means leveraging your company’s strengths to reach the people you set out to serve. Keep these tips in mind when making next quarter’s plans.
