5 Marketing Strategies You Need to Adopt for Your Business

Marketing is important. Just look at KFC and McDonald’s spending millions on those massive billboards. It must be working, right? Whether you’re just starting out or eager to boost your existing business, here are 5 marketing strategies inspired by successful brands that can provide you with the edge you need. Let’s dive right in!

1.   Post on Social Media

If you’re not already posting on social media, you must start ASAP. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok offer a direct line to your customers. 9 out of 10 people say they buy from brands they follow on social media. So building a social media following should be at the top of your priority list.

Share makeup tutorials, DIY projects, or recipes on TikTok. Put up your product unboxing videos on YouTube. Run contests and giveaways on Instagram Stories. Host AMAs on Facebook Live. Share behind-the-scenes sneak peeks on Snapchat. Create boards that align with your brand’s niche and resonate with your audience on Pinterest.

Whatever you post, make sure it’s visually appealing. Lucky for you, there are free Canva templates that can help you design posts tailor-made for various platforms. And high-quality photos are your golden ticket to grabbing attention. With the wealth of stock photos available online, you’ll find images for every type of business. Think sweeping landscapes for travel agencies, sleek architecture shots for interior design companies, and mouthwatering food pictures for restaurants. These visuals are the cornerstone of effective social media marketing.

So, get posting, get creative, and watch your business’s online presence skyrocket.

2.   Collab

Partner up with a brand or account that complements your own. Launch a collab, join forces for a noble cause, or shout each other out on your socials with a sponsored post.

Think iconic collaborations like Sony and Burger King teaming up for the limited-time Spider-Verse Whopper. Or Primark’s exciting Barbie® Capsule Collection. MARVEL x Miniso. Nike and Travis Scott’s ‘Cactus Jack’ Air Jordans – the list goes on. These partnerships make waves because they leverage each other’s strengths and appeal to their combined audience.

Social media influencers can also be great partners for collaborations. They’re the cool kids of the internet. They have followers who trust their opinions and recommendations. And guess what? Statistics show that influencer recommendations significantly impact consumer decisions. Around 49% of consumers rely on social media-based influencer recommendations to make purchase decisions, and 80% have already purchased something after seeing it recommended by an influencer.

Just make sure the influencer’s vibe matches your brand’s. And that they’re the right person for the project you want to pull off. We definitely don’t want another Kendall Jenner Pepsi fiasco.

3.   Run Retargeting Ads

Ever visited a website and suddenly seen its ads everywhere? Those are retargeting ads.

Today’s internet users have extremely short attention spans – scrolling, texting, tab-switching – it’s a whirlwind. Capturing their focus on a single thing can feel like catching lightning in a bottle. But retargeting ads can be your secret weapon to re-engage users who might have slipped away.

The concept is elegantly simple. Integrate your website with a retargeting API, such as Facebook Pixel. This tool helps you track users who’ve visited your site, giving you the power to target your ads toward them. If you’re curious to learn more, checking out this post could give you some great insights.

Who should you target? Start with those who’ve recently visited your website. They’re already interested, so a nudge can make all the difference. Then there are the cart abandoners – those who added items but left without checking out. Flash an ad to remind them of their abandoned goodies. Throw in some extra incentives like a limited-time discount or free shipping.

Don’t forget your past customers. They already know and trust your brand, making them more likely to return for more. Acquiring new customers costs about 5x more than retaining existing ones. And it typically only takes three purchases for someone to transform into a loyal brand follower.

4.   Make Use of User-Generated Content

Why put resources toward creating content when you can have your consumers make it for you? User-generated content earns you customer loyalty and fuels authentic growth at no extra cost.

Take a look at GoPro. Their cameras are a favorite among adventure seekers. And they make it super easy for their user base to create and share branded videos shot with their cameras. But they don’t stop there. GoPro also shares this UGC on their official social accounts. They even host the GoPro Awards, a platform where they reward creators of the best content with cash prizes, gear, and shoutouts on GoPro’s channels.

Starbucks also hopped on the UGC train. In 2014, they ran a contest that invited customers to make doodles on their Starbucks cups and submit pictures. The winning entry became the template for a new limited-edition Starbucks cup. In just three weeks, nearly 4,000 customers submitted entries, showing how customers are more than willing to contribute their creativity.

Similarly, in 2010, Target ran a clever college acceptance letter competition. Customers were asked to share videos of themselves opening their college acceptance letters. The best videos were then featured in a new commercial, all while contributing to a more extensive campaign focused on education donations.

You can leverage user-generated content for your business too. Brainstorm creative ways to involve your customers in your brand narrative.

5.   Hyper-Personalize Your Communications

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all marketing messages. It’s not just about making a sale; it’s about building a connection that resonates. And hyper-personalized communication is the catalyst to success.

One easy yet impactful technique is sending personalized emails for your improve email marketing campaigns. Send your customers recommendations based on their previous purchases. Use their first name in an order confirmation email. This might seem simple, but it goes a long way in making them feel valued and connected to your brand.

Send them exclusive deals or promotions on their birthdays. Take a page from Starbucks’ playbook. They send their rewards club members coupons for a complimentary beverage on their birthdays.

Want to go a step further? Send your followers an end-of-year lookback video that’s uniquely theirs. Similar to Snapchat Memories or Spotify Wrapped, these videos can highlight their journey with your brand over the past year.

EasyJet nailed this concept by sending personalized emails to their travelers. They reminded customers of their first-ever trip with the airline and recommended new destinations for the upcoming year. The result? Click-through rates increased by 25%, and 7.5% of recipients made bookings within 30 days of receiving their personalized “story.”

Conclusion

So there you have it—5 marketing strategies that can elevate your business to new heights. Remember, being consistent, authentic, and ready to adapt to changes is critical. Keep these strategies in your back pocket and watch your business grow.