A Step By Step Guide for How to Use Marketing Products Effectively
Are you trying to start a new marketing strategy or want to revamp an old one?
If so, you’re not the only business in the game. Over 50 percent of businesses have at least a digital marketing plan.
Digital marketing might be the final frontier, but it isn’t the only frontier. Believe it or not, many businesses are still using marketing products.
In a world of the intangible, having a marketing product can make your business stand out in a potential consumer’s mind. Knowing how to use these products can be difficult, though.
If you don’t know how to use your products in an effective manner, you may end up wasting your money. Lucky for you, this article will tell you everything you need to know about boosting your ROI on marketing materials.
Make Products that Make Sense for Your Brand
Before you start buying marketing materials, think about what makes the most sense for your brand. Like with social media, you want your materials to represent your brand’s voice.
For a diaper company, a great marketing material might be a bib. This makes sense and goes along with your style.
A bib wouldn’t go over as well for an accounting firm. A better option would be pens or coffee mugs because they fit the tone of an accounting firm. Bibs would make them look unprofessional and drive business away!
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should be too worried about making the wrong impression. As long as you stay close to your brand, you won’t have to fret about anything going wrong.
Before you decide, check out all of your options. Go here for more info about the different types of materials you can get.
Start with Your Employees
Prior to sending your products out into the great unknown, consider starting with your employees first. They will be honest with you and let you know if they like the product.
Even if you’re worried they may not be honest, you’ll be able to see how often they use the product. This will tell you if people want your items or not.
Along with this? You may not make a new sale, but you will get your name out there more. How?
It’s because marketing products work like walking advertisements for you. If your employees use your product in public, chances are someone who has never heard of you will see it.
Plus, giving your employees company swag will help them feel like they’re part of the team. You may even see a boost in retention rates if you let them have marketing materials.
Move on to the Customers You Already Have
After you test your products out on your employees, start giving them out to loyal customers. Even though they already like your business, this will make them feel like they stand out.
This means you have a better chance of keeping their business for even longer. If they are connected to other people who need your services, you might find new customers.
Plus, you’ll be able to see your buyer persona’s reaction to the marketing material. This will tell you what it takes to find another loyal customer like them.
You could also consider asking your loyal customers what they think of the product too. Consider sending out a survey a few weeks after giving them the item.
Don’t Spend All Your Money on One Product
Imagine that you’re buying stock in a company. Would you put all of your savings into that one company?
If you’re thinking logically, you wouldn’t. Even if you thought the company would do well, you still wouldn’t take that risk.
The same goes for when you’re purchasing marketing items. You don’t want to buy just one type of item. This is for two reasons:
1. Target Audience Reaction
Like with any advertising or marketing, you can’t always know how people will react to it. You can predict and do research, but you can’t know.
With marketing materials, you might expect your target audience to want them. But in reality, they might not. How annoying would it be if no one took your product?
Along with this, your target audience might not use certain items they take from you. If it’s not something they want, they may just throw it away.
2. Reach More People
With more than one product, you’ll be able to reach more people than you would with just one.
If someone doesn’t drink coffee, they probably won’t want your free mug. But they may take a stress ball for their dog.
Be a Gatekeeper
Let’s say you’re at a trade show and have your marketing materials with you. If you put them on a table, chances are people are just going to take one and keep walking.
What does this mean for you? It means you’re losing an opportunity to speak with potential customers.
Not everyone you give a marketing material to will be interested in your business. But it’s your job to make sure you find out if they are.
Instead of dropping your materials on a table, keep them behind a table or behind you to make sure people speak to you before taking them.
You shouldn’t make it difficult to get the items but guarding them will give you more opportunities to talk.
Don’t be offended if someone isn’t interested in your business and still wants the item. Even if that does happen, remember that those people will still be using your swag. That means free advertising for you.
Looking for More About Marketing Products?
Did enjoy this article? If so, you should have a strong idea about how to use your marketing products in a way that will help your business.
But you’re not done yet. Marketing is always changing, and you need to make sure you’re on top of your game. Check out our digital marketing articles to stay in the know.