It’s a brand new year, and that’s a great opportunity to implement fresh new ideas that will revamp your marketing strategy and help your company achieve growth over the coming year.
To help you kick start your strategic planning, here are 20 ideas that your company could implement in 2020:
1. Promote your social media handles
While there are valuable opportunities to invest money into your social media strategy, the great thing about Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the numerous other social media platforms is that they can be used for free. The problem is getting the word out about your pages. While many companies stick to using social media to grow their social media following, there are many other ways to increase fans and followers outside of the social world. Consider adding your handle to your business card or including it on a presentation, video, brochure or commercial.
2. Stay on top of trending hashtags
The main purpose of hashtags is to help connect audiences with the right pages on social media. By making thoughtful choices to participate in daily trending hashtags (#instamakeup, #gymspiration, #womensday), weekly hashtags (#throwbackthursday, #motivationmonday, #fridayreads), or hashtag holidays (#chocolatecakeday, #gettoknowyourcustomersday, #bestfriendsday). Just remember to keep the hashtags relevant and connected to your business.
3. Sponsor a mural
If you have space on your own building, permission to paint and lots of foot traffic, a mural can be a great way to attract attention to your business. If you don’t have somewhere to host a mural consider reaching out to local businesses and city officials to find out if there is somewhere in town where you can sponsor a mural that ties in your brand in a fun and organic way. This is a great way to help connect your community, build relationships and support local talent.
4. Infographics
A picture is worth a thousand words which is why infographics are all the rage. They are a quick and easy way for you to share information and for customers to consume it. While the idea of making an infographic may seem intimidating, PowerPoint and online software can help make it easy.
5. Helpful templates and resources
Your customers have everyday frustrations that they deal with and chances are, you have a tool that can help them. Creating easy to use templates or resources (such as eBooks) on how to solve these every day issues can be a great way to attract customers to your brand, whether it is a meal planning spreadsheet, a budgeting template, or an eBook with steps for reducing stress. Just make sure it relates back to what you have to offer as a business.
6. Customer referral program
We tend to surround ourselves with people who have similar interests and who are at a similar stage in their life, which means people who are already using your product and service are probably surrounded by people who also would have an interest in that product or service. To help initiate word of mouth advertising from your current customers offer them a reward for referring your product to their friend.
7. Guerilla marketing
If you are new to the marketing scene, guerilla marketing may be a new concept to you. Essentially it is about using unconventional interactions to promote your brand. One major type of guerilla marketing that we are seeing more of is street marketing, which is any form of guerilla marketing brought outdoors. Take a look at what has been going on in your community and consider some of these great tactics for surprising your audience and amplifying your reach – graffiti, sidewalk chalk murals and messaging, stickers, etc. Just remember to check with your community and by-laws to ensure you stay within your rights, otherwise you may be making the news for all the wrong reasons.
8. Host a class or event
As a business owner, you probably have expertise in a specific topic. Consider sharing this expertise with potential clients by offering a class to target audience members. If you don’t think you alone have enough information or the confidence to host a class, collaborate with industry professionals to host an event where attendees can either attend for free or pay to come. Just remember, if you are charging, you need to make sure your value offering makes sense for the price.
9. Sponsor a charity
Your current and potential audience members like to know they are supporting brands that support their employees, customers and community. By sponsoring a charity event or volunteering your time to support a local cause, you can garner a lot of attention. Work with an organization that is close to your heart and makes sense for your business, and then have them (or your team) share pictures of your company taking part - whether it is donating a cheque, hosting a collection or taking time to help.
10. Create a brand mascot
Mascots are a great way to make your company or organization stand out and make your brand more memorable. They are also incredibly versatile and can be used at a number of events and online to help build relationships and share information with current and potential customers in a fun way.
Does a custom mascot sound like the right marketing strategy for your organization? Contact BAM Mascots today. Our team of design experts would love to answer any questions that you have and create the perfect mascot character to help your company to achieve its goals.
