If you’re trying to promote your online store, you probably already know a bit about marketing. If not, or even if you know a bit but would like to know more, then you’re in the right place. Some of these tips should be enough to get you thinking outside of the box so your online venture can become a success. After all, marketing can be difficult when everyone is trying to use the same ideas. How do you break through?
Hopefully, some of these tips could work for you.
1. Run a contest
If you want to get as many people talking about your online store as possible, try a big prize draw or contest. If you give away something people really want, you could get loads of potential new customers trying to win it (and then buying it after).
Contests work great on social media as they get people talking – and sharing. Sharing is one of the biggest parts of a successful social media marketing strategy as it lets other people spread your message for yours. It’s the sort of cheap marketing reach that used to be hard or even impossible to find before social media.
Try and come up with a contest idea that gets people talking and interacting. Rather than just asking for answers to a question, try asking for something creative like a poem or picture or photo. This will get people more engaged.
2. Sponsor an event
If there’s an event going on in your local area, like a charity function or sporting occasion – try sponsoring it. You might be an online venture, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make an impact in the real world. That’s one thing many online stores ignore, the local area around them. They think that just because they’re “online”, all their marketing efforts have to stay there. They’re wrong, and we’re going to look at a few more ways to can get a jump on the competition by marketing to people in your local area.
3. Have an open day
If you’ve got bricks and mortar premises – invite people to it. Customers, local businesses and whoever you else you can think of. Throw on some food and drinks and try and get as many people engaged in your business as you can. If you want to let your customers enjoy a safe and secure experience, then an open day could be for you.
4. Hand out leaflets
Head to a busy area and hand out leaflets, or even go door to door. This can be a really effective way to market your business, even if you’re online only. Many other online businesses simply ignore these sorts of avenues, and they’re making a mistake.
5. Use social media
We’ve already looked at how important social media can be for you if you’re running a contest, but it isn’t just for that. Use social media as much as possible. Offer an engaging personal touch and things should start to improve as people spread your brand message for you by sharing.
6. Partner with authorities
Reach out to the big-hitters in your industry and see if they’d like some content for their site or something else in return for a link. These links will be great for search engine traffic, but they’ll also give you direct clicks from relevant visitors.
7. Use infographics
Make some nice graphics and promote them effectively online, with a link back to your site. Again, these are good for backlinking AND direct traffic.