Why 'Just Put It On Social' Shouldn't Be Your Only Marketing Method
Everyone thinks they can do marketing. It’s just catchy phrases and pretty visuals, right? Well, there’s a reason why marketing is a discipline.
Most marketing professionals have encountered another department advising on marketing strategies, usually based on misconceptions or a lack of understanding of the audience or purpose. The phrase ‘just put it on social’ is often used, with social media being seen as the most effective marketing channel for businesses and organizations. And yes, while social media can be an effective marketing tool, it isn’t the only one out there.
Learn other effective marketing techniques to help you reach your audience. You could also show the back-seat marketers you know the best ways to drive your vehicle.
Don’t rule out social media completely
While this post aims to explore tactics outside of social media, that doesn’t mean it should be ignored completely. As we know, social media can be an effective marketing tool in many ways. It can deliver fantastic ROI and help build lasting connections with audiences.
However, social media is constantly changing. Understanding what’s trending on social is extremely important, and right now, platforms are giving all of their attention to video. If you’re going to use social media in campaigns, then make it count. Do your research to help you generate the best possible content. Whether you’re using Instagram stories or embracing TikTok trends, make sure any social you do is about quality, not quantity, to help achieve the best results.
Bring the newsletter back to life
Newsletters might seem like a dated marketing method, but they bring a lot of value to businesses. The benefits of newsletters include having a loyal, interested community, affordable execution, and the opportunity to personalize content for your readers. Newsletters can be highly effective for generating sales amongst people familiar with your brand or product. New subscriber promotions can be a tempting hook to get people to sign up.
For many people, clicking the unsubscribe button feels like a chore, so they’re likely to stay once they're hooked.
Use direct mail to support local angles
Another classic marketing method is the direct mailer, especially when pushing a local angle. New business opening or special promotion you want to make? Striking direct mailers can significantly impact your business, raising awareness and generating crucial leads.
The key to effective direct mail campaigns is to attractively present the right amount of information. Direct mail companies like The Printed Image bring much experience and expertise to the table, making valuable partners to businesses looking to make an impact. While best suited for locally-focused campaigns, direct mail can also be effective for nationwide promotions, providing you have the budget that allows for it.
Give on-demand advertising a try.
Most businesses avoid using TV advertising in their campaigns due to expense and a lack of resources to create stand-out advertisements. The media landscape has shifted considerably in recent years, and TV advertising, remarkably, has changed. While many people have switched to on-demand and streaming TV services to avoid ads, there’s no escaping them completely. Many on-demand service providers, like Netflix and Disney, offer lower subscription fees in exchange for watching some ads during programs. And with an ongoing cost of living crisis, many consumers are happy to watch TV with ads if it’s cheaper. Producing ads for on-demand platforms can be much more affordable than traditional TV ads, so it’s worth considering this medium if you have an idea that will translate well to the screen.
Explore opportunities for face-to-face marketing
Face-to-face marketing can be another effective way to reach audiences, especially if you’re promoting local businesses. A stand in a shopping mall or a promo team outside a gig are just some ways your business can reach people directly, giving them a better chance of remembering you. Instead of solely focusing on digital marketing, consider how you can get out there and meet people - it could be more effective than you realize.
While marketing trends come, some of the best are here to stay. Social media marketing is excellent, but other strategies can help you take your campaign further, potentially delivering some fantastic ROI. So the next time someone asks you to ‘just put it on social,’ offer them some of the other great marketing tools that could be just what they need to have the desired impact.
