Focus 2022: 5 Marketing Strategies that will drive business growth in the new year

The year 2022 demands a serious focus on marketing for small business entrepreneurs who wish to see any type of growth in their businesses.  Of course, business growth is achieved through a combination of how the business operates, its efficiency, employee, customer & business relations, production capacity and service delivery.

Oftentimes though the marketing element is either totally forgotten or is given very little credence in business consideration.  Marketing however is crucial to business growth.

Marketing helps businesses to position themselves in the psyche of the consumer, bring awareness to what it offers and distinguish itself from its competitors.

Here are 5 marketing strategies that will help to drive business growth in the new year:

Craft a serious Marketing Budget – The days when marketing gets what’s left or nothing at all from the budget is over. Marketing must now be considered a legitimate part of the business. The activities must be well-planned and strategized in alignment with business goals, and fuelled by paid placements in the right media channels. When

marketing is taken seriously, the business not only benefits at the bottom line, but it also builds goodwill, positions itself in the industry and community and becomes a primary choice for the customer.

Digitize the business – By now, digitization should be a priority for any business operating in the post-COVID-19 era. Convenience is crucial to better and improved customer relations and digitization makes it easy for customers to interact with your business. Make it easy for your customers to find information, make payments and access your offerings.

Communicate efficiently – It’s very important to keep the lines of communication open but communication must be efficient. Whatever content method you choose, ensure that it includes all the relevant information, that it is targeted to the right audience and placed on the right channels.

Engage an inbound marketing strategy – Creating random content and putting it out in the hopes that it will stick is a thing of the past. That strategy wastes resources and helps the business to achieve nothing. The inbound marketing strategy will ensure that your marketing content is tailored to a specific audience. This of course comes with knowing your audience… crucial to the overall winning marketing strategy.

Keep your content updated – This cannot be emphasised enough. Develop appropriate content for all your channels; online and offline. Keep the channels updated, always! The information age requires; information. Customers need updated information to make important buying decisions. If you are seeking a loan or investment in your business, information is crucial to the potential investor.

  

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS MARKETING

BRING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT – Christmas carols and decorations don’t just look pretty, they bring the Christmas vibe. Transfer the Christmas spirit to your online stores with a Christmas banner and logo.  

SEPARATE ONLINE & OFFLINE CHRISTMAS PROMOS – Two separate customer segments, two different approaches required. Create a digital catalogue for online customers and make it accessible to online customers only. Do the same for offline customers.

UPDATE YOUR CONTENT (CONSISTENTLY!) – We know it’s the busy season but take time to update your content. Dispatch updated information and Christmas offerings via email, text messages, WhatsApp groups and DMs.

OFFER COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES – Free shipping and delivery, as well as curbside services, became significant features in the post-pandemic era but what extra services could add value to your customers this season? Maybe free gift-wrapping or delivery to gift recipients

GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY - … and get your customers involved! It’s the season for giving and especially this year, many persons will be looking for a hand up. Food and clothing drives are always welcome. Formalize the plan with a specific charity and host a giveback day.  

SHOW GRATITUDE – It’s the same thing we refer to as customer appreciation. It is so important that customers know that their business is valued and valuable. Use a day or maybe the whole season to let your customers know how much they mean to you.

APPRECIATE THE STAFF – Your staff members are your number one stakeholder so if they are unhappy, the business will not do well. Show them you care with gifts and incentives that matter.

OFFER GIFT BUNDLES – Discounts and sales are big features of Christmas but these can cut into the business’s profits, gift bundles offer a reasonable solution – it’s a deal for customers and it helps the business to move other complementary inventory out the door.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR CHRISTMAS ‘LOOK’ – Whether it’s gift packaging, shopping bags or any other visible marketing material ensure that your business has a customized ‘look’. This ‘look’ defines your business and separates it from the competition. 

CREATE A GIFT GUIDE – Christmas gift shopping can be one of, if not, the most stressful activities of the holiday season. A gift guide provides customers with a collection of products from which they can easily make selections or get ideas

DO SOMETHING SPECIAL ON THE 12/12 – This is what you call a ‘novelty date’ … it could be a 12% discount or a gift for every 12th customer and promote it beforehand, so customers know what’s coming up.

HOST A POST-CHRISTMAS SALE – Deals have no expiration date. Not because the holiday is over means that a good sale will not be appreciated. Plus, it’s a great way to continue earning for your small business.