Outside the Box Marketing Ideas to Grow Your Business
Every business is different, which means there’s no one size fits all, but these tips can be adapted to fit your specific needs. So stop asking yourself “what else can I do?” and without further ado, let’s look outside the box...
Number 1: Handwritten notes
In today’s digital age, handwritten notes are more powerful now than ever. A handwritten note takes time and shows the extra effort you took out of your busy day to create one. Not only do handwritten notes add a “wow” factor and make customers feel special, but they are cost effective and simple to create. Here’s three instances when a handwritten note will build loyalty and set you apart from your competitors.
Customer Complaint or Issue: Send a customer a “Thank You” for pointing out the issue and being patient in getting it resolved
Holiday or Birthday: Send a “Happy Birthday” note to your customers if you have this information. Perhaps you just learned that one of your customers just had a child? Send them a congratulations!
Thank You: Having a stack of “Thank You” cards in your desk is a great way to demonstrate your appreciation on the fly
Number 2: Inspire User Generated Content
Here’s how to get yourself some UGC:
Step 1: Make a list of the type of influencers you are looking for. (Eg. What qualities do they have, who is their audience and does it match your target audience, etc.)
Step 2: Contact them and outline why you feel they would be a suitable fit for your brand
Step 3: Set up an arrangement that works for both of you. For example, the chosen influencer can promote your products followers on their Instagram while utilizing your hashtags. In return for the free promotion, you can provide their audience with a discount code for purchasing said product at a reduced cost.
Number 3: Give Back to the Community
A humanitarian approach will set you apart from your competitors and is as simple as partnering with an organization or charity you are passionate about and sharing this passion with your customers. Findings show that 85% of consumers have a better outlook on and prefer to do businesses with brands that support a charity they care about. Customers that see a meaningful impact behind their purchase will likely choose you over your competitors and will recognize the opportunity to do good through their own purchasing power.
Here’s a few other ways to incorporate corporate responsibility into your business plan:
Donate your product or services to a non-profit organization
Participate at Career Days
Hold a Fundraiser
Support a local charity by offering volunteer opportunities
Number 4: Personalize where possible
Who else lets out a bit of a squeal when they come across a cool product with their name on it? (No? Maybe it’s just me.) Product personalization can include various color and design options or pre-made designs with personalization options via name inclusions. Let’s be honest, Starbucks doesn’t write your name on your cup and announce it aloud just so you know when your ‘Grande, Iced, Sugar-Free, Vanilla Latte With Soy Milk’ is ready to be grabbed from the counter. The personalization gives you a bit of special treatment and serves as a reminder that you’re drinking the perfect cup of joe made with lots of love (and patience), and specifically for you.
If you sell a physical product, consider adding custom embroidery, screen printing, or engraving. We get you, it reminds you of a monogrammed wedding gift or bath towel….but hear us out on this one, this type of customization can works if executed properly. Companies that offer personalization get more engagement from consumers, they stay on their websites longer, they visit pages more frequently and become more loyal.
Number 5: Spice up your packaging
Survey results found that 64 percent of consumers said they will sometimes buy a product off the shelf, drawn by packaging, without prior knowledge or having researched it beforehand. Additional studies ranked packaging as one of the highest drivers of repeat purchase, providing higher impact than television ads online reviews, and even recommendations from friends.
The way you package your product should be executed as carefully and strategically as you execute the product itself. After all, if you aren’t an online store, your product’s packaging is the first thing your potential customer sees. Setting yourself apart from the others with creative packaging is a great way to grasp attention, get people talking, and hopefully earn you a few shares on social media!
