The truth is that small businesses do have it hard competing with giant competitors so doing things like leveraging professional unloading services and taking customer relationship management very seriously just to stay competitive is crucial. Marketing especially is an area of incredible competition. Still, all hope is far from lost. Sure, larger companies have big budgets and flashy campaigns, but there’s a certain nimbleness and authenticity that small businesses can bring to the table. This underdog status can be a powerful asset.
How? Here are 3 tips for you.
Interactive Experiences
Interactive experiences mean turning your audience from spectators to active players, which can boost brand recall and positive vibes.
First, you want to figure out where your target audience often hangs out—whether it’s social media, your website, or a cool app. Then, market to them there with gamified experiences and customization.
Say you have a fashion brand. Why not launch an augmented reality (AR) fitting room app? Having customers virtually try on clothes and then share their virtual fashion show on social media is creating a fun and shareable experience that hooks users enough to boost both engagement and brand visibility.
Micro-Influencer Campaigns
Micro-influencers are often the real deal when it comes to connecting with their followers, which means higher trust levels. Collaborating with them can give you that genuine stamp of approval to a niche audience.
Of course, this only works when you work with micro-influencers whose followers align with your target market and brand values and build authentic relationships with influencers that give them the freedom to showcase your product or service in their way.
Picture a local coffee shop teaming up with a micro-influencer who’s all about sustainability. The influencer shares content about the coffee shop’s eco-friendly practices from inside the shop featuring cool reusable cups and encouraging followers to swing by and join a campaign to use reusable cups.
Localized Guerrilla Marketing
Guerrilla marketing means going a bit rogue, doing things that aren’t the usual, to create those unforgettable experiences that stand out. It often results in a lot of chatter and can leave a lasting impression on the local scene.
First, you want to understand the local culture and adapt any guerrilla marketing tactics accordingly.
Get creative with offbeat methods like street art, flash mobs, or colorful pop-up events that surprise and engage the local community. Then, convert your offline marketing to online marketing by incentivizing people to share their experiences on social media.
Imagine a bookstore in your local area deciding to spice things up with a flash mob featuring actors dressed as famous book characters, dancing, and handing out bookmarks with discount codes for the bookstore.
There’s no reason why your small business can’t have impactful marketing campaigns. Start with these tips!
