Successfully selling products is the ultimate goal for a small business. However, in order to sell those products, whatever they may be, the business must entice customers to make a purchase. Promotions are the backbone of creating a sense of urgency to take initiative and purchase a product.
But, what makes a good promotion? How do you create the perfect promotion that encourages buyers? Here are five ways to successfully promote to your customers!
1. Run a Targeted Promotion
Promotions are used in a multitude of ways, whether it is to gain new customers, sell products, or steer them away from competition. However, one promotion cannot reach every point in your promotional plan. Therefore, it is crucial to determine your promotion’s target efforts:
- Do you want to entice more purchases either through greater frequency or volume?
- Advertise to new customers?
- Repair your relationships with previous customers?
- Advertise your business during slow months?
2. Know Your Incentives
Once you have determined the purpose of your promotion, you have to create an incentive for your promotion to draw your customers in. Here are some examples:
- Discounts/Coupons
- Samples/Trial Offers
- Events
3. Set a Goal
Although this may seem obvious, always have a goal for your promotions in mind. Know what you want to achieve. For instance:
- What is your sales target?
- How many new customers do you want to gain?
- How much revenue do you want to bring in for the quarter?
Having a determined goal for your promotions will help to keep your business on track an aid in your its success.
4. Choose a Promotional Strategy
Once your goal is determined, you will need a strategy for your promotion. That is, how will you best reach your customers? There are many effective ways to successfully advertise to your customers.
- Social Media
- Contests
- Mail Order Marketing
- Giveaways
- Customer Surveys
- Charity
- Customer Appreciation Gifts
5. Know Your Promotional Techniques
It is important to have an understanding of the many promotional techniques that can be offered. Like incentives, these techniques can be used to draw in your customers and lead to an increase in sales and loyalty:
- Free samples, trials, and gifts
- Special Pricing
- Influencer Marketing
- Digital Marketing
