6 ways to kickstart your marketing strategy in 2022

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Marketing is a game all by itself, and there’s no doubt it’s a rabbit hole you could go down forever. The basics are easy, but hard to master. However, these 6 tips are all about making that process a little easier:

1. Launch an exclusive beta version or pilot program before rolling out something new to everyone. If you’re doing a brand refresh, offering a new service, or otherwise doing something radically different from what current customers expect as the norm, try launching a beta site to test reactions before an official launch. This allows you to get feedback on what works and doesn’t work so that when you go live with the new project, all the “bugs” have been worked out.

2. Start (or refine) a referral program. This is a great way to get your current customers to do your marketing. Offer them a discount or free service for every new customer they refer, and make it easy for them to do so by including referral cards or links in your invoices, on your website, and even through social media posts. You could also parlay the program into contests, where the person who refers the newest customers gets something special.

3. Produce a viral video. A 2020 study by Wyzowl found that people share videos at twice the rate than any other form of content. The same study found that 84 percent of people were convinced to buy a product or service based on the brand’s video. This doesn’t mean you need to spend a ton of money on a production crew, special effects and an actor who can deliver the lines perfectly. All you need is something that’s interesting enough people are going to want to share it with their friends. Of course, this isn’t always easy. It takes time, creativity, and maybe even some money if you’re hiring someone to help you out, but it’s definitely worth the effort if you can tap into the market in just the right way.

4. Hold a contest/giveaway. Contests and giveaways are a great way to get more people involved with your business: Customers (and potential customers) have to to subscribe or follow your company’s social media accounts. So not only do these contests help spread awareness about what it is you do and how great you are at it, they also help build your social media following, which is really useful in the long run. Just make sure you adhere to each social media platform’s rules for such events.

5. Collaborate with other brands. For example, if you’re interested in reaching women who are running their own businesses from home and might be looking for pest control services, reach out to them and offer an opportunity to include your company’s name on their website or social media in return for the same from them.

6. Giving back pays dividends. “There’s no doubt that social causes are a powerful way to connect with potential customers. In fact, we’ve found that 89 percent of people surveyed said they would switch brands if they found out the company they were buying from was supporting a cause they cared about,” explains Sarah Farrow, a business writer at Brit Student and Next Coursework. Donating time, money, supplies and/or service not only puts good out into the world, it makes your employees feel good about working for a company with a conscience, and your customers (and potential customers) will appreciate the efforts as well.

The bottom line: Be creative, and don’t be afraid to try something new.