The explosion of social media has permanently changed the way we look at marketing. Rather than casting a net of advertising messages with the hopes of capturing a prospective client’s attention, marketing specialists are focusing on ways to influence buyers by influencing the climate in which buyers are making decisions.
Companies are no longer looking to simply brand themselves, they are looking to develop corporate personalities that potential customers can relate to and interact with. Large corporations are finding social media to be a platform with which to communicate their personal, relatable side while smaller companies are finding that social networking can expand their reach exponentially.
So, what are some ways to optimize this ripple effect?
Whether you are reviewing your overall marketing strategy, or simply developing and evaluating graphics for a tabletop display or banner stand, some questions to ask would be:
- How does my overall marketing strategy fit into the current political and social climate?
- Are my businesses’ displays, trade show booth design, and printed materials in line with the political and social preferences of my target demographic?
- Who are the customers/companies that influence the buying decisions of my prospective client? Does my message and method target them as well?
- Whose voices and opinions do my ideal customers trust and how do I get those voices to relay my message?
- What are the specific concerns of my potential clients and who/where do they go to to look for solutions? Do my methods reach this extended demographic?
- Is this particular graphic/message persuasive enough to motivate the viewer to share it with others?
You invest a lot of time, money, and energy in your advertising “stones”. It’s time to incorporate some ripple thinking and extend your marketing reach. Remember, your ideal customer might be just a stone’s throw away.