Whether you run a coffee shop, a bakery or any other type of business, consistently coming up with new, creative ways to market your brand is no mean feat, especially when you’re pressed for time or money. Modern consumers engage with hundreds of brands across a wealth of different channels every single day, meaning that there’s no shortage of marketing messages wrestling for the attention of your current and prospective customers. If you want to cut through all of this noise and make a meaningful impact on your business by bringing in new patrons and retaining current ones, you’ll need to utilize smart, compelling marketing tactics that drive engagement and enhance loyalty. Fortunately, there are many simple and effective promotional efforts your brand can leverage to foster these results without burning through too much of your marketing budget or putting significant strain on your busy schedule.
For over 28 years, our team here at Grey Fox Pottery has been working with companies across the nation to design and execute incredible marketing strategies that yield maximum business value. Not only do we produce a huge range of unique, custom stoneware mugs and tankards for organizations of every size and industry, but we also provide the support and counsel our partners need to make the most out of their marketing initiatives and thrive. That’s why we’ll be taking a few minutes today to discuss three simple marketing tactics you can use to grow your business today.
1. Use Social Media Contests
Social media platforms are some of the most effective tools your brand can use to connect and build relationships with its customers. A healthy, consistent social media presence plays a vital role in keeping your customers engaged and excited about your brand, encouraging higher loyalty and increased sales opportunities. However, it’s important to note that your brand’s social media interactions with fans should not be an endless series of promotional posts and updates. Rather, they should feel like conversations, an ebb and flow of speaking and listening. That’s where social media contests factor in. These engagement efforts put the spotlight on your fans, empowering them to express themselves creatively and celebrate your brand with other followers. Social media contests can also provide your brand with a host of pictures, videos and other user-generated content that it can share across multiple channels, saving you time, money and effort.
Luckily, arranging social media contests for your brand is pretty simple. All you’ll need is a fun idea to get followers started and suitable rewards for the winners. For example, if you run a bakery, you might challenge followers to snap a photo that conveys how much they adore one of your pastries. Or, if you own a coffee shop, you could ask your fans to write up a haiku that artfully describes their favorite beverage. Pictures, videos, poetry, drawings, snippets of audio, they’re all fair game. You can even run multiple social media contests at once across your different channels! The specific rewards you offer will vary depending on what your business specializes in, but try to stick with items or perks that almost any follower can enjoy. Free products, branded coffee mugs and other rewards that are closely related to your brand will work best in most situations. Oh, and be sure to give a shout-out to every follower who participated after the contest ends!
2. Participate in Community Events
Helping out at local events provides your brand with excellent opportunities to boost its reputation, better the community and spread the word about your products or services to prospective customers. This tactic is also significantly cheaper and easier than funding and running an event on your own. Whether you provide craft beers for a concert, warm coffee for a charity fundraiser or delicious baked goods at a farmers market, community events are a superb way to mix things up and put your products in front of new customers while making a great first impression. These events also provide your brand with a selection of fun, engaging photos and videos to share on your different social channels!
Not only can participating in community events expose potential customers to your brand, but it can also help your organization differentiate itself from competitors. While customers appreciate companies that offer excellent products and prices, neither of those qualities are relatable or inspiring. Showing compassion and dedication to good causes that are relevant to your customers sets you apart from the competition in the best way possible, cementing your brand as one that prioritizes people above profits and compelling current and future fans alike to stick with you.
3. Invest in Branded Merchandise
Considering the immense impact of word-of-mouth advertising, companies across the globe are investing in marketing tactics that encourage their fans to personally promote their products or services to others. The beauty of branded merchandising is that it effectively transforms your customers into some of your most passionate and consistent marketers as they proudly bear their new merchandise in the company of friends, family and coworkers. Consequently, by selling or giving away high-quality branded merchandise that pairs utility with an attractive look, you can promote your brand while rewarding your customers for their invaluable support.
At Grey Fox Pottery, we offer a wide range of handmade mugs and tankards that can be customized to match your brand’s exact aesthetic and personality. Whether you’re a bakery looking to invest in a small order of coffee mugs for your gift shop or a brewery that needs hundreds of stoneware beer steins for an upcoming event, our team of American artists has the expertise and passion to help. Last but not least, our minimum order size is only 48 pieces, giving you maximum flexibility and the most bang for your buck with each order.
Contact Grey Fox Pottery Today
Have any other questions about Grey Fox Pottery or our selection of top-quality stoneware merchandise? Then be sure to call or message us. You can also reach out to us if you want any more advice on which marketing tactics you should use to promote your brand. As a fellow American company committed to your success, we would be more than happy to provide any additional support you need.