If you are a tried and tested business person then by now you have your favorite mix of communication channels you turn to each time you need to promote your online business. And chances are, you mix and match these marketing channels according to what you need to get done.
This practice is called Right Channeling. It's simply choosing and using the right communication channel to accomplish specific business objectives. There's no rocket science involved here, just common sense and marketing savvy to be able to identify the most effective ways to get the word out about your business.
Simply put, Right Channeling is devising a contact strategy to reach the right persons at the right time using the right communication channel with a relevant offer, product or message. It is an important strategy to adopt because it helps you stretch your marketing budget while you generate the best opportunities to engage your targets.
Here are a few ideas to help you match the right communication channel with the marketing objectives you seek to attain.
Market Penetration
If your goal is to sell more of your products to your existing markets, consider the following options.
- Work on your site's SEO.
- Start an email campaign.
- Get going with your social media marketing.
These three channels will allow you to get your marketing and promotions messages out to more people. And the cost will be reasonable enough for you to sustain your efforts over a period of time.
Market Development
Social media is the perfect tool to generate leads and let you develop new markets for your products and services. Facebook and Twitter are excellent lead generating machines. You should also consider leveraging some useful information in exchange for contact information in a "squeeze page" on your website or blog. These channels let you extend your marketing reach at a lower cost than traditional marketing channels, and without requiring a supporting sales infrastructure.
Product Development
Get your customers and prospects to design your next product for you. Listening in on social media conversations gives you valuable clues to help you develop your products. Or why not directly ask your audiences for help? Crowdsourcing can be an effective way to solicit product ideas and feedback from your social media contacts.
Another aspect to consider is adding value to your products by providing more information and related services on your website. For example, you can provide an app that ties in to your product and let people download this from your site.
Diversification
Diversify your business portfolio by creating new products you can sell to brand new markets. You can start a new website and blog that are both optimized to target your new set of audiences. Boost this new business of yours by integrating your social media lead generation activities to integrate with your new product site. Before you know it, you will have new prospects and infinite opportunities for an entirely new business direction.