Marketing Without Selling
If you're looking for a way to promote your product without having to engage in the dirty world of selling, then this article is for you. In this blog post, I'll be discussing what marketing is and how it works, before explaining six different methods of marketing that don't involve selling.
No matter what business you own or what products or services your company offers, there are usually different ways to market the goods and services without having to resort to spending any money. By utilizing these methods of marketing rather than relying on selling, your company can spread its name without being burdened by inventory (and all the other expenses that come with selling).
When it comes to marketing, there are two very distinct areas. In the world of selling, marketing is described as the process of finding a new customer, convincing said customer that your product or service is a worthwhile investment, and then buying from you again. When it comes to actual marketing, there are six very useful techniques that do not involve selling customers at all.
Here are six ways to make your business work without ever having to send potential customers away empty-handed:
1. Content Marketing
"Content" refers to everything written about your company or product for your consideration; short press releases, blog posts, white papers and other material intended for anyone who's interested in reading them. This material is then distributed via a variety of means including social media and other websites.
Content marketing can be incredibly effective, but it does require that you have your company's message in front of someone every single time someone is thinking about your business. The more people who hear about your business, the better. Existing customers who know where to get your product or service are much more likely to return than customers who have never heard of you before.
2. Expertise Marketing
Anybody who is knowledgeable about a topic related to your business should be able to provide value to a potential customer. This means that if you're selling real estate, it's a good idea for the broker who managed your listing to also upload pictures of the property under listing, write about the home's features and benefits, and upload videos that show you in action. This will work even better if the broker has a solid social media presence with which clients can get to know him or her (don't forget: the more people see you and like what they see, the more likely they are to return).
3. "You" Marketing
One of the most powerful ways to convince customers that they should buy from you is by telling them why your product is different than anything else they're thinking about. If the benefit of a particular product or service can't be stated in a couple sentences, then someone might not be able to justify buying it.
A more tangible way to explain why a customer should purchase something is through testimonials, and customer quotes are a surefire way to get potential customers interested (particularly if you're selling something that's going to make their life better). For example, if you're selling kitchen appliances, then testimonials might work best as quotes from people who are explaining what they love about the product and why someone else should have it too.
4. Interactive Marketing
Many companies give their potential customers an opportunity to opt-in to receiving sales materials in exchange for something of value. This could be a special offer or the chance to win something special (through a contest, for example). It's possible to fine-tune your marketing so that it's more direct by making it clear what your potential customers will get in exchange for opting in (with a link back to your website).
5. Relationships Marketing
Relationships are one of the most important things in life, and as such, it's never a bad idea to establish a solid relationship with existing customers. It might seem obvious, but establishing long-term relationships with existing clients is an effective way to build trust and loyalty. That loyalty can then be used to boost both the number of new customers you get and the amount of money you make per customer.
A great way to build a strong relationship with your customers is through regular or frequent communication that's focused on their needs. Sending them emails, text messages or calls are great ways to keep in touch over time.
Conclusion:
These six marketing techniques are just a few examples of what you can do. The best way to figure out how to market your business without selling is to try as many different types of marketing as you can and see what works for you. There's no magic bullet, but once you figure out what works for your business, the more likely you'll be able to market your way into making more money, without having to rely on sales.
Reference: http://www.business2community.