Direct Marketing And Branding
Starting out a business is a tiresome process and requires a level of commitment to be executed. Once all primary aspects are covered, an effective marketing strategy is what will kick-start a business.
Many new business owners struggle with making a decision between a direct marketing solution and a branding strategy. Even if it isn’t that simple, making a decision on how to advertise your brand among your target audience calls for weighing out the benefits of each and knowing how they work.
Direct Marketing
This plan has been used for a long time for businesses to notify individuals about products and service. This ‘direct’ method involves the business communicating directly with their consumers without the use of a third-party to promote the brand for them. The third-party or ‘middleman’ can be the use of billboards or general advertisements that everyone sees.
Some may even call this a more personal take on marketing. There are mixed views on what may actually be ‘direct marketing’ because of the digital epidemic that is blurring lines, but the majority have included online contact as part of it.
Now, direct marketing can be through newsletters, phone calls and yes, e-mails as well. Another way to explain it is that direct marketing is a way to get your message across to people you know are consumers of similar products and will be interested in what you have to say. This method can help save money if your business specializes in offering services or products that not everyone needs.
Some may even call this a more personal take on marketing. There are mixed views on what may actually be ‘direct marketing’ because of the digital epidemic that is blurring lines, but the majority have included online contact as part of it.
Now, direct marketing can be through newsletters, phone calls and yes, e-mails as well. Another way to explain it is that direct marketing is a way to get your message across to people you know are consumers of similar products and will be interested in what you have to say. This method can help save money if your business specializes in offering services or products that not everyone needs.
Branding
This method actually calls for making your business known among the masses. Branding strategies are quite comprehensive and involves outsourcing different services so they can market their products well. It is a fairly effective strategy since it makes your brand’s name visible to as many people as possible.
They’ll see it on as many places as you pay for it to be: billboards, magazines, and commercials. This creates an effect on potential customers and clients that make them remember your brand’s name whenever they feel in need of services that you can provide.
It seems like an appealing opportunity to many businesses: getting your message across to everyone is better than getting it across to a small number of people, right? Not likely. There are factors that can turn it from a good investment to a drain on your wallet.
The cost is relatively high for such advertising services so a wise decision has to be made in terms of branding your business this way. If you plan on promoting your business to as many eyes as possible, then you should first consider if your products and services even apply to a large majority in the first place.
An important thing to remember when approaching a marketing strategy is to never restrict yourself to just one method. Starting out with just one is fine, but a proper campaign would require branching out and trying different methods once you have the means. It can be a lengthy process, but it is worth it.
