Starting from scratch or revising an existing marketing plan for a small business (or any firm, for that matter) may be daunting. It's easy to feel lost among the plethora of marketing materials available.
Today, we'll discuss the many kinds of marketing materials that every firm should have, as well as those that would be helpful to have if you have the means to do so.
For starters, then, let's define marketing materials precisely.
What exactly is the definition of marketing materials?
Promotional materials include anything with a corporate logo or slogan on it. These tools let you connect with your target market and grow your business. That's why when we talk about marketing materials, we're talking about anything from the logo that people see and begin to associate with your company to the case study that helps someone decide whether or not to buy your product.
One of the many reasons why marketing materials are so useful is their versatility. It's useful for advertising in every channel, to any demographic, and at any point of the sales process.
Let's move on to the marketing materials and assets that will get you off the ground. to a great extent, throughout the whole sales funnel.
Promotional materials that can't be missed
As a first step, we'll provide you with the essential pieces of promotional material. No of the size of your company or the extent of your marketing budget, you absolutely must have these elements in place.
1. Logo
A company's logo is a crucial part of its branding and marketing strategy. Take your time and make sure you get it correctly, since it will serve as a cornerstone of your company's brand and feature on most of your promotional materials. Pick an image that represents your brand's values and character and be sure to incorporate your company name within it for maximum impact.
2. Mission Statement
Another aspect of your brand that can't be changed is the statement of purpose you've established for it. To create a compelling mission statement, consider the significance of your company's efforts and the benefits they will provide to your target market.
Case in point: TED talks. The goal of the group is not to facilitate stimulating discussions or bring people together at their functions. This isn't the main goal; rather, it's to get the word out about new ideas. Think about the larger picture while formulating your own mission statement.
3. Website
We will shortly go on to discussing the sorts of non-digital marketing materials you will require. Still, it doesn't matter what you offer, you need to have a web presence for your company. For this reason, having a website is crucial.
A simple website that covers the basics is OK as far as marketing collateral goes, but from a strategic marketing perspective, you need to make sure it ranks well in search engines, generates leads, and converts clients. Though the topic of website optimization is worthy of its own blog article, these website assessors can point you in the right direction.
4. About Us Page
What functions your website must fulfill is highly dependent on the kind of your company. Blog articles and SEO pages (which we'll get into later) are important for online lead generation. In order to conduct business online, you will require a sales management system. A portfolio website may be all you need if you're a one-person design firm.
Nonetheless, every company needs a "about" page that quickly and easily explains the company's history, mission, and services to site visitors.
5. Social Profiles
You should create accounts on the most well-liked social media sites used by your target demographic. These sites might be more niche alternatives to the likes of Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, such as Reddit or Quora. Make sure you check the facts. what you do and who you are.
Please include as many details as possible for each social media profile. More details mean more people will find you online. Instagram profiles are brief and imaginative compared to the lengthy content seen on LinkedIn corporate sites.
6. Listings
If a potential consumer does a search for your business or the services you offer on Google, Facebook, Angie's List, or another local listings site, they will notice your online listings. Don't let these potential customers down by providing them with outdated or nonexistent information; instead, regularly examine and update your internet listings.
7. Email Signature
In this case, the solution is straightforward but crucial: create a recognizable brand identity for your company's emails. Using email in this way helps your correspondence look more polished and guarantees that you're making the most of email's potential as a brand interaction.
Including a photo in your signature may really make a statement. Sometimes you'll want to include your logo next to your photo, while other times it'll be more appropriate to include your signature. You might make your own of each and utilize them as needed.
8. Business Cards
It's important to have business cards with you wherever you go in case you run into any clients, customers, potential customers, or even friends of friends of friends who could become clients. Include your company's name, logo, and contact information, whether you choose for a cheap paper version or a fancy reusable one.
9. One-Pager
Your products and services need to be described in a well-designed, branded one-pager that also contains a testimonial and instructions for getting started. This is most useful as a.pdf that can be emailed to potential customers or printed and handed out in person at a trade fair or other event.
10. Brand Colors
Brand colors may seem like a frivolous addition to marketing materials, but they are crucial for creating brand awareness and, ultimately, expanding the client base. Maintaining consistency with your business's color scheme has been shown to improve brand awareness by an astounding 80 percent.
Such an acknowledgment is crucial to the success of any enterprise. If you want some advice on how to pick colors for your brand, have a look at our color psychology suggestions.
Documentation for advertising purposes
It's possible to get by without the promotional materials discussed here if money is tight, but they're still crucial. Therefore, wherever possible, you should make time to create these. Here are some examples of marketing materials you should begin developing as soon as you have the means to do so (either in-house or through outsourcing).
11. Templated Emails
Your audience engages with your brand every time you send them an email, whether it's a newsletter or an order confirmation. Taking advantage of this is easiest by developing branded, efficient, and interesting email templates.
12. Blog Posts
Articles written for blogs serve as the backbone of any content marketing plan. Because, with proper keyword targeting, these pieces of content allow you to reach out to your target audience from the "awareness" stage all the way through to the "consideration" stage, all while building your brand's identity and expanding your online footprint.
We offer nine prewritten blog post examples that are optimized for search engine rankings and readership growth.
13. eBooks or Guides
Long-form pieces of content, like as ebooks or guides, that aim to educate your audience once they are familiar with your brand are essential for reaching all stages of the sales funnel. Additionally, if you fence your material, they become an integral part of your lead generation plan.
14. Online Ads
Google has its own ad network, Google AdWords, and other companies, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, also have their own ad networks. Marketing your business online is a great way to reach a large audience with specific interests and demographics, which may lead to increased sales.
Nonetheless, there is a price to pay for things like ad creation, bidding, placement, and account management. You should get ready for this when you're ready to use this kind of marketing materials. Marketing using Google Ads is something you can study.
15. Landing Pages
Landing pages are essential when promoting downloading instructions through paid advertising. These are the webpages that are tailored to the promotion or offer you're now running.
16. Testimonials and Case Studies
To win over new consumers, it's great to showcase your expertise through testimonials from satisfied clients.
Ads showcasing satisfied customers can be as brief or as lengthy as case studies highlighting the benefits of the company's products and services. Both are useful pieces of promotional material.
17. Pitch Deck
Sharing success stories from previous customers is a terrific way to attract new prospects to your business.
Advertisements featuring happy customers can be as simple as a quote or as extensive as a case study extolling the virtues of the company's wares. Both kinds of literature may be used to help spread the word about your business.
18. Flyers
Numerous service-based companies, such as car washes and restaurants, benefit greatly from using flyers as a local marketing tool. If it describes you and your company, then you should have a flyer design ready to go for any upcoming events, sales, or promotional opportunities.
Promotional materials as an extra
We're into the realm of "nice to haves" now. If you're seeking for extra tools to bolster your advertising and sales efforts, promotional materials like these are excellent options.
19. Explainer Videos
Brief movies that describe your business or product in simple terms are called "explainer videos." They often begin with a character experiencing a problem, then use screen captures and video to demonstrate how your product or service resolves the issue. You may use them on landing sites, home pages, YouTube, social media, and more to showcase the features and benefits of your products and services.
20. Swag
Swag may conjure images of pricey, technologically advanced logo wear, but this is not always the case. It would surprise me if you didn't already own a branded coffee cup and writing instrument. Sixty percent of recipients keep freebies for two years, which translates to a lot of exposure for your business in the real world.
21. Customer Welcome Kits
One subset of swag, the client welcome package, merits its own entry since it's so useful. Thanking a new client for joining up with your company with a customized gift box.
Close the chapter on a positive, joyous one that might have lasting effects on your organization.
22. Thank You Prompts
You have some marketing materials in place now, such email templates and testimonials, so you should be able to collect frequent feedback from customers. What you need is a review-inducing thank-you email.
23. Original Graphics
Various visuals for use in marketing channels including blogs, pillar sites, social media, and more will be required after a consistent corporate identity has been developed.
This not only maintains the novelty and originality of your brand, but it also helps consumers get more familiar with and invested in your product.
superior promotional materials
In this final session, we'll go over several different kinds of marketing material that can come in handy if you already have a marketing team and budget in place.
24. Podcast
Everyone and their mother have a podcast these days, I know. But that's because it's a format that thrives on originality, adaptability, and a wide variety of specialist themes.
It's also extremely labor-intensive, which is why this marketing material is cutting-edge.
25. Reports and Research Projects
Everyone and their mother have a podcast these days, I know. But that's because it's a format that thrives on originality, adaptability, and a wide variety of specialist themes.
It's also extremely labor-intensive, which is why this marketing material is cutting-edge.
26. Branded Community
Due to the time and effort required for community-driven marketing, this is a promotional tool of the highest caliber. However, in recent years, sponsored communities have grown increasingly widespread (on Slack, Discord, and other platforms). One reason for its widespread acceptance is its practicality. According to CMX Hub's survey results, a whopping 84% of businesses say their community has been essential in achieving their goals.
Now is the time to begin making your marketing materials.
Time is of the essence if you haven't yet begun producing the essential forms of advertising material. Those who are comfortable with the basics and looking to expand their skill set may choose to try their hands at one of the advanced tasks. You may use these tools to better reach your target audience and expand your business. Have a prosperous day!
Let's review the 26 forms of promotional materials any firm should have on hand:
1. Logo
2. Mission statement
3. Website
4. About us page
5. Social profiles
6. Listings
7. Email signature
8. Business cards
9. One-pager
10. Brand colors
11. Templated emails
12. Blog posts
13. Ebooks or guides
14. Online ads
15. Landing pages
16. Testimonials and case studies
17. Pitch deck
18. Flyers
19. Explainer videos
20. Swag
21. Customer welcome kits
22. Thank you prompts
23. Original graphics
24. Podcast
25. Reports and research projects
26. Branded community
___________________
Salty Red Dog Marketing, LLC is a marketing agency in Red Bank, NJ, Westport, CT, and everywhere in between. We service businesses with marketing strategies, digital marketing, social media, and consultations.
Contact: info@saltyreddogmarketing.com
Phone: NJ: (732) 802-6205 // CT: (203) 429-9671
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