Marketing Plans and Strategies

Marketing has many kinds of plans and strategies. In fact, when you look on the internet, you’ll find about hundreds and more kinds of marketing plans and strategy. Deciding for the right marketing plans and strategy for your business play a big role for your business’ success. While I’ve discussed the two basics of marketing plans B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumers) on the previous article, here are the top 12 most common and effective marketing strategies that will surely help your business product or service to grow.

1. Direct Marketing. This is self-explanatory. It is as simple as communicating directly to the customers whether thru mails, emails, or even talking directly to the customers. Giving out fliers, brochures or any promotional material is also considered as direct marketing.

2. Indirect Marketing. Indirect marketing plan focus more on the company than its product or service. What the company does is sponsor events, participates in charity works, or even funding prizes in big contests. Indirect marketing is not really asking the consumers to make a purchase, it’s more on leaving a reputation on the public.

3. Relationship Marketing. Among all marketing plans and strategies, relationship marketing is the most personal in my own opinion. They build rapport and relationships with customers by giving them privileges by making selected loyal customers know first the latest product or biggest sales of the company. They are also the first ones to receive any promotional materials. Sending personalized thank-you-messages or birthday greetings is also one technique in relationship marketing.

4. Cause Marketing. This is also some sort of indirect marketing. It associates the company brand to social issues and social causes. For example, a company that claims to be helping the less fortunate every time you purchase a product is using cause marketing. The campaign doesn’t focus on the product itself but instead trigger the public conscience to attract consumers to a certain product or service.

5. Telemarketing. Telemarketing is considered as direct marketing as well. It is one of the longest marketing technique that is still being used to this day. Over the years, telemarketing has been the least favorite of people as many find it annoying. Some companies have limit the use of telemarketing over the years in compliance to telephone harassment law in some places. Having said that, it is the marketing strategy that is being avoided by both the consumers and companies.

6. Social Media Marketing. Social media marketing has been growing rapidly over the years. Many businesses too are social media based. There are many factors why social media marketing is worth the consideration. First, it is the best platform to interact with people all over the world. Secondly, it’s easier to reach out for many types of audience, from different ages and walks of life. Thirdly, it is the cheapest marketing style. In fact, you can even have it for free.

7. Introductory price. An introductory price differs for every business. For food business, introductory price is usually lower than the competitors while when it comes to technical product, they use price-skimming technique which is the introductory price is relatively high because the company needs to acquire the maximum revenue from the product. After quite some time, the company may lower the price to reach out for low-end consumers. 

8. Online Marketing. Online marketing today has evolved so much. From a simple website banners and widgets to annoying pop ups in almost anywhere in the internet. Clearly, the advertisers try to capture people’s attention any possible way they can.  Getting people’s attention is one thing, however, to conclude whether these pop ups advertisement are effective needs more time to study. One thing is for sure to date, and that is these pop ups online marketing is as irritating as telemarketing for the consumers.

9. PR Marketing. This is public relations marketing. It is basically working with the media for the latest products or service that the company offers. For big companies, they held major press conference every time they launch new products. This marketing style is still the most prestige and most expensive.

10. Word of Mouth Marketing. Word-of-mouth marketing is still the most authentic and effective marketing strategy of all time. However, it doesn’t guarantee fast marketing progress. This is why word of mouth alone is not very advisable in our changing modern time. Modern marketers incorporate word of mouth marketing to technology such as social media, website content, online reviews and the like to keep up with competitive marketing styles.

11. Affinity Marketing. This happens when two brands create a partnership that would mutually benefit them. A good example is shoes and bag companies. The two may form alliances with complimentary brands where both of them can generate sales.

12. Niche Marketing. Niche marketing targets consumers that are seem to be “forgotten”. For example, since clothing line are usually for male or female only, one can make a product that targets female androgynous or male androgynous. It targets very limited audience and a research about the prospect clients’ lifestyle, want and needs is necessary. 

So those are the twelve most common and effective marketing plans that you may want to try for your business. You may also mix them together or create your own marketing style. Just remember that the effective marketing plan and strategy is not only being able to send the message across but also to communicate effectively with your customers and clients. -M.D.

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