Saying that integrating multiple channels and platforms can be complex is an understatement. But are we missing the forest for the trees? Sometimes the enablers of the integrated marketing strategy can be more critical to your success than the strategy elements themselves.
Don’t underestimate the power of having a conversation with your visitors despite the channel. Whether you connect to your customers through email or even LiveChat, the personal exchange helps because people like buying from people, not from robots.
Consider our other list of enablers for marketing strategies we often use with our clients:
Integrated marketing … a customer’s experience
A customer’s experience creates the best marketing. It gives your customers something good to discuss. Ways to improve your customer experience needs to be a plank in your strategy.
Integrated marketing strategy … customer conversations
Conversations with customers are the basis of word of mouth marketing, your most important strategic element. They also form the foundation of building relationships and trust.
Here is a very good example:
In 2013, H&R Block, with their agency Fallon, responded to something they heard while interviewing consumers. The thing people seemed to care about most was getting taxes done right and getting every dime they are owed back.
The creative bomb that went off birthed the now famous, “Get Your Billions Back America” campaign, which launched at the start of 2014.
It was a message consumer heard, understood and were instantly drawn to.
The genius of the campaign lies in what isn’t stated. There’s no reference to Block’s size and some locations. No mention of total refunds they’ve secured for their customers. No detail about their processes, services, prices or the proficiency of their accountants.
No noise, interference or distractions.
Sure, these things matter. But every accounting firm markets around the obvious things that make them great. Block took an alternative route and marketed around what people want – a Robin Hood that gets them what they deserve.
Integrated marketing examples … marketing strategy
Your marketing strategy needs to be about service and value, not product and price. You don’t want to be a commodity … ever, so keep your eye on your value discrimination and your service.
Emotion can often represent your service and value. Check this example out:
The Zillow real estate company has built an entire marketing campaign on influencing home buyers with emotional influence. Have you seen any of them? We like them so much that we have searched for them on YouTube frequently.
“Homecoming” was Zillow’s sixth TV spot in the company’s highly successful national advertising campaign. You cannot beat these ads. There are no better means of influence or the power of persuasion than emotion. Hands down the best, in our opinion.
Experiences that trigger our emotions are saved and consolidated in lasting memory because the emotions generated by the experiences signal our brains that the experiences are important to remember.
The homecoming commercial ending message says it all:
You are not just looking for a house; you are looking for a place for your life to happen.
This commercial focuses on emotional appeal in grand fashion. It is the secret of this commercial’s success. It creates a strong persuasion in our opinion. A great example of a successful advertisement design.
Customer relationships
Did you know those customer relationships are the backbone of building trust? Customer trust is the most important reason a customer selects a business. What are the ways you are attempting to build customer trust?
Integrated marketing strategy … selling
Selling is not a priority, but marketing is. As Peter Drucker stated … the aim of marketing is to understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.
Creative Marketing Solutions: What is Lowes’ Marketing Difference Maker?
Check out this example …
At Catbird Creamery in Maine, when you order a conventional flavor, they’ll insist that you sample something a little more adventurous. And even if you’re going to order vanilla, they want you to at least try the strawberry balsamic or green tea ginger.
Catbird knows that anyone can make a good vanilla, but what makes them stand out is helping their customers see all of the other fantastic flavors they also make.
They’re giving their customers an experience to discuss. Even if the customer doesn’t order the hot pepper flavor they just sampled, they will likely tell others they tried it.
Advocates
Creating advocates are your best promotion method. Use them to spread your messages and lead the conversations among customers.
Customer retention
Customer retention is much cheaper than acquisition. Spend your maximum time and money on retaining your best existing customers.
All customers
Do you believe your customers are not equal? They certainly are not. Know who your best customers are and put most of your attention on them.
Your expertise
Your knowledge and expertise are your greatest values. Share them freely with your customers to help them make wise decisions.
