What are Marketing Strategies to Increase Sales?

Sales and marketing go hand-in-hand. 

That’s because the definition of marketing is to:

1. Gain a customer, and 
2. Keep a customer.

Both of the functions of marketing require a sale to be made.

12 Marketing strategies to increase sales:

1. Marketing with the telephone 
2. Marketing with targeted direct mail
3. Email marketing
4. Website marketing
5. eCommerce marketing
6. Online advertising such as PPC, display and native ads
7. Social media marketing 
8. Referral marketing
9. Guerilla marketing
10.  4-wall marketing (using the inside of your store walls to sell)
11.  Business card marketing
12.  Print advertising such as newspaper and trade journals
13.  Joint venture marketing with other synergistic businesses
14.  Radio, TV marketing

With the right marketing strategies, focused on how your customers like to communicate with you, the energy and efforts directed to your marketing strategy will directly determine your sales and the success of your business. 

If increasing sales is your top priority, then this will affect your marketing strategy. 

When you have your marketing goals set at the highest level, a.k.a., your marketing strategy, your marketing tactics and sales plan will become much clearer.

The following marketing strategies to increase sales will help.

7 Marketing Strategies to Boost Sales (Explained)

Below are some proven marketing strategies to increase product sales and revenue;

1. Focus on Existing Customers

Most people create marketing strategies tailored to convince new customers into buying their products. However, the cost of acquiring new customers is significantly higher compared to the cost of marketing to your existing customers. 

Therefore, your marketing strategies should also reach out to existing customers. 

Always be proactive and reach out regularly. Don't be afraid to ask them if they need some service or introduce them to your new products.

2. Target new customers

Targeting new customers is easier once you understand the basics of marketing.  First, focus on your customer value proposition and the unique value that you provide to your target market. Second, determine exactly who your ideal customer is and identify where they are so you can communicate your value proposition. Third, focus relentlessly on testing new marketplaces in order to find message-market fit. (The first rule of marketing.)

3. Create Product Samples

One of the best ways of showcasing your products to prospects and returning customers is by creating examples or mock-ups of your product. Product samples not only provide an opportunity to explain your product features and details to target customers but also allows you to demonstrate real-life applications of the product.

Fortunately, product mock-ups can be used with both traditional and digital marketing methods. You can use them on magazines, billboards, banners, social media posts, email marketing, and other marketing methods. To succeed with samples, work with experienced graphic designers who understand your goal. 

4. Provide 3rd Party Credibility and Buyer Confidence

The main goal of marketing your products/services is to convert a fan into a customer or service user. However, doing this requires that you develop a unique value proposition. This involves identifying your customer's or target audience's pain points and convincing them how your product can alleviate their pressing needs. Explain to them what they should expect after purchasing your products.

That said, regardless of your business niche, the following three pain points are universally applicable;

• Monetary – your target customers could be wasting money on low-quality products and services. For this, market your products and services at competitive prices.
• Productivity – your audience may tire from using products without meaningful results. To counter this, emphasize specific features and benefits of your products. Use positive customer testimonials, experiences, and reviews to highlight your product's effectiveness.
• Support – your competitors might be providing unreliable and unfriendly customer support. If such is the case, reassure your target audience of supportive customer service that is always ready to handle their concerns.

5. Use Video Marketing for Education and to Build Your Audience

Unlike before, video marketing is making a buzz in the digital marketing world. While it may be tasking to create product videos, you don't have to undergo the tough hassle. You can simply repurpose your already created blog content into short clips for use on various social media platforms. Good video content includes;

• Reviews from social media influencers in your niche
• Educational and how-to videos that guide customers on how they can use your products and services
• Product testimonials from previous clients
• Interesting and relevant animations

6. Leverage Daily Updates Through Stories

You should also take advantage of the explosion of social media marketing opportunities to increase product sales. Currently, more than 80% of social media users follow business accounts on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Based on these figures, you have an awesome opportunity to meet and connect with prospective customers through various advertising options on these platforms.

Instagram stories is a unique marketing option that can reach daily platform users. They provide an easy way of reaching and influencing your Instagram audience both directly and indirectly. Apart from paid ads that appear as stories, sharing your products and services on your brand account' stories also nurtures your audience, making it easy to convert them.

Like paid ads, they are an effective and reliable way of gaining immediate sales or increasing customer interest. The "swipe up" feature is a perfect addition, as it turns Instagram followers into warm leads.

7. Personalize the Customer Experience

General marketing approaches are rarely effective in the current digital age. One of the best ways to connect with prospects who relate to your brand products and services is through personalization. 

You can definitely create an effective buyer persona and identify your target audience on various social platforms while staying within the limits of GDPR. Make use of these sources to gather demographic information;

• Online forums
• Focus groups
• One-on-one interviews
• Facebook groups
• Current population statistics
• The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics

Running an effective marketing strategy that increases sales requires that you keep up with the constantly changing marketing trends and evolving customer behavior. That aside, you should take advantage of modern marketing tools that make it easy to reach and connect with your target audience.